#tales of asunda

[artverso]

Canaan White - Tales of Asunda 

[fantomcomics]

What’s Out This Week? 6/21

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY! 

Appare Ranman GN -  Appearacing & Antonsiku

The time is the 19th century. Eccentric mechanic boy Appare Sorano sets off on an adventure along with his samurai minder, Kosame Isshiki, only to be cast adrift on the Pacific Ocean. A passing steamship rescues them...and delivers the two not back to familiar Japan, but to the far-flung land of America! Trapped in Los Angeles with no easy way to return home, the pair decide to enter the world's first trans-American automobile race. However, with vast sums hinging on the dangerous event's outcome, they may find the odds are stacked against them...

Bloodborne: The Lady Of The Lanterns GN -  Cullen Bunn & Piotr Kowalski

Enter the city of Yharnam through the eyes of its citizens, when new hunters take to the streets to fight against the cruel and unusual epidemic that has gripped the city. In the black of the night, families and faith will be tested...

Bloody Sweet GN Vol 1 - NaRae Lee

One eerie night, in an old, abandoned church, a girl accidentally breaks the seal of an ancient vampire who...starts following her around like a hyper little puppy!  It may not be your typical vampire story, but for Naerim, a victim of school bullying, Vlad's manic energy might be just what she needs to regain her smile!

Bone Orchard: Tenement #1 (of 10) -  Jeff Lemire, Andrea Sorrentino, & Dave Stewart 

From the Eisner-winning creative team behind GIDEON FALLS, PRIMORDIAL, and TEN THOUSAND BLACK FEATHERS comes the biggest and most essential project yet in the bold and ambitious new shared horror universe of THE BONE ORCHARD MYTHOS!!! In this extra-length first issue, JEFF LEMIRE & ANDREA SORRENTINO bring you the story of seven residents in a building and the dark secrets that bind them together...beginning with a death that feels much more sinister than natural. TENEMENT is the newest entry into THE BONE ORCHARD MYTHOS from LEMIRE & SORRENTINO. This universe features self-contained graphic novels and limited series about the horrors waiting to be discovered within the Bone Orchard.  

Chilling Adventures Presents: Camp Pickens One-Shot - Tim Seeley, Mike Norton & Matt Talbot

Camp Pickens has always been the go-to summer destination for the younger residents of Riverdale. It's a rite of passage for the teen residents to hold the coveted camp counselor positions. However, Camp Pickens mysterious past shrouds a deep, dark secret: it's cursed, and this summer all of its campers are going to find out the hard way in this one-shot anthology that's equal parts Sleepaway Camp and American Horror Story: 1984, reuniting the team behind the mega-hit comic series Revival.

Cryptid Kids GN Vol 1 -  Sara Goetter & Natalie Riess

Penny swears that when she was a little girl, a creature called the Bawk-ness Monster-half sea-serpent, half chicken-saved her from drowning. Now, years later, she's about to move away to a new city, and before she goes she needs the help of her best friends, Luc and K, for a vitally important mission: to help her see "Bessie" one more time and prove that what happened was real. But in their quest to find Bessie, the kids stumble into a whole new problem-cryptids are being kidnapped by an evil collector, and only Penny, Luc, and K can save them!

Essence: Being A Muse GN Vol 1 -  Aya Fumio

“Somebody fill my emptiness!”  The day I was rejected from art school, everything that was "special" about me died. That's why I have no choice. Since I'm back to being "ordinary," I'll go to the job my mom decided on while wearing the clothes my mom picked for me so that I can find what my mom calls "happiness" alongside somebody my mom can boast about, trapped in a never-ending cycle of "What if?" and "Too bad" all the while.

Freak Buck HC 

In editor Alexi Zeren's words, Freak Buck is a prison for the monsters we build every day, and the book covers are the cell walls. It features new and cutting-edge work from Marti (La Vibora, The Cabbie), Igor Hofbauer, Abraham Diaz, Gunnar Lundkvist, Josh Simmons, Josh Bayer, Alexis Rose, Jasper Jubenvill, Longmont Potion Castle, Emily V Brown, Dylan Languell, Heather Bryant, and many more. A beautifully designed, limited run, cutting-edge anthology that showcases both established indie artists and previously unpublished cartoonists.

Garvey’s Choice GN -  Nikki Grimes & Theodore Taylor lll

Garvey's father has always wanted Garvey to be athletic, but Garvey is interested in astronomy, science fiction, reading-anything but sports. Feeling like a failure, he comforts himself with food. Garvey is kind, funny, smart, a loyal friend, and he is also overweight, teased by bullies, and lonely. When his only friend encourages him to join the school chorus, Garvey discovers his voice-and himself. He also finds a way to finally reach his distant father-by speaking the language of music.

Gospel GN  -  Will Morris & Ver

When opportunity refuses to knock for restless hero Matilde, the devil comes knocking instead. Thrust into action by the hellish arrival, Matilde and storyteller Pitt will quest for renown, the soul of their community, and answers to the toughest question of all: "Who am I?" Inspired by the work of Hayao Miyazaki and set in the chaos of King Henry VIII's reign, GOSPEL is a thrilling fantasy adventure that explores the truth behind the stories we tell.

