Aftershock Comics: Animosity, Backways, Dark Ark, Monstro Mechanica, Brilliant Trash
Reviews on the following Aftershock comics:
Animosity: Evolution: Issues 1-3
The World of Animosity
Backways: Issue 1
Dark Ark: Issues 1-4
Monstro Mechanica: Issue 1
Brilliant Trash: Issue 1
Individual series information can be found here
Series: Animosity: Evolution
Issues: 1-3
Rating: 4.8/5 stars
The art in these is not as good as the art in the other “Animosity” comics. Adam North, in particular, is drawn too… ‘smooth.’ However, I was quickly immersed in the story and the rest of the art just brought me in.
So I debated between 4.8 and 5 stars, but felt 4.8 was more adequate for the three issues. Maybe seeing the series as a whole will change my mind.
Issue 1:
The spread on pages 2 and 3 is PHENOMENAL.
About one month after the Wake, we get a look into the camp where Adam, Keekirikee, and others have created. Wintermute is the leader, and is not loved because of the harsh conditions she’s placed on rations and all. Still, she’s fair.
Yet others want her dead. She, Adam, and others struggle with the animals that aren’t revolting-like the dolphins.
I love dolphins, but really hate them here.
While the humans have “watchers,” they’re not treated like those who fight.
Keekirikee cracks me up: “Wait, what? It’s not normal to shower universally loved leaders with fistfuls of brightly colored grenades?” - page 21
Issue 2:
A LOT is shown about the living situations at the camp, namely from a rat’s point of view. It’s quite interesting to see the, well, animosity other animals feel towards Wintermute and Adam. Yet Adam is fair, will help any of the animals, has a strong moral compass…and is VERY loyal to Wintermute.
We see how bad things can be without the wolf.
And we see what she and Adam and her most loyal animals have been up to. I’m amazed.
Issue 3:
Seeing how big Keekirikee is makes me gape.
I LOVE Adam. For all the reasons I mentioned above.
He better not die, because then all hell would really break loose.
We get some info on the Animata and how distrusted humans are in general.
And the Black Market.
“The first thing any civilization rebuilds is its Black Market--and its good times.” - page 16 (Penelope)
Things get real dark, real fast. It’s awesome and chilling.
Comic: The World of Animosity
Issues: 1 (N/A?)
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Wow. This is a fairly detailed book on what in the world is going on because of the Rise. There are profiles on some of the main cast members; information on the conditions of each state and continent (with some countries as well); insight on how the world as changed.
It’s telling that the word “Animals” is continuously capitalized.
It’s really scary how some places are in complete upheaval, though it makes perfect sense given the fact that humans behave in awful ways too.
United States blurbs:
- Iowa is interesting
- Massachusetts made me laugh
- Missouri is devastating
- New York is actually interesting
- I love the Catholicism of Rhode Island
- Tennessee may be my favorite blurb
- The school in Vermont made me smile
I can’t believe I didn’t catch this-Sandor is named after the “A Song of Ice and Fire” character.
Africa
- I like the good that Hasana the elephant has done, but hate the evil she’s wreaked on he renemies.
- Kenya has some…interesting lion matriarchy going on.
- Namibia made me LAUGH. DEATH TO THE POACHERS!!!!
Asia
- I really like the Afghanistan blurb
- The insanity in India is not surprising. The mandrill Hax also doesn’t surprise me. But I love the elephant Tapani.
- Iraq’s jackal is terrifying
Europe
It overall sounds like a frightening and savage place.
I’m confused as to why Spain, the U.K., and Svalbard were put under South America though and not Europe.
South America
- Brazil is quite intriguing
A brave new world is indeed coming.
Series: Backways
Issue: 1
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
The Backways: a place where all hidden and forgotten places converge in a created nation of magics and knacks. It is a ‘backstreet’ area for wanderers and wonders; for the weird and unnatural.
For the “good” and the “evil”-from what I can make out on the last two-page spread.
