Comics: The Adventures of Apocalypse Al ~ Issue 2

Story by: J. Michael Straczynski

Illustrated by: Sid Kotian

Color by: Bill Farmer

Rated: M / Mature

Joe's Comics

Image Comics

(4/5 ★★★★☆)

(Cover A by Sid Kotian and Bill Farmer)

The Plot:

Aided by Ultimate Darkness, Al continues her search for Francis Walther, the guy who currently have the book of keys. Her search brings her to the cyberworld. As Ronnie says it, the cyberspace is a place where the supernatural world and the world of the internet mix. Who knew that the internet could be a gateway to the paranormal world.

The Good:

This 2nd part of the 4 part miniseries is definitely a nice read. Injecting the internet to be a gateway to some paranormal world is a nice move. This is the first time that I had seen this idea be used in a comic book.

The 4 page preview of Dream Police at the end was a nice closing for this issue.

The Bad:

We are still left hanging as to why imps suddenly appeared and chased Al down the road.

The Verdict:

This is an enjoyable 2nd issue from Apocalypse Al. However, I might not recommend it that much. Personally, it just felt to be an average type of story. This issue had fallen short for my enthusiasm for this series.

"I love L.A. Beverly Hills on one side, demonic creatures on the other. Sometimes it's hard telling the two apart." - Allison "Al" Carter

More of Apocalypse Al can be seen at:

Joe's Comics: http://www.studiojms.com

Image Comics, Inc.: http://www.imagecomics.com

Comics: The Adventures of Apocalypse Al ~ Issue 1 (Cover Review)

Retailer Exclusive Preview Edition Cover: Sid Kotian and Bill Farmer

Cover A: Sid Kotian and Bill Farmer

Cover B: Ryan Sook

(Preview Edition Cover, Cover A and B)

Story by: J. Michael Straczynski

Illustrated by: Sid Kotian

Color by: Bill Farmer

Rated: M / Mature

Joe's Comics

Image Comics

I included the cover used for the retailer exclusive preview edition of this issue. The only thing that I didn't collect was cover C made by Ryan Sook. That cover is mostly the line art of cover B which was made by the same artist.

The retailer preview and cover A basically have the same illustrations made by the same artists. This cover features Al and a few characters from the 1st issue. It is a simple and a bit ordinary cover for an issue #1 comic.

Cover B, made by Sook, has a little more story in it. It features the destruction of Los Angeles as all sorts of creatures emerge from below the depths of the earth.

I would choose to have the standard cover A for the first issue of Apocalypse Al. The illustrations in cover A surpasses cover B. This is because of the better representation of the comic that deals with the end of the world in a humorous way.

"I love L.A. Beverly Hills on one side, demonic creatures on the other. Sometimes it's hard telling the two apart." - Allison "Al" Carter

More of Apocalypse Al can be seen at:

Joe's Comics: http://www.studiojms.com

Image Comics, Inc.: http://www.imagecomics.com

Comics: Ten Grand ~ Issue 7: And Then The War

Story by: J. Michael Straczynski

Illustrated by: C.P. Smith

Rated: M / Mature

Joe's Comics

Image Comics
(4/5 ★★★★☆)

(Cover A by C.P. Smith)

"Not all murder is evil...

In the right time, the right place, for the right reason - -

it can be a blessing more profound than any you can imagine." - Jehoel

The Plot:

Previously, Jehoel's escape from an eternity of imprisonment in the place of in-between heaven and hell had led to Joe's restoration of his memories.

In this issue, Joe and Jehoel continues to thread the path to the gates of hell. The very conflict between the light and evil may be bigger than Joe can imagine as he is told of The War. Joe finally reaches the gates of hell with more questions arising regarding whose side is playing on him and for what reason.

The Good:

This issue gives us a nice story of The Beginning, The War, The Fall and The Void. It was a nice take on the war between the good and evil. We were also given a scenery on what would happen to those who opted to question both sides.

