Comic Review: The Protector Corps by Gene Guilmette + Give Away

Issue #1

The Protector Corps “Window of Opportunity” Part 1 and 2
RTL Press
Story and Art: Gene Guilmette

The war is lost. Escape is the only hope. Some will fall for the innocent, others for their pride. For a chance to live free they will risk everything.

At BigWOW Katie met indie comic author/illustrator Gene Guilmette. He generously offered issue #1 and #2 of The Protector Corps for review and to give away. Gene says he has always been fascinated by the struggle between good and evil and the choices people make under extraordinary circumstances and the consequences of those actions.

In the plot of The Protector Corps, the world has been ravaged by an evil intent on enslaving or destroying the human race. The Protector Corp is a group of superhumans who have been defending humanity and after seven decades of war they are now facing their last stand. They are war weary and extremely demoralized. The story follows the choices of each member and consequences of their actions as they realize all is lost.

Issue #1 starts out with the narrative of a battle scene. We meet Protector Corps member Master Flame, whose power is fire, and the most important Corps member, Guardian, who is thought to be indestructible. Flame watches in horror as Guardian, his best friend, is destroyed by a new weapon of the enemy the Lords of Twilight. We also meet Lord Mephistis, of the enemy’s forces. Lord Mephistis is anxious to retrieve the body of Guardian for some reason.

In Issue #2 We learn about the new weapon called the taint that turns humans and protectors into zombie like creatures that he can control. What is left of the Protector Corps must hurry to get their human charges to safety but there are questions about the Alliance’s motives. We also meet more of the Protector Corps and one of them has defied orders. We also discover Flame (Will) is in love with Protector Skylar, but with the end of the world coming he feels it would be selfish to think about his own personal emotions when he has a job to do. However Will's friends point out what point is there to saving the world if you can’t find love?

Issue #2

What sets this comic apart from others is the presence of a gay main character. The comic isn’t focused on this point. You don’t even know Will (Flame) is gay until the end of Issue #2. This is a story about heroes trying to save the world from evil with a romance side plot that happens to be a gay couple.

The narration text is easy to read, but the dialogue bubbles are a little hard to read. The artwork isn’t all that spectacular, but I like the oil painting feel to it and the heavy use of shadowing. The faces are detailed, but the background scenes are not and sometimes the perspective makes a character look out of proportion. Rectangular panels are used often, but I’ve always liked that particular style.

I enjoyed the storyline and the end of issue #2 has me wanting to know more about what is going to happen to Guardian now that he is in the hands of the enemy and tainted as well as the romance, 'cause that's how I roll.

3 Sheep

SharonS (edited by BAK)

RLT Press, short for Road Less Traveled Press, is currently the online small press portal for freelance artist/writer Gene Guilmette. Here you can purchase his art and self plublished products as well as keep up to date on what G is doing and what con's he will be attending next.

GIVE AWAY

Gene is giving away Issue #1 and #2!
To enter:
1. leave contact info
2. Tell us what your super hero name would be or if you aren't feeling creative, tell us who your favorite superhero is.

Intersections, Protector Corps, and Prize Giveaway

Recently, K sent me some comics drawn by a Bay Area artist. It's encouraging to see local artists get their stuff out there and try to make a name for themselves. Well, okay, not local to me, obviously, I live in Ohio. Yeah, not a cool state at all. But that's really besides the point. Anyway so she asked me to read these comics and talk a little about them so here goes.

I got issue one and two of a series called Intersections, written by Rich Boutell with art by Gene Guilmette. That would be the picture you see over there to your right. Now, as you can probably tell, it's in black and white but there are plenty of comics done in black and white, especially in the old days. Intersections follows the conflict between hero Arik and his evil sister. I didn't catch her name in the second issue when she appears, but I suppose that will be revealed in due time. Point is, battle between good and evil, Bay Area involved.

