Comic Review: CYKO KO! #1 of 3 from Alterna Comics

CYKO KO! #1 of 3

(W/A) Rob Feldman

(L) Peter Simeti, Rob Feldman

Releasing July 25th, 2018

Genre: Superhero/Humor

$1.50, 32 pgs, Full Color, Newsprint Interior

MAY181305

Alterna Comics

PREVIEW

SuperEarth's greatest hero is here! Cyko KO is the fourth-wall breakin', pinball-addicted, motorcycle-ridin' hero you've been waiting for! When Cuda Cano (Cyko's oldest rival) challenges Cyko to a "friendly" surf off, he just can't resist. But with a remote control giant squid at his disposal, Cuda's playing for keeps!

Like Saturday Morning in the 70’s

Surf’s up! I want to catch some killer waves! I have a need to hang out with the Surf City Surf King!

No, not that guy! Be serious! Who’d want to hang out with him! I said the Surf City Surf King!

Yeah! That’s the guy! Surfs up, Big Kahuna! This guy can surf like it’s nobody’s business! Of course, I’m talking about CYKO KO. Who else? This guy’s the Surf City Surf King, all around pinball playing champion, and the Super Earth Battle Defender! That’s right True Believer! I just read CYKO KO #1 in a three-issue mini-series! (What? Somebody had to do it!)

CYKO KO can be very fun to read, but one must approach the comic with the right frame of mind. In preparation for this comic, I suggest pajamas and a big bowl of sugar cereal, preferably the kind with marshmallows and a toy surprise. Throw away ideas of super powered entities locked in an epic battle with the fate of all mankind hanging in the balance. This is not that kind of comic! Who needs that kind intensity? Give me something light and fun!

In this first installment of a three-part saga, CYKO is on vacation and is looking forward to the big Surf Off in Surf City. However, the dastardly Cuda Cano has taken over the Surf City Surf Off champion title since CYKO has been away. He’s not planning to give up the title anytime soon and he’s willing to take extreme and dishonest measures to keep it! Things get a little dangerous as crazy hijinks ensue! It’s great fun, but maybe not for every young comic reading whipper snapper.

So, who is the target audience? The comic looks and reads like a Saturday morning cartoon from the 1970s. It’s an extremely goofy story with the Saturday morning cartoon feel. The drawing style, the episodic plot, even the gags and pop culture references keep the time jump consistent. As a fifty-year-old nerd boy, I felt right at home. Thanks, Alterna Comics, for a fun comic geared for my generation!

“Grandpa, what’s the Fonz?”

“Well, Kiddo, it’s hard to explain. Those were Happy Days though…”

This goofy fun with the nostalgic feel gets three “Scooby Sheep” from me!

Jonathan Harvey
Author of Shades of Plaid (A Very Unconventional Weekly Journey into Christian Living)
CreateSpace-Smashwords-kindle
Read my online comic The Terrible Turtle Conspiracy

Comic Review: Metaphase by Chip Reece from Alterna Comics

Metaphase
Writer: Chip Reece
Editor: Peter Simeti
Illustrator: Kelly Williams
May 1, 2015

All ages

paperback, 88 pages

Alterna Comics
Metaphase is an all-ages graphic novel written by Chip Reece with artwork by Kelly Williams. The story is inspired by the author's real-life superhero son, who has Down syndrome. Lash is one of the greatest superheroes of all time, but his life is forever changed when his son, Ollie, is born with all the physical vulnerabilities that come along with having heart defects and Down syndrome. As Ollie gets older he becomes tired of his dad's over-protection and unwillingness to include him in his superhero adventures. Ollie has lived his life listening to the world tell him he will be limited in what he can do and with the added frustration of being compared to a dad with unlimited abilities. Fueled by his desire to be "super", Ollie turns to Meta-Makers - a company that claims it can give anyone superpowers through chromosome tampering. Unfortunately, Ollie's decision may be disastrous for the greatest hero of all time... his dad!

