Each week I'll spotlight a couple independent books I've read and may have flown under people's radar.
FBP
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| Shaolin Cowboy 01 |
Jay and Adam's time in the pocket universe is quickly coming to an end, but is there enough time left for everyone to get out? What's really going on and there and why? This issue answers these questions and more, including the fallout from the mission, and a surprise ending that sees one character leave the FBP.
This series is nuts and I love it. Great writing, crazy art that both looks and works great (when Rodriguez bothers to include backgrounds). Next issue should serve as a jumping on point for anyone interested in the series.
THE SHOALIN COWBOY 1
Geof Darrow and Shaolin Cowboy are back! Fans of the original series will rejoice at the return, but new readers shouldn't fear picking up the story from here - this is the beginning of a brand-new story.
The book opens with Shaolin Cowboy digging his way out "from the center of the earth" as the short prose opening tells us. Unfortunately, there's a horde of zombies fast on his trail. Beautifully disgusting mayhem ensues as he first runs from, then confronts the undead.
The Shaolin Cowboy has never been a talkative character, that role has always been left to the rest of the cast. The same holds true here, with much of the story being told through Darrow's art rather than the titular character. Near the end of the book, however, we'e shown a few pages worth of unfamiliar characters that have seemingly been in search of the cowboy, indicating some larger storyline at play. I can only assume we'll be treated to additional details in issues to come.
GHOSTED 4
While Jackson's team tries to formulate a plan, one of their members goes missing. Unfortunately for them, that's just the beginning of their trouble as things get much worse for everyone involved, leading to the climactic final page. Oh, and that thing Jackson's been talking about not doing for the last few issues... it happens. They stay in the house after dark There's really very little else I can say about the issue without spoiling things, so I'll simply suggesting picking up the series and giving it a try.
Honestly, after the first issue, I didn't think I'd be reading the series for all that long. The premise is good, writing is good, art is serviceable... but it didn't really hook me. Yet I've consistently come back for more and after that last page, its hooks are in me. Supernatural + Heist makes for a good comic.
GHOSTBUSTERS 8
This issues picks up exactly where the last left off. Winston is still in Las Vegas, attempting to quietly deal with a ghost in the hotel while on vacation with his wife. Egon continues to investigate himself for changes following recent events, but will he find anything more than his own paranoia? Peter, Ray, and Kylie are all on the frozen ship off the coast, only to make a bad situation worse.
This storyarc wraps up faster than I had expected. For one, I thought we'd see more of Winston on vacation and the relationship with his wife. Instead, he spends much of his time trying to trap the ghost, and when he's unable to do it discreetly, has some strong words for the client. The tension on the ghost ship, seen in the last few issues, quickly builds, but luck and a brainstorm resolve the issue without difficulty. It's hard to understand why so much was building toward this. Egon, meanwhile, still hasn't done much of anything.
