#rok comics

Get Ready For #Roktober With Rok The God Preview Edition And Kickstarter

It’s nearly time for the brand new series featuring Rok of the Reds, the world’s first alien footballer, when Rok The God launches on Kickstarter October 2nd, but before then, there’s a chance to get the first chapter right now. (more…)

The Devil's #3 Antarctic Press/ROK Comics 2019 Written by Matthew Spradlin Illustrated by William Allan Reyes Coloured by Archie Van Buren     Takahiro and Yabu are struggling to make it out of the Ramree swamp alive. A deadly crocodile awaits in front of them; the remaining Japanese troops (lead by their blood thirsty commanding officer) are behind them. The ghosts of Nanking have truly come to collect their due. And even if the two friends make it out, what awaits them on the other side?     I am such a huge fan of this book. These guys have taken a true event, scaled it down to fit into a comic book and successfully introduced the world to an event that they have more than likely never heard of before. That's really the kicker really here isn't it, these are what allied forces facing the Japanese in a place and time that the Western (okay more than likely just American) schools just don't teach. I think that what I see within these pages while having had liberties taken aptly demonstrates how it is possible that something like what happens here is considered supernatural in nature.     The way that this is being told is incredible. The story & plot development alongside the character development that we are seeing here is beyond what I could have hoped for. That we are able to see such characterisation and how we are able to really get to know these men on such a level really is extraordinary. They manage to really make the story what it is and strong and powerfully believable as it is, which considering the base in reality makes it doubly amazing. So with the way we see the pacing picking thing and moving them along like it does we get a right proper ebb & flow to the book.     That Matthew manages to make this fit into three issues is utterly amazing to witness. I would have thought it needed more than that to tell effectively. Of course what do I know about all this, I can't write a proper story to save my life. So that I am this impressed with what I am seeing from my point of view well let's just say that this really does stand head and shoulders above what we normally see. When I tell you that you should be finding these stories and these companies I do so for a reason because I am beyond a shadow of a doubt genuinely impressed with the level and quality of storytelling.     The interiors here are bloody marvellous to see. The way that we see the linework being utilised through it's varying weights to create this attention to detail is seriously amazing. That along with how we see the composition inside the panels is genius! The way that William manages to show us depth perception through foregrounds and backgrounds, body proportions and angles and perspective really is beyond what we should expect. Plus the colour work is amazing and how we see the light source utilised to create shading and shadows is superbly done. The hues and tones in the colour we see is beautiful and rendered perfectly. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show this a stellar eye for storytelling. ​     I firmly believe that you need to start reading books you normally wouldn't. Pick a book from a company you've never read before stop being a baby afraid to try something new. For starters order this trade, history aside this is one of the most well told and beautifully done series that is far too short and makes me with to see so much more from this creative team. Beautifully blended history into a story that could be as much fiction as reality, after all reality is stranger than fiction in the end.

The Devils #2 ROK Comics/Antarctic Press 2019 Written by Matthew Spradlin Illustrated by William Alan Reyes Coloured by Archie Van Buren     Two Japanese soldiers looking for redemption enter the swamps of Ramree Island along with the rest of their garrison. There they encounter one of the planet's deadliest predators. Meanwhile, the British allies attempt to manoeuvrer to cut them off before they reach their fellow soldiers.     It took me a number of years to get into War Comics, though I love Sgt. Rock and those heroes of that genre and era now. So that this is on shelves I think is great and actually more important than many may realise. Think about it with the turmoil that is in our world today a look back at the past and what the last major world war was like isn’t something we shouldn’t be seeing and learning from. Okay that aside that this is also based off a true story is even better because to think that truth is truly stranger than fiction is even more delightful.      I love the way that this is being told. There is a very easy ebb & flow to the way we see things unfold before us and the story & plot development is revealed through the pacing. Now I don’t know how much of these characters existed or that they are just based on known soldiers, or even unknown soldiers, but I have to add into this mix the characterisation that we are seeing here because it’s incredibly good.      The way that cogs in the wheel react to what happens and to the orders given by their superiors is extremely well done to me. As well as making those in charge men we can’t find within us to like or trust. Not even if there is real proof but at least Suguru is one we can hate based on actions we have seen and his blatant attitude he displays. Wright’s superior officer however is a lot nastier and sneakier since I don’t think we can even come close to trusting him or what he gave Wright. For those that are easy to hate there are those whom we are able to root for in the long run and yes I will count Wright among them even though he’s more easily influenced. I really do like some of these men and feel they have honour and nobility in them still.     The interior artwork here is sensational! I love the way the linework is being utilised here and it really manages to create this stunning attention to detail. The way faces and facial expressions are done make these characters come to life extraordinarily well. The way that the jungle is being utilised and how they dominate the backgrounds bringing this world to life, expanding the moments and providing a sense of size and scope to the story. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show this stupendous eye for storytelling. Add in the colour work and this book is beyond stunning visually. Between the light sources providing shading, shadows and even the gradation in the colours to bring the various greens to us is perfectly done. There is also a very nice sense of imagination and creativity in these pages as well. ​     This is one of the most amazingly well told stories that I could hope to be reading. The story concept here is great and the way that we see the events unfold before us keep things moving forward while continuing to flesh these characters out show such amazing attention to detail in the writing. I think that while this engages the reader and captures the attention extremely well I don’t see myself going off script and to keep my mind focused solely on the page is a feat unto itself. It shows off a strength in talent and skill that I am not even trying to second guess what’s to occur and all I want is to see how this continues.