Comic book writer Chip Reece's son, Ollie, has Down syndrome. As an avid comic book lover Chip wanted his son to have a superhero, he could identify with. There were very few superheroes with disabilities and none with Down syndrome. So he did what all writers do when they can't find what they want...they write it. 

The real superhero, Ollie

Metaphase is the origin story of Ollie, a 16-year-old boy with Down syndrome. His father is the famous superhero, Sentinel. The first few pages of the story explain the complications in Ollie's first 5 years of life and why his dad doesn't want him to become a superhero. But as Ollie grows up, he has other ideas.

Metaphase follows the basic superhero story formula. The characters are drawn with exaggerated facial expressions which work well to convey the emotions and tone of the story in the many dialog-free panels. The panels with text tended to be a little dialog heavy. The art is relatively simple line drawings with harsh shading, and in most panels, minimal or no backgrounds. It all works together to convey an easy-to-understand story with a few surprises thrown in.

This is a great comic for kids with disabilities, but even better for kids who don't. The key to acceptance and understanding the differences in individuals is to introduce kids to those differences through media like TV and books (comics). It can open channels for healthy and productive discussions. In the past, self-published webcomics and small independent comic presses were the only places to find comics willing to address issues of disabilities, gender, sexuality, and race. But more mainstream comic producers like Alterna, are entering the game with winners like Metaphase.

As a fan of graphic novels (kid to adult comics), I found Metaphase enjoyable and look forward to the next installment due out next year.

4 "Meta" Sheep

SharonS

About the Creators:

Chip Reece
blog-Twitter
Writer of Metaphase and father of the most amazing kid in the world, SUPER OLLIE! He is a social worker by day and aspiring comic book writer by night (or whenever else his son decides to sleep). Chip has been a force of support for crowdfunded comic books most notably through the website StashMyComics.com, where he is also the editor for the blog and longtime admin. You can keep up with him via.

Kelly Williams

website- Twitter

Artist of the book, who has also been involved with a slew of indie comic projects. Recently he successfully funded the graphic novel The Cabinet with writer Christian Sager and is involved in the weekly web comic Ego Tripp with writer Ross Thibodeaux.

Peter Simeti

Twitter

Aside from being the letterer for Metaphase, Peter is also an artist, writer, teacher, hockey player and the owner/operator of the book's publisher, Alterna Comics. His book The Chair is being turned into a live action film!

Tom Hoefner

blog-Twitter

Editor of Metaphase. He is also a director, teacher and writer who is working on the novel The Unlikely Adventure of Race & Cookie McCloud. Click the link to read the Casefiles of Race & Cookie.

Comic Review: Unit 44 by Wes Locher and Eduardo Jimenez

UNIT 44 (issues #1-4)
(W) Wes Locher
(A/CA) Eduardo Jimenez
In Shops: Aug 09, 2017
SRP: $11.95
preview
Inept Area 51 employees Agent Gibson and Agent Hatch forget to pay the rent on the facility’s off-site storage unit and the secret contents are sold to a pair of backwoods rednecks at public auction. When an alien invasion threatens planet Earth, the agents must recover an item from the locker if they hope to stop the extraterrestrial threat.

Unit 44 is a four issue sci-fi/comedy comic book miniseries to be published March-June 2015 by New York Times Best-Selling graphic books publisher Alterna Comics.

I supported Unit 44 on kickstarter. After reading the blurb and seeing some of the pages it was a no brainer for me. Agents Gibson (the dude with the hair) and Hatch (the dude with the attitude) let the payment on an Area 51 storage unit lapse. Bad guys get a hold of an alien artifact. There is conspiracy, friendship, grudges, an annoying alien, and a twist or two. I think they poked fun at every sci-fi alien troupe.

The humor is pretty silly but fun for all ages. I can see middle schoolers cracking up over this. I cracked up too...so take from that what you will...

The artwork is clean and the colors bold complementing the writing. The story moves quickly and logically. There is a hilarious four-page mini comic called Memory Lapse at the end of the graphic novel.

You can buy each issue (there are four) individually via Comixology for cheap, or you can grab the complete graphic novel.  

