Get Your GAME OF THRONES Fix With These 10 Epic Shows

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June 16, 2019

Game of Thrones has ended after eight seasons. It was a wild ride of ups and downs – both emotional and in the field of quality. The show has led to an increased interest in historical shows and many networks have attempted to make their own Game of Thrones. Shows filled with sex, violence, war, and political power plays. Now that the show is over it is a great time to look at similar series that could fill that Game of Thrones hole that you might have.

10. Spartacus

The legend of Spartacus is famous and Starz broadcast their version from 2010 to 2013. Spartacus is one of the more action-packed shows on this list – it was made on the back of the hit 2007 movie 300 and wanted to capture that movie’s grotesque slo-mo action. It was unabashed fun and that was why people were drawn to the show.

Spartacus was filmed in New Zealand and most of the cast were from Australia and New Zealand. The show was beset with tragedy when the original star, Andy Whitfield was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and died at the age of 39. Starz made a prequel miniseries in between season one and two – focusing the gladiators and after Whitfield’s passing Liam McIntyre took on the role.

9. Black Sails

Black Sails is an 18th-century set show that was broadcast by Starz, focusing on the Golden Age of Piracy. Black Sails was made as a prequel to Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island but was a lot less family friendly due to the show’s use of sex and violence. The show aimed for a more realistic take on piracy as it shows the pirates in conflict with major naval powers (i.e. Britain and Spain) and with each other as they try to dominate the criminal world. The mix of history, politics, and crime and setting the show mostly in a town made Black Sails the pirate version of Deadwood.

The first season was mired by the overuse of sex and swearing but it improved massively after that shaky start.

8. The Tudors

A predecessor to Game of Thrones was the Showtime series The Tudors. As the title suggests The Tudors focused on everyone’s favorite obese king, Henry VIII of England and his struggles against the church, international rivals, and his various marriages. It lasted for four seasons and started a successful career in TV for the showrunner Michael Hirst. The show was historically dubious, playing fast and loose with the facts, condensed events and most importantly Henry VIII reminded a handsome man despite in real life he developed a big waistline as he got older.

The show had a massive cast that featured respectable actors like Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Sam Neill and, Peter O’Toole, and emerging talents. Actors like Henry Cavill, Natalie Dormer, and Annabelle Wallis have gone on to big things since appearing in the show.

7. The Borgias

Another show offering political intrigue in the late-medieval/early modern period was The Borgias. The House of Borgia was a powerful noble family in Europe and their patriarch, Rodrigo Borgia, became the Pope despite the facts that he had children, loved to the ladies, and exceedingly corrupt. The show looks at how Rodrigo Borgia became Pope by using every political trick in the book and keep power whilst facing threats, both foreign and domestic.

The Borgias lasted for three seasons and it garnered a fanbase. After its cancellation fans launch a campaign for revival and Showtime did consider making a two-hour finale but decided against it because of the cost. The showrunner, Neil Jordan, did intend for a four-season run.

The Borgias was not the only recent show about the famous family. There was also a multi-national production known as Borgia: Faith and Fear. So history fans can have a double helping of Borgia actions.

6. I, Claudius

The oldest show on this list is the BBC classic I, Claudius. Based on the novels by Robert Graves I, Claudius focuses on the early history of the Roman Empire and the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Spanning 12 episodes I, Claudius was one of the most ambitious shows of its time due to its production values. It had a tremendous cast of British talent with big names like Derek Jacobi, John Hurt, Brian Blessed, Patrick Stewart, and John Rhys-Davies. It was also one of the most controversial shows of its time with one of the most infamous being Caligula eating an unborn baby.

I, Claudius was incidentally criticized by critics but grew to be an award-winning show in the UK and US and is often considered one of the best British shows ever made.

5. The White Queen

The War of the Roses was one of the biggest influence on Game of Thrones. It was a dynastic conflict between the House of York and House of Lancaster for the throne of England. So a series about The War of the Roses would be a fitting Game of Thrones fix.

The White Queen was based on a trilogy of novels by Philippa Gregory, focusing on Elizabeth Woodville, the wife to Edward IV. She was a woman of lowly status and by marrying the king her family was awarded land and titles – but also made themselves a lot of enemies at court. Elizabeth Woodville and her family were an influence for the Lannisters.

