EL CAZADOR #1

[MattBrady]

<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/CrossGen/01EL00FNcopy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/CrossGen/01EL00FNcopy_t.jpg" width="185" height="262" border="0" hspace="2" align="right"></a>Four months after its announcement, and three months before it goes on sale, Newsarama opted to get an update on CrossGen’s <b>El Cazador</b> by Chuck Dixon and Steve Epting. What CrossGen provided goes back to the old adage – “show, don’t tell”

Newsarama spoke with Dixon about <b>El Cazador</b> at MegaCon in Orlando earlier this year – the following are his comments, with new art by Epting.

<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/CrossGen/01EL14WRcopy_t.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/CrossGen/01EL14WRcopy_t.jpg" width="185" height="280" border="0" hspace="2" align="left"></a> “El Cazador is set in the 1600s, and is a period pirate adventure set on earth in the past – so we’ll be seeing the Caribbean, the African Coast, the pirate rounds – all of that,” Dixon said. “We’re in the middle ground between strict historical accuracy and an Errol Flynn movie. We’ll be buckling many swashes.”

Given the slight confusion that can arise when seeing the name El Cazador (with the male-referring El) in front of the Spanish word for ‘hunter,’ Dixon explained what everything referred to.

“El Cazador is the name of the ship of Captain Sin, a lady prate,” Dixon said. “She’s a Spanish Donessa who turns to the pirate trade when some of her family is kidnapped by a villainous pirate, Blackjack Tom. So El Cazador is what she renames her ship, because she is hunting for her family.”

<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/CrossGen/01EL0405.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/CrossGen/01EL0405_t.jpg" width="250" height="196" border="0" hspace="2" align="right"></a>Sin won’t be alone in her adventures, Red Hand Harry, a disgraced English nobleman who has turned to privateering will play a role in the series as well – with his own ship. But even though the goal of Captain Sin sounds simple – finding her family – Dixon said that it’s not going to be any easy task.

“It’s the 1600’s, and the main mode of large-scale transportation is sailboats, so, it’s going to take a while,” Dixon said. “But along the way, of course, there will be all kinds of pirate adventure – maroonings, headhunters, boarding parties and all of that.”

<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/CrossGen/01EL09.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/CrossGen/01EL09_t.jpg" width="175" height="270" border="0" hspace="2" align="left"></a>Dixon also stressed that El Cazador will be a strict historical adventure – there will be no fantasy or supernatural elements to it at all. Given that, the writer said that he and artist Steve Epting are hip deep in researching the elements of the series. “We’re trying to get into the difficulties of fighting under sail, and all the period detail,” Dixon said. “Right now, the language is the challenge for me.”

<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/CrossGen/01EL0607.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/CrossGen/01EL0607_t.jpg" width="250" height="196" border="0" hspace="2" align="right"></a>Finally, Dixon added that, due to it being historically accurate, at first, El Cazador may be a little disillusioning to some whose only experience with pirates or sea-based adventures has been in the realm of fiction. The life was brutal, the battles were savage, the travel was at times wildly unpredictable, and the ship maneuvering was a science unto itself. In short – not many will be singing “Yo ho, yo ho, a pirates life for me!” after the series gets rolling.

“It’s going to be a fun series, but yeah, we’re going to show it’s a pretty miserable time to be alive.”

[jawaplumber]

This is one where I definitely have to say I'm going to wait for the trade. Well, almost. I'll buy the first issue, and then decide from there.

The art looks beautiful, and Chuck Dixon can be a good writer when he's trying.

[csGuy]

El Cazador! Sinbad! Pirates of the Carribean!
so many pirate-related things!! YAY!!!

unchecked excitement aside, I'll definitely get this book. It looks and sounds fantastic. I'm glad that crossgen is also doing non-sigil stuff.

[tralfaz]

Pirates rule!!!