If you are looking for a laugh you can share with your kids too, then give Unit 44 a try.

4 "Bringing it" Sheep

SharonS

https://www.comixology.com/Unit-44/digital-comic/271168

About the Creators:
website-FB-twitter
Wes Locher is the writer of the comic books Unit 44 (Alterna, 2015), The Undoubtables (Markosia Enterprises, 2014), Chambers (Arcana Studio, 2013) and the web comic Innovation. He’s contributed short stories to anthologies from Titan and GrayHaven Comics and self-published the collection of humorous essays Musings on Minutiae. Follow him on Twitter @weslocher.

Eduardo Jiménez (Ed!) is a freelance digital artist who specializes in comic art and children’s book illustrations. Follow him on Twitter @Eduar_Art.

Alterna Comics is #BRINGINGBACKNEWSPRINT May 3 + giveaway

What is one of the big complaints readers have about comic books? Price! While today's comic books are fancy with glossy full colored pages, it costs much more. So Alterna Comics had the bright idea to bring back the original format: Newsprint. Along with an affordable price.

Alterna is launching a number of bimonthly limited series, along with some quarterlies and one-shots in May and June.

Every black and white series will be priced at $1.00, and the color series will be priced at $1.50. There will be comics for adults, teens, and children.

May 3 releases:

children's

AMAZING AGE #1, ADAM WRECK #1, LILITH DARK #1

adult's

CROAK #1

Lilith Dark #1 of 4
MAR171251
(W/A) Charles C. Dowd
ALL AGES | FANTASY ADVENTURE
In Shops: May 03, 2017
SRP: $1.50
See a preview at PreviewsWorld.
Lilith Dark has no time for princess stuff; she’s far too busy fighting giant monsters and capturing unicorns… or at least that’s how she imagines things. But what if these imaginary beasties, creatures, and monsters were actually real? What then? Printed on nostalgic newsprint with a glossy cover!

Review of Lilith Dark coming soon!

Amazing Age #1 of 5
MAR171249
(W) Matthew David Smith
(A/CA) Jeremy Massie, Christine Brunson
ALL AGES | SUPERHERO

In Shops: May 03, 2017
SRP: $1.50
See a preview at PreviewsWorld.
Three teenagers spend their days creating comics until one day, the stories come to life! Stuck in a world of super-powered heroes and villains, they’ll have to figure out how to save the day and get back home in one piece! Printed on nostalgic newsprint with a glossy cover!

Adam Wreck #1 of 3MAR171248
(W/A) Michael S. Bracco
ALL AGES | SCI-FI ADVENTURE
In Shops: May 03, 2017
SRP: $1.50
See a preview at PreviewsWorld.
An interstellar family road trip comes to a screeching halt when Adam’s parents are kidnapped by Space Pirates! Crash-landing on a planet filled with monstrous creatures, Adam befriends a scoundrel with a heart of gold. Can they save Adam’s parents? Printed on nostalgic newsprint with a glossy cover!

Croak #1 of 3
MAR171250
(W) Cody Andrew Sousa
(A/CA) Francesco Iaquinta, Chris O’Halloran
(L) Dezi Sienty
17+ | HORROR

In Shops: May 03, 2017
SRP: $1.50 
See a preview at PreviewsWorld. 
In this pulse-pounding debut issue, a fun camping trip turns awry after three friends are forced deep into the woods. Lost, afraid, and alone, their worst nightmares come to life. Printed on nostalgic newsprint with a glossy cover! 

June Newsprint Releases

MOTHER RUSSIA #1, TRESPASSER #1, and SCRIMSHAW #1 will all sport $1.50 cover prices -- and THE CHAIR #1 will be priced at $1.00. 

 These titles will all be printed on newsprint with a semi-gloss cover stock and most will be in full color. With the exception of the SCRIMSHAW series, all other titles are a mini-series of 3 to 5 issues.