The White Queen was made by the BBC and Starz and it gave Rebecca Ferguson her first major leading role. Starz has released two sequel series, The White Princess which starred Killing Eve‘s Jodie Comer and The Spanish Princess.

4. The Hollow Crown

Some of William Shakespeare’s most famous plays were his histories and The Hollow Crown series spanned from the reigns of Richard II to Richard III. The Hollow Crown was made for the BBC and broadcast by PBS in the US. This was a series based on famous pieces of theater and focuses on a period of near-constant conflict – whether it was England at war with France or English nobles fighting themselves. That alone is a draw for Game of Thrones fans.

The series was made by celebrated theater directors and attracted many great British actors. These include Benedict Cumberbatch, Jeremy Irons, Tom Hiddleston, and Patrick Stewart. The series even had Game of Thrones alumni Michelle Dockery. The series went for a realistic look and it was an expensive production.

3. The Last Kingdom

The Last Kingdom is a series based on The Saxon Stories by Bernard Cornwell. The BBC and Netflix produced the first two seasons and the third was solely distributed on Netflix.

The Last Kingdom set in 9th Century England when the Vikings are conquering the land. In the middle of the conflict is Uthred of Bebbanburg, the son of a Saxon lord who was captured by the Danes as a child – leading to him having divided loyalties between the Saxons and the Danes.

Like many of Cornwell’s work, The Last Kingdom does a fantastic blending fact and fiction and showing that there are heroes and villains on both sides. This leads to great characterization because most characters are a mixed bag. Like Game of Thrones there was plenty of court intrigue on a political level as people compete for land, a personal level due to people liking or despising Uthred.

The Last Kingdom is a smaller scale, Earthy show compared to other shows that go for an epic view. Battles and fights were won by outsmarting the enemy and rarely led to a massive brawl. The show does tough on hard subject matter like murder and rape yet kept mostly a fun tone.

2. Vikings

Out of all the Game of Thrones clones Vikings is one of the best. As the title implies the show focuses on everyone’s favorite raiders, rapists and pillagers during their golden age. The series focus was on legendary Ragnar Lothbrok and his sons who lead to the rise of the Vikings. This show looked at famous events like the raid on Lindisfarne, the Siege of Paris, and the Great Heathen Army’s conquest of England. The show has to play fast and loose with the facts because these are events take place over hundreds of years.

The big draw of Vikings was the action scenes. It was filled with bloody battle sequences that could rival Game of Thrones and movies like Gladiator and Braveheart. The best came during the third season during a three-episode arc where Ragnar Lothbrok’s forces try and fail to capture Paris.

1. Rome

Rome is arguably the main predecessor to Game of Thrones, an ambitious show that HBO used as a building block for the fantasy series. Rome was a co-production between HBO, the BBC and RAI (Italy’s public broadcaster) which looked at the fall of the Roman Republic and rise of Julius Caesar and Augustus.

Rome was an ambitious show – it was the most expensive show made at the time. It was filmed mostly in Italy, including at the famous Cinecittà Studios in Rome. It had an impressive cast featuring the likes of Kevin McKidd, Ray Stevenson, and James Purefoy. Some cast members even appeared in Game of Thrones, i.e. Ciarán Hinds and Tobias Menzies.

Rome was a huge production that looked at both the power struggles amongst the elites of the Republic and issues affecting the regular people. All of this was seen through the eyes of two veterans of Caesar’s army. History buffs and politics nuts enjoyed the power plays and there were plenty of subplots looking at the underworld and domestic situations. Like Game of Thrones there was plenty of sex, violence, and nudity.

The showrunners planned a five-season run for Rome but it was cut down to two. This forced the show to cram in a lot during the second and this is where Rome faltered. The worst example of this was the subplot involving two Jewish rebels tried to assassin King Herod. It was a plot that went nowhere and did not add anything to the series.

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SUPER SOLDIERS And How The Real Military Influences Captain America, Batwoman, And Other Fictional Service Members

By

Anthony Composto - EIC

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Whether you’re a military buff or a comics buff, but especially if you’re both, then Super Soldiers by Jason Inman is the book for you.