There were two splash pages that were incredibly drawn by Smith. The first is the splash page that speaks of The Beginning. The picture was like an infinite cycle of baby angels. The next splash page was the one that shows The Unity, The War, The Fall and The Void. That splash page was really fantastic. It was really beautifully drawn as the happiness and the brightness of the page gets darker as you look down.

The story pulls us back on track of Joe's path to hell as he goes to save Laura.

The Bad:

Even though there are 2 splash pages that I like in this issue, the cover was not appropriate for me. I think that cover would have been more applicable if it was used in Issue #5 of Ten Grand.

I am still bothered by some of the illustrations made by Smith. Mostly these are regarding how Joe's ears were drawn. In some panels they were good. But for the rest, they were really weird. They were still drawn with the ear swelling like it caught a disease. It was just a good thing that Jehoel had long hair so his ears does not need to be drawn.

The Verdict:

The illustrations more or less becomes tolerable after the shock that we got from Issue #5. The story lifts itself once more after the dull moment in Issue #6.

It looks like we are nearing the issue wherein Ten Grand is going to drop the bomb any moment now. This is because of the suspense that is building up in this never ending war between good and evil. This is definitely an issue worth collecting. Mostly because of the two splash pages regarding The Beginning until The Fall of the angels. Straczynski has definitely led us in the middle ground of the great war.

Don't forget that great 4 page teaser at the end regarding Dream Police

"If we cannot win, we can at least deprive them of the victory." -Jehoel

More of Ten Grand can be seen at:

Joe's Comics: http://www.studiojms.com

Image Comics, Inc.: http://www.imagecomics.com

Comics: Ten Grand ~ Volume 1

Trade Paperback

Collects Issues # 1-6

Story by: J. Michael Straczynski

Illustrated by: Ben Templesmith and C.P. Smith

Letters by: Troy Peteri

Rated: M / Mature

Joe's Comics

Image Comics
(4/5 ★★★★☆)

(Cover by Ben Templesmith)

This is the first collection of the series that J. Michael Straczynski has offered to us from Joe's Comics.

Ten Grand Volume 1 collects issues # 1-6. The story centers on Joe Fitzgerald, a former mob enforcer. This first volume contains stories that begins and ends with his encounter with an angel. It starts with his deal with the angel taking care of Laura and ends with him freeing another angel trapped in the planes in between heaven and hell.

The volume uses the original edition "A" cover of Ben Templesmith as the opening page for each issue. Aside from the story, it also contains the alternative covers of issues # 1-6 and a look at how the cover of this volume was made.

I'll start first with the good things that I had seen with this volume in comparison to the singles it collects. Typos such as the one in page 3 of issue #5 has been corrected. This is regarding as to who needs to hold the door open for the portals to heaven and hell amongts angels and demons. An art change in some panels was also seen. It can be found on page 98 of the volume wherein the transition from earth into the planes in between heaven and hell have changed from Templesmith's into Smith's art. There was also this nice art after issues # 3-5 that was placed, which wasn't used as a back cover for the singles of said issues.

Now, that the good things are done, let us go to the things that I didn't like with this volume. First is seen on the table of contents. In here a typo is already seen with regards to the issue number. The only thing that they had gotten right was for Blood Oath. Next, if you got the singles of issue #1 compare that to the one in this volume. It could be seen that the colors had become a bit lighter. This goes on for issue #2, since the colors had returned to its original state in issue #3. This lighter tone decreases that dark vibe that one could get from reading this series. That is really a downer, since this started on the very first issue of the volume.

There are a lot of ups and downs with this first 6 issues that are compiled in volume 1 of Ten Grand. The story looks great until it got to the issue entitled "See Me". The story kind of slowed down for me at that moment. The change in the artist also felt so wrong. Smith has done some nice illustrations for Ten Grand but it is still Templesmith's art who I prefer to be seen. Well let us just see how Smith's art will fix itself for the next issues of Ten Grand as Joe Fitzgerald continues to fight for Laura amidst the battle between angels and demons. Overall, this volume is still worth buying.

