Comics
Review: The 7th Sword #1
Ever wonder what the world of Mad Max would look like if it was a little more civilized? Maybe decades after the movies, some semblance of order was somewhat restored? That is what The 7th Sword #1 feels like. This time, it’s with swords, robotic sand people, cloned goblins, cyber femme fatales, and a samurai. Let’s find out if all that makes it cooler or not.
WRITTEN BY: John Rafffo
ART BY: Nelson Blake II
PUBLISHER: IDW Publishing
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASE: 23 April 2014
Writer John Rafffo is undertaking the arduous task of world building. There are ideas and concepts and names scattered throughout this issue. Our story begins on an alien planet but it feels like a desert on Earth. Daniel Cray is a samurai for hire. It feels like Raffo is spreading seeds out for a garden of ideas to grow in the future. Some are clever twists and some are transparent. I’m calling it first – Samurai Cray and the blonde daughter are totally hooking up. And I hope those goblin, acid-spitting clones come back in the near future. It’s nice to see a creative notion for a bad guy’s troops.
The art by Nelson Blake II is serviceable in this debut chapter. I recently read an article about The Newsroom’s Aaron Sorkin wishing he could go back and re-do each episode. I feel this type of story could really benefit from another first issue and an art style that is more dynamic and unique. The designs of this world are nice but the standard comic book art doesn’t help it stand out at all.
Overall, this issue feels like a soft open. Which is better for restaurants openings than it is for comic book titles. I’m willing to let the creative team work out the kinks for another issue. I’m curious to see where this story will go so kudos to the writer. I hope the art will expand and give readers something new that hasn’t been portrayed again and again.
Reviewed by: Your Friendly Neighborhood Brady
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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