In Super Soldiers, Inman – himself a veteran of the United States Army – explores the relationship between the American Armed Services and comic books. Each chapter breaks down a different fictional service member to try and figure out if they’re a “good soldier” by contemporary military standards. Along the way, Inman shares never-before-told stories about his own time serving overseas.

First off, kudos to Inman. This is the author’s first novel, and it’s a thoroughly enjoyable read. His prose is casual and conversational, making for a comforting and inviting experience. It never feels like Inman is lecturing the reader. He’s having a chat, and giving you a peek behind the curtain at what it’s like being a soldier in the US Army (in his experience).

Each chapter is essentially an essay unto itself. So, if you’d like, you can actually jump around a bit and first read the chapters on characters that interest you the most. Reading it straight through will give you the most fulfilling experience, though, as Inman builds on topics and references past chapters frequently.

Still, the structure does allow for a lot of freedom, which makes Super Soldiers a great book to revisit, instead of reading it once and then letting it collect dust on a bookshelf. You’ll be tempted to pick this book up again and again, whether to refresh yourself on how War Machine represents loyalty among battle buddies, or how Beetle Bailey reminds soldiers that they’re still humans, and not just “a walking, talking uniform.”

CLICK HERE TO READ AN EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT FROM SUPER SOLDIERS’ CHAPTER ON WAR MACHINE.

You’re going to learn a lot from Inman while reading this book, both from a comics perspective and a military one. You’ll probably find at least one chapter about a character that you’re unfamiliar with, which will just wet your appetite to find out more about them. And with characters you are familiar with, Inman will give you a fresh spin on them as only he can, by comparing the characters’ experiences with his own.

On the military front (pun unashamedly intended), you’ll hear firsthand what it was like being deployed in Iraq. What did Inman and his fellow soldiers do in their downtime? How did they keep themselves from cracking up? What was it like being out on missions? You’ll also learn about military rules and procedures that you probably didn’t know existed (I, for instance, didn’t know under what circumstances soldiers could disobey direct orders). It’s fascinating, especially if you have even a fleeting interest in the military, and it helps keep the book grounded. You’re not just reading about fictional characters and their adventures; you’re reading about real people.

Inman isn’t just interested in glorifying the military or military life, either. He talks plenty about the (literal) dirty work he had to do, and his own doubts and reservations. He openly discusses the faults and failures of the military, as well as some of the comic characters (what, did you think he was going to write about how great Nuke or the Punisher are?). Inman describes himself as a “peace-loving hippie” in the book, so whatever side of the political spectrum you fall on, he wants you to be able to enjoy yourself reading. That kind of a bipartisan transparency is refreshing and welcome in 2019.

Super Soldiers is a great summer read. You’ll get sucked into Inman’s stories, and you’ll learn a thing or two along the way. And really, what more can you ask from a book?

SUPER SOLDIERS is out June 18th, 2019. You can purchase it on Amazon by clicking here.

Jason Inman is the writer of the creator-owned comic book series Jupiter Jet and the host of the Geek History Lesson podcast. You’ve also seen him on DC All-Access, Collider, Screen Junkies, and Nerd Alert.

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Review: BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #2 Focuses on the New Characters

By

Jose "Jody" Cardona

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Batman and The Outsiders race to Save a Metahuman!

Batman and the Outsiders are back in the spotlight! Batman has reformed his team consisting of lesser-known street-level heroes. We have old favorites such as Katana and Black Lightning, making their return, as well as newcomers Signal and Orphan. Together, they will work from the shadows to defend Gotham City.

Their first mission comes when a young girl and her father are attacked on the road. The girl, Sofia, was a part of a metahuman creation program and someone wants her for themselves. The reason he knows about this is that Bruce saved her and took her to safety. While the team does agree to help, Black Lightning begins to wonder what other secrets does the Dark Knight has hidden from them. Will this mistrust be put aside to save an innocent?

**Some Spoilers Below**

Story:

We open with Bruce talking to Black Lightning about the girl they need to help. Sofia has been picked up by another of Batman’s associates, Kaliber, and is on the run from a man called Ishmael. Black Lightning, despite his curiosity of the cyborg protecting her, agrees to take the team to help. Meanwhile, Kaliber tries to explain the situation to Sofia, but she isn’t on board. She asks Kaliber to give a gun to her to defend herself. As she is about to turn the high tech weapon against herself, Ishmael arrives to take her. Kaliber leaps in to protect her, as well as the Outsiders.