[stlfan79]

I am all about this book. The art is unbelievable, Epting has improved by leaps and bounds since moving to crossgen and they have some of the best colorists in comics so this book will be full of eye candy. However it isn't the art that will make this a good book, Dixon has been writing his butt of lately making former Crossgen bore-athons Sigil and Crux some of the most exciting books around. I am sure El Cazador will be no different.

[whoME?]

Of all the CrossGen releases, this is the one I will buy unconditionally.

The art is beyond beautiful, and Dixon is always at his best when doing what he loves. And i know, as do most comic fans, that Dixon has an unabashed love of the pirate genre.

This is going to be so sweet.

[whoME?]

Originally posted by csGuy
El Cazador! Sinbad! Pirates of the Carribean!
so many pirate-related things!! YAY!!!

unchecked excitement aside, I'll definitely get this book. It looks and sounds fantastic. I'm glad that crossgen is also doing non-sigil stuff.

Yeah... except Sinbad sucked ass.

[Mark Thorson]

I'm just not real sure I want to know how he got the nickname 'Red Hand Harry'.

Other than that, looks great! I love the swashbuckling stuff.

[IanZL]

Its really a shame to see Epting's incredible talent is wasted on a book written by Chuck Dixon.

[Fazhoul]

Damn I can't wait to read this book! Chuck Dixon has been one of the most reliable writers for the past decade and that art by Steve Epting is gorgeous! It's hard to believe that he's the same guy who worked on Avengers way back when. Of course, if I remember correctly, he was being inked by Tom Palmer who tends to overpower any penciler he works with.

[Howard Roark]

I take slight exception (Though I know it was a compliment) to the post that stated that Epting's art "has improved by leaps and bounds since moving to crossgen,..."

The reason his work is finally getting its due is that Crossgen actually markets their talent. Also, his work has a classic feel to it (i.e., John Cullen Murphy's "Prince Valiant" strip) that is lost on to most of today's WIZARD HOT Top 10 lists - not flash-in-the-pan-style-of-the-month-alternate-cover-overexposed-enough. IMHO, Epting's art resembles that of the classic illustrators of the old advertisements found in such 1930-1940s magazines as COLLIERS and SATURDAY EVENING POST.

Case in point, how many artist active in comics today could pull off (Based on his pirate art shown to date) the realistic, historical feel of a non-spandex book? Ok, Al Williamson could but anyone else?

Also, at conventions I often hear Epting's peers sing his praises. From his work with First Comics, being recruited to take over one of MARVEL COMICS flagship books, AVENGERS, to being recruited by DC Comics to take over the flagship, SUPERMAN book, before being recruited to Crossgen.

Hopefully the fans and critics will notice this work and given him the recognition he's earned and deserves? I can only hope!!!

Best,
HR

[mc (_(\/)_)achete]

i'm a sucker for pirate stories, and this one looks like fun.

[stlfan79]

Originally posted by Howard Roark
I take slight exception (Though I know it was a compliment) to the post that stated that Epting's art "has improved by leaps and bounds since moving to crossgen,..."

The reason his work is finally getting its due is that Crossgen actually markets their talent. Also, his work has a classic feel to it (i.e., John Cullen Murphy's "Prince Valiant" strip) that is lost on to most of today's WIZARD HOT Top 10 lists - not flash-in-the-pan-style-of-the-month-alternate-cover-overexposed-enough. IMHO, Epting's art resembles that of the classic illustrators of the old advertisements found in such 1930-1940s magazines as COLLIERS and SATURDAY EVENING POST.

Case in point, how many artist active in comics today could pull off (Based on his pirate art shown to date) the realistic, historical feel of a non-spandex book? Ok, Al Williamson could but anyone else?

Also, at conventions I often hear Epting's peers sing his praises. From his work with First Comics, being recruited to take over one of MARVEL COMICS flagship books, AVENGERS, to being recruited by DC Comics to take over the flagship, SUPERMAN book, before being recruited to Crossgen.

Hopefully the fans and critics will notice this work and given him the recognition he's earned and deserves? I can only hope!!!