"Love is the only thing worth dying for. I should know, I've done it plenty of times." - Joe Fitzgerald

More of Ten Grand can be seen at:

Joe's Comics: http://www.studiojms.com

Image Comics, Inc.: http://www.imagecomics.com

Comics: The Adventures of Apocalypse Al ~ Issue 1

Story by: J. Michael Straczynski

Illustrated by: Sid Kotian

Color by: Bill Farmer

Rated: M / Mature

Joe's Comics

Image Comics
(4/5 ★★★★☆)

(Cover A by Sid Kotian and Bill Farmer)

"I have to move fast, if I hesitate even a second longer, I'll lose focus and be trapped forever in this... this... toilet!" - Allison "Al" Carter

This is another goodie given to us by Joe's Comics in partnership with Image Comics. It centers on Allison "Al" Carter, a private investigator specializing in the end of the world, or more specifically preventing it.

In this 4 part miniseries, it starts with the almost end of the world. This is brought about by summoning the eater of the worlds with the use of the seal of Balthazar. Luckily Al prevented the world from ending too early. A case is later given by Mike Rose, a former investigator, in which the end of the world is at stake. This time it is due to the possession of the book of keys by an individual wanting to open the doorway to hell. As Al encounters a prophet, dreamscape, Mister Abernathy and even Ultimate Darkness, who knew Los Angeles could be any more dangerous as demonic creatures roam Beverly Hills day and night.

Straczynski couldn't possibly resist in giving us stories that involves doorways to hell. As Joe in Ten Grand goes to it and Al in Apocalypse Al tries to prevent it from opening, I'd say this doorway might once again appear in the future stories that Straczynski will write. As for the illustrations of Apocalypse Al, they are well made by the two artists. They really contributed a lot in making Apocalypse Al a funny story that deals with paranormal investigations major in apocalypse.

On the back cover of the comic, I like the idea that the artist had done by having 3 vertical panels at the back of Al. In these panels, Max Rose, the former investigator; Max, the prophet; and Ultimate Darkness were drawn.

The only thing that I just don't get is that Al was seen to be wearing boots before entering dreamscape. However, as she exits it she is seen to be wearing what she calls as sensible shoes.

So far, I am really excited for the future issues of Apocalypse Al. This is a nice deviation from the dark stories backed up with heavy thoughts and feelings that Straczynski gives us in Ten Grand.

"I love L.A. Beverly Hills on one side, demonic creatures on the other. Sometimes it's hard telling the two apart." - Allison "Al" Carter

More of Apocalypse Al can be seen at:

Joe's Comics: http://www.studiojms.com

Image Comics, Inc.: http://www.imagecomics.com

Comics: Ten Grand ~ Issue 6: See

Story by: J. Michael Straczynski

Illustrated by: C.P. Smith

Rated: M / Mature

Joe's Comics

Image Comics
(3/5 ★★★☆☆)

(Cover by Ben Templesmith)

"I killed my father. It was my first hit." - Joe Fitzgerald

The previous issue started with a new illustrator of Ten Grand. New imagery of the series was presented as Joe walks down the road to hell. As the story gets deeper and nearer to the gates of hell, Joe finds himself lost and confused as his memory is strangely wiped clean of the events that occurred in his life. Most especially events that involve Laura.

In this sixth issue of Ten Grand, we are shown how Joe normally operates as a button man for Mr. Antonio. Along the way he met the angel Jehoel, who was said to be the Liege Commander of the Seraphim. This issue concluded with Joe's memory finally restored.

This issue tones down a bit from its regular climactic feel. Towards the later half of the story it somehow became poetic. As for Smith's illustrations, I could say that it was weird seeing Joe's ear on the scene wherein he just entered a random room to evade his enemies. It's strange that his right ear appears swollen. For the fight scene between Jehoel and a Seraphim, personally it was quite confusing. I just can't follow what is happening other than the fact that both of them are fighting against each other with Jehoel winning it. On the other side, the funniest thing that Smith made was the splash page wherein Joe was seen to be having this weird expression as soon as he realizes that he's holding a sword in flames.

