I got the .pdf of Kranburn #5, I'll wait for one more before I order paper copies.
The cover is another enjoyably detailed pose. The outfit is especially silly, I'd bet it would weigh 80 lbs at least, with all the stuff hanging on it. Not that I'm complaining, it's fun to look at and I imagine it's lots of fun to draw this. I wondered how the chainsaw cut anything with those smooth teeth, until I saw the mangled end of the branch.
The story picks up in a sort of flashback, a young Brand makes his way through his increasingly horrible neighborhood, to find even greater horror at home. Vicious assault, rapes, stabbings, dismemberment, death, all ensue. Good God. The story holds nothing back in showing an awful and formative moment in Brand's life.
And it was all a dream. No, really, it's the nightmare Brand awakens from ("been a long time since I last had that dream") after hiding to recover, after absorbing the vicious beating from Brutus. Two Nong make the mistake of finding Brand, he makes them pay with their lives, and begins his next assault.
During this, the Nong continue to torture Lawton, sending bits of him to taunt the residents of Kranburn. The Kranburnites are fearful of action, and a frustrated Silvia storms off on her own to search for her parents.
We see Lord ordering increased pressure on the Lawtons and on Kranburn, time is running short for them. Then suddenly Silvia encounters a Nong scurrying back from dropping a "message" to Kranburn, and a chase ensues.
Certainly this is one of the strongest chapters in the story. The action, drama, and emotion shown are unsurpassed here. I really like the artwork, it's easy for me to overlook inconsistencies (BMB's obviously not a cyclist, never seen a bike like that before...) because I enjoy it so much. The raw black and white is perfect for depicting the unflinching brutality people are capable of.
I'm curious about what the future holds for Kranburn. The books have run about mid-40s pages long, there are about 18 pages on the webcomic after the last page of this book, and there are about 9 weeks until the beginning of March, when I thought the 5th book would come up, so I don't see how there would be enough pages by then. I'm sure I'm missing something, and I'm not too concerned, the comic seems to be going strong so I can look forward with anticipation for its conclusion.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Season's Greetings
Happy Apocalypse! And happy all the other damn holidays too!
The world ended and I didn't even notice.
Looks like Issue #260 is out, in two covers, one for subscribers by Horley that looks nice and one for newstands. Time to look for a store that has it. On the website, you have to look for it in the HM sales pages, but there's a free sample pdf that looks nice.
There are some other new digital downloads, including Sinkha Episode 0 and Episode 1. There's a sample from the Episode 0, it supposedly is the original "3D Computergraphic Novel" from 1994, and it was interesting that it looks more like a comic than the slick-for-the-mid-90s computer graphics that were in the magazine (in 1996, 2004, and 2010).
Pax Vobiscum
The world ended and I didn't even notice.
Looks like Issue #260 is out, in two covers, one for subscribers by Horley that looks nice and one for newstands. Time to look for a store that has it. On the website, you have to look for it in the HM sales pages, but there's a free sample pdf that looks nice.
There are some other new digital downloads, including Sinkha Episode 0 and Episode 1. There's a sample from the Episode 0, it supposedly is the original "3D Computergraphic Novel" from 1994, and it was interesting that it looks more like a comic than the slick-for-the-mid-90s computer graphics that were in the magazine (in 1996, 2004, and 2010).
Pax Vobiscum
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
and ... ?
So, if I'm counting right, #259 was the fourth issue of HM in 2012. Ever since the specials were stopped, there were still supposed to be six issues a year, so supposedly we should see two more yet this year.
The internet doesn't tell me anything about #260 being in the works, so I'm pretty skeptical we'll see it in 2012, let alone #261 to get in all six. Good thing I don't have a subscription, else I'd feel pretty ripped off by now, instead of just annoyed and disappointed.
(edit)
I stand corrected:
http://www.tfaw.com/Profile/Heavy-Metal-260___419534
That might count for 2012, but ...
and #261? It's encouraging, but I'll believe it when I see it.
(edit again)
this is the letter to fans by Mr. Eastman, that was the editorial in issue #259 (with a few small edits):
http://comicrelated.com/news/17448/heavy-metal-letter
I'll try to remain patient.
The internet doesn't tell me anything about #260 being in the works, so I'm pretty skeptical we'll see it in 2012, let alone #261 to get in all six. Good thing I don't have a subscription, else I'd feel pretty ripped off by now, instead of just annoyed and disappointed.
