"The Devil's Pool" No. 0: Intense Start!

If you've read lately, you'll know that I published this article on a new graphic series, "The Devil's Pool". The project was funded through KickStarter, and today, I logged in to email to find...No. 0! How exciting! Of course I immediately opened and absorbed the intensity that No. 0 is! The story opens with an introduction of the area, the weather, and lore. Benton Carver (so you discover his name to be later) runs through the forest, and it's very obvious that he's being pursued (maybe all the bullets? Hmm...). The narration offers some insight into what's going on, and what we can determine is that Carver's messed with the wrong dudes. The chase continues and becomes a confrontation in a clearing. Personally, it really makes me sick when, in graphic works, the "good guy" is outnumbered by a slew of "bad guys". That's what happens here. You can't help but feel anxious for Carver as you watch the scene unfold. Just as the group is about to finish him off, Carver reveals that he has fight left in him yet.

Tonight, I'm Gaming With The Blackwell Legacy Games!

So first of all...I have this horrible habit of chewing on my headset cord when I play. I think I finally shorted out the left side of my headset tonight. :( I really need to find something else. Maybe an eraser or something? I don't know. But I can't keep running through headsets like this! Anyone out there reading that can hook me up will be my HERO!

Tonight, I'm reviewing "The Blackwell Legacy" by Wadjet Games! Honestly, at first, I was hesitant. I'm a HUGE World of Warcraft-er, so to me, most PC games don't even compare. Nevertheless, I'm always looking to expand my horizons, so I decided to give the games a shot. I'm SO glad I did, honestly! Remember the Goosebumps books where you chose your own direction? Where you flipped to a certain page depending on your choice? This game reminds me a LOT of that and it results in a nice, warm, fuzzy, nostalgic feeling. I love how the game progresses and how you have control over what happens next.

Past my feelings over the operation, the game's got a lot to offer. It's extremely suspenseful and the whole point of the game is to figure out a family mystery. The game opens with Rosa scattering her aunt's ashes. She has been visiting her aunt over the years because her aunt is her only remaining family. Upon her aunt's death, Rosa receives a letter. The letter is from her aunt's doctor. As Rosa, you go to visit the doctor where you learn that your family has a history with dementia and that there are only two possible links: the family bloodline and a character by the name of "Joey". This "Joey" character is no joke. He's so...mean! He's manipulative and doesn't care what he has to do to get his way. Under threat of being miserable for the rest of forever, Rosa follows commands. What's going to happen? What caused her Grandmother and Aunt's downfall? Find out! PLAY!

Aside from the plot, there's the look of the game. At first, it took some getting used to it but the more I look at it, the more I love it! It's very classic and blocky and pixelated. The movement is smooth and the backgrounds are very thought out and well composed. The more I play, the more I want to play! The game is like reading a book and I LOVE that you need so much thought to get through it. Overall, I'm giving it a 4/5!

News: "Echos" to Hit Shelves This Month!!

Official Press Release

Schizophrenia, resentment, doubt…murder? These are all things Brian Cohn inherits from his father in Top Cow Productions’ newly suspense/thriller, ECHOES, the first independent-styled series coming out of Minotaur Press.

From the creative minds of acclaimed author Joshua Hale Fialkov (TUMOR) and rising artist Rahsan Ekedal (CREEPY), the first issue of the 5-issue miniseries, ECHOES #1, debuts the end of this month. Brian Cohn was learning to deal with the Schizophrenia inherited from his father. Supportive wife, new baby on the way, drugs to control the voices. But when on his father’s deathbed, he learns that he also inherited the trophies of his father’s career as a serial killer. Will his madness send him further down into the crawlspace of his father’s mind?

"I could not be more excited for the world to see the hard work Rahsan and I have done over the past few months,” said Fialkov. “Echoes is by far the darkest book I've ever done, and I couldn't be more grateful to the folks at Top Cow for taking a chance on something so... outside the box. Now, do me a favor and give a try to prove them right for taking the chance!"

As a treat for fans, the publisher is holding a Facebook giveaway contest. Beginning Friday, December 10 until the December 29, a random winner will be chosen each week leading up to the series release. To enter, fans must ‘like’ Top Cow Productions, Inc. on Facebook (www.facebook.com/TopCow) and post a statement about why they are excited for the series. Winners will receive a Facebook message announcing they have won. Each winner will receive a signed issue of ECHOES #1 by Fialkov and Ekedal, the TOP COW FIRST LOOK trade paperback and other miscellaneous Top Cow titles. Top Cow will accept multiple entries per person as long as each entry is unique.

Published under Top Cow Productions’ Minotaur Press, the 32-page, grayscaled ECHOES #1 (OCT100545) will be in stores on Wednesday, December 29, 2010 for $2.99.

For more information, sneak peeks and exclusive content of Echoes, follow @echoescomic on Twitter, friend Brian Cohn on Facebook and visit www.echoesthecomic.com. For more information on Top Cow, visit www.topcow.com.

Retro Review: "Cloak and Dagger" #2 Review!

After reviewing "Cloak and Dagger" #1, I just couldn't NOT read the others! Especially because there's only four in all! There's so much about the series that naturally draws me in. It's the fact that Cloak needs Dagger to survive...the fact that they are total opposites of each other but they still work in perfect harmony. It's the redemption that they both seek and their drive to make a positive difference in the world. Cloak is always there for Dagger and Dagger is always there for Cloak. You can't imagine one without the other and neither can they. Dagger has a heart of gold and Cloak has a hunger for souls that nearly consumes him at times. Their intentions are both very different, but they both strive for justice in all that they do. If there's scum in the world, they're trying to cleanse it. Issue #2 of Cloak and Dagger definitely wasn't a disappointment.

"Chew Volume One: Taster's Choice" Review!

What if the ONLY way you could get information was through a special link you have with food? Seems like a dream come true, right? To be able to find out things simply by eating the thing related to what you want to know? In the case of Tony Chu, it's a NIGHTMARE. The graphic novel "Chew, Volume One: Taster's Choice" by John Layman and Rob Guillory answers all questions about life as a Cibopath.