Here's my review of BULLET GAL Issue #3 by Andrez Bergen. This new comic series just keeps getting better and better.

striking interior art by Andrez Bergen

I was happily surprised (once again) to find Bullet Gal Issue #3 by Andrez Bergen in my inbox the other day. This won't be out until October, but, heck, Andrez might have the entire series finished by then. I am, of course, joking, but I'm not too far from the truth. I'm not sure when Andrez finds the time to sleep, but my friend seems to be an absolute machine. Anyways, enough rambling, I'm going to jump straight into my review. In this issue our heroine Mitzi (the woman who will soon be known as Bullet Gal), has turned the tables on her mysterious benefactor, Lee. Put off by his endless games, she's decided to do a bit of snooping of her own. After following Lee, and spying on a clandestine meeting, she makes a shocking discovery... one which she is not sure how to handle. Meanwhile, the criminal element of Heropa aren't wasting any time tracking Mitzi down. While Mitzi is engaging in her bit of cloak and dagger, there is already a 3 man (more accurately, 1 very deadly woman, and two thugs) team that has eyes on her. Plus, a couple of very nasty looking guns. Things look like they're coming to a head, and the only question is, who's more dangerous? Mitzi's apparent friend, Lee, or the hit-team that are dogging her steps?

a couple of hitmen with a nasty looking gun interior art by Andrez

What can I say about this release? The writing is spot-on, as usual. Andrez is building the story to greater heights with each issue. He's steadily adding new elements as he goes, and I'm holding my breath, wondering when the balloon will pop. This issue is basically a bridge entry, very much about drawing the plot threads together, from previous issues. I'm waiting for the climax, and I have to admit that Andrez has me on the edge of my seat, wondering what the endgame (for this series) is. As a bit of a side note, I haven't mentioned in my other reviews of this series (simply because I hate spoiling the joy of discovery for a new reader), but most of his works tie together, in one way or another. Many of these characters are already familiar to me, and I love that more and more of the details are getting filled in. Will this get in the way of a new reader enjoying this comic series? In my opinion, HECK NO! I began reading Andrez's works with his (at the time) newest novel, and then worked backwards. This series is easily enjoyable in its own right, but you should pick up his other works, in my opinion. You'll get a much wider perspective on things. As far as the art goes, are you seeing these images? He just keeps getting better and better. The noir images Andrez creates are totally suited to the story that is being told. They are beautiful, stark, and striking in equal measures. The process of creating in this medium is rather painstaking, as well, so it is appreciated by myself all the more. To sum up, if you want to read a unique comic series, something outside of the type of thing you get from the DC's and Marvel's of the world... something well written, with beautiful art, and from the very soul of the creator... this is the release for you! Arigato, Andrez.

the streets of Heropa interior art by Andrez Bergen

Here's Andrez Bergen's blog. Here's the Bullet Gal FB page. Here's the IF? Commix page. Lastly, here's Andrez's Amazon author page. I really hope you take a look around, you won't be disappointed. This author is a very unique voice, and I hope you'll take the time to look at his works. I'll sign off, now... And as usual, happy reading, all!

My review of COLDER from Dark Horse Comics. An excellent, and horrific, comic book miniseries...

cover art for issue #3 by Juan Ferreyra

I was recently browsing through the Dark Horse Comics site (I'm a avid comic book reader) when a title happened to catch my eye. I had never heard of COLDER, but the wonderfully rendered and rather grotesque cover art intrigued me. I read through the synopsis and liked the concept behind the story, so I picked up the digital editions. The other day I took a quick peek at the first issue, and was immediately hooked! I read through the miniseries at speed, and was very impressed. The story is well written, and fast moving. The art is gorgeously detailed and has a chaotic feel to it in all the right places. However, I'm getting ahead of myself, so let me start with a synopsis of the story...

