BEST SHOTS EXTRA: THE STRANDED #1

[MattBrady]

The Stranded #1
From: Virgin Comics
Written by: Mike Carey
Art By: Siddarth Kotian
Reviewed by Tim Janson

I sometimes find it difficult to review the first issue of a new comic, especially if it is a brand new title, as in the case of The Stranded #1, the first issue of the joint venture between Virgin Comics and the Sci Fi Channel. There’s only so much character and plot development you can do in a 24-page comic, while trying to hook the reader to come back for issue #2. Writer Mike Carey certainly didn’t try to take the easy road with The Stranded. It’s quite complex for a first issue although that’s just par for the course for Carey, the veteran writer of titles such as Hellblazer, Lucifer, and X-Men.

Seemingly ordinary people are being hunted down and killed by a mysterious man called Janus. We learn that he is hunting “sleepers”, alien beings living as normal humans, completely unaware of who and what they really are. The sleepers are under the care of Tamree, a beautiful woman, and presumably alien as well. Tamree has amazing powers but even she cannot know which sleeper is being targeted next by Janus. She seeks aid from Professor Zantee whose brain (or at least part of it) has been transplanted into a rat. Yes, it’s a talking rat but stay with me here, no matter how goofy that may sound. Tamree wants to contact the other “anchors” (i.e. protectors) like her, to warn them of the threat but, Zantee refuses, fearing she’ll only put them in greater danger.

Aliens…talking rats…killer robots…it’s all part of The Stranded and despite my attempts to summarize the plot without giving too much of it away, trust me what I say it’s not as crazy or as light as it may sound. This is Mike Carey, after all and there’s a dark undercurrent to the story. The Sleepers meet a grisly death at Janus’ hands. Carey has given readers a lot to digest in the first issue…Who are the Sleepers? Where do they come from? Why are they being hunted down and killed? Who is giving Janus his orders? And just what happens when a Sleeper awakes? It’s an interesting mix of sci-fi and super heroes but we can also suppose something even more sinister is going on as well…again, it is Mike Carey.

Siddarth Kotian has been one of Virgin’s primary artists ever since their line of comics first came out and his work is really outstanding. I loved his work on the recent one-shot horror title Eat the Dead, also from Virgin Comics. His art is tremendously refined and obviously influenced by traditional American comic book art. The book comes with two covers; one by Marc Silvestri and the one pictured here, a fantastic piece by Greg Horn, one of the best cover artists (hell, one of the best artists period) around today.

One thing about Virgin Comics so far is that their titles have been extremely diversified. They’re not trying to do the same old superhero stuff and I’ve enjoyed most of the titles I’ve read so far and you can now add The Stranded to that list.

[painters_eye]

I'd like to see the Silvestri cover though the obligatory cheesecake by Horn doesn't hurt the eyes. The idea sounds good and I agree that 24 pages is tough on anyone to develop a plot as well as hold the M-TV generation's nano-attention span.

[painters_eye]

[AlexLothos]

Sounds pretty cool. I'll give it a check out.

[adampasz]

The Horn cover was nice cheesecake, but seemed to have nothing to do with the comic. In fact, the comic didn't even have a character that looked like that!

[Colonsus]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

The book comes with two covers; one by Marc Silvestri and the one pictured here, a fantastic piece by Greg Horn, one of the best cover artists (hell, one of the best artists period) around today.

Uh, what?!?!?!? SERIOUSLY!?!??!?!!??!?! Greg Horn is... wow, I just have no words for this.

That said, this title does look interesting, and I'm looking forward to giving it a read!

[ArchonComics]

You had me at Carey.

[skl183]

I'd imagine this will be a popular title with the 7th Heaven and Charmed crowds...

[DeadTed]

I read the book when it came out two weeks ago. I will pick up issue #2 when it comes out, but don't if i will keep getting it after that.

[TheMadMonk]

I guess it is weird to defend a cover, BUT, to dismiss Horn's like has been commented is just wrong. How do we know it is not a character? She may be a future character. Still, even if she is random, her appearance is that of one of The Stranded. Does the distortion field around her not give the sense of radiating power? Upended pavement, broken fire hydrant, bending trees, all convey power of an unearthly nature.

She fits as well as the other cover. I guess that is Tamree in front on the Silvestri cover. Did not see her in that outfit. Those people behind her were in the book were they? See, one can nit pick apart both covers.

All that aside, great read and a nice hook at the end to get you wanting issue #2.

[AeroRep]

I am a big fan of Carey's Hellblazer and Wetworks runs, so I had to check this out. Unfortunately the first issue did not impress me and I doubt if I will continue getting it. The basic premise doesn't excite me and the first issue was more soap opera than sci-fi. I realize that first issues can be difficult but sometimes you have just that one comic to allure people to the title. Like most if not all writers that we may enjoy, everything they do isn't going to be golden.