Best,
HR

You can get mad all you want about my opinion that it has improved but I still believe it has. I hated his old art on Avengers, Factor X, and that Primortals stuff at Techno. It's just a matter of opinion I think he is TONS better and you think he has always been good.

[MicroZone]

Originally posted by IanZL
Its really a shame to see Epting's incredible talent is wasted on a book written by Chuck Dixon.

Unless this was a Marvel title. Then you'd be wanking to it already.

[MattBrady]

he stated his opinion - you turned it into a personal attack.

knock it off.

MattB

[Aaron Weisbrod]

Originally posted by IanZL
Its really a shame to see Epting's incredible talent is wasted on a book written by Chuck Dixon.

To be brutally honest, I never understood why anyone liked Chuck's writing during his time at DC (or even Marvel at for that matter)... it just all seemed pretty generic.

HOWEVER...

His work on BRATH and expecially WAY OF THE RAT at CrossGen have been nothing short of amazing. Have you given these books a chance? If not, you may want to consider it... ;)

For love of Po Po,
Aaron Weisbrod

[Howard Roark]

To MattB,

Writing I take "Slight exception" to their statement, that I knew it was meant as a compliment, and ending my post with"Best,.." was an attack?"

An opportunity to tout my opinion about Epting's art, yes. But,...an attack?

To each their own,...

Sheesh!

HR:confused:

[Kamandi2]

This looks to be a good book, but I do have one question. Is this set in the overall CrossGen universe of titles? Since all the other titles involves sigils and take place at the same relative time (in the universe) will this book be tied in at all or be considered outside the regular CrossGen universe like Lady Death and the Crossovers?:confused:

[Fan4Fan]

Originally posted by stlfan79
You can get mad all you want about my opinion that it has improved but I still believe it has. I hated his old art on Avengers, Factor X, and that Primortals stuff at Techno. It's just a matter of opinion I think he is TONS better and you think he has always been good.

Oh, I dunno, I thought his last Avengers fill-ins were quite good... especially the first issue #36.

Regardless, this looks like it has a good shot at being the first CG title I'm picking up.

Thanks,
Fan4Fan

[Spenser for Hir]

Originally posted by IanZL
Its really a shame to see Epting's incredible talent is wasted on a book written by Chuck Dixon.

Spoken by a true Marvel ass kisser. Wait until the book is out, then give us your truly professional opinion.

[MattBrady]

Originally posted by Howard Roark
To each their own,...

Sheesh!

HR:confused:

I was responding to the post directly above mine - the one that made a personal attack.

MattB

[Howard Roark]

HR

[Simon DelMonte]

Yet another comic book I cannot afford, but one that will come out in TPB as it's CrossGen. And what's more, libraries are beginning to carry CrossGen with increasing regularity. Moreover, it sounds likes the kind of pirate story no one likes to tell, one with real history and politics involved. Should be a blast. And having afemale lead is rather cool.

This sounds like it is not set in the CrossGen Universe at all, which means Chuck will have a goodly deal of freedom. I do wonder why they couldn't do the same for Waid on Ruse, but I often wonder about editorial policy at Marvel and DC as well.

[Cayman]

The art looks great! I'm not a big Dixon fan but I hope this book suits him.

Cay

[Crusader]

Very cool. Chuck is definitely one of the best in the business. Put him on a pirate book and the results are going to rock. And the art looks great as well. I'm sold.

[Neon]

Hey,

As long as Mr. Dixon remembers to use the Portuguese ships in the book, I could try this one out. Spain and Portugal (two different kingdomws,m by the way) ruled the world back then, and it would be cool if Mr. Dixon would bring into the series some of the politics of the time.

Research the era, Mr. Dixon. You'll find tons and tons of great seafering stories hidden in the era of the discoveries.

B.Cool

[stlfan79]

Originally posted by Aaron Weisbrod
To be brutally honest, I never understood why anyone liked Chuck's writing during his time at DC (or even Marvel at for that matter)... it just all seemed pretty generic.