I actually waver between giving this between a 3 and 3.5 star rating. The art is great-I love the anime-type style and realistic colors. I like the premise of a girl gone missing and her best friend searches for her. It’s the occult-type aspects that make me wary though. I hope to see more of a balance with magics and “knacks” in future issues.
Sylvia goes missing within her mirror in the first three pages. Her best friend Anna is convinced she wouldn’t leave without saying anything. Sylvia’s mother doesn’t like Anna-based on the first three pages, I kind of don’t blame her.
The different magics represented here were, I believe, voodoo and Wiccan. If I’m wrong, please tell me. This is me basing that interpretation on past things I’ve seen in media about both.
And they are scary. What the writer does well is present the reader (and Anna) with the dangers of both.
Series: Dark Art
Issues: 1-4
Rating: 4.2/5 stars
The rating would be higher if the art was better. But really, the not-the-best art barely registered with me. The story sucked me in immediately.
The Dark Art - an ark of mythological creatures, like harpies, dragons, unicorns, vampires, etc. The sorcerer Shrae was tasked to building this boat at the time Noah was, in order to ensure that unnatural creatures survive (while Noah watches over the natural beasts).
Even Shrae is a bit unnatural himself.
I find it very interesting that he’s told he must also make sure that the other ark survives, so that there is a balance between worlds.
The creatures in the Dark Art though demand human sacrifices-and Shrae’s family leaves their “friends” in the area as bait and such.
After the murder of Maldroom, the distrust among everyone rises. The vampire Nex is determined to have his monsters thrive, especially because God the creator desired them to wash away in the floods.
The manticore Kruul is a creature of darkness. He is vindictive and has pretty evil tendencies. And yet, he doesn’t do something bad for the sake of doing it. I almost like him.
I respect him.
I also fear him.
Issues 3 and 4 really show what it means to be a sorcerer, and how determined Shrae is to make sure even the most vile survive.
After all, there has to be a balance. Right?
Series: Monstro Mechanica
Issue: 1
Rating: 5/5 stars
I had absolutely no clue what this was about going in but I am hooked.
HOOKED.
The art is done very well, and the colors fit in with the era.
The font of the text is incredibly easy on the eyes. I almost never notice the text, so for me to do so shows how wonderful of a change it is.
Leonardo da Vinci is known to be an artist, but he was also an engineer and even has some inventions under his belt. In this comics, some of his designs include weapons…and robots. He’s a mercenary in a way, and sells his skills and resources. So in a way, he plays both sides: the politics of Italy with Lorenzo Medici and the Papal office under Pope Sixtus.
The word play with priests at different levels is very real.
I have never really cared about learning more about history in general. The farther back in time, the less interested I am. But I find myself craving to look up various people.
Isabel is da Vinci’s apprentice (he’s a real feminist, adamant about the fact that women can be strong both mentally and physically), and she’s ridiculed for wearing pants. I feel really bad for her.
What I love about her is that she almost looks like Princess Leia.
What I don’t like is her attitude, and how she tries to take matters into her own hands. She personalizes the robot despite da Vinci’s near-demands. She made me want to drop the rating, but me not liking a character for being purposely written in a way isn’t a good enough reason to give a lower rating.
I’m excited to read more, but do hope that Isabel gets her comeuppance.
Series: Brilliant Trash
Issue: 1
Rating: 2.3/5 stars
I felt that there was a lot to take in with this introduction. It’s more understandable than B.E.K. and the art is better, but I felt fairly confused.
The art, actually, is great. The panels are geared towards the situation (video casts have almost square panels, and there are quite a few on a given page; online news updates are given as almost screenshot blurbs; etc. The colors are good too.
The cover image is a bit deceiving, I think, as is the title of the series as a whole. I will say that both made me hesitant to read the comic. The phrase “brilliant trash” is brought up but it was almost awkward to me.
Lady Lastword interrupts webfeeds and becomes a trending topic because of what she says. Broadcasting from Israel, she calls people to see the light and to come together as one.
Then a part of Israel is essentially bombed.
