Comics
Review: ‘Sledgehammer 44’ #1
Picture World War II. Nazi Germany has the world by the balls and America finally makes the decision to step in, but this time, replace atomic research with a different kind of weapon and we have the premise of Sledgehammer 44. Imagine a Frankenstein-like monster robot hell bent on bringing the hammer down on some Nazi scum. I love when Mignola takes a break from his massive schedule for “BPRD” and “Hellboy” to take on some creative side jobs like this one, though by this point we all know most credit should go to John Arcudi, his partner in crime, on these side projects.
WRITTEN BY: Mike Mignola and John Arcudi
ART BY: Jason Latour
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse Comics
RELEASE DATE: March 13th
PRICE: 3.50
To be frank I have never been a big fan of war comics. Not that I don’t enjoy epic wars since I am quite the history buff, I just feel as though movies and TV do so such strong representations that it outshines other mediums. That being said “Sledgehammer 44” kicks some serious ass. The robotic twist gives it a different element and even though there have been similar ventures in both movies and other media, this book has that creativity that sets it apart.
Sledgehammer is the slang name for Project Epimetheus, but “Sledgehammer” is less of a mouth full and has a more intimidating air to it. The Hammer is either a robot or a man in a suit, which doesn’t really matter because it packs one helluva punch. The story starts off abruptly with soldiers mid battle, preparing to back up their secret weapon. It continues at an alarming pace as the Nazis release their own secret weapon (of course). The second half of the issue is more about plot development which slows up the pace but doesn’t take away from the overall awesomeness.
Mignola and Arcudi do a great job in both the building up the story’s setting and mood as well as dialogue between characters. Both these guys are known for the creativity and this story goes to show a really fresh take on an idea that’s been kicking around since… the end of the war. I’m excited to see what this book has to offer in terms of the Epimetheus Project.
Jason Latour’s art work is very much on the cartoony side of the spectrum, many of the characters faces are almost comedic in their appearance and this is one aspect of the book that isn’t stellar. However, I love how the action sequences are put together; the explosions, bullets, and lightning are the most exciting elements of the book. Dave Stewart covers the colour spectrum, he gives this book the same look as both “BPRD” and “Hellboy” and as the recent recipient of the Ghastly Awards Best Colourist, need I say more?
I’m pretty impressed with this book, I know both these guys can put together quite the epic tale and this one has potential to rank up with the rest of their work.
3.5/5 Skulls
Reviewed by – GreenBasterd
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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