In the last issue, I had a problem with the fact that Batman had taken a back seat. Despite headlining this story, the Dark Knight continues to stay in the background, letting the B-list characters do the work. The issue this time around, however, is the fact that the team itself gets put in the back seat. Of the usual 21 pages, we only get the Outsiders in a quarter of them. The rest of the story revolves around Kaliber and Sofia. This is still early in the story, and we should learn more about these new characters, but there’s something offputting about the lack of title character in this story.

As for Kaliber and Sofia, only one of them intrigues me. Kaliber is your standard, run of the mill, soldier. He’s gruff, demands to stick to a plan and doesn’t trust Sofia. Old soldier characters like this are seen quite often in comics, but they are a strong character for a story like this.

On the other hand, Sofia is a much more intriguing character. She is learning to survive in this world without her father, and she literally has this moment of weakness where this reader was scared to see if she’d go through with it. Despite her being only two issues old, this girl might be one of the more fleshed out characters amongst the Outsiders, and I love it.

Art:

Dexter Soy has been kicking ass with his illustrations in the book. Every one of the Outsiders looks badass, and the action is drawn exceptionally well. While I may have noted that Kaliber is a basic character, I can’t say he doesn’t look cool. Even the villain looks fantastic, as he prepares a ritualistic communication with his employer. The level of detail in each panel brings a smile to my face and brings the book up.

Conclusion:

While the action is fun and our new character is interesting, this is a step down for the Outsiders. The second issue focused on Sofia and Kaliber, with the rest of the team hurrying to join them and Batman just not being in it. The series is still young, and with the big bad being revealed, we will probably get more of the team moving forward. For now, however, this issue was just “meh.”

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Marvel Comics Exclusive Preview: SPIDER-MAN & THE LEAGUE OF REALMS #3

By

Anthony Composto - EIC

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June 13, 2019

Spider-Man & The League of Realms #3 is out June 19th, but thanks to Marvel Comics, Monkeys Fighting Robots has an exclusive preview to share with you.

The book is by Sean Ryan, Nico Leon, and Marco Failla, with colors by Carlos Lopez and Andrew Crossley, and letters by Joe Caramagna. Cully Hamner and Brian Reber did the main cover, while Marco D’Alfonso did the variant.

About the issue:
WAR OF THE REALMS TIE-IN! Spidey and the rest of his motley crew are fighting for their lives (and all of existence) against KURSE!!! She was once a member of the League of Realms until Malekith made her into his right hand. Now Kurse can destroy the League, once and for all!

The War of the Realms has shown readers the best side of massive crossover events. The main story has been a treat, and the tie-in books have been equally fulfilling. It’s a grand, epic tale, with jaw-dropping battles, laugh-out-loud character moments, and tons of heart. It’s one of the few events where you actually want to read all of the ancillary material in order to get a more complete story.

This tie-in issue takes place after War of the Realms #4 and War Scrolls #3.

Take your first look at SPIDER-MAN & THE LEAGUE OF REALMS #3:

What’s been your favorite War of the Realms tie-in? Sound off in the comments!

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Marvel Comics Exclusive Preview: STAR WARS #67 Ends Kieron Gillen’s Run

By

Anthony Composto - EIC

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June 13, 2019

Star Wars #67 is on sale June 19th, but thanks to Marvel Comics, Monkeys Fighting Robots has an exclusive five-page preview of the issue to share with you.

The comic is by Kieron Gillen and Angel Unzueta, with colors by Guru-eFX, letters by Clayton Cowles, and cover by Gerald Parel.

About the issue:
“THE SCOURGING OF SHU-TORUN” PART 6
•  The fate of an entire world is in the hands of the REBELS!
•  And even then, can anyone manage to escape the Scourging of SHU-TORUN?
•  The cataclysmic end of KIERON GILLEN’s run on STAR WARS.

As stated in the solicit copy, this will be Gillen’s final issue of Star Wars before Greg Pak and Phil Noto take over. Gillen previously launched Marvel’s first Darth Vader series after the publisher regained the license; he then transitioned over to writing the main title following the end of Jason Aaron’s run.

