TALKING SENTINELS WITH RICK BERNATOVECH

[MattBrady]

by Ryan McLelland

They are the superhero team that perhaps shouldn’t be, having never been passed the torch but picked it up nonetheless. The newest members of the team ‘The Sentinels’ are the children of the original team who mysteriously disappeared, conceivably never to return. Dismissed by former villains, hated by the government, and still unknowns to the American public, this new team finds themselves being thrown deeper into despair with every subsequent battle. Teenage superheroes have never had it this bad before. Thankfully Rich Bernatovech has brought us Sentinels, a triumph of an independent comic full of solid storytelling, intensity, and a sense of urgency rarely seen in superhero team books.

Originally planned as a monthly series, Bernatovech decided to forego the monthly format entirely and instead release Sentinels in trade paperback form. With each trade paperback containing ‘eight issues’, Sentinels immediately gives readers a big bang for their buck. With Book 1: Footsteps’ release in 2003 and Book 2: Masks this past summer, readers have followed the Sentinels as they have faced off against aliens, the United States government, and fought inside Hell itself.

First off, a little 101 – as previously mentioned, the Sentinels is the name of the team of superheroes who suddenly disappeared without warning. The children of these superheroes decide to continue in their parent’s footsteps and carry on the good fight. An feature of the book is that it is never dumbed-down for the reader, the story simply launches, taking readers along for the entire ride. As twists are thrown in at a mile a minute, readers watch as these new second generation heroes are tossed into fights they are perhaps not ready for while finding themselves starting to try and find out what truly happened to their parents.

Sentinels is a labor of love for Bernatovech who has loved comic books since he was a young boy. It was this love of comic books, specifically The New Teen Titans, which led him to Titantalk. “I was a big fan of George Perez and that got me to join an APA called Titantalk at age 12,” said Bernatovech. “It really fed my creativity to be around all the other creative people in the club. It's pretty funny that Titantalk has so many alumni in the business: Rob Liefield, Hank Kanalz, Devin Grayson and Jay Faerber to name a few. I don't know what it was about that APA, and whether you like those people's work or not, you can't deny that there must have been something different going on there for so many professionals to come out of it. For myself, I learned a lot about dedication and discipline. It was a great training ground.”

Bernatovech would find himself moving from the Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia to the bright lights of New York City, where he launched into an acting career before finally landing at the newspaper The New York Times. Inspired by the reporters he worked with everyday and his love of comic books, Bernatovech would finally sit down to develop Sentinels. Bernatovech would stop his acting career once hooked up with artist Luciano Vecchio as the two were soon quickly collaborating on the series.

“At that time I started to think that Sentinels might be better if people got more of the story, since I didn't think the first three chapters really showed what the book was about,” says Bernatovech. “I had noticed that I myself was buying more books as trades and chatted with different shops and friends to see if trades were selling better. But it wasn't until I met Bob Shreck and Frank Miller at a party and they both encourage me to publish the book as a trade and said it was a good idea. Frank chatted with me for a few hours and Bob even had lunch with me later in the month to tell me some marketing ideas.”

With the decision to release the comic as a series of trades, Bernatovech continued to work on a teenage superhero book focused on keeping the action moving while allowing the heroes to change and grow. “Sentinels seemed to force themselves to get written. When I was young it was comics that really gave me an outlet. Books like Uncanny X-Men by Chris Claremont, Marv Wolfman and George Perez on New Teen Titans, Paul Levitz on Legion of Super-Heroes and many more really influenced my life. Their work was exciting and fresh. I remember thinking one day I hope I can do what they do. I guess it was a lot of that inspiration that made me really want to put Sentinels out there.”

This influence rains heavy in Sentinels where the action clearly isn’t spaced over a number of ‘issues’. Once the team is thrown into danger the events that follow happen at lightspeed, with members of the team sometimes not surviving to see the light of the next trade paperback. Not only is the action there but also the threat of team members not surviving to see the next battle constantly holds true.

“I enjoy reading any comics that surprise me,” Bernatovech continued. “I like stuff where I can't tell what's going to happen or that get me away from thinking what is going to happen next. I love Powers, Y the Last Man, and Fables. I have a harder time getting into the major superhero books right now, mainly because I don't like how things are paced nowadays. But I am enjoying Gail Simone's Birds of Prey very much, Invincible, Teen Titans, New Thunderbolts, Supreme Power and sometimes JSA. Other team books that I love - like X-Men, Avengers and JLA - it depends on who is working on them. There's also a lot of really good indy books like Artesia, Quantum: Rock of Ages and Mortal Coils that I follow.”

