This article's main objective is to
share a thought and an opinion on a comic publisher. It is in
no way a promotional piece, a commercial, a plug or an advert. If it
happens to be taken that way I apologizes, for it was not my goal. So
when I was asked to share my opinion on any comic book publisher, it
was fairly easy decision. My choice was Avatar Press.
Avatar Press is an independent
publisher of comic books based out of Rantoul, Illinois. It was
started by the E.I.C, William A. Christensen in 1996. Their first
release was in November and was William's very own, Pandora. The book
is considered by many to contain one of Avatar's flagship
characters. Being known for publishing mini-series,
Avatar began giving creators the benefit of creator own work without any
content restrictions. With that kind of offer, some of comics best
talent came knocking.
High profile talent like everyone's
favorite Scottish comic book writer, Mark Milliar and his title, The
Unfunnies. Comic book Fanboy God -- Alan Moore with his Lovecraft-en,
The Courtyard, which was later followed later by Neonomicon. Two
well known English scribes in, Garth Ennis with Chronicles
of Wormwood, 303 and my personal favorite, Crossed. And then there's
Warren Ellis, who perhaps is one of the major pillars in the Avatar
label, be it by contributions and quality alone. Just naming a few,
Ellis is responsible for titles like Supergod, Black Summer, No Hero and Doktor Sleepless. Not only that he does a web comic, Freak Angles
that comes out free weekly.
They
have also ventured into some notable adaptations of licensed
properties. Popular horror franchises like a Nightmare on Elm Street,
Texas Chainsaw, Friday the 13th
and Night of the
Living Dead. Also adding a few Sci-Fi titles incorporating Robocop,
Species and Stargate.
With the “gloves
being off”, so to speak on the limitations in creating a narrative
with sex, gore and over the top violence was a thing of the norm at
Avatar. Not saying that's all that they deal in but lets just say if
they happen to start a music label, my guess is that it would consist
of some of the heaviest death metal on the planet.
Interested
in Avatar and don't know where to start? Here are a few titles that
you might dig if you have any interest. So put down your Marvel Team
Up and your DC 100 annual whatever book because there's no testing
the water, there's just head first into the shallow end.
No
Hero
In a
world where Superhumans are common practice, Joshua Carver wants to be one. Which is perfect because Carrick Masterson will need some
replacements for the his powered police like task force, The Front
Line and Joshua is his first pick. So you
wanna be a hero and all you have to do is take a pill? Sounds good,
but nothing is ever that easy. Warren Ellis and Juan Jose Ryp tell the tale.
Caligula
37
A.D and the debauchery of Roman nobility spews forth as Caligula
flaunts his sadistic power at the flick of a wrist. David
Lapham takes a stab at telling of a man drunk with power. While
German Nobile paints the whole thing. Caligula is set for a 6 issue
mini, read our review for the first book.
Black
Gas
When
a couple travel home to an island to visit some family they get more
then they expected when the island succumbs to a sweep gas that is
turning all of the island inhabitants into zombie like creatures. It
's Warren Ellis and Max
Fiumara doing
a zombie book in their very special way. What more do you need to know?
Crossed
A
plague that causes its victims to carry out their most evil thoughts
and wishes. Carriers of the virus are known as the “Crossed” due
to a cross-like rash that appears on their faces. Garth
Ennis and artist Jacen Burrows's Crossed did everything right to
setting the course of horror comic books back to awesome. It creates
a true sense of fear, despair and humanity. It's true treat is it's
power is that it make you ask yourself, “What would I do if this
really happened?” I hate to tell you reader but, you'd be dead... you'd be way dead.
That's just a small nibble of what my favorite publisher has to offer. So go to your local shop and give one of these books a try. If your local shop doesn't carry them, stop going there.