It’s crazy and almost X-Men like in that there are superhumans with different powers, though whether these powers solely are from experiments or if they are also natural mutations is not yet known to me.
Animosity: Evolution: Issues 1-3
The World of Animosity
Backways: Issue 1
Dark Ark: Issues 1-4
Monstro Mechanica: Issue 1
Brilliant Trash: Issue 1
Individual series information can be found here
Series: Animosity: Evolution
Issues: 1-3
Rating: 4.8/5 stars
The art in these is not as good as the art in the other “Animosity” comics. Adam North, in particular, is drawn too… ‘smooth.’ However, I was quickly immersed in the story and the rest of the art just brought me in.
So I debated between 4.8 and 5 stars, but felt 4.8 was more adequate for the three issues. Maybe seeing the series as a whole will change my mind.
Issue 1:
The spread on pages 2 and 3 is PHENOMENAL.
About one month after the Wake, we get a look into the camp where Adam, Keekirikee, and others have created. Wintermute is the leader, and is not loved because of the harsh conditions she’s placed on rations and all. Still, she’s fair.
Yet others want her dead. She, Adam, and others struggle with the animals that aren’t revolting-like the dolphins.
I love dolphins, but really hate them here.
While the humans have “watchers,” they’re not treated like those who fight.
Keekirikee cracks me up: “Wait, what? It’s not normal to shower universally loved leaders with fistfuls of brightly colored grenades?” - page 21
Issue 2:
A LOT is shown about the living situations at the camp, namely from a rat’s point of view. It’s quite interesting to see the, well, animosity other animals feel towards Wintermute and Adam. Yet Adam is fair, will help any of the animals, has a strong moral compass…and is VERY loyal to Wintermute.
We see how bad things can be without the wolf.
And we see what she and Adam and her most loyal animals have been up to. I’m amazed.
Issue 3:
Seeing how big Keekirikee is makes me gape.
I LOVE Adam. For all the reasons I mentioned above.
He better not die, because then all hell would really break loose.
We get some info on the Animata and how distrusted humans are in general.
And the Black Market.
“The first thing any civilization rebuilds is its Black Market--and its good times.” - page 16 (Penelope)
Things get real dark, real fast. It’s awesome and chilling.
Comic: The World of Animosity
Issues: 1 (N/A?)
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Wow. This is a fairly detailed book on what in the world is going on because of the Rise. There are profiles on some of the main cast members; information on the conditions of each state and continent (with some countries as well); insight on how the world as changed.
It’s telling that the word “Animals” is continuously capitalized.
It’s really scary how some places are in complete upheaval, though it makes perfect sense given the fact that humans behave in awful ways too.
United States blurbs:
- Iowa is interesting
- Massachusetts made me laugh
- Missouri is devastating
- New York is actually interesting
- I love the Catholicism of Rhode Island
- Tennessee may be my favorite blurb
- The school in Vermont made me smile
I can’t believe I didn’t catch this-Sandor is named after the “A Song of Ice and Fire” character.
Africa
- I like the good that Hasana the elephant has done, but hate the evil she’s wreaked on he renemies.
- Kenya has some…interesting lion matriarchy going on.
- Namibia made me LAUGH. DEATH TO THE POACHERS!!!!
Asia
- I really like the Afghanistan blurb
- The insanity in India is not surprising. The mandrill Hax also doesn’t surprise me. But I love the elephant Tapani.
- Iraq’s jackal is terrifying
Europe
It overall sounds like a frightening and savage place.
I’m confused as to why Spain, the U.K., and Svalbard were put under South America though and not Europe.
South America
- Brazil is quite intriguing
A brave new world is indeed coming.
Series: Backways
Issue: 1
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
The Backways: a place where all hidden and forgotten places converge in a created nation of magics and knacks. It is a ‘backstreet’ area for wanderers and wonders; for the weird and unnatural.
For the “good” and the “evil”-from what I can make out on the last two-page spread.
I actually waver between giving this between a 3 and 3.5 star rating. The art is great-I love the anime-type style and realistic colors. I like the premise of a girl gone missing and her best friend searches for her. It’s the occult-type aspects that make me wary though. I hope to see more of a balance with magics and “knacks” in future issues.