Take your first look at the issue:

Are you reading Marvel’s Star Wars comic? Comment below with your thoughts on the series!

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AfterShock Comics Exclusive Preview: DARK RED #4

By

Anthony Composto - EIC

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June 13, 2019

Dark Red #4 is out June 26th, but thanks to AfterShock Comics, Monkeys Fighting Robots has an exclusive 7-page preview to share with you.

The series is by Tim Seeley and Corin Howell, with colors by Mark Englert, letters by Marshall Dillon, and a cover by Aaron Campbell.

About Dark Red #4:
Chip is faced with two options…run like hell from a town he’s lost to Nazi vampires, or team up with a pair of barely sober hicks who hate him in order to rescue the woman he loves. Tough choice.

Tim Seeley (BRLLIANT TRASH, Hack/Slash, Grayson) and Corin Howell (Ghostbusters, Bat-Mite) bring you a contemporary and horrifying tale of vampirism in the heart of America—one that’ll make you jump right out of your boots.

The series uses vampires as a way to talk about the isolation of Middle America and the political divide our nation is facing. You can read Monkeys Fighting Robots’ review of the first issue by clicking here.

**Take your first look at Dark Red #4:**

Are you reading Dark Red? Sound off in the comments with your thoughts on the series!

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Exclusive Interview With A Serial Killer: Styrian Eddos From REAVER

By

Matthew Sardo

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June 13, 2019

Reaver hits your local comic book store on July 10, but thanks to Image Comics and Skybound Entertainment, Monkeys Fighting Robots has an exclusive interview with Styrian Eddos, one of the main characters from the series created by Justin Jordan and Rebekah Isaacs.

The character in question is the serial killer, Styrian Eddos. Why are we interviewing him? Because he’s trying to save the world!

Here is more information on Eddos’ mission:
The continent of Madaras once promised a new start for settlers, but 200 years after its discovery, the war rages on. Deep within this savage and untamed land, a darkness builds that must be stopped at all costs. To do so, the Imperials assemble six of its most despicable prisoners; a turncoat, a skin eater, a sorcerer and his bodyguard, a serial killer, and the Devil’s Son. Hell’s Half-Dozen are the only ones who can stop the end of the new world.

MFR: What does one wear on a mission like this?
EDDOS: Well, certainly, if I had my druthers, only the finest. Since I don’t have my druthers I’ve been forced to make do.

MFR: What is something we should know about Esk?
EDDOS: The Escalene Protectorate is, quite amazingly, home to some of the finest cuisine known to man. Somehow, considering the average Eks can barely be relied on to not eat mud.

MFR: How many have you killed?
EDDOS: Do children count as one each or are they fractional? They were certainly fractional after.

Image Comics is calling Reaver a dark, grim fantasy for a post-Game of Thrones world. Isaacs has previously worked on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, while Jordan’s resume includes The Strange Talent of Luther Strode. Reaver is colored by Alex Guimarães, with covers by Becky Cloonan. (The first two covers are below.)

Do you plan on picking up a copy of Reaver in July? Comment with your thoughts below.

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Review: SUPERMAN #12 Reveals The Truth Of Krypton’s Destruction

By

Corey Patterson

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SUPERMAN #12 features the anticipated gathering of the living House of El members, which promises to be a fantastic reunion. Supergirl, Superman, Superboy, and Jor-El now find themselves in the midst of an uprising led by General Zod and Rogol Zaar. Zaar, a powerful being who claims to be the sole cause of Krypton’s destruction, wages war against the House of El for unknown reasons, but Superman begins to suspect his dubious father may be involved.

Story

A Disorderly Family Reunion

Brian Michael Bendis sets this story immediately after Superman confronts his father to find out why this trouble has followed them. Without any time to give his son straight answers, Jor-El spends most of the issue coordinating a plan of escape. At the same time, Superman, Superboy, and Krypto the Superdog enjoy a brief reunion with Supergirl as they formulate a plan of attack against the villains.

Seeing Superman’s reaction to his relatives together reminds us just how much family drives him as a character.