Bernatovech is also quite happy with his decision to publish Sentinels in the trade paperback format, “It’s turned out to be one of the best decision I've made. Readers have been telling us how much they love getting a complete story all at once and the price is better for their budget. People feel like they're getting a deal with what is equal to more than eight issues of a regular comic for $14.95.”

The next chapter of Sentinels will hit stands this summer with the third book titled “Echoes.” The book jumps forward a full year and the Sentinels find themselves with a new team leader, further developed relationships, and storylines played out that were only hinted at in the first two books. “I think this will probably be the most important book in the Sentinels story, because we also reveal a lot of secrets,” said Bernatovech. “It's all leading up to the finale in Book 4.”

The book will also mark the reappearance of Sentinels character Gospel, who disappeared in Book 1. “Some people were disappointed that she wasn't in Book 2 and all I can say is she is featured a lot in Book 3. That's been the plan all along and I can't wait to hear the reaction to her return. When people see Luciano's new designs for her, they're going to flip!”

As Bernatovech enthused, Sentinels is greatly helped by the fresh, clean art of Argentinean artist Luciano Vecchio. The combination of Vecchio’s solid artwork, an American style with Mangaish flair, with Bernatovech’s writing fully brings Sentinels to life. The graphic novels also take full advantage of Bernatovech’s relationship to comic legend George Perez, whose pinups of the Sentinels characters also grace the back pages of the book.

Those who decide to indulge themselves with Bernatovech’s indy superhero drama will be thrown headfirst into a battle that feels as if it will never be won. The reader watches as the teenage Sentinels go into fight after fight they will never win or possibly even survive. This gives Sentinels what nearly every other superhero book out there can often skimp on: substance. While independent superhero books might be rare in this market, it truly is a delight to read the continuing adventures of this young superhero team that aren’t icons, that aren’t properties, that don’t have to survive to maintain the publisher’s vast library of exploitable propert…er, characters. The promise of the surprise is there, the future of the Sentinels is unknown, and as Bernatovech’s work attests, that alone is perhaps one of the most valuable tools a creator can have in their toolbox.

“With younger heroes you have a much bigger window. You can give them choices and see where the decisions they make change them. You get to watch them grow. If I was writing about an older team, I think things would be much smoother,” said Bernatovech. “For now, I wanted to focus on a team that doesn't always know what to do and has to make decisions based on the moment rather then experience. Plus, Luciano and I are having way too much fun doing it!”

Readers can learn more about the Sentinels at: http://www.sentinelsonline.com .

[The_Adventurer]

Oh man..... WANT!

That looks great, I'm ordering this first chance I have.



I've been in love with the OGN format for a while thanks to companies like Image and DC, and having an ongoing release in that format is something to look forward too. The Previews on the Sentinels website make this book out to be right up the ally of alot of Superhero fans.

[bob_at_york]

Looks cool, I will look for it at the store today.

[Mandike320]

hey just quick fyi, the first trade is half price on Mile High, i think im ordering mine today

[Meteoro7]

Looks pretty cool and I was to mention the offer at Mile High Comics as well

Anyway, I may have skipped it when reading the arcticle, but is it black & white or full color?

M

[n8twing]

It's black and white interiors.

It's a great read! I first came across SENTINELS in April and quite quickly devoured it. The Original Graphic Novel format works VERY well. The 'turn-off' for me with indy books is that you can get into the story, and the creators later can't finish it - for either personal or financial reasons...

With the large cast, the OGN format works as well... it took me about 3 chapters [or issues] to get a feel for the charcters.... then I was hooked in.

But with the OGN format, you get 8 issues at once... which is great. And at the price, it's less than $2 an issue... how can you beat that? Also, there's some original Sentinels art by George Perez in the first collection.

Anyways, if you guys like stuff like [I'm going to date myself here...] Elemenrals, Southern Knights, New Warriors or Teen Titans... you may like this. And the overall major story will be finished in 4 OGNs. Then it's a whole new direction...!

And have you guys seen Luciano's art?? That alone is worth getting the book for-- seriously check this one out--!

[Egg]

Looks good! I ordered it from Mile High... hopefully it'll still be in stock! (Thanks for the tip!)

Sincerely,

Egg
Editor - www.ArcanaStudio.com
Writer - www.KamenComic.com

[TheScantronman]

Well onemoment should be happy since it's a "bookshelf" and not "chapbook." It looks "spandex" though so he might not go for it.

[Mike S Miller]

I hope it does well, it's a tough row to hoe going up against the other superhero books out there, but I wish them the best of luck!

[RichVStone]

I'm a friend and fan of Rich's and I have to say they do great work. These books are sorta nostalgic yet fresh at the same time. Very good reads and I highly recommend them.