About Alterna Comics:
website-FB-twitter
Founded in 2006 by Peter Simeti, Alterna Comics titles are distributed worldwide in print and digital formats and in several languages. Alterna is home to the New York Times Best-Selling Graphic Books zombie war series "FUBAR" as well as the psychological horror thriller "THE CHAIR" which has been adapted to film. Predominantly a publisher of graphic novels and digital comics, Alterna has expanded their lineup to include single issue titles printed on newsprint. Currently publishing over 60 critically-acclaimed titles in multiple genres and formats, Alterna Comics titles are distributed to the comic market by Diamond Comics Distributors; to the book and ebook market by IPG (Independent Publishers Group); and to newsstands by PDG (Publishers Distribution Group).

GIVEAWAY

Alterna Comics Swag Pack
-tote bag, poster, stickers, sticky notes, bookmark
-will add some sheep and author swag

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Movie Review: The Chair from Alterna Comics

The CHAIR
Director: Chad Ferrin

Production Company:

http://alternacomics.com

Film MPAA Rating: NR

Adult: Strong language and violence
94 minutes

Cast: Roddy Piper (They Live), 

Naomi Grossman (American Horror Story), 

Zach Galligan (Gremlins), 

Noah Hathaway (The NeverEnding Story), 

Bill Oberst Jr. (The Retrieval), 

Tim Muskatell (Deadgirl), 

Ezra Buzzington (The Hills Have Eyes), 

Susan Eisenberg (Justice League Unlimited), 

Kin Shriner (Justice League Unlimited), 

Joe "Animal" Laurinaitis (WWE Legend)

Website: http://thechairhorror.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/thechairhorror

FB: http://facebook.com/thechairhorror

Based on the Alterna Comics graphic novel of the same name, THE CHAIR follows the story of Richard Sullivan, an innocent man struggling to escape execution on death row. Witnessing the savage killings of his fellow inmates at the hand of the prison's sadistic and psychotic Warden, Sullivan decides that the only way to survive is to fight back. But as he matches the brutality occurring in the prison, Sullivan is forced to come face to face with his sanity and his own horrifying past.

Review Quotes:

“Brutal.” - Horror Society

“A Visually Disturbing Masterpiece.” - Graphic Policy

“Harrowing.” - Scream Magazine

"Chilling." - Barbara Torretti, DARKVEINS

"Horrifying.” - William Meeker, TFK's WEB OF INDIE HORROR AND SCIENCE FICTION

"Tense. Stellar. Bloody." - Andrew Peters, KINKY HORROR GOON REVIEW

At the end of the post are links showings.

WTF did I just watch?! Well...what I watched through my fingers covering my eyes! There are all kinds of horror movie lovers out there. The Chair is not for the average horror fan. It is visually brutal and disturbing on so many levels. I wondered where I would draw the line when it came to horror films and this movie showed me.

Now, all that aside, it is an interesting movie. There is the obligatory "mommy issue" that all psychopathic killers seem to have, but there is also a unique twist about Sullivan, the main character. Once you get past the horrific and bloody torturing scenes, there is a message about society's eye-for-an-eye view on how the monsters on death row deserve to die. And the fact that psychopaths can find sanctioned ways to carry out their perverted desires.

There were some things that didn't make sense and some scenes that felt like filler. The intro credits lasted for 5 minutes. I haven't read the graphic novel so I can't compare the movie to it, and there is no way I am watching it again to see if I was confused because I missed something.

So, should you see this movie and how do I rate it? I'm not really sure. The Chair is definitely for a certain horror fan, which I am not, so I can't compare it to others of the same type. But based on story, acting, film editing and execution (ha! pun intended) there were some issues, but they had the right idea and you need to take into account this was a small independent film and can't be compared to a major studio production. The movie caused a visceral reaction in me and it is hard to scrub the images from my mind, which is what horror is about.

Not giving a rating because I don't have a reference point of this type of film for comparison, other than 

"WTF did I just watch?!" Sheep

SharonS

We've partnered with Tugg to provide this on-demand theatrical release with almost 30 cities showing one night special screenings in the month of October and into the rest of 2016 and 2017.  This will be the first Alterna film in theaters and is an important landmark for creator-owned comics at this level.