(edit)
I stand corrected:
http://www.tfaw.com/Profile/Heavy-Metal-260___419534
That might count for 2012, but ...
and #261? It's encouraging, but I'll believe it when I see it.
(edit again)
this is the letter to fans by Mr. Eastman, that was the editorial in issue #259 (with a few small edits):
http://comicrelated.com/news/17448/heavy-metal-letter
I'll try to remain patient.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
#259
After months of delay, another issue at last.
Issues will now simply be numbered, distribution was changed, it'll be great, we are told. We get a note from Mr. Eastman, describing the changes, thanking Dave Elliot for guest-editing, and directing our attention to the official web site for future updates. Meanwhile, my favorite local bookstore never got this issue, so I got it, bagged, at a mainstream store. The web site only shows this issue on the sales page, the 4 Horsemen still dominate the main page.
I think this is the most direct communication to the magazine's readers from Mr. Eastman in a couple years. It's interesting that he is pictured with an apparent turtles sketch in front of him. My impression is that his attentions have been, um, divided, and as such he hasn't given my favorite adult illustrated fantasy magazine the attention I think it deserves.
However, Mr. Eastman can do what he wants, and if the changes allow the print magazine's continued existence then I'm all for it. We'll see what the future will bring.
For this issue, difficulties are apparent, and I think I'm lucky this one even made it. Ad for SDCC events in July, page announcing back cover contest winners for the "three different front covers for this issue" (as far as I can tell there's only one), more 4 Horsemen stuff. At least it says "Monster Massacre Special" and there are actually monsters in it. The promotion of DeviantArt and inclusion of some prose work may be signs of good things coming. I do miss a couple things, like Animal'z by Bilal and Metal Media, that I had hoped would continue.
Cover - 6 - It's ok, hope it sells.
The Weirding Willows: Where Dwell Monsters - 6 - The Horley page was good, the rest of it was ok. Too bad it was just a small part of the story.
The Empty Sisters - 6 - It tells such a horrible story in such a sparse way. I like the idea of the occasional written piece with a picture or two, this one was a bit flat.
Ira Gershwin Monster Puncher - 7 - The monster fight is fun, the story is pretty funny, it's not exactly thought-provoking, but that's ok.
Odyssey - 6 - Tries to tell me something but I'm not quite getting it all. This is an origin of a Captain America redux? The art doesn't draw me into it.
The Weirding Willows: Russell's Son - 6 - Badgers and weasels and, what - irresponsibility? oh my. Too bad it's not a continuation of the first part of the story we saw.
The Meeting - 7 - I like black and white, I like the execution, it's a nice little story told with just one word. It says Chapter One, it'd be nice if we actually saw the next ones, but I enjoyed this one just fine if we don't.
Cthulhu is still calling - 7 - Short but intriguing essay about this guy's view of fear of the "other" and how he thinks Lovecraft's character represents an example of a universal mythos. Picture's pretty cool too.
El Zombo Fantasma - 5 - A couple moments of fun don't really make up for how little this appeals to me.
Pair of Rogues - 7 - Pretty good, looks ok with a bit of imagination and fun. "I'll have my way with both your corpses!" now there's a threat for ya.
Odyssey - 7- This one's a bit better, the art is more sketchy than I like but it does well to bring me to the story by the way it's shown to us. Not needing to look realistic it can convey more immediate emotion.
Weirding Willows: The Uninvited! - 6 - More uninteresting critters, the story told in the story was pretty good though.
Bandits - 7 - Nice to look at, pretty silly story.
Back Cover - 5 - Not bad, not great. I think I would have preferred one of the others.
Issues will now simply be numbered, distribution was changed, it'll be great, we are told. We get a note from Mr. Eastman, describing the changes, thanking Dave Elliot for guest-editing, and directing our attention to the official web site for future updates. Meanwhile, my favorite local bookstore never got this issue, so I got it, bagged, at a mainstream store. The web site only shows this issue on the sales page, the 4 Horsemen still dominate the main page.
I think this is the most direct communication to the magazine's readers from Mr. Eastman in a couple years. It's interesting that he is pictured with an apparent turtles sketch in front of him. My impression is that his attentions have been, um, divided, and as such he hasn't given my favorite adult illustrated fantasy magazine the attention I think it deserves.
