[Chewie B]

First impression, absolutely loved the art. It's b&w but not really. There's a lot of gray and I don't know if it's the paper or the coloring but brownish background really adds to the environment. Several times I would have sworn this was in color because my imagination easily added the color. It's only the first issue so I can't judge the story. Stranger comes into town, town gets destroyed, stranger leaves town. Are Abi and Micheal's powers mutations or mystical in nature? My interest is piqued.

[Richard Holland]

Enjoyed the first issue, not blown away yet, I have that "I've heard this story 57 times" feeling.

I'll keep on plugging!

[Ric Easton]

Good thing you told us which page to stop!

First impression was that Michael and his world seemed a little like Stephen King's "The Gunslinger" though, this guy doesn't appear to like guns!

I don't know if it is a problem with my old addled brain or what, but sometimes during the dialog-less and textless action scenes, I have a little trouble following the story. It could be that the lack of words and descriptions just propels me through the pages too quickly.

Still, I found the story (so far) to be engaging and I'm definitely interested to see where its going!

[Browncoat1]

I like the western feel of the story. Now that Rix mentions it, it does have a bit of a feel of King's "Gunslinger" series to it. I think it lends to that gritty feel of the story and it helped set the tone for me.

The art on this book is excellent! I find the angles and use of focus in certain panels really adds a good bit to the story.

I am liking the character of Michael. He seems to be very rough and a bit anti-social, as would be expected in such a setting, but I think we are going to see some character growth in him.

I agree it started out slow, but I'm okay with that so long as the writer is setting the stage for the characters or world they are in. We did get to meet some characters and a bit of action which kept things moving, but I concur with Brian in that this is a character driven book, not an action book. I enjoy character driven stories far more than just books with most of the panels filled with fighting.

I didn't mind that it was 48 pages. I hardly noticed the page count in all honesty as I was a bit sucked in by the story so far. The fact that this is a black and white book is not an issue for me as I have been reading Walking dead, another black & white book, and for me it allows me to focus more on the writing.

Looking forward to the second issue.

[Chewie B]

Again, the art is great. It reminds me of Cam Kennedy's work on Dark Empire.

I found the story of A-Ree-Yass-I to be my favorite part of this issue. Obviously A-Ree-Yass-I was a present-day city. The people ignored their gods, persecuted those who still believed. Followed by a nuclear war, that "many years passed before man crawled from his ruin." And now that they are humbled they start to believe again. I like the idea that prosperity leads to pride in themselves, persecution of others, and then an eventual downfall. This is also shown in the difference between the leaders of Providens and Newbegin.

I laughed at the end when Micheal pulled an Obi-Wan Kenobi on the wolves.

[StrangerDan]

Isn't it supposed to be obvious what Ar-ee-yass-i is?

Or maybe I just knew from Antony and forgot he told me.

[Chewie B]

Isn't it supposed to be obvious what Ar-ee-yass-i is?

Or maybe I just knew from Antony and forgot he told me.

I've no idea. If it's in the first two trades please don't spoil it, but it's not spoil away.

[darrel]

I put it on reserve at the library so ill have to catch up.

[antony]

I'm so glad someone else sees the Cam Kennedy similarities in Chris' work! The funny thing is that I don't think he's ever seen a page of Cam's artwork in his life. But it definitely has that same gritty feel.

[StrangerDan]

I've no idea. If it's in the first two trades please don't spoil it, but it's not spoil away.

I know NUTHINK!

Please ignore me.

[Chewie B]

I know NUTHINK!

Please ignore me.

HOGAAAAN!

[Browncoat1]

Again, the art is great. It reminds me of Cam Kennedy's work on Dark Empire.

Definitely has the look and feel of Kennedy's work. The art has added a lot to this book and helps set the tone.

I laughed at the end when Micheal pulled an Obi-Wan Kenobi on the wolves.

I got a kick out of this part too. Maybe a homage to the first Star Wars?

[Ric Easton]

Waiting to read part two before I listen to the podcast. Can someone tell me what page in the trade I should read to? Thanks!

[matman]

not sure of the page number, but it has michael full page on top of a mountainside.

and hey antony!!!!! welcome aboard. have you ever read wasteland? tee hee

[Torchbearer]

OK I suck at this already. I bought these two trades (I also bought issue 7 so when the time comes I'll write up a summary) and read through the first trade and issue 7 already. I did manage to stop before going ahead and reading the second book.

I'm Going to go back and re-read the first 3 issues and I'll comment on them maybe as I read them.

BTW, I have no idea what A-Ree-Yass-I is but I read somewhere someone speculating it might be Area 51. Not sure I buy that but I've been wrong before.

****EDIT****

OK, that may actually have some credibility after all! There is a Providence in northern Utah and a Washington in southern Utah and a little ways across the border into Nevada from Washington is Area 51. It may also be worthy to note that the way between the two goes through Salt Lake City. Still could mean nothing though.

This post has been edited by Torchbearer: 23 July 2008 - 03:59 PM

[Chewie B]

BTW, I have no idea what A-Ree-Yass-I is but I read somewhere someone speculating it might be Area 51. Not sure I buy that but I've been wrong before.

Ah, I get it. A-Ree-Ya = Area & ss-I= 51. Clever. If you're going to survive a nuclear war, why not Area 51.

[Chewie B]

This issue took a step or two up the garbage-mouth ladder. The cussing for cussing sake is already getting on my nerves. It's taking me out of the story. If it stays this bad I doubt I'm going to finish this trade.

Micheal knows more about everything, including the people of Providence, than he's letting on. Other than that, not much in this issue.

[Browncoat1]

I agree that the profanity quota seems to have gone up, but I find it to be more of a devise to show how rough and uncultured these people are we are meeting and less an issue for me personally.

I'm curious as to just how old Michael is and how he seems to be familiar with all these different people and groups. It seems that we have barely scratched the surface of Michael and who and what he is exactly.

I think that Brian and Matman seem to have hit the nail on the head that the caravan seems to be slave smugglers. The fact they are not doing it openly would seem to indicate that it is not a trade looked upon favorably. It makes me wonder though if the caravan has agreed to take on the refugees in the hopes of adding more slaves to their manifest.

Really good read so far.