There's just a little thing that I've noticed on Templesmith's cover. He drew Joe on the cover with an appearance of a halo on his head. I'm not sure if this is a foretelling of things bound to happen in the future.

Overall, I would say that the story slowed down for this issue. Despite having angel Jehoel, Mr. Antonio and a peek at Joe's childhood, it still didn't hyped me up while reading this issue. I guess the only thing worth seeing is the return of Joe's memory. Other than that, I personally could just skip this issue. Mostly it is worth buying for the nice graduation message made by Straczynski written on Joe's Counter. The 4 page preview of the 1st issue of Apocalypse Al is worthy to be read as well.

"Love is the only thing worth dying for. I should know, I've done it plenty of times." - Joe Fitzgerald

More of Ten Grand can be seen at:

Joe's Comics: www.studiojms.com

Image Comics, Inc.: www.imagecomics.com

Comics: Ten Grand ~ Issue 5: Nothing Interesting Ever Happens In Heaven

Story by: J. Michael Straczynski

Illustrated by: C.P. Smith

Rated: M / Mature

Joe's Comics

Image Comics
(4/5 ★★★★☆)

(Cover by Ben Templesmith)

Previously the story ended with Joe discovering that Laura has been taken away from the place they perceived to be heaven. This prompted him to rush right away to one of the places where the planes of earth and hell nearly overlaps. Rescuing Laura did not only meant he must be quick, but he must also continue to stay alive. For that 5 minute deal with an angel must have already been cut off.

This issue gives us the picture of another popular place that is known as "the one in between." Joe encounters the "Lost", Howlers and his deceased self. A resemblance of Charon, from the Greek mythology, makes an appearance in which he ferries Joe to the other side of the river. A river whose current depends on how adventurous or tame our life has been. After crossing the river, Charon then points to Joe two roads that leads to heaven. The very long road and a very short one in which Joe had picked to go to. This issue ends with him forgetting his prime purpose of crossing this plane that overlaps earth and hell.

There's a cool but weird stuff that was used by Joe in this issue which is called as the "Hand of Glory." It appears to be a hand. However, its fingertips are dozed with either icing or wax based on the illustration. Then its very tips are seen to be in flames. This thing reminds me of the hanaukkah lamp that the Jews use. Of course the difference is that it uses 9 candles and not a hand.

This issue turns out to be the beginning of a change in the art of Ten Grand. Personally, I didn't like the art used in this issue since it reminds me of Samurai Jack, a cartoon series from Cartoon Network. I guess the cool thing that the new illustrator of Ten Grand has done was the splash page depicting a Charon-like figure surfing the boat with Joe on a river in which large waves have crazily appeared.

The story continues to be interesting as small bits of Greek mythology even made its way into this issue. Its only the art that I don't like that much. It just doesn't feel good for me even though the timing of the change in the art style is coincidentally good, since there was a change in the surroundings that the main character is roaming on. We will just have to wait and see for what is in store for us as Joe looks for Laura. Especially now that he has forgotten her. Till then "Surf's Up!"

"Love is the only thing worth dying for. I should know, I've done it plenty of times." - Joe Fitzgerald

More of Ten Grand can be seen at:
Joe's Comics: www.studiojms.com
Image Comics, Inc.: www.imagecomics.com

Comics: Ten Grand ~ Issue 4: A Hole In Heaven

Story by: J. Michael Straczynski

Illustrated by: Ben Templesmith

Rated: M / Mature

Joe's Comics

Image Comics
(5/5 ★★★★★)

(Cover A by Ben Templesmith)

"Angels can't enter hell unless a demon holds open the door, and demons can't enter heaven without an angel's say-so." - Joe Fitzgerald

Previously the story ends with a hole in heaven that led to Laura's capture and transfer of residence to hell. The one and secured place that Joe thought was safe for Laura has now been infiltrated. It is now up to him to find and rescue her from whoever is keeping her captive.