Tickets can only be ordered ONLY through:

https://www.tugg.com/titles/the-chair 

People can also request showings and receive 5% of the ticket.

THEATRICAL LISTINGS

OCTOBER 18, 2016 (THEATRICAL DEBUT)
BURBANK, CA (7PM) - AMC BURBANK 16 & IMAX ORDER TICKETS
(MEET NAOMI GROSSMAN, KYLE HESTER, CHRISTIAN HUTCHERSON, CORPSY RHINE, BRENT ANTHONY, AND ANTHONY PEARCE)
OCTOBER 19, 2016ATLANTA, GA (7:30PM) - AMC PHIPPS PLAZA 14 ORDER TICKETS
BOSTON, MA (7:30PM) - AMC LOEWS BOSTON COMMON 19 & IMAX ORDER TICKETS
CHICAGO, IL (7:30PM) - AMC RIVER EAST 21 ORDER TICKETS
COLUMBUS, OH (7:30PM) - AMC EASTON TOWN CENTER 30 & IMAX ORDER TICKETS
DANVERS, MA (7:30PM) - AMC LOEWS LIBERTY TREE MALL 20 ORDER TICKETS
(MEET THE CHAIR CREATOR PETER SIMETI)
EDEN PRAIRIE, MN (7:30PM) - AMC EDEN PRAIRIE MALL 18 ORDER TICKETS
HARAHAN, LA (7:30PM) - AMC ELMWOOD PALACE 20 ORDER TICKETS
JERSEY CITY, NJ (7:30PM) - AMC LOEWS NEWPORT CENTRE 11 ORDER TICKETS
LAS VEGAS, NV (7:30PM) - AMC RAINBOW PROMENADE 10 ORDER TICKETS
LIVONIA, MI (7:30PM) - AMC LIVONIA 20 ORDER TICKETS
NEW YORK, NY (7:30PM) - AMC LOEWS 19TH ST. EAST 6 ORDER TICKETS
ORANGE PARK, FL (7:30PM) - AMC ORANGE PARK 24 ORDER TICKETS
PHILADELPHIA, PA (7:30PM) - AMC FRANKLIN MILLS MALL 14 & IMAX ORDER TICKETS
PHOENIX, AZ (7:30PM) - AMC ARIZONA CENTER 24 ORDER TICKETS
PITTSBURGH, PA (7:30PM) - CARMIKE 10 PITTSBURGH ORDER TICKETS
PLAINVILLE, CT (7:30PM) - AMC LOEWS PLAINVILLE 20 & IMAX ORDER TICKETS
SAN DIEGO, CA (7:30PM) - AMC FASHION VALLEY 18 ORDER TICKETS
(MEET KYLE HESTER, BRENT ANTHONY, AND ANTHONY PEARCE)
SEATTLE, WA (7:30PM) - AMC LOEWS OAK TREE 6 ORDER TICKETS
WASHINGTON, DC (7:30PM) - AMC LOEWS GEORGETOWN 14 & IMAX ORDER TICKETS
WESTBURY, NY (7:30PM) - AMC RACEWAY 10 ORDER TICKETS
WHITE MARSH, MD (7:30PM) - AMC LOEWS WHITE MARSH 16 ORDER TICKETS
OCTOBER 20, 2016PORTSMOUTH, NH (7:30PM) - CINEMAGIC PORTSMOUTH ORDER TICKETS
(MEET THE CHAIR CREATOR PETER SIMETI)
OCTOBER 24, 2016CHARLOTTE, NC (7:30PM) - STUDIO MOVIE GRILL EPICENTRE ORDER TICKETS
DALLAS, TX (7:30PM) - STUDIO MOVIE GRILL DALLAS ROYAL LANE ORDER TICKETS
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (7:30PM) - STUDIO MOVIE GRILL INDIANAPOLIS ORDER TICKETS
OCTOBER 27, 2016CLIFTON, NJ (7:30PM) - AMC CLIFTON COMMONS 16 & IMAX ORDER TICKETS
HOOKSETT, NH (7:30PM) - CINEMAGIC & IMAX HOOKSETT ORDER TICKETS
(MEET THE CHAIR CREATOR PETER SIMETI)