The other comic I got was the Protector Corps, with art and story done by Gene Guilmette. I only got one issue of that comic, so I have less of an idea about the plot but this is what I got so far. Superheroes emerged across the world in the 1930's, much like they historically did in comics in our own world. Anyway, World War II breaks out and because superheroes are available to fight in the war the war ends up lasting more than seventy years. Now, I would have imagined Captain America would have just gone over and punched Hitler in the face. I'm pretty sure that happened at some point. Apparently that wasn't part of the Allied strategy *shrug* maybe there's a reason explained later. Oh, except it isn't Hitler, it's the evil lord Hister. Parallel world shenanigans? I don't know. Point is, bad guys, good guys, they fight, fate of the world on their shoulders.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that, the...I'm going to assume they're the Axis Powers because I'm pretty sure the Allies wouldn't do this. (well Winston Churchill was kind of a nutter, as was Stalin. Actually, now that I think about it.) Anyway, the bad guys are sucking the very life out of the land somehow. Apparently it was a desperate gambit except now it's working? I don't know, it's probably explained more. Oh, and they can turn good superheroes eeeeeeevil, with extra e's. As you can probably tell, it's in color so if you like pretty colors that's a bonus. Truly I have not read a comic quite like this.

Oh, right prizes. Okay so for the two people that read my insane ramblings here, we've got an opportunity for you to win. K put together this lovely prize pack which will be shipped to a singular fortunate reader whose name is picked out of my hat. Yes, my super awesome hat. The one I'm wearing in my biography post. Go ahead and look, I'll wait.

See? I told you it was a cool hat.
Where were we? Oh yes, prizes.

Now, I should warn you that this contest is limited to the United States only because we have American postage. So I'm sure all those Nigerian princes reading are now very sad. But for those of you still eligible the prize pack includes the following.

-Signed copies of the comics I just talked about!
- An official I Smell Sheep postcard
- Official I Smell Sheep stickers
- And an official I Smell Sheep bookmark with our new slogan "Entertaining ewe, one Monster at a time."

Actually the stickers look kind of cool, I might keep those. What's that, Katie? I'm not allowed to keep the stickers? Awwwwww, that's bogus. Okay, I'll put them back in the prize pack.

Anyway, to be eligible to win this lovely prize pack all you have to do is leave a comment on this post with the following.

- An e-mail address at which Sheep representatives can reach you.
- What power you'd have as a superhero.

Again, a reminder that only US residents can win due to postage. Sorry, Nigerian princes. Polling will close at 11:59 PM on 10 June 2011 and the winner will be announced on 12 June 2011. Thanks to my two readers.

BAK

Adventurer's Rule #18: Being Lawful Good doesn't mean being Lawful Stupid

June Interview & Prize list

The Sheep have LOTS coming up this month, I wanted to take a few moments just to break it down for everyone. Because really, who doesn't like winning? Okay maybe the Grinch but aside from him we LOVE hooking the flock up with all the cool prizes! As always, followers of our blog will get double entries for all contests listed below. :)

June 3rd- Gene Guilmette artist of The Protector Corps comics

One commenter will receive 2 signed comics and sheep swag items: key chain, magnet.

June 6th- Interview with Shawn Kupfer author of 47 Echo

Shawn will be giving away an ebook of 47 Echo to one commenter and we will be throwing in Sheep swag items like: pencils, bookmarks, stickers, magnet.

June 10th- Swagday hosted by the flocks own Sharon!

Signed Books, cover flats, trading cards, bookmarks, stickers, key chains, post cards, magnets and whatever else she may throw in. LOTS of fun items to win.

June 14th- Interview with Crista McHugh PNR author of Alchemy of Desire and Kiss of Temptation

One lucky commenter will win any ebook from her backlist and a $10 eGC to Samhain, Amazon or B&N.

June 20th- Interview with Karina Cooper PNR author of Blood of the Wicked

One lucky winner will get Blood of the Wicked and Lure of the Wicked (out June 28th) both in paperback and a spiffy tote bag.

June 27-28- 2-Day Event with Merrie Destefano PNR author of Afterlife and Feast

One lucky commenter will win BOTH signed books and a tote bag, buttons, bookmarks.