"The thing about denying someone their voice in this life is that it tends to come out in death." - Joe Fitzgerald

In this issue, Joe wakes up from a nightmare of something bad happening to Laura. After speaking to the soul of Julie, from one of his previous cases, he learns and gets the confirmation that not only Laura is missing but the angel whom he had made a deal with is also gone. With no time to spare, Joe goes to a place called "The Club" in which it is one of the places that has a doorway to where the planes of earth and hell nearly overlaps. Armed with objects he had gathered, he makes a move past entities that guard the gate to that doorway. Who knows how much time he has left in order to get Laura.

The story gets better as Joe moves on and crosses from our plane into that of hell. Both the art and story never fails us in this issue. This issue also tells of how strong our human determination is as we pursue the different trials in life that each one of us needs to conquer. This is still a great series that has an angels and demons themed love story.

"We're more RESILIENT. Takes a LOT to destroy a human spirit." - Joe Fitzgerald

More of Ten Grand can be seen at:

Joe's Comics: www.studiojms.com

Image Comics, Inc.: www.imagecomics.com

Comics: The Adventures of Apocalypse Al ~ Issue 1 (Retailer Exclusive Preview Edition)

Story by: J. Michael Straczynski

Illustrated by: Sid Kotian

Color by: Bill Farmer

Rated: M / Mature

Joe's Comics

Image Comics
(4/5 ★★★★☆)

"I love L.A. Beverly Hills on one side, demonic creatures on the other. Sometimes it's hard telling the two apart." - Allison "Al" Carter

I got this comic by chance while shuffling through a box of new comics in Filbar's in Festival Mall, Muntinlupa City. I was so amazed to have found this comic since I know that it would not be out in the shelves till next month (February 2014).

I bought this comic for the same price it will be sold by comic bookstores. It was also to my amazement that they had sold it to me since it was a retailer's copy, which I failed to notice on the front cover due to my surprise in finding this a month in advance. But still, it is a keeper since it would be a rare opportunity for me to just suddenly buy this off the shelf of a comic bookstore.

The difference with this retailer exclusive preview copy from the issue to be released next month is that the contents are not colored. It is only the front and the back cover of the comic that is colored by the artist. It really teases a lot by giving a preview on the art and the story of this new comic with the color being left out. In this preview I could personally say that this looks interesting. One could get the feeling that this might be a bad choice, but I think this might be due to the lack of color that it has.

I'll do the review for the story after I get a copy of the comic with full color next month. So far I'd say that you should try to browse this preview copy in a comic book store nearby. Try to buy it if they would allow you. But if they won't, well just browse through it and you might get interested in following this new series from Joe's Comics.

More of The Adventures of Apocalypse Al can be seen at:

Joe's Comics: www.studiojms.com

Image Comics, Inc.: www.imagecomics.com

Comics: Ten Grand ~ Issue 3: Dark And Terrible Things

Story by: J. Michael Straczynski

Illustrated by: Ben Templesmith

Rated: M / Mature

Joe's Comics

Image Comics
(5/5 ★★★★★)

The story continues after Debbie's death due to her act of jumping off a building. This act was made after a demon possessed her. This event also led to Joe's death as he tried to save her. The only difference soon after was that he came back alive but Debbie didn't.

In this issue, Joe finds Sarah, Debbie's sister, unfortunately on the same county morgue. An interesting object, which he calls as a soul-stone is shortly introduced that has the capacity to talk with a dead body's residual soul. However, amidst this tool, it only left him a dead end. Thus, clues for this case were closing one after the other. The story of how Joe and Laura had met was told in this issue. It was told that they had met after Joe incurred an accident while doing his job as a button man. The issue ends with Laura being pulled out of the place that both of them considered to be heaven due to the safety it gives to both her and Joe. After being unconscious for some time, Laura then awakens in front of the person, who is responsible for her death, in a place Joe last expects her to be in.

