With so many fellow Legion Worlders feeling disheartened and disillusioned with comic books these days, I feel its my responsibility to inform you that there are still utterly fantastic comics out there. So good, in fact, that they will make you want to cheer at the top of your lungs. They'll make you want to run outside and hug the first person you see. Even if its your creepy neighbor.
Case in point: Peter Panzerfaust. How in the world did you miss this? Well, don't blame yourself, you and a whole lot of people missed this. But its simply one of the best new comic books out there and I highly recommend you high tail it to your CBS and order yourself every issue of it! #3 should be coming out shortly.
The premise is pretty brillaint: subtly inject the Peter Pan mythos into World War II occupied France. But really, its the sense of adventure and the tone of the series that set it apart. As I was reading it, I kept trying to figure out what was so damn good about it. Why am I enjoying this so much? And then I realized: because its FUN! It's not 'all ages, show the little children fun'. It's high adventure, comic book fun! Like 1980's comics and Indiana Jones movies.
If you spend your money on this, you'll thank me. (If you steal it, don't thank me 'cuz I can't afford another arrest).
People who like Atomic Robo will love this. And if you're one of those hacks that don't read Atomic Robo, then you've got no street cred anyway and should go sit in the corner facing the wall.
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
quote:Originally posted by Cobalt Kid: So another series by Image has really blown me away! This one totally different than everything else I've been reading: Peter Panzerfaust. Everyone do yourselves a favor and buy this comic. If you've got a soul, you'll love it.
Without giving too much away, here is a brief summary: Peter Pan in WWII. Beyond that, a killer delivery in story telling by Green Wake writer Kurtis Wiebe and artsit Tyler Jenkins. Wiebe instills a sense of the grandiose with the pacing and tone; it has a very innocent feel at times and then a very gritty WWII feel--a dichotomy that works. Jenkins artwork is stylized yet clean and I think he does a great job. It's interesting to see Wiebe's writing with an artist like Jenkins. It might be better than the Greek Wake combo.
I highly recommend people pick this up. I was delighted by how much I liked it.
Posted by Dev - Em on :
Me not see at local comic stores...me sad.
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
The second printing of #1 should be out soon, Dev-Hulk! I highly recommend it!
Posted by Eryk Davis Ester on :
This series = total love!
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Yay! So glad you tried it! I knew it would be right up your alley. Really just a fantastic series that really reminds me why I love comics.
Did you buy a print issue or digital? 'Cuz if digital means EDE has sampled Peter Panzerfaust, then I'm now officially 100% all for it!
Posted by Eryk Davis Ester on :
Bought the first three issues totally digital!
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Groovy!
Posted by Dev - Em on :
No sign of this comic in wither of my normal shops.
May have to try digital...or try the con next month, if they're not gouging for it.
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Love the intro of Hook (er, Captain Haken) in #3! And more than that, how amazing was the two page sword / knife fight? Just thrilling adventure in it's purest form!
The sense of excitement Peter emenates on every panel is just infectious. I really love this series.
Posted by Eryk Davis Ester on :
#4 continues the high quality of this series, and the mixture of innocence vs the horrors of war really hits home this issue!
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Diamond didn't ship this to my CBS today and I actually went there! I'm dying to read--a reviewer gave it 10 out of 10. Its among the first comics I read every month.
Posted by Legion Tracker on :
I went back to my local CBS today just to look at Peter Panzerfaust. The CBS guy said they only order one copy for another customer...and that #1 and #2 are no longer available until the trade comes out in August. Boo....
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
That sucks! I have to say: GRAB THE TRADE! You won't be let down (and you've proven to have phenomenal taste).
Posted by Dev - Em on :
I am going to grab it as well...nobody has the issues around here.
Posted by Legion Tracker on :
quote:Originally posted by Cobalt Kid: That sucks! I have to say: GRAB THE TRADE!
I ordered it. The CBS guy showed me a couple samples of the art online. He did not know about the Peter Pan connection, and I think he'll start checking it out himself.
Posted by Legion Tracker on :
quote:Originally posted by Eryk Davis Ester: Bought the first three issues totally digital!
I downloaded #1 last night. It's the first digital comic I've bought and, wow, besides the high quality of the story and art it just looks beautiful on my iPad.
I may have to buy #2-4 tonight.
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Thought the wrap-up of the first arc in #5 was fantastic, and now I'm eagerly awaiting the next arc to begin!
The issue felt very inspired and captured the feeling a lot of wartime films did in that it made one want to stand up and start fighting the Nazis.
Also it had a great somber moment when the Nazis finally marched into Paris.
There is a nice dichotomy to how Peter is written. He's always so mysterious, and yet, subtle things about him like how he puts his arm around Gilbert so they can be inspired by the Eiffel Tower speak volumes.
Really, I'm just loving this series.
Posted by Lard Lad on :
I bought all the back issues. Dunno when exactly, but I'll be readin' 'em shortly! Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Awesome! I can't wait for your thoughts!
Posted by Lard Lad on :
BTW, I also took a recent recommendation you made in "So what are you reading?" in Anywhere Machine. Check that thread out for more info!
Posted by Lard Lad on :
Finally read issues 1-5 over the last coupla days. Very nice read that didn't completely grab me from the beginning but just got better as each issue passed.
The art took a while to grow on me. The faces aren't very expressive, and few of the supporting characters look distinctive enough for you to really remember who is who. It took me forever to realize which character was the narrator as a boy. In fact Jenkins really seems to like drawing super-pointy chins on most of the characters!
Another basic problem with the art is that most of the characters seem drawn as adults when they are supposed to be kids. I suppose they all may be in their late teens (17-18 range), but I'm really unsure if that's supposed to be the case. When Wendy and John join the cast, they look like they could be in their twenties easily, while their younger brother Michael looks about nine or ten and much younger than anyone else in the cast.
But Jenkins does have a style that seems to capture the feel of the era very well in spite of all that. It has a grit to it like a Charlie Adlard and a simplicity to it like a Mark Buckingham. It grew on me after a while, but the basic issues remain.
The story is the real appeal. Though I'm not overly familiar with the Peter Pan story, I recognize and appreciate the nods. There are only the vaguest possibilities that there's something supernatural about the lead character, and most of those appear in issue one. He's very enigmatic, and I hope we learn more about him as the series progresses.
Gilbert/Tootles is the only other 'Lost Boy' really fleshed out so far, mostly because he's the narrator of the first arc. There are several touching scenes as he's shown reminiscing with his interviewer. Apparently, we'll get other narrators in successive arcs, so we'll get to learn more about the other characters.
In all, I'm really liking this series and especially it's rather unique feel. I wouldn't give it my highest recommendation at this point, bit's definitely a very good book. Looking forward to more!
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Glad you're on board, Lardy!
#6 was a great opening to the next arc, as Curly takes over as narrator for a bit. The change in narrators is very welcome and it's already serving to provide some real characterization to the Lost Boys besides Peter.
With the series now firmly in occupied France, the tension has been upped in a major way, and the suspense / spy sensibilities are fantastic. The issue does a great job in speeding up the pacing progressively all the way through.
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