INDY SPOTLIGHT: Paradigm Shift

Today's book I'm focusing on is PARADIGM SHIFT Part One: Equilibrium, by Dirk Tiede and from his Dynamanga.net imprint.

I met and know Dirk from my days on Graphic Smash, when we both used to have comics on that webcomic collective. A couple years ago Modern Tales (the sister website that Graphic Smash was a part of) hosted a booth at San Diego Con, and I spent a little time there, and I remember meeting Dirk especially, because his Paradigm Shift had caught my eye on Graphic Smash, with it's competent old school manga/anime style. Since I'm loathe to actually read comics on the web, my only experience with the title were the catchy art and graphics.

Well, when I did the recent Pittsburgh Comic-Con, I ran into Dirk while out to dinner with a large group of comic people, and after talking a bit later that night, we'd vowed to swap books the next day. So, I was sure to make the rounds on the last day of the show and take him up on the offer. Although he was kind enough to offer both trade collections of Paradigm Shift he's printed to date, I only kept volume one (since I only had 4 comics to offer in return).

On the long flight home from the east coast, I made my way through volume 1 of Sentinels (see yesterday's feature), but since I came into town mid day, and had caught a ride to the airport, I was taking the new light rail train home from the airport (they'd somewhat recently extended the train line to the airport, but I'd never used it). Now, the train is really convenient from the airport (except for all my giant bags packed with books and displays etc), but it does take about twice as long, an hour instead of about 30 minutes. That meant I still had time on my hands to read, and read I did, Paradigm Shift Part one!

The book is about 100 pages, black and white tones, manga trim size, and $9.95. The first 2/3rds of the book are story, with a healthy "bonus" section at the back, which I'll speak of in a bit, but first, the story...

Paradigm Shift is a skilled blend of police procedural and horror/fantasy/sci-fi, that is to say, Dirk creates a detailed real life world, filled with true-to-life characters, but offsets that with a story that takes a turn into the supernatural. The scripting is solid, his characters feel as genuine as his artwork is detailed. PS is set in downtown Chicago, and Dirk doesn't shy away from showing us every nook of the city, from it's gleaming skyscrapers to it's back alleys. His art would fit comfortably with any manga on the bookstore shelf, with it's hallmark stylized characters and ultra real/detailed backgrounds.

As the story unfolds during the course of one day, detectives Kate and Mike slowly realize things are taking them on a bigger journey, and the reader goes along for the ride. Paradigm shift reads well, looks great, and builds towards a large involving story filled with mystery and Chicago PD action. I can't wait to meet up with Dirk again and pick up the second volume.

Now on to the extras, along with character profiles and footnotes, there's a lengthy and very comprehensive process breakdown. Dirk outlines every step of the process in the creation of the comic, which as a fellow creator is always fun to see, but for those looking find their way in the medium, it's an even more beneficial tool.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

You can check out the book online via Webcomicsnation.com or pick up the books via it's website HERE

INDY SPOTLIGHT: Sentinels Vol 1 and 2

This week I'm going to try and talk about a different cool book each day, the majority of them independently published, and a couple of them manga, but I'm going to start today with a book I'd waited a long time to get my hands on, Sentinels by Rich Bernatovech and Luciano Vecchio.

Sentinels is created and written and published by Rich Bernatovech (via Drumfish Productions), and he collaborates with Argentine artist Lucian Vecchio. At the recent Pittsburgh Comic-con I had the chance to meet and speak with both creators, and after years of hearing and seeing great things, pick up a complete set of all four original graphic novels. The books retail for $14.95 each, are full trim size, contain black and white grayscale artwork, and are quite lengthy, containing around 8 chapters each (about the equivalent of 8 comic book issues). The book itself is Rich's super powered team creation, inspired most prominently by a childhood love of the George Perez era Teen Titans, he was/is also an actor though, so his love of drama shines through as well.

Sentinels is an epic four volume saga, where each book stands alone as a complete tale, but together they tell one large overarching story. The Sentinels themselves are a second generation super team, led by Templar, an energy blade wielding descendant of the Knights Templar, who at the start of this volume, operates on his own via the Sentinels former compound with the help of computer entity Cyprus. Through a series of events the former teammates collide and work together again to fend off escalating threats to the team, from Hell, the government, and even outer space.

The sprawling cast of 10 young powered characters, are familiar, yet unique. Where Sentinels volume 1 really shines, is it's incredible plotting. Characters are introduced and quickly put to the test in imaginative ways that take the reader on a sci-fi/fantasy super powered adventure. Volume 1 is only a little weak in scripting, some of the dialogue is a bit clunky, and some of the characters perhaps a bit too familiar. However, Bernatovech keeps you completely enthralled with the simple concept executed well via the sheer volume of fun pacing.

Where Sentinels also shines, is in the artwork that Vecchio provides. He brings a unique style somewhere between classic John Byrne or 80's independent, and more contemporary manga/cartoony, all styles of which I'm a major fan, but I am painfully aware they have their detractors. I really feel that Vecchio's style is straightforward enough though, to play to any crowd, which is a big plus.

Volume 2 picks up where the first left off, and moves plot points forward, further develops characters (especially the books expansive supporting cast). In addition to the approximately dozen or so Sentinels, there's a new opposing government sponsored team, Squadron 7, and a handful of other players and villains that come and go. That's the nice thing about having the series in the longer form installments, there's always enough room for everything and everyone introduced, and you never feel like too much is offered or lost. Bernatovech really captures the episodic, side-plot driven balancing act that was 80's teen superteam comic book fiction, where there's always a new cool character to shine the spotlight on and learn more about.

Where the first volume had some of the best independent superhero plotting to be found, but was a bit lacking in scripting/dialogue, volume 2 improves in that area, but isn't as ambitious in plot. That's not to say there isn't a ton that happens, or a lot to enjoy. Quite the contrary. Also, Vecchio's art in the second volume shows growth and improvement. Sentinels is a book that has plenty to offer, all around, and I'm really happy to have taken the plunge and begun to immerse myself in it's world.

I'm looking forward to reading volumes 3 and 4 over the summer, and HIGHLY RECOMMEND Sentinels to any fan of super powered team action, and especially fans of independent characters and comics. Bernatovech and Vecchio have taken much time and effort to craft a solid graphic epic worthy of much larger attention than what it's received to date. Please do yourself a favor and pick up the first volume, I'm sure you'll be hooked from there!

You can check out the book more at it's website HERE