However, Mr. Eastman can do what he wants, and if the changes allow the print magazine's continued existence then I'm all for it. We'll see what the future will bring.
For this issue, difficulties are apparent, and I think I'm lucky this one even made it. Ad for SDCC events in July, page announcing back cover contest winners for the "three different front covers for this issue" (as far as I can tell there's only one), more 4 Horsemen stuff. At least it says "Monster Massacre Special" and there are actually monsters in it. The promotion of DeviantArt and inclusion of some prose work may be signs of good things coming. I do miss a couple things, like Animal'z by Bilal and Metal Media, that I had hoped would continue.
Cover - 6 - It's ok, hope it sells.
The Weirding Willows: Where Dwell Monsters - 6 - The Horley page was good, the rest of it was ok. Too bad it was just a small part of the story.
The Empty Sisters - 6 - It tells such a horrible story in such a sparse way. I like the idea of the occasional written piece with a picture or two, this one was a bit flat.
Ira Gershwin Monster Puncher - 7 - The monster fight is fun, the story is pretty funny, it's not exactly thought-provoking, but that's ok.
Odyssey - 6 - Tries to tell me something but I'm not quite getting it all. This is an origin of a Captain America redux? The art doesn't draw me into it.
The Weirding Willows: Russell's Son - 6 - Badgers and weasels and, what - irresponsibility? oh my. Too bad it's not a continuation of the first part of the story we saw.
The Meeting - 7 - I like black and white, I like the execution, it's a nice little story told with just one word. It says Chapter One, it'd be nice if we actually saw the next ones, but I enjoyed this one just fine if we don't.
Cthulhu is still calling - 7 - Short but intriguing essay about this guy's view of fear of the "other" and how he thinks Lovecraft's character represents an example of a universal mythos. Picture's pretty cool too.
El Zombo Fantasma - 5 - A couple moments of fun don't really make up for how little this appeals to me.
Pair of Rogues - 7 - Pretty good, looks ok with a bit of imagination and fun. "I'll have my way with both your corpses!" now there's a threat for ya.
Odyssey - 7- This one's a bit better, the art is more sketchy than I like but it does well to bring me to the story by the way it's shown to us. Not needing to look realistic it can convey more immediate emotion.
Weirding Willows: The Uninvited! - 6 - More uninteresting critters, the story told in the story was pretty good though.
Bandits - 7 - Nice to look at, pretty silly story.
Back Cover - 5 - Not bad, not great. I think I would have preferred one of the others.
other reviews
So
while looking around the internet for something, I found this guy who
wrote a bunch of HM magazine reviews, he called them "recaps", starting
with the first issue. He made it through about a dozen of them. It's
amusing to me that his first impression of HM appears to be the 1981
movie and how it colors his viewpoint, especially how he seems to read
them from a present day perspective (he wrote them a couple years ago), without considering the context of
the time they were produced.
He hates Barbarella and doesn't get 1996
(I enjoyed Barbarella, though it was often dumb, and I thought 1996 was
hilarious, and it seemed so far in the future then).
However, they are
thorough and well written, and even have scans of pages and covers.
It's an admirable effort, and I think it's worth looking at. (link
starts at the first review and you can go backwards from there):
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
XTIN
Jeremy Ray has been producing XTIN - The Dragon's Dream World, for a while now. Link is on the "Links" page of this blog. I signed up for the Donations so I am getting the pages as they are produced. It appears to be nearing its end. There have been challenges but it has persisted.
He posted some images and links on the old HM website forums, which got my attention, and I continued to follow it. Over these many months it's had success and attention on his site rise and fall. It's my impression that he's been frustrated by its inability to grow its success, which seems understandable given my impression of his considerable ambition for this project. If one goes to the beginning of the webcomic and reads through it, and also follows the comments, one could see the sometimes wandering nature of how this has been presented.
The work itself appeals to me with its spectacular draftsmanship and mysterious storytelling. To be honest, some of it I just don't get, but in this case that adds to my interest. The art is fantastic, I happen to like black and white, and he has some great technique. Often there are depictions of horrible cruelty and violence, that I'm sure many would find offensive. Though the fact that much, certainly not all, of the violence is shown with female victims is scary, it seems the intent is to show the horror that people (so to speak) are capable of, rather than to arouse perversions. Again, the presentations are often obtuse, and the deeper meaning I think it contains can be obscured by the images that are first seen. This reminds me in several ways of the early days of HM magazine, where powerful stories were told in ways beautiful and often incomprehensible, and sometimes vicious and unsettling.