Secret of Krypton’s Destruction

The destruction of Krypton has long defined the El family’s struggles throughout their history. The true nature and cause of the catastrophe has largely been shrouded in mystery. But Supergirl reveals she’s uncovered the truth of the planet’s demise—Rogol Zaar was behind it all. What’s more, Jor-El admits he was part of the organization that covered up the event.

Readers may feel this sense of betrayal could be too much for Superman to bear, but our hero shows he still has faith in his family. He will do anything it takes to protect those he loves, even if he has to fight Zaar and Zod all by himself.

Art

The work throughout SUPERMAN #12 is fantastic. Ivan Reis’ penciling, bolstered by Joe Prado and Oclair Albert’s inking, hearkens back to the cosmic illustrations of Ethan Van Sciver’s work in Green Lantern: Rebirth. Alex Sinclair’s coloring gives this issue the ultimate Superman vibe with variations of blue, red, and yellow, even in the villains.

Josh Reed’s lettering is something to be commended as well. His structured layering of word bubbles offers a sense of stability amidst the chaotic fights in the background.

The Covers

Reis, Prado, and Sinclair crafted a stunning main cover for this issue. Featuring Superman rage out against Rogol Zaar with lettering adds incredible context, allowing anyone to jump into the story if they haven’t caught up on previous issues. Adam Hughes’ variant cover depicts Superman in his classic stance, reminding readers of the most famous House of El family member.

Conclusion

SUPERMAN #12 weaves themes of familial disputes in the midst of cosmic chaos. It leaves readers wanting to learn more about the truth of Krypton’s destruction and Jor-El’s knowledge of it.

What did you think of Superman’s confrontation with his father in this issue? Let us know in the comments below!

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Advance Review: Follow The Thrilling Journey In TEST #1

By

Darryll Robson

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Augmented test subject, Aleph, has escaped from a secret experimentation lab, is on the run, and is in search of a mythical town full of future technology. And so begins the new Sci-Fi comic from Vault, TEST by Eisner nominated writer Christopher Sebela, artist Jen Hickman, colorist Harry Saxon and letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.

Follow The Thrilling Journey In TEST #1 — Test #1 Advert Credit: Christopher Sebela

Writing/Story

The first issue of TEST follows Aleph as he journeys haphazardly across the empty states of America. It reads like a stream of consciousness, a modern day On The Road by Jack Kerouac. Sebela has cleverly given Aleph a foil to converse with in the guise of a mobile phone which appears to have its own sentience. This allows Sebela to incorporate the exposition in to the comic in a conversational manner, without the need for voice over style caption boxes.

The back and forth of the two characters gives the reader a better insight into who Aleph is and what he is striving for. Sebela is able to dissected the character via a function of the story while not contaminating the characterisation in any way. The reader learns about Aleph through his own speech but this is mediated by a third party to produce balance.

Although this approach makes it easier for the reader to enter the world of TEST, it does not eliminate all of the mystery or explain everything that is going on. In fact, everything you know about this world you learn via Aleph. This makes his actions somewhat ambiguous and it is not always clear if he is justified in these actions.

The story progresses at an even pace, occasionally sliding into a drug induced blur of ideas that builds character while creating questions. Aleph’s journey is a long one and he has many encounters on the way that Sebela is able to fit into this single issue because of his clever economic storytelling. One part of the journey may take up to several pages but another is limited to one or two panels.

Dare You Follow In The Footsteps of TEST #1? — Test #1 Credit: Vault Comics

Art

The settings throughout the early part of TEST are minimalistic in design with very little definition. Aleph could be anywhere, seemingly lost in a post-apocalyptic environment. The atmosphere in the opening has a lot in common with the original Mad Max movie, creating a sense of vast wastelands for the character to get lost in; which is exactly the point. When the reader is introduced to Aleph, he is lost in the world, looking for something that he that may not even exist.

Nothing is clear, there is much that doesn’t make sense but all of this is seen through Aleph’s eyes so the reader understands exactly what Aleph is feeling. Jen Hickmen’s art reflects the chaotic nature of Aleph’s existence while also filling the panels with a lot of empty space. As the character is lost in his own environment, the reader emphasises with him on a much deeper level.

