Just Read - Copra #6-8 by Michel Fiffe

This past weekend I received copies of Copra #6-8 by Michel Fiffe that I had just ordered (this guy is super fast with shipping). Originally I discovered Fiffe’s work through another comic he had created called Zegas #1. I have to say that I was not that fond of Zegas, so I did not jump on Copra when I heard about it. Did I ever miss the boat on this one.

Copra is an awesome comic, full of super people with strange powers and sometimes ever stranger designs. Fiffe has a ton of influences shining through in this series, but the brightest one is fun. He is creating a comic that is fun to read, but even looks more fun to create (I would have said ‘funner’, but that’s not a word.)

There are a ton of characters in this series. Issue #6 read like the conclusion to a story arc, so I really was not sure what was actually happening. However the visuals kept me lock in place and I wanted to know more. It was a little like when you read your first issue of X-Men comic and you could make out some of the characters, but were lost on most of them, yet you could not wait for the next issue.

And issue #7 did not let me down. This issue filled me in on all the characters and gave some background and to who they are and why they are involved with Copra. And what Copra actually is. This issues is a lengthy read and probably my least favorite of the 3, but if does fill you in on a ton of background information.

Issue #8, armed with the knowledge from issue #7, is still pack with characters but was a little easier to digest. And they are was even better in this issue than the previous two. I hate to make comparisons to other books but I think Copra really justifies it. I felt like I was reading an issue of Suicide Squad featuring characters from Doom Patrol (oh and throw in a little Dr. Strange to be on the safe side.)

After finishing Copra #8, I immediately ordered Copra Compendium #1 & 2 (which reprint issues #1-6) by Bergen Street Comics Press. So I’m sure there will be a more fleshed out review of the story in the future.

As for the art, Fiffe is a young master of his craft. Taking full advantage of the comic page. His characters move through the pages, as if the pages were gymnasium obstacles in their way. Fiffe is a master storyteller and packs the pages with a ton of in your face action. Copra feels like a classic comic created with all of the modern comic know-how.

If there is one flaw with these books for me, it is that there might be too many characters (I'm not a fan of team books in general.) But I also realize that I’m missing five issues of story (at 24 pages each, that’s 120 pages of information.) I expect a totally different reaction to the characters once I have the chance to read all eight issue together.

On the plus side, after enjoying Copra so much I have gone back and given Zegas another shot. Michel Fiffe has made me a fan of his work. Hopefully I will be able to track down Zegas #0 & 2 soon.

-Denny Riccelli creates comics under the pen name ‘dennmann’ he currently publishes the webcomic Cousin Harold and some mini-comics now and then, including Jenny Spookawski Ghost Girl. He lives in Peoria, Arizona with his wife and 2 kids.

News - ANNOUNCING BYGONE!

ANNOUNCING BYGONE!

Bygone is a thrice-per-year, self-published conglomeration of projects I’ve been working on but haven’t had a place to gather it all together. Bygone is that place!AND ONLY AVAILABLE AT THE FORLORN FUNNIES STORE.

What’s inside? Some of the contents will be from upcoming projects, projects that fell through the cracks, discussions of various processes, and interviews with nonexistent people. There will be scripts, short stories, gags, enlarged arms, and links to secret things you otherwise won’t get to see. Probably there’s a fart joke in there somewhere. Maybe a philosopher or two.

Each issue will be 64 pages, perfect bound, full color. You can pick them up for $15 each or buy a year’s subscription for $40 (SAVINGS!). Head to the store to pre-order now! Issue 1 will be out in September, making its debut at SPX.

Every copy will be signed and doodled in, so think about what fake name you want written in there (so your mom doesn’t know it’s you’re into weird shit).

Bygone will be published in VERY small print runs, and once each issue is out of print, it’s gone. Sorry. Need a hug?

So pre-order, subscribe, but do it now. Before that other guy gets it. Herman. What’s his deal anyway?

I ordered a Subscription - Big Fan of Paul Hornschemeier - denny!

Just Read - Final Frontier by Tom Scioli

Tom Scioli’s Final Frontier is like the comics I used to dream about reading when I was a young teen. Crazy wacked out character’s with loosely connected by a plot line, that appears to be changing each page. Fantastic stuff and maybe that is because he used fantastic source material as inspiration to create it.

What would happen if you took the Fantastic Four Wedding Annual, the first Galactus storyline, a dabble of Doctor Strange and threw in an issue of Amazing Spider-man for good measure? Answer: Final Frontier! I’m sure there are many other sources of inspiration for this story, but those are the ones that instantly came to mind when reading about the member of the Final Frontier as they encounter, Golememnon, Silver Spider and more.

Final Frontier is essentially the story of a band whom are about to break up because the co-fronts have decided to get married and move on with their lives. If only things were that simple. On the wedding day everything that could go wrong, does go wrong and the readers benefit from it. The story is peppered with something for everyone and while there is a plot, most of the time it’s very loose and tends to wander a bit. Don’t worry the book has a satisfying ending that left me wanting more.

Scioli’s art is a thing of beauty. Majorly influenced by Jack Kirby, the art has flair and excitement all of it's own written all over it. Every way I thought to poetically describe the art, does not do it justice. While it is heavily influenced by Jack Kirby, it is also 100% Tom Scioli. It’s like Scioli is channeling a little Kirby magic through a brush or pen that Kirby once used. Those that scoff at the art and just think that Scioli is a Kirby imitator are missing the fantastic worlds Scioli creates with his pencil and pen.

If you are looking for a wild fantastic romp through the world or super-heroes then Tom Scioli’s Final Frontier is for you. And hey, you don’t even have to buy it to read it, the whole story was original posted as a webcomic here on Tom’s website. (By the way, you would be doing yourself a favor if you read American Barbarian also.)

-Denny Riccelli creates comics under the pen name ‘dennmann’ he currently publishes the webcomic Cousin Harold and some mini-comics now and then, including Jenny Spookawski Ghost Girl. He lives in Peoria, Arizona with his wife and 2 kids.

Updates

Just a quick note on Updates - I will still be updating the "Just Read of the Week" post once a week, however the "Re-Read of the Week" will be updated only when I have a chance to re-read books. My day job is starting again, do my time has already started to disappear.

Thanx
-denny!