HOWEVER...

His work on BRATH and expecially WAY OF THE RAT at CrossGen have been nothing short of amazing. Have you given these books a chance? If not, you may want to consider it... ;)

For love of Po Po,
Aaron Weisbrod

Its ok I didn't think it was an attack I just wanted to reiterrate that I think he has vastly improved:)

[littlewolvie]

Considering Chuck's writing hasn't disappointed me so far and Steve Epting being a very talented artist (who got even better based on what I can see here), it seems you can't go wrong with this one. I'll definitely have to check it out. :)

[comix10290]

Originally posted by Kamandi2
This looks to be a good book, but I do have one question. Is this set in the overall CrossGen universe of titles? Since all the other titles involves sigils and take place at the same relative time (in the universe) will this book be tied in at all or be considered outside the regular CrossGen universe like Lady Death and the Crossovers?:confused:


all the other titles involve sigils? Ruse and way of the rat don't and they are two of the better books put out by cg..

[CATMAN3]

Originally posted by jawaplumber
This is one where I definitely have to say I'm going to wait for the trade. Well, almost. I'll buy the first issue, and then decide from there.

The art looks beautiful, and Chuck Dixon can be a good writer when he's trying.

Me too and I agree!

[Dreighton]

Crap, another comic I want to buy. I was trying to figure out how I was going to buy Way of the Rat, and now we get this! (leaning towards TPB...free comic day got me on this one!) I notice how Cross Gen is slowly getting a larger and larger % of my cash, from Marvel and DC. Good stories, great art, consistent publishing.

Now....I want a western genre comic.

Dreighton

[MadPiscus]

Originally posted by comix10290
all the other titles involve sigils? Ruse and way of the rat don't and they are two of the better books put out by cg..

Two things:

1) Lady Death and The Crossovers are published via imprints under CrossGen, for the fellow you were replying to.

2) All the books involve Sigils or The First or Orange-Eyed folk (or all three in many cases) in some way. An example would be the interaction between Emma and evil-Brunette (sorry, I have both the trades but they're packed away at the moment) in Ruse, and (IIRC) the Sigil-like symbol at the top of Simon's cane once the Prism is removed.

I may go and dig out both Ruse and Way of the Rat to double-check in a few, but I'm fairly certain that both have subtle hints at greater connections... and I know for certain that in the monkey with the glowing orange eyes has been seen in both Sigil (in a scene where the orange-eyed guy was revealed to be an aspect of many entities) and in The Path (where he was jumping off a bridge away from the orange-eyed monk in that book).

There are, of course, more connections between other books (the side-kicks in Mystic and Scion seemed to be communicating in certain issues, but you never would have known it if you didn't read both) that I spotted when I was a member of the ComicsOnTheWeb deal.

[MadPiscus]

Anyone here read The Pirate Hunter? Great historical work arranged in a vaguely novel-like form that covers the life (and final journey) of Captain Kidd in great detail.

It's out in paper-back now, so it's a bit cheaper than when I bought it as well.

[AForceOfOne]

Originally posted by MadPiscus
Two things:

1) Lady Death and The Crossovers are published via imprints under CrossGen, for the fellow you were replying to.

2) All the books involve Sigils or The First or Orange-Eyed folk (or all three in many cases) in some way. An example would be the interaction between Emma and evil-Brunette (sorry, I have both the trades but they're packed away at the moment) in Ruse, and (IIRC) the Sigil-like symbol at the top of Simon's cane once the Prism is removed.

I may go and dig out both Ruse and Way of the Rat to double-check in a few, but I'm fairly certain that both have subtle hints at greater connections... and I know for certain that in the monkey with the glowing orange eyes has been seen in both Sigil (in a scene where the orange-eyed guy was revealed to be an aspect of many entities) and in The Path (where he was jumping off a bridge away from the orange-eyed monk in that book).