Comic Review: I, Holmes issue #1 (of 3) from Alterna Comics

I, Holmes issue #1 (of 3)

Writer: Michael Lent

Pencils, ink, colors: Dan Parsons

Graphic design, cover: Marc Rene

Lettering: Marshall Dillon

Intro: David Rambo
Peter Simeti (Publisher)

Brendan Wright (Editorial Consultant)
GENRES: Urban Crime/Suspense, Action/Adventure, Leading Ladies

Release: Aug 31, 2016 on Comixology

Publisher: Alterna

A Fresh Take and New Addition to the Sherlock Holmes Canon 123 Years After the First Sherlock Holmes Story was Published.


ISSUE SUMMARY
Everyone has a secret. Her secret can get her killed, and she doesn't even know what it is.

SERIES SUMMARY
Fighting to survive in a world of danger and intrigue is nothing new to I Rose, but after discovering that she's the great granddaughter of world famous detective Sherlock Holmes, I realizes that life is about to become anything but elementary.

Facebook page

The idea of a young woman Sherlock Holmes intrigued me. Then I saw the cover, with a black unicorn head, and thought I need to give this comic a look. And it is off to a great start. 

The first issue opens on Halloween night 2009. An unknown narrator fills the reader in on our lead I. Rose's life (yeah, her first name is I, part of the mystery). We meet her court appointed university sponsor Annie Stow, your stereotypical sorority girl. I, had a rough upbringing and currently lives in a group home on the bad side of town. Then there is her a**hole parole officer. I is a product of her upbringing in the system (read: not a people person); pair this with her obvious intelligence and you have the makings of a kick ass heroine with no time for bulls**t.

At the end of issue one, we get a glimpse of an unknown person (gonna call him the evil villain of the story) and his possible evil plans.

The artwork is sharp with harsh shading, which fits the gritty tone of the story.

I am looking forward to seeing how this plays out and what I's story is.

4.5 "mysterious" Sheep

SharonS

*Art for #1 by Dan Parsons (2014 Inkwell Award) STAR WARS, GAME OF THRONES, LORD OF THE RINGS (Dark Horse), EMPIRE OF THE WOLF (Alterna)
*Art for #2 and #3 by Marc Rene THE MACHINE STOPS (Alterna)
*Written by Michael Lent THE MACHINE STOPS (Alterna), BRIMSTONE (Zenescope), PREY (Marvel), ON THIN ICE (Hyperion/Disney)
*Cover #1 and Graphic Design by Marc Rene THE MACHINE STOPS
*Back Cover #1 by Dan Parsons
*Introduction by David Rambo EMPIRE (ABC), REVOLUTION (NBC), CSI (CBS)

About the Writer
Michael Lent was honored as a ‘Google Author’ in 2007. His writing and production expertise spans films, fiction and nonfiction books, biographies, graphic novels, animation, video games, and reality television. He adapted Stephen King in 2011 and EM Forster in 2014, as well as recorded 70,000+ reads on Quora.com for 2016. In 2013, his graphic novels and comics were invited into the permanent collection of the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum at the Ohio State University.

Media Enquiries: Please contact Michael Lent at michaellent1@me.com

Alterna Comics

http://www.alternacomics.com/

Founded in 2006 by current president and publisher Peter Simeti, Alterna Comics titles are distributed worldwide in print and digital formats and in several languages. Alterna is home to the New York Times Best-Selling Graphic Books zombie war series "FUBAR" as well as the psychological horror thriller "THE CHAIR" which has been adapted to film for release in late 2016.  One of the leading independent publishers of creator-owned comics, Alterna currently publishes over 60 critically-acclaimed titles in the horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and superhero genres.

Alterna Comics titles are distributed to the comic market by Diamond Comics Distributors and to the book and ebook market by IPG (Independent Publishers Group).