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The award winning graphic novel, The Clockwork Girl, is on it’s way to the big screen!
From Frogchildren Studios and Arcana Comics comes the story of a nameless robot girl who has recently been given the gift of life from her creator. While exploring the wonders of an ordinary world she meets an amazing monster boy and they share a friendship that must overcome their warring families.
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Ultima Thula Graphic Novel
Published by Arcana Studios/Greenlit Publishing
Reviewed by: Tim Janson
The title of this graphic novel, and the back cover art made me think I was getting a Lovecraftian but of horror. There is a bit of that type of other-worldly horror going on but its much more on the personal level than Lovecraft’s brand of cosmic horror. Jason Battle is an ex-Iraq war veteran, fighting to get custody of his daughter after the death of his wife. As Jason returns to the small town of North Bend to have his day in court, he find the town a literal Hello on Earth. It’s citizens all sucked up into a vast vortex that hovers above, including his daughter. Leaping headlong into the maelstrom he is transported across space to a world in the midst of war between rival alien factions. A plague has decimated the planet and the only antidote requires human blood. Jason has to aid the rebellious aliens against their tyrannical leader and also try to find his daughter amidst the alien world.
This was an interesting story…part sci-fi, part horror, part action-adventure all rolled into one. The story moved at a quick pace and is filled with near endless battles. The art is a bit rough around the edges although I’d guess that this was intentional to give a look which fit the gritty storyline, I especially like the color palette that was used. There’s a lot of subtle half-tones used which contrasts the edgy storyline. This is by no means the end of the story and I’ll be anxious to see where Jason’s tale goes from here.
Sometimes a book just needs to be a ride, kicking ass and chewing bubblegum right to the end. Though Ultima Thula has a few reflections on the costs of being a soldier, they take a backseat – have to, really – to the main through line of one man saving his town from an alien abduction.
Early on, co-writer David Greenblatt reveals his intent by naming the town judge after Fred Dekker, director of Night of the Creeps and The Monster Squad If you’re going to do schlock, you’d better be acknowledging some of the leading lights, and it would be easy to see this book adapted into a fun mid-level alien movie of the kind I’m not sure anybody does anymore. But lordy, did those get me through college.
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A few more “quick and dirty horror stories” from Comic-Con International: Sunday, July 26th, 2009 – Stephanie Shamblin Gray
Sunday, the final day of Comic-Con, is not quite the chaos and frenzy that you will find on the previous days. This provides an excellent opportunity to walk the Exhibit Hall floor and find out what your favorite writers and artists are developing and promoting.
Sean O’Reilly:
Sean O’Reilly (below), founder of Arcana and creator/writer of “Kade”, was on hand promoting the latest arc in the story entitled “Rising Sun”. While Sean is still involved in writing the synopsis for the series, he has left the layouts and dialog to co-writer Jay Busbee. The first three installments are currently available and the concluding issue is expected in stores on August 5th.
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