There are, of course, more connections between other books (the side-kicks in Mystic and Scion seemed to be communicating in certain issues, but you never would have known it if you didn't read both) that I spotted when I was a member of the ComicsOnTheWeb deal.


It's been awhile since I read Ruse but Emma Bishop, the assitant to Simon Archard, is either one with Orange Eyes or more likely one of the first. Simon doesn't have a Sigil however he does wear a sigil on his tie clip. I'm not sure if it's in the book but CrossGen released bookmarks sometime last year and the Sigil is definately on that. However reading through 2 trades (buying the third when it comes out as a traveler...bought Path for $20...no more) I'm not sure what the big connection is yet. It's probably just in the fact he can break big riddles/cases/decipher clues to in a way defeat/save the universe.

And for the record even though my collecting days are almost gone I will be picking this title up and at least try it out.

[zeraze]

Originally posted by Kamandi2
This looks to be a good book, but I do have one question. Is this set in the overall CrossGen universe of titles? Since all the other titles involves sigils and take place at the same relative time (in the universe) will this book be tied in at all or be considered outside the regular CrossGen universe like Lady Death and the Crossovers?:confused:

Answers to your questions

1) Yes, El Cazador is set in the CrossGen stable of titles. The pirate adventure occurs on Earth, which is also the setting of CRUX.

2) No, sigils will NOT appear in El Cazador. The pirate comic is set in the 1600s, which is many millenia before the Sigil- Bearers start popping up on Earth and many other planets in the universe.

For the curious, I gleaned this info from this interview with Chuck Dixon:
http://comicworldnews.com/forum/ib3/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=1;t=1376


Hence, El Cazador is perfect for those readers who wanted to try out a CrossGen series, but were intimated by the Sigilverse concept. Personally, as a fairly new CGE fan, I can attest that the publishers's books really do stand on their own. This "impenetrable" Sigilverse thing has been blown way out of proportion by those who believe only Marvel and DC are the end-all and be-all of accessible "shared universes."

zeraze

[zeraze]

Originally posted by Dreighton
Crap, another comic I want to buy. I was trying to figure out how I was going to buy Way of the Rat, and now we get this! (leaning towards TPB...free comic day got me on this one!) I notice how Cross Gen is slowly getting a larger and larger % of my cash, from Marvel and DC. Good stories, great art, consistent publishing.

Now....I want a western genre comic.

Dreighton

Actually, Chuck Dixon is interested in writing a Western comic. Learn more at this interview with Comic World News:

http://comicworldnews.com/forum/ib3/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=1;t=1376

zeraze

[AForceOfOne]

I personally love the CrossGen books and the Sigils however i just can't afford to get many of them if at all. For that matter I can't afford many comics these days as it is. I'm hoping to get the 10 dollar trades if they're still producing them (I haven't heard anything either way).

This looks to be a great story oriented book however there's that great little thing called illustration that is also apart of it. Say what you want about CrossGen but they've consistently given amazing art and great stories. They're worst days in these departments is still better than anything others have put out.

[Cayman]

Originally posted by AForceOfOne
I personally love the CrossGen books and the Sigils however i just can't afford to get many of them if at all. For that matter I can't afford many comics these days as it is. I'm hoping to get the 10 dollar trades if they're still producing them (I haven't heard anything either way).

This looks to be a great story oriented book however there's that great little thing called illustration that is also apart of it. Say what you want about CrossGen but they've consistently given amazing art and great stories. They're worst days in these departments is still better than anything others have put out.

I hope they keep up the $10 trades as well. They are a great price and format.

Cay

[stlfan79]

Originally posted by zeraze

I can attest that the publishers's books really do stand on their own. This "impenetrable" Sigilverse thing has been blown way out of proportion by those who believe only Marvel and DC are the end-all and be-all of accessible "shared universes."

zeraze

Agreed, I read a lot of titles from a variety of different publishers and the CGE titles are no harder to get into than any other MArvel or DC book.