Hickman uses a thin inked line to define the characters then adds detail depending on the moment or the scene. Some backgrounds are comprehensively rendered while others contain the bare minimum. These later panels relay on the color work by Harry Saxon to define the scene and, more often than not, the atmosphere. As the scenes shift, whether in location or time, it is the coloring that signifies the change allowing the reader to follow the story from place to place, and from morning to night.

The range of lettering techniques and decisions on show in TEST is quite outstanding. The shifting mind of Aleph is depicted by the shifting presentation of his inner monologue; sometimes this is shown in speech balloons, at other times in hand drawn caption boxes. Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou also applies a range of different designs for presenting the text to distinguish each individual voice. The varied caption boxes and skilful overlapping speech balloons keep the reader on their toes and help to fully immerse them into the comic.

Conclusion

TEST is an exhilarating stream of consciousness embodying a number of science fiction concepts. It is an expertly crafted comic that draws the reader in and then entraps them in the chaotic nature of the narrative and the art. It works by concentrating on the central character, zooming in for close ups then pulling away to reveal the environment he is traveling through.

The comic flows effortlessly from the opening page to the last, leading the reader on a journey that feels uncontrollable but is designed with such a precision that the creators manipulate the reading experience at every turn.

Like a Warren Ellis comic, this is sometimes intense and sometimes charming, with an element of action thrown in. TEST is an immersive narrative and a highly accomplished work of comic book art.

TEST from Vault Comics is released on June 26^th.

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Review: BARRY FACES THE TERROR OF THE TURTLE IN THE FLASH #72

By

Jose "Jody" Cardona

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The Flash Faces his First Foe!

We are in the midst of The Flash: Year One, and it’s been a wild ride so far. After his fated lightning strike at his lab, Barry Allen has begun to experiment with his powers. While trying to hit an all-time high with his speed, the Scarlet Speedster is sent to the future. We learn that Central City has fallen and that a villain known as the Turtle reigns supreme.

Before Barry is captured to feed the King Turtle, an older version of himself saves him. The two Flashes work their way through the ruins to find the cosmic treadmill and send the younger back. When Barry makes it back, however, he soon discovers the Turtle making his debut. Can Flash stop this villain from ruling the future?

**Some Spoilers Below**

Story:

We open up with Barry running in to face Turtle, forgetting what his older counterpart told him. As his speed begins to get drained, Turtle is left puzzled by the Flash and the origin of his powers. Before Barry can be defeated by the speed siphoning meta, he vibrates into a wall and causes it to explode. While it is able to knock out Turtle, it also sends debris flying at bystanders, including Iris. Flash quickly moves and saves them all and Turtle is shortly arrested after that. Time passes, and Barry soon begins making a name for himself as the Flash. It’s not long before he learns of a new criminal, a group of thieves wearing blue masks.

Despite a few stand out transitions, I am honestly concerned about how this story is going to pan out. This story appeared to have its villain, and he’s done by the first half of this story. We had an entire issue that showed the Turtle taking over the city and Flash being the lone defender of the city. Turtle gets taken down as soon as Barry gets back! The usual formula for this story is that the battle with the future threat is at the end of the arc. This story treats it as if the Turtle threat was put down, with a sweet epilogue.

The transitions between periods are probably the best part of the issue. In them, we see Barry grow more and more into the Flash. It’s quick, but even these small moments help flesh out the origin story in the making. From him choosing his symbol to finally learning to look forward to tomorrow, The Flash origin gets more detailed, and it makes me appreciate it a little more.

Art:

Howard Porter is just a perfect fit for this series. He is able to create these fantastic designs for the powers, and each panel is his jaw-dropping. Barry’s original Flash costume looks fantastic, being both iconic and straightforward at the same time. The only thing that could make it better is adding the spectacular colorwork of Hi-Fi to the mix. While they don’t wholly save the story, the fantastic artwork does an excellent job of selling this issue.

Conclusion:

This story has tripped up, and it might have trouble getting back on track. What was supposed to be an overarching villain has been passed off as a one-off encounter. While there is a chance he might return, the story is continuing on with a different Flash villain. While the art of Howard Porter might try and sell readers on a good story, this issue just falls flat. The Flash might be getting one of his greatest foes next issue, but will it actually have an impact on the future teased in the second chapter?

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