Heroes At Large! #2 Antarctic Press/ROK Comics 2019 Created by Matthew Spradlin & Jonathan Kendrick Written by Matthew Spradlin Illustrated by David Hutchison     Things aren't really working out when it comes to "team-building exercises" for our newly revived heroes from the '40s. And they aren't doing so hot learning how to cope in this modern, politically correct world, either!     One of the biggest draws of this is the fact that they are a team of “forgotten heroes” or public domain as the term is now. I was really looking forward to seeing these characters back in action once again. The boys here have other ideas however and the names and costumes are all that remains the same. The characterisation and dialogue here is something else entirely almost as if they took the joke way too far and almost ruined it. I wish this were more serious and not so SuperMansion, that’s already been done so why try to emulate it? Oh well as a huge fan of the Heroes of 40’s-60’s I am allowed to be kvetching if I want to.     So now that that’s off my chest lets get to the story at hand. There is something inherently humorous about seeing them confronting bank robbers and telling em to drop the lettuce. I am not even sure that it is historically accurate but then again I am not sure it matters. I do like the whole out of time out of place concept that we are seeing. The opening is a perfect example of that and while Catman and Kitten have a more complex relationship than I was expecting to find out it’s the others that kind of made me cringe. The whole gun happy shoot em up was a thing for westerns not for these guys who while admittedly fought the Nazi’s shouldn’t be this gun crazed.     I am a huge Airboy fan so I wish he’d get a least a little better treatment. And now thanks to the boys I want to see “whatever that is” as well. The perversion part of all this doesn’t go unnoticed and after a while you see how distorted and out there this is so it is a true parody of the real versions. So if you want to see SuperMansion style stuff park your ass on the sofa and peruse the book. The way the book is structured and how the action and the story itself flow is extraordinarily well done. The new characterisation for these folks as we discover them for the first time is often hilarious and dangerous, in that I could get used to them like this!  Adult humour is like walking a tightrope as if you're not careful then it's freefall you'll never forget, Matthew proves he's adept at the circus that's for sure.     The interiors from David are excellent. The way he’s able to manipulate the varying weights of the linework so create the attention to detail is very well done. The characters themselves and the discover new pleasures in this era are transformed by their facial expressions or nudity, which is a shame we didn’t get to see more of that considering how many were supposedly naked. The one thing I wish we’d gotten more of were backgrounds. Otherwise the utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show off a very talented eye for storytelling. The colour work is great as we see light sources utilised to create shadows, shading and a smidgeon of colour gradation in use. Cadillac and her tattoos were really nice rendered by the way.     I may have complained a tad too much but the whole is a tad too much. It really took me a few readings before I really got into it, mainly because I wasn’t expecting it to be this way. Still you can enjoy this and think oh hell no it’s like Robot Chicken and SuperMansion had a love-child, a vulgar not potty trained mutant love-child.  Which is more fun to watch.     Then there’s the back-up story here. I am going to assume that it is an actual original issue and only the dialogue has been changed. I wish I knew who was lettering this because they deserve a shout out for the work here on this. The writing again merges the now with the then laying the groundwork for his characterisation and language. There is also something special about seeing this style of artwork again and how the linework is utilised and the techniques that were used to bring it to life that makes me happy.     Raucous, a bit perverted and a whole lot of not for children humour has this one firmly in the not ready for prime time players. If you are easily offended this isn’t for you but you wanna be un-PC and like it then this is for you!