The art and story continues to be impressive. There's just a typographical error on the 2nd page on the part wherein it narrates the previous events that occurred in the 2nd issue of Ten Grand. This 3rd issue was well told most especially by Templesmith in his illustrations, wherein the emotions of the characters can already tell the story without many lines needed. My favorite panel in this issue would be the part wherein there are three illustrations of Joe and Laura in a single page. In the middle, which is also the largest scene, shows them to be at the beach. The lower left scene shows them having a meal while on the other side shows them to be in a car. This illustration of love is a good page made by Templesmith. This issue continues to show a story of love beyond death, amidst the presence of angels and demons. It still is one sweet love story.

"Love is the only thing worth dying for. I should know, I've done it plenty of times." - Joe Fitzgerald

More of Ten Grand can be seen at:

Joe's Comics: www.studiojms.com

Image Comics, Inc.: www.imagecomics.com

Comics: Ten Grand ~ Issue 2 (Cover Review)

Cover A: Ben Templesmith

Cover B: Bill Sienkiewicz

(Cover A on the left, Cover B on the right)

Story by: J. Michael Straczynski

Illustrated by: Ben Templesmith

Rated: M / Mature

Joe's Comics

Image Comics

I finally got the other cover for the 2nd issue of Ten Grand. For the 2nd issue, the two different covers were made by Ben Templesmith and Bill Sienkiewicz. The first cover that I was able to purchase was Cover B, which I had used to make the review for the 2nd issue of this comic. It took several weeks before I finally stumbled upon Cover A.

I'll first go over to the 1st cover. In here, the art looks to have been made mostly by pencil. In here, it showed the scene wherein Joe dies and has been given that precious 5 minutes with his love one, Laura. The artist has indeed managed to capture that scene depicting that precious moment, which is a nice event from this issue to be used as the cover. The only downside for me with this cover is the same concerns that I had with the irregular proportions that the artist did to Laura, which I also mentioned on the review of the 1st issue of this comic. It seems strange for me to see Laura, as drawn by Templesmith, to have large hands, which in this case is seen thru the large right hand. I guess it would have been a bit better if the hands were smaller in size. Just the right size or should I say the norm for a woman at the very least, since that is what I had been picturing since it was said over and over in the 1st issue that Laura was really beautiful.

On the other hand, Cover B's art appears to have been made thru the use of watercolors. In here, the scene is a combination of the three characters of the story. It is composed of the angel, whom Joe simply calls as Angel; Laura who appears to be in heaven; and Joe in which he is seen to be holding a gun.

In comparison among the two, I'd say that I prefer cover A more than cover B. It is because of the scene that it highlights for this issue of the comic. It shows the very root of the story despite a plot which involves angels and demons. It shows the unending and undying love of Joe to Laura, in which it is to be regarded literally in this story.

"Love is the only thing worth dying for. I should know. I've done it plenty of times." - Joe Fitzgerald

More of Ten Grand can be seen at:

Joe's Comics: www.studiojms.com

Image Comics, Inc.: www.imagecomics.com

Comics: Ten Grand ~ Issue 2: Angels Never Lie

Story by: J. Michael Straczynski

Illustrated by: Ben Templesmith

Rated: M / Mature

Joe's Comics

Image Comics
(5/5 ★★★★★)

(Cover B by Bill Sienkiewicz)

"Never enough time. It's never enough time. Was there enough time?" - Joe Fitzgerald

The previous issue ended with Joe Fitzgerald's new assignment which focuses on Debbie's sister that had gone missing after her involvement with a cult named Divine Will. It involved a guy Joe had thought was dead, because he himself killed him. This very same guy was also involved into causing the death of Laura, Joe's wife.