[choclitthunder]

It's hard to understand how anyone in the business of critiquing art can have positive words for Greg Horn's material. And to say he's one of the best artists working? His work is not art, they are artistically hollow attempts at pandering to what is most wrong with comic book fandom. His covers are simply vehicles for showcasing the body of yet another computerized babe with no sign of authentic emotion. It's frustrating to continue to hope for comics to rise up as an artform when the fans continue to make popular such artists and Horn and Michael Turner and perpetuate the image of socially awkward males using comics for their masturbatory fantasies.

[Gladiator X]

Originally Posted by choclitthunder

It's hard to understand how anyone in the business of critiquing art can have positive words for Greg Horn's material. And to say he's one of the best artists working? His work is not art, they are artistically hollow attempts at pandering to what is most wrong with comic book fandom. His covers are simply vehicles for showcasing the body of yet another computerized babe with no sign of authentic emotion. It's frustrating to continue to hope for comics to rise up as an artform when the fans continue to make popular such artists and Horn and Michael Turner and perpetuate the image of socially awkward males using comics for their masturbatory fantasies.

For Pete's sake!

Get over yourself.

[EgoAlltrd]

Originally Posted by choclitthunder

It's hard to understand how anyone in the business of critiquing art can have positive words for Greg Horn's material. And to say he's one of the best artists working? His work is not art, they are artistically hollow attempts at pandering to what is most wrong with comic book fandom. His covers are simply vehicles for showcasing the body of yet another computerized babe with no sign of authentic emotion. It's frustrating to continue to hope for comics to rise up as an artform when the fans continue to make popular such artists and Horn and Michael Turner and perpetuate the image of socially awkward males using comics for their masturbatory fantasies.

Bravo, sir.
There is much truth in your sentiments. Though such thoughts will not make you popular. No one wants to hear about how we all let studios manipulate us through our basic human instincts. Well here's one more person that WON'T buy a book that tries to give me a handjob. What am I, thirteen!?!

AE.

[President Kang]

choclitthunder hates boobies!

[BATFAN]

Originally Posted by choclitthunder

It's hard to understand how anyone in the business of critiquing art can have positive words for Greg Horn's material. And to say he's one of the best artists working? His work is not art, they are artistically hollow attempts at pandering to what is most wrong with comic book fandom. His covers are simply vehicles for showcasing the body of yet another computerized babe with no sign of authentic emotion. It's frustrating to continue to hope for comics to rise up as an artform when the fans continue to make popular such artists and Horn and Michael Turner and perpetuate the image of socially awkward males using comics for their masturbatory fantasies.

Do you feel the same about his non-comic book art?

[Spy_Smasher]

As usual, Horn has turned the dial up to "skank."

[jmringuet]

Originally Posted by Spy_Smasher

As usual, Horn has turned the dial up to "skank."

Hahaha awesome.

[Spikeman]

Greg Horn counldn't forehorten a girls legs or anything if his life depended on it he's a hack that was promoted by Wizard Magazine.

[TheMadMonk]

I thought this was about the comic "The Stranded" and not one part of a double cover? We get that some of you do not like Horn. Did you read this book or are you just running over here to bash an artist?

Get some wood........build you a bridge........AND GET OVER IT!

Personally, I looked at both covers and thought the Silvestri cover was kinda ugly and looked like Top Cow when I was buying Virgin/SciFi. To each there own.

[choclitthunder]

Originally Posted by TheMadMonk

I thought this was about the comic "The Stranded" and not one part of a double cover? We get that some of you do not like Horn. Did you read this book or are you just running over here to bash an artist?

Get some wood........build you a bridge........AND GET OVER IT!

Personally, I looked at both covers and thought the Silvestri cover was kinda ugly and looked like Top Cow when I was buying Virgin/SciFi. To each there own.

It's legitimate to discuss what is

A) the cover to the comic in question
B) the only image included in this discussion of a visual medium
C) something discussed during the review with a bold statement - "...the one pictured here, a fantastic piece by Greg Horn, one of the best cover artists (hell, one of the best artists period) around today."


But if it makes you feel better, I don't enjoy Silvestri's work either.

[softparade]

I think it's a solid first issue - what about thoughts on Siddharth Kottian's art?

[Scavenger]

Originally Posted by softparade

I think it's a solid first issue - what about thoughts on Siddharth Kottian's art?

Could someone post samples?

[softparade]

Here is chapter 1 from their website - single panel views

http://www.virgincomics.com/stranded.html