The Emperor

The nice folks at the Hi-Ex blog have reviewed the story:

We’ve read the first part of the story, and it is wonderful fun. It is bursting with ideas and cracking dialogue. This episode crams a lot of back story into a relatively short number of pages, and it does it very well- with a number of sometimes hilarious celebrity cameos along the way (one of which had me laughing out loud - or LOLing as I believe the young call it).  But that artwork… ohhhh the artwork. Without seeming to descend into hyperbole, this is some of the best comic art that I have ever seen.

So, if your an adult- and like your humour ‘robust’- get thee to your comic shop for a copy of Wasted #7! On sale February 5th.

FPI: Anyone you think is a name we should be watching out for next year?

I’d like to cheat here and mention two people I think everyone should look out for. One is an old name who has been gracious enough to do a few guest posts over on Scotch Corner, Alex Ronald drew Dredd and various other strips a few moons back but left the comics industry for the sparkling lights of the film and gaming industries. He’s been tempted back to comics by painting ‘The Vampire Vixens of the Wehrmacht’ which will debut in issue 7 of Wasted by Bad Press in February.  Here’s his blog site: http://alexronald68.blogspot.com/

And the second is artist Matt Soffe, a regular contributor to a long list to UK small press comics and the ongoing webcomic Fractal Friction. Matt has developed so much in the last year that its been a genuine pleasure to keep checking out his blog site (http://mygrimmbrother.blogspot.com/) and see his work. There’s something quite raw and instinctive about his work and he’s also (like myself) happy to throw out some ink sketches to get his mojo going. I love seeing his work.

As I say in the comments over there:

I heartily endorse both your ones to watch in 2011.

Some may call me biased but I like to think it is because I am in the, presumably, unique position of having seen upcoming work from them both and can offer the Imperial Guarantee that they will both be knocking socks off this year.

Alex will hitting the stands first in Wasted (out early Feb) and his art will have instant appeal and win him a legion of new fans. As a nice bookend to the year, we’ll see the Missionary Man trade which I’d assume will also have his work in (in fact the Case Files must be catching up with his Dredd work too sometime in 2012, depending on frequency). My main concern is he’ll be whisked off to all the bright lights, fame and fortune but a) that is awfully selfish of me and b) he not only deserves it but it is about bloody time too - he never got his foot properly in the door of the American comic book industry and this time I think it’ll be different. Tharg should recommission that droid while he still can ;)

Matt has his dance card full for this year (and part of the next I’m sure) with a story in the upcoming ABC Warriors special from Zarjaz (not by me, but I’m sure it’ll be great) but it is his first pro gig colouring a graphic novel that will possibly be what gets people’s attentions, as long as they understand that, like D’Israeli, he is also a cracking artist in his own right - get him the right project and heads will turn, perhaps through 360 degrees if people aren’t careful. I have a few things bubbling under with Matt and will be sure to try and grab any time he has when it becomes available.

Anyway good stuff and good luck to you in 2011 - I expect great things from you too.

So watch all three of those chaps (Alex, Matt and Graeme) as they’ll be out there this year winning hearts and minds.