This current issue continues the story with Joe looking up into Divine Will himself and discovering that the current case he is working on might be connected to Laura's death. There are some scenes in which the reader would be reminded of the movie Constantine. This is due to Joe's usage of gold bullets in order to kill a demon, wherein this was also evident in the said movie. In this issue, Joe once again dies thus giving him his five minutes with Laura before he is brought back to life. This is due to a deal he had with an angel just moments after he and Laura died. The angel said that he could have five minutes with Laura every time he dies due to a righteous cause only if he would approve to be brought back to life and be their tool.  This second issue of Ten Grand concluded with the story getting more intense as the stability of the gates of heaven are tested. Questions regarding as to where Laura's current location is even raised. It was questioned if she really is in heaven or she is just made to believe she is in it.

The art continues to be astounding and some of the funny and misproprotioned body parts of a normal human being that I noticed in the previous issue was no longer included here. The collaboration of Straczynski and Templesmith in creating Ten Grand was awesome. They continue to give light to the grey areas that we know regarding angels and demons. This series is one you should not miss out reading.

"Love is the only thing worth dying for. I should know. I've done it plenty of times." - Joe Fitzgerald

More of Ten Grand can be seen at:

Joe's Comics: www.studiojms.com

Image Comics, Inc.: www.imagecomics.com

Comics: Ten Grand ~ Issue 1: Blood Oath

Story by: J. Michael Straczynski

Illustrated by: Ben Templesmith
Rated: M / Mature

Joe's Comics
Image Comics

(5/5 ★★★★★)

(Cover B by Bill Sienkiewicz)

"Love is the only thing worth dying for. I should know. I've done it plenty of times." - Joe Fitzgerald

This is the first time I grabbed and bought an american comic. I just discovered Ten Grand thru Budjette Tan's instagram post in which he said interesting comments about it. As I have read from the website of Joe's Comics at www.studiojms.com Ten Grand is said to be the return of Joe's Comics after a long time. So far with the first issue, I could say that this is indeed a great material for the comeback of Joe's Comics.

The story begins with Joe Fitzgerald's memory of Laura. I can say that this scene was the one that I find it really funny, since the scene mentions that he dreams of Laura being beautiful. However, in my opinion she is being portrayed to be a bit different by having a chubby face that goes with a thin arms. I could say Debbie, a character introduced on the 3rd page, looked to be more beautiful than Laura. But it could be anybody's point of view. Well at least they had drawn Laura beautifully somewhere in the middle of the comic. From the looks of the story, I find myself looking at a few comparisons with other comics thru Ten Grand. First, it reminded me of Trese, the comic book created by Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo, due to Lenny's that looked a bit liked the Diabolical in some way since the main character mostly stays there. Then, there's the odd jobs that both of them do, in which they usually handle paranormal cases. It is somehow the same, the only difference here is that Alexandra does it as guardian to her city, while Joe does it for him to be able to see Laura once more. The first issue already gave a great intro of how the world of Joe seems to be. It may even feel that Joe's character is the same with John from the movie Constantine. Now with the art, there are a few funny sketches like the previous one that I mentioned regarding Laura. Another one that is still about her is in the preview of a scene / cover of the 2nd issue of the comic. The art shows Joe and Laura hugging each other tightly, in which I find it funny to see Laura being drawn with a huge right hand. In addition to the story and the art, surprisingly the comic also comes with an audio version. It is an interesting and a new experience wherein one can just listen to the audio while reading the story by just looking at the illustrations of the comic.

As much as I would go on narrating different scenes from the comic. I'd rather suggest and encourage you to go on and buy a copy of this comic. With its great story combined by its dark and a bit of strange looking illustrations, I'm pretty sure you'll look forward for the rest of the issues of Ten Grand.

Note: Some of the images were taken from the net, while the others were just a photo from my copy since I couldn't find them uploaded on the internet.

More of Ten Grand can be seen at:

Joe's Comics: www.studiojms.com

Image Comics, Inc.: www.imagecomics.com