Houdini Master Detective #1 Antarctic Press/ROK Comics 2019 Created by Jonathan Kendrick Written by Jamie Alan Nicklin & Simon Mark Wheeler Illustrated by Rafael Broseta & David Belmonte     A mystery criminal is committing a rash of diabolical crimes plaguing the city, so Scotland Yard reaches out to Harry Houdini and his wife, Bess Houdini, who are called upon by Scotland Yard to help figure out who the evil perpetrator is. But no sooner are they on the case then the villain kidnaps Bess!     I am a fan of the concept, the reality and all around execution of this story. How much fun is it to think that Harry Houdini while travelling the world, based in London (?), can use his mastery of magic and escapism to capture those who would do evil deeds? Let’s face it London alone in at this time was a cesspool and full of unsolved crimes what with Jack the Ripper and Moriarty having fun amok. There is a whole new, different, world to explore and if this issue is any indication of what they want to do with him than hell to the freakin yeah from me!     The opening here is fun as a red robed figure dressed like some sort of Colonial person is being pursued by the Constabulary. Then to see this transition into the seeing Houdini for the first time is extremely well done. Jonathan does a magnificent job writing this and how he has structured the book so that the ebb & flow releases information and has this stellar confrontation to end the story. The pacing is excellent and the fact that we as the readers’ are along for the ride as we see what transpires and hoping beyond hope to find some clues of our own as to this devil’s identity might be. That Jonathan manages to engage and involve the reader in this story is simply marvellous.     I do think that the characterisation here is rather well done. Houdini is someone I expected to be a lot more hoity toity in his demeanour and yet he’s portrayed as more of a common man, who just happens to have extraordinary skills. That we also get a nice look at Bess and Inspector Willard show who is important in Houdini’s world and are among those most trusted. So in other terms we see what you could think of as the supporting cast of characters.     At first glance I thought that the interiors might be a tad on the cartoon side of things. Then upon closer inspection I found myself rather enamoured with how they look. There is some nice utilisation of the linework through it’s varying weights which create some incredibly nice attention to detail. The buildings, the theatre and many locations in the city have that look and feel of the era and it’s glorious to behold. The characters do remind me of like James Bond Jr. (the cartoon and kids comics) but again it’s extremely well done. We see emotions, feelings and everything we need to understand the characters from their facial expressions. ​     The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a really nice solid eye for storytelling. Backgrounds are utilised very well and help provide us with those extra touches. The colour work is really well done too. The colour of dresses, suits and the shading are all done complete the work nicely.     There is a lot of creativity and imagination going on in this one issue that we see in the writing and the interior artwork. That it’s a one and done story is even more impressive to me as it shows control and the type of skill and talent Jonathan possesses. Fun light-hearted tomfoolery aside it really is a smart, interesting and well executed book.

Awesome Comics Podcast Episode 15: John Freeman

It’s a real history lesson this week as John Freeman of downthetubes, Crucible, ROK Comics and many more joins Vince Hunt, Dan Butcher and Tony Esmond to talk about all things comics. There’s talk about the latest webcomic site Tapastic and its benefits for comic book creators, John’s own creations over the years and everyone has a reminiscing session about the books they had access to and read…

Doctor Who Magazine Flashback: Comic Strip Submission Guidelines, May 1990

This is actually a bit of a cheat as an image: “The Two Doctors” was a pitch from Andrew Cartmel made after full discussion with me as editor. But it’s great art by Lee Sullivan. More information on this story here

  I’ve been digging around in the cupboards for things to show folk at EdenCon tomorrow in Carlisle for things to show folk besides the audio comics I edit for ROK Comicson my iPhone,…

“London Calling” goes digital, on sale now

  The Charlotte Corday adventure London Calling, published by Timebomb Comics, has just been added to the ROK Comics digital app for iPad, taking its place alongside Iron Moon, which was published in print by Print Media.

Wolverhampton-based audio comics publisher ROK Comics recently revamped its ‘aggregator’ app, which brings together all its ROK Comics – and titles from a number of independent…