The Good
Story-This issue tells the origin of our hero and it does that pretty well. Our hero was the star pupil of a famous Egyptologist/Archaeologist who gets drawn into a rich industrialist’s bid to acquire great power buried within the Pyramids. Our hero instead gains said power and hijinks ensues. It’s a pretty standard superhero origin.
Cover– Brian Fajardo provides the cover art for this opening tale and it is head and shoulders above anything offered up by the interiors. It features E.P.I.C facing off with the man responsible for his new powers. Love the colors!
Colors– J.C Grande must be commended for supplying this book with some truly sexy colors across the board. They have this Jet Grind Radio/90’s bright graffiti vibe that is totally sick! J.C you’re on my radar son, you do good work!
Potential– So E.P.I.C’s activated powers serves as a catalyst for the birth of his world’s superhumans the “Alpha Strand”. I’m curious to know the ramifications of these activations and the reason why some people gain powers and others don’t in the same vein as the Inhumans and mutants. I’m also curious if they will gain generic abilities or if something unique will arise.
Black Hero– From Dark City Comics comes E.P.I.C a brand new black superhero with Egyptian based undefined powers and a new take on the origins of the superhuman/metahuman race. I like his design allot. The red costume with the flowing dreads and cape alongside Green Lantern-esque energy constructs is a nice mix. Aesthetically E.P.I.C is a big winner.
The Bad
Interior Art-While the deep dark inks and graffiti inspired colors of J.C Grande elevate the whole package the weakest link has to be the art. It’s adequate for what takes place but it bogs down and ultimately holds this book back from the major leagues. Some of the problems I had include faces that lacked emotion and others was just plain stiff.
The Ugly
This is a great chance to get in on the ground floor of what could turn out to be one of the better Indy books of 2014. With gorgeous graffiti inspired colors, a detailed cover and a new black superhero of E.P.I.C proportions, this book starts with some serious bang! We give E.P.I.C #1- 3/5 Stars
THIS is an excellent example of the Black ‘Superhero’ storytelling dynamic.
Judging, merely, by what is shown and spoken of in this article, this ‘product’ is one that not only grabs attention but begs for the sale.
The action is impactful, the art attractive, and the colors, outstanding! I have not had the luxury of reading the comic yet, so the quality that I am speaking on is merely ‘surface’, at this point.
Here is the dilemma and fear:
New creators forging to create and introduce new comics to the public, rarely make it past their third issue.
While this comment may seem like something hateful to say, statistics have sadly proved it to be true.
Those forging out on their own that survive the ‘3-issue’ curse, tend to earn the true title of being called, ‘Independent’. E.P.I.C. is a comic that I PRAY beat the curse.
The Big-Boys (Marvel and DC) usually have 3 to 6 months of issues for a title completed before its initial release. Experience has taught them that solid sales, while influenced by the first issue are really derived from the consistency of delivery, hence… agree on the title to be released, market it, and focus on getting it out the door on time.
New people attempting to create a comic believe that the opponent they are truly battling is the concept of, “Follow you dreams” and expect those not serving it to be their barriers. The simple truth is… the opponent they face is the ignorance that reality brings to their doorstep.
Following your dream is not simply an art… it is a task packaged with struggle, that can only be mastered by constant learning and action. When this is achieved, ‘following your dream’ then becomes an art form.
A standard comic (22-28 pgs) takes a month to pencil – a page a day. A month to ink and a month to color. Sending it over to your editor, working with the writer, and knocking out the cover is an extension of this. If you have a job during the day, then bleed through the night and understand that the ‘one-month rule’ might have to extend to two, but NEVER three! If you’re doing the pencils, then you push the inker’s time back. If you’re the inker, then you push the colorist’s time back. Fight to establish discipline.
WHY?
Because the first signs that a new person is succumbing to the 3-Issue Curse, is when they are late on the second issue. Try to have 3 issues… or a completed story arc created before you release your first issue.
Why?
Because once you release your first issue, you have made a commitment to the public and your fans, that you are going to deliver issue 2. Many people who love and want to try immersing themselves into your universe will not risk their hard earned money until they know there is a mental/emotional gain by entering the results of your creation.
The second issue should be out within a month and at the latest, three months from the relasee of the first.
Now that I have been exposed to something as awesome as E.P.I.C., I will keep my eyes open and fingers crossed while waiting on issue 2!
-Blackmage, ‘Visual Adjectives’
Well spoken and very insightful.
Issue #2 is here and issue 3 will be out around Christmas with 2 big names attached that really helped us out. You’re right it is tough and we are well aware of the 3 issue curse. We are doing this at a true Indy level with blue color funding and no crowd funding at all but we have excepted the challenge and as we get better with each issue I hope we can earn your support.
Lonnie “Lo” Lowe Jr.
Dark City Comics