Sylvia goes missing within her mirror in the first three pages. Her best friend Anna is convinced she wouldn’t leave without saying anything. Sylvia’s mother doesn’t like Anna-based on the first three pages, I kind of don’t blame her.
The different magics represented here were, I believe, voodoo and Wiccan. If I’m wrong, please tell me. This is me basing that interpretation on past things I’ve seen in media about both.
And they are scary. What the writer does well is present the reader (and Anna) with the dangers of both.
Series: Dark Art
Issues: 1-4
Rating: 4.2/5 stars
The rating would be higher if the art was better. But really, the not-the-best art barely registered with me. The story sucked me in immediately.
The Dark Art - an ark of mythological creatures, like harpies, dragons, unicorns, vampires, etc. The sorcerer Shrae was tasked to building this boat at the time Noah was, in order to ensure that unnatural creatures survive (while Noah watches over the natural beasts).
Even Shrae is a bit unnatural himself.
I find it very interesting that he’s told he must also make sure that the other ark survives, so that there is a balance between worlds.
The creatures in the Dark Art though demand human sacrifices-and Shrae’s family leaves their “friends” in the area as bait and such.
After the murder of Maldroom, the distrust among everyone rises. The vampire Nex is determined to have his monsters thrive, especially because God the creator desired them to wash away in the floods.
The manticore Kruul is a creature of darkness. He is vindictive and has pretty evil tendencies. And yet, he doesn’t do something bad for the sake of doing it. I almost like him.
I respect him.
I also fear him.
Issues 3 and 4 really show what it means to be a sorcerer, and how determined Shrae is to make sure even the most vile survive.
After all, there has to be a balance. Right?
Series: Monstro Mechanica
Issue: 1
Rating: 5/5 stars
I had absolutely no clue what this was about going in but I am hooked.
HOOKED.
The art is done very well, and the colors fit in with the era.
The font of the text is incredibly easy on the eyes. I almost never notice the text, so for me to do so shows how wonderful of a change it is.
Leonardo da Vinci is known to be an artist, but he was also an engineer and even has some inventions under his belt. In this comics, some of his designs include weapons…and robots. He’s a mercenary in a way, and sells his skills and resources. So in a way, he plays both sides: the politics of Italy with Lorenzo Medici and the Papal office under Pope Sixtus.
The word play with priests at different levels is very real.
I have never really cared about learning more about history in general. The farther back in time, the less interested I am. But I find myself craving to look up various people.
Isabel is da Vinci’s apprentice (he’s a real feminist, adamant about the fact that women can be strong both mentally and physically), and she’s ridiculed for wearing pants. I feel really bad for her.
What I love about her is that she almost looks like Princess Leia.
What I don’t like is her attitude, and how she tries to take matters into her own hands. She personalizes the robot despite da Vinci’s near-demands. She made me want to drop the rating, but me not liking a character for being purposely written in a way isn’t a good enough reason to give a lower rating.
I’m excited to read more, but do hope that Isabel gets her comeuppance.
Series: Brilliant Trash
Issue: 1
Rating: 2.3/5 stars
I felt that there was a lot to take in with this introduction. It’s more understandable than B.E.K. and the art is better, but I felt fairly confused.
The art, actually, is great. The panels are geared towards the situation (video casts have almost square panels, and there are quite a few on a given page; online news updates are given as almost screenshot blurbs; etc. The colors are good too.
The cover image is a bit deceiving, I think, as is the title of the series as a whole. I will say that both made me hesitant to read the comic. The phrase “brilliant trash” is brought up but it was almost awkward to me.
Lady Lastword interrupts webfeeds and becomes a trending topic because of what she says. Broadcasting from Israel, she calls people to see the light and to come together as one.
Then a part of Israel is essentially bombed.
It’s crazy and almost X-Men like in that there are superhumans with different powers, though whether these powers solely are from experiments or if they are also natural mutations is not yet known to me.