I'm looking forward to seeing it completed, then looking at it over and over to try to find more of what's inside it. I was encouraged to hear that he has a line on publishing it, I'm really interested in owning this on the printed page. I'll believe it when I see it, but there's something for me to look forward to.
If you're able to read through some renderings of horror and incomprehensible meanings, I'd recommend this, and if you're interested in supporting a struggling artist you should consider donating to his cause.
He posted some images and links on the old HM website forums, which got my attention, and I continued to follow it. Over these many months it's had success and attention on his site rise and fall. It's my impression that he's been frustrated by its inability to grow its success, which seems understandable given my impression of his considerable ambition for this project. If one goes to the beginning of the webcomic and reads through it, and also follows the comments, one could see the sometimes wandering nature of how this has been presented.
The work itself appeals to me with its spectacular draftsmanship and mysterious storytelling. To be honest, some of it I just don't get, but in this case that adds to my interest. The art is fantastic, I happen to like black and white, and he has some great technique. Often there are depictions of horrible cruelty and violence, that I'm sure many would find offensive. Though the fact that much, certainly not all, of the violence is shown with female victims is scary, it seems the intent is to show the horror that people (so to speak) are capable of, rather than to arouse perversions. Again, the presentations are often obtuse, and the deeper meaning I think it contains can be obscured by the images that are first seen. This reminds me in several ways of the early days of HM magazine, where powerful stories were told in ways beautiful and often incomprehensible, and sometimes vicious and unsettling.
I'm looking forward to seeing it completed, then looking at it over and over to try to find more of what's inside it. I was encouraged to hear that he has a line on publishing it, I'm really interested in owning this on the printed page. I'll believe it when I see it, but there's something for me to look forward to.
If you're able to read through some renderings of horror and incomprehensible meanings, I'd recommend this, and if you're interested in supporting a struggling artist you should consider donating to his cause.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Kranburn #4
I got the digital copy of Kranburn #4 a little while ago, and I also managed to order the paper copies of #3 and #4. Looking forward to getting them after their journey halfway around the world.
The cover is something of a change of pace. Rather than a fairly detailed piece with a pose, the art is a stark portrait of a shadowed Brand, and it's also a page in the comic. It does grab your attention.
Kranburn #4 is noted as the start of chapter 2. At three books a chapter, and I'll guess a few more chapters, we may be at this for a while. That's good, the webcomic is maybe a full book or so ahead, and it looks like there's still a lot of story to tell.
Brand starts his assault on the Nong in revenge for the kidnapping of Lawton and his wife. (It seems to me it's more personal than that.) Immediately the nasty violence begins. An ambush, a trap, then Brand absorbs a vicious beating and barely escapes. Meanwhile, the kidnappers terrorize the Lawtons, and deliver the digit to Kranburn, to terrorize its inhabitants. Finally, we see Lord, and the guy who beat up Brand, Brutus, who took a few lumps as well, presents Lord with Brand's machete. Lord is quite pleased with this.
This is a bunch of fun to read. There's loads of action, some drama, not a lot of exposition but a few foreshadows. The art has more breathless renditions of nasty violence, and some nice composition. I'm anticipating what I've seen coming in the webcomic as I read the story, and it actually adds to my enjoyment of it. Though it almost looks like it's building to a climactic battle, it seems to me there are other parts to the story that will grow more significant.
You should really check out Kranburn. You can see it for free, and own it for cheap. Check the Links page on this blog and see for yourself.
The cover is something of a change of pace. Rather than a fairly detailed piece with a pose, the art is a stark portrait of a shadowed Brand, and it's also a page in the comic. It does grab your attention.
Kranburn #4 is noted as the start of chapter 2. At three books a chapter, and I'll guess a few more chapters, we may be at this for a while. That's good, the webcomic is maybe a full book or so ahead, and it looks like there's still a lot of story to tell.
Brand starts his assault on the Nong in revenge for the kidnapping of Lawton and his wife. (It seems to me it's more personal than that.) Immediately the nasty violence begins. An ambush, a trap, then Brand absorbs a vicious beating and barely escapes. Meanwhile, the kidnappers terrorize the Lawtons, and deliver the digit to Kranburn, to terrorize its inhabitants. Finally, we see Lord, and the guy who beat up Brand, Brutus, who took a few lumps as well, presents Lord with Brand's machete. Lord is quite pleased with this.
