Comics
Advance Review: ‘Saucer Country’ #1
Vertigo, the creator owned imprint of DC Comics, has taken quite a hit over the past year. Both of writer Brian Wood’s critically acclaimed Vertigo books, DMZ and Northlanders, have been wrapped up, while Jason Aaron and R.M. Guera’s Scalped is drawing to a close as well. So what kind of fresh blood does Vertigo have waiting in the wings to help ease the pain of losing two of its flagship titles? Saucer Country, a book that mixes the thrilling political intrigue of Brian K. Vaughan’s Ex Machina with the dark supernatural elements of The X-Files to create one of the best launch issues from Vertigo since Jeff Lemire exploded onto the comics’ scene with Sweet Tooth. Read on for the skinny…
WRITTEN BY: Paul Cornell
ART BY: Ryan Kelly
PUBLISHER: Vertigo
RELEASE: March 14, 2012
The idea of an ongoing series that mixes together politics and alien abduction is an unlikely pairing, but writer Paul Cornell (Demon Knights, Stormwatch) and artist Ryan Kelly (Local, Northlanders) make it fit together seamlessly. The story revolves around presidential candidate Arcadia Alvarado, who gets abducted by aliens. Sounds simple, but the description barely scratches the surface of the multiple layers and interesting ideas that Cornell has cooking here. In just the first issue, Cornell manages to introduce all the key players of a complex supporting cast that includes Alvarado’s alcoholic ex-husband, a Republication strategist who wants to use Alvarado’s failed marriage as a tool for political gain, and an ex-Harvard University professor who suffers from intense hallucinations.
It seems as though Ryan Kelly was born to draw this series. His ability to showcase the emotional weight of the characters in their faces coupled with dark inks bring this book to life. Coupled with Cornell’s keen sense storytelling it allows Kelly to produce some of his best work yet.
The first issue of Saucer Country was one of the most impressive books I’ve read so far in 2012 and I’m dying to read issue #2. If Saucer Country stays this good, it’s going to be strong contender for Vertigo’s next hit series, so don’t miss it.
Comics
‘Curse of the Where Wolf’ Bites Into August Release With Trio of Werewolf Theatrical Screenings [Exclusive Preview]
Larry Chaney‘s hairy misadventures are continuing in the sequel graphic novel Curse of the Where Wolf from creative team Rob Saucedo, Debora Lancianese, and Jack Morelli, and its author is celebrating with a trio of horror’s greatest werewolf films.
The Curse of the Where Wolf hits shelves on August 7 from Encyclopocalypse Publications.
That coincides with the launch of a theatrical screening event in Houston, Texas, featuring a trio of seminal werewolf flicks turning 45 this year: The Howling on August 7, Wolfen on August 14, and An American Werewolf in London on August 21.
Each screening features a “werewolf in film” presentation as well as a book signing from Where Wolf author and River Oaks Theatre artistic director Rob Saucedo.
In the new graphic novel, “Being a werewolf sucks. Reporter Larry Chaney wanted to be a hero. Instead, he became a werewolf. Now, caught between incredible new powers and a desire to eat everything (and everyone) in sight, Larry must find a cure for his curse. Or die trying.”
“With Where Wolf, I wanted to tell a whodunit set in a furry convention, so the story was pretty contained within a very specific setting and genre. With Curse of the Where Wolf, I wanted to celebrate everything I love about the possibility of comic books. Curse of the Where Wolf is a funny book, in every sense of the phrase, but it’s also an earnest look at a person’s struggle to become a better version of themselves, especially when the alternative is to become a literal monster,” Saucedo says of Curse.
The original graphic novel was previously serialized as the first webcomic hosted on Fangoria before being collected by Encyclopocalypse Publications in 2023 and has already been optioned for film, podcast, and television development ahead of launch by producers James Fino (“The Freak Brothers” for Tubi, “Rick and Morty” for Adult Swim) and Charles Horak (First Date for Magnolia Pictures).
Expect Larry to find himself in even weirder situations in the 362-page full color sequel; Saucedo has provided Bloody Disgusting with exclusive art pages from the upcoming graphic novel that showcase lupine humor.
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