RichVStone

[ealham]

Anyone got the dimond codes or ISBN no for these books?

[Ricber]

Thanks for all the kind postings. Sentinels has been a dream project to work on and taking the self-publish road has been hard, but still very exciting.
For those of you still curious about the book, please check out the website. There is a lot of stuff on there including an animated trailer for book 1 and comments from other readers.
And Ealham, you can order through the website, through many online comic stores and through Diamond.
The Diamond info is:
For Book 1: Footsteps, the item number is OCT032388.
For Book 2: Masks, the item number is JUN042451.

Thanks again for all the support!!!
Happy New Year to everyone.
-Rich Bernatovech

[Nicholas Yutko]

I must say I'm impressed. We just started carrying these books at Dreamscape Comics here in Bethlehem, and it is a very professional looking package. Good art and a pretty hefty size for your buck. Definitely something we'll keep in stock.

Nicholas Yutko
Dreamscape Comics
302 W. Broad Street
Bethlehem, PA 18018
(610) 867-1178

[mrhelm]

Looks like a good read, and healthy comparisons to Claremont's original Uncanny run and New Teen Titans always catch my attention.

[Victoronehalf]

Dissent: Randy Lander really did not like the book.

[CaptainTemerity]

Originally posted by Ricber
Thanks for all the kind postings. Sentinels has been a dream project to work on and taking the self-publish road has been hard, but still very exciting.
For those of you still curious about the book, please check out the website. There is a lot of stuff on there including an animated trailer for book 1 and comments from other readers.
And Ealham, you can order through the website, through many online comic stores and through Diamond.
The Diamond info is:
For Book 1: Footsteps, the item number is OCT032388.
For Book 2: Masks, the item number is JUN042451.

Thanks again for all the support!!!
Happy New Year to everyone.
-Rich Bernatovech

I have to say, I really admire the way you're trying to support the local retailer by putting the Diamond Codes up, and using the 888-Comic-Book number on your site. I personally prefer to buy as much as I can through my local shop exclusively, so this means a lot to me.

The book does look really good. Yeah, you can see some of the rough edges, much like any self-published title still getting its start, but there's also a lot of good stuff, it looks like.

I just emailed my retailer. If she can get a copy from Diamond, I'm buying.

Thanks again.

[Ricber]

Originally posted by Victoronehalf
Dissent: Randy Lander really did not like the book.

Yeah, Victoronehalf, but in reviews byArune Singh and James Sime from Comic Book Resources both liked the books. And in one of the two features Arune has done on Sentinels, I mention that we got a bad review from Randy. I agreed with some of what he said. Other parts I disagreed strongly. So, take what you want from that.
All I can say is that everyone has different tastes. And if you read Randy's review and compare it to the other reviews and feedback we've gotten, I think you will see he is in the minority.
-Rich B.

[Zadillo]

Originally posted by Victoronehalf
Dissent: Randy Lander really did not like the book.

Actually, when you really look at what he says about it, I don't think it's even THAT negative. Seems like he just doesn't personally care for some of the "old school" or familiar elements of it, but that's just his personal opinion. I think this is just a case of where he just doesn't really like some of the stuff that's fundamental to the book, but other people do like it.

I think he gives a pretty good review all things considering (which is why he does give it a "neutral" rating, I think.

-Zadillo

[some_bloke]

Is this anything to do with The Space Sentinels?
I loved that cartoon!

[Neal Holman]

Bought the first book last night after reading this article and a few other reviews of it. All in all, it's a pretty fun read, (read it one sitting as a matter of fact.) Yeah, the dialogue-plot gets a little too exposition-ey at times, over explaining characters' origins or villains' plans, etc., however, it's a fun read and very much worth the price. Hopefully, I'll pick up the second volume sometime this week, keep up the good work,

-Neal Holman

[DreamchildNYC]

Rich and Luciano have created a top-notch book here. Especially if you're a fan of Wolfman/Perez Teen Titans, I really recommend this read. It's also my nomination for Best Graphic Album of Original work for the Harveys.

Congrats on this article, guys. It's about time people started noticing your book!

Philip Clark

[Victoronehalf]

Originally posted by Ricber
Yeah, Victoronehalf, but in reviews byArune Singh and James Sime from Comic Book Resources both liked the books. And in one of the two features Arune has done on Sentinels, I mention that we got a bad review from Randy. I agreed with some of what he said. Other parts I disagreed strongly. So, take what you want from that.
All I can say is that everyone has different tastes. And if you read Randy's review and compare it to the other reviews and feedback we've gotten, I think you will see he is in the minority.
-Rich B.

I'm not personally saying your book is bad, I've never read it. I just wanted to provide an alternate viewpoint.