interior art by Juan Ferreyra illustrating the Hungry World

COLDER is a five issue miniseries available from Dark Horse Comics, with story by Paul Tobin, and art by Juan Ferreyra. The date is October 12, 1941. The setting is Sansid Asylum in Barnstable, Massachusetts. Residing within the asylum is our protagonist, Declan, who seems to be a bit catatonic at the moment. After the asylum violently bursts into flames and the inmates go on a rampage, Declan regains his mobility. Unfortunately he walks straight into the arms of evil itself, as the insane Nimble Jack pops into our world, naked as a jaybird, through a portal from... elsewhere. After greeting Declan by name, Jack orders him to grow COLDER... Flash forward to present day Boston, Massachusetts. Nimble Jack has managed to find some new duds (minus shoes), and is gleefully strolling through the city, quite hungry for sustenance. After we witness why "Nimble" is part of his name (he scrambles up a sheer wall, and slips through a barred window into a prison cell), Jack shows us just what type of food he has been craving. Striking up a conversation with the prisoner in the cell, Jack quickly drives the man mad. As the prisoner hangs himself, Jack feeds on the energy that is produced by the man's madness, and subsequent death. Meanwhile, elsewhere in Boston, we find out what has happened to Declan. Back in his semi-catatonic state, Declan hasn't aged a day since we last saw him. Taken in by a beautiful nurse named Reece (who is trying to solve the mystery behind his origin and his condition), Declan's body has followed Jack's order from when they first met. His core temperature has been dropping steadily since the incident in 1941, and no one can explain while he is still alive. Things begin to move on apace when Jack encounters Reece, and recognizes Declan's scent on her. Trailing her back to her apartment (all the while unseen by normal humans), Jack encounters Declan for the first time since 1941, and prepares for his feast... Declan's mind seems to be totally broken, however, and is untouched by Jack's tricks. Disappointed, Jack exits the scene, lamenting what might have been. And then, Declan wakes up. The story really gets rolling at this point, with Declan and Reece alternately trying to explain events to one another, and trying to escape the clutches of Nimble Jack. Declan has developed some tricks of his own, but will Reece's mind be able to cope with the nonstop shock of these events? Especially when, in a last ditch attempt to throw off Jack's pursuit, Declan transports them to another dimension, the Hungry World? For that matter, what the heck is Nimble Jack, and what's this business about making Declan grow colder? All I can say is, pick up the series and you might find these questions answered (and you might not)...

Nimble Jack says "Surprise!" interior art by Juan Ferreyra

COLDER's take on madness, and the nature of reality is quite refreshing. This is one of the best horror comics that I've read in quite some time. The only caveat I have to that statement isn't really a dig at the comic. It's that I would have loved to see the setting, background, and characters fleshed out more. You can only do so much in five issues, and I would have liked to see the run doubled... at least. Thankfully I've heard that there is a second miniseries on the way, and we should be getting more exposition on all of these points. As I alluded to in the opening paragraph, the writing immediately draws you in. I read a couple of pages, and I was HOOKED! I had to read the entire series at once. The overall concept, and the execution of the story is quite masterfully handled. Although the story basically focuses on three people, it is laser-focused, and executed at the highest level. When we get another entry in this universe, I'm sure Paul will widen his scope. As far as the art goes... What can I say? Juan's renderings were exquisite! Both beautiful and grotesque, he is definitely an emerging star. The expressions on the character's faces, the different tones and color palates between our reality and the Hungry World, and the sheer imagination behind his take on the varied denizens of the Hungry World was worth the entrance fee. His character concept for Nimble Jack was on point, and overall, I'm highly impressed by the quality of Juan's art! This man knows how to depict some really creepy stuff, and I love it! A highly unique art style, which I appreciated more and more as I read. I definitely need to seek out anything else that this man has a hand in. Highly recommended (and here's hoping for more)! Happy (and in this case, disturbing) reading all! I'll be getting back to reading a collection of short stories that I've been enthralled with. I'll see you next time!

The Hungry World. Interior art by Juan Ferreyra

Here's the Dark Horse Comics website. And here's the product page on Amazon. Swing by and take a look!