This is a bunch of fun to read. There's loads of action, some drama, not a lot of exposition but a few foreshadows. The art has more breathless renditions of nasty violence, and some nice composition. I'm anticipating what I've seen coming in the webcomic as I read the story, and it actually adds to my enjoyment of it. Though it almost looks like it's building to a climactic battle, it seems to me there are other parts to the story that will grow more significant.
You should really check out Kranburn. You can see it for free, and own it for cheap. Check the Links page on this blog and see for yourself.
Friday, October 5, 2012
tick ... tick ... tick ...
it's quiet, too quiet
the new issue #259 was said to ship in late September, now there's eff-book jabber about it just coming off the press and getting checked. incomprehensible. I wonder if my favorite local bookstore will ever get it.
I did find that many new books that are offered on the HM website as digital downloads also have free .pdf samples. better than nothing. the Llarena Divergent Dimensions appear to be mostly reprints.
I did get Kranburn #4 digital, I'll put up a review soon. I'm trying to buy the paper books but now they are sold via their effin-book and it's not cooperating yet. oh cruel fate.
the new issue #259 was said to ship in late September, now there's eff-book jabber about it just coming off the press and getting checked. incomprehensible. I wonder if my favorite local bookstore will ever get it.
I did find that many new books that are offered on the HM website as digital downloads also have free .pdf samples. better than nothing. the Llarena Divergent Dimensions appear to be mostly reprints.
I did get Kranburn #4 digital, I'll put up a review soon. I'm trying to buy the paper books but now they are sold via their effin-book and it's not cooperating yet. oh cruel fate.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Gates
I waited long for something to come of Gates, it seems that I will remain unrewarded. While it continues to be linked on the HM main page, and the Links page of this blog, pretty much nothing is happening.
An interesting premise of transhumanism and hints of a great deal of background work, led me to anticipate a rich and interesting story and imaginative artwork. After more than a year of plodding storytelling and underachieving art, it stopped. Now it appears Mr. Hefner is working on a prequel to Gates involving visits to his roots and more background development, said to be presented as "transmedia".
I admire the effort and passion he brings to his work, but the results continue to leave me wanting more. Often the blog posts beneath the webcomic page were more interesting than the story. His defiant attitude to naysayers and his commitment to his craft earn my respect, but the results in this story have not satisfied me.
I'll go take a look occasionally so you don't have to. I'll let you know if something comes up. Until then go look at Kranburn, or read some Rod Kierkegaard Jr.
An interesting premise of transhumanism and hints of a great deal of background work, led me to anticipate a rich and interesting story and imaginative artwork. After more than a year of plodding storytelling and underachieving art, it stopped. Now it appears Mr. Hefner is working on a prequel to Gates involving visits to his roots and more background development, said to be presented as "transmedia".
I admire the effort and passion he brings to his work, but the results continue to leave me wanting more. Often the blog posts beneath the webcomic page were more interesting than the story. His defiant attitude to naysayers and his commitment to his craft earn my respect, but the results in this story have not satisfied me.
I'll go take a look occasionally so you don't have to. I'll let you know if something comes up. Until then go look at Kranburn, or read some Rod Kierkegaard Jr.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
free pdfs
There are a few free pdf downloads on the "official" HM web site. A Bisely Bible excerpt, some 4 Horsemen, an Azurek that's mostly a reprint, a TMNT thing, a Descur reprint, and a small Claudia story. The Claudia is the most interesting of the bunch. They're all pretty nice in their own way, for free even, but they hardly fill the widening gap between magazine issues.
Nothing on the next magazine issue, but for a note on the f-book about July being out in late August, and how it will be number 259, and issues will be numbered from now on, and something about a change in distribution as the cause of the delay...
Odd that War of the Worlds - Goliath has been off of the HM web site for a while now, but that Gates remains though the story stopped months ago.
The madness behind the methods of the HM multiverse remain a mystery to me.
Nothing on the next magazine issue, but for a note on the f-book about July being out in late August, and how it will be number 259, and issues will be numbered from now on, and something about a change in distribution as the cause of the delay...
Odd that War of the Worlds - Goliath has been off of the HM web site for a while now, but that Gates remains though the story stopped months ago.
The madness behind the methods of the HM multiverse remain a mystery to me.
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