Honeycomb GN -  Joanne M Harris & Charles Vess

A lushly illustrated set of dark, captivating fairy tales from the bestselling author of The Gospel of Loki with the illustrator of Stardust, Charles Vess. The beauty of stories; you never know where they will take you. Full of dreams and nightmares, Honeycomb is an entrancing mosaic novel of original fairy tales from bestselling author Joanne M. Harris and legendary artist Charles Vess in a collaboration that's been years in the making. The toymaker who wants to create the perfect wife; the princess whose heart is won by words, not actions; the tiny dog whose confidence far outweighs his size; and the sinister Lacewing King who rules over the Silken Folk. These are just a few of the weird and wonderful creatures who populate Joanne Harris's first collection of fairy tales.

Misen En Place One Shot -  Matt Carr, Lane Lloyd & Nicole Goux

After consuming every animal on Earth, humanity turns to the stars, enslaving, butchering and consuming creatures from across the galaxy. But now the food is fighting back - in spectacularly gory fashion! Tuck in your napkin for this messy, pulpy, over-the-top tale of bloody revenge. Dinner is served!

Out There GN -  Seaerra Miller

Julia didn't always believe in aliens. It was her father who convinced her otherwise. You see-Julia's dad believes he was abducted by aliens. And ever since then, he's been obsessed with the extraterrestrial beings living out there. So when a festival commemorating the 75th anniversary of the infamous UFO crash in New Mexico rolls around, Julia turns down a dream vacation to Hawaii with her best friend, Sara, to join her dad for a weekend trip to Roswell, where he expects the aliens to make contact. But amid the alien-themed goofiness of the festival, Julia finds she isn't sure whether her father really did get abducted. His memories of alien interference are starting to sound increasingly shaky, and with them, her faith in him. Will this weekend bring the two closer together or only drive them apart?

Scribbles HC Vol 1 -  Kaoru Mori

A collection of sketches from Kaoru Mori, the creator of hit historical manga Emma and A Bride's Story! Packed with illustrations done for practice as well as for relaxation, this compilation features commentary on every page as the roots of all her work are laid out.  

Stringer HC -  Patrick Kindlon & Paul Tucker

1983. Tournament tennis. A racquet stringer turned small-time drug dealer gets in over his head transporting a gym bag of cocaine across Europe. Carrying a half million in narcotics puts him on the radar of every dangerous man on the continent. Whoops.

Tales Of Asunda #1 -  Sebastian A. Jones, Julio Brilha & Caanan White

The first kill is always the hardest, especially when you are destined to save the world... or damn it. The Stranger has taught Niobe how to fight, but can she take a life? From the pages of The Untamed comes the first Tale in this anthology series about the world of Asunda.

Tales Of Syzpense #1 -  Chris Ryall, Ashley Wood & Nelson Daniel  The split book revival is underway at Syzygy! Every month, TALES OF SYZPENSE presents two titanic 12-page tales of terror and turmoil! Up first, courtesy of Lore co-creators T.P. LOUISE & ASHLEY WOOD, the lead-off mystery of "Les Mort 13" plays out on the surreal and mysterious island of Southport after a run-in with Eris, the goddess of strife... And then, proof that "power is wasted on the young"! CHRIS RYALL & NELSON DANIEL present "Dreamweaver," the story of an aging adventurer with a mystical secret who looks to pass on his abilities to the next generation of hero...until they have much greater success than he did, and he decides he wants those abilities back at any cost. Each issue features two "Les Mort 13" covers by WOOD, a "Dreamweaver" cover by DANIEL, and a Syzpenseful tribute cover to famous split books of the past.

Until I Love Myself GN Vol 1 -  Poppy Pesuyama

Still reeling from being born into a body they hate, Pesuyama confronts their past, their friends, and even their mother as they try to come to terms with who they are and what they experienced.

Vern, Custodian Of The Universe GN -  Tyrell Waiters

On the edge of burnout, Vern decides to return to his family in the Sunshine State to start over. Starting a new dead-end job as a custodian at Quasar-a local science facility with a shady motive-he shrugs on his uniform, grabs a mop and bucket, and trudges off to clean up... Black holes? Space-time anomalies? Galactic ooze? Things aren't entirely what they seem at Quasar, and when Vern accidentally plugs in a mysterious machine and finds himself standing on the brink of the destruction of every planet in the Multiverse, he's presented with the greatest question of all: what is the point? Fans of Ben Passmore's personal and political comics-as well as classic sci-fi comedies like Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure and Rick and Morty-will enjoy this world of hyper fantasy with a touch of humor, as told by a Black creator.

Victory #1 -  David Walker, Brett Weldele & Dave Johnson

From Vampirella's fiftieth anniversary to her very own series! She started as Vampirella's lover and ended up a very powerful pawn of Vampi's mother, Lilith. Along the way, Victory's made new friends, seen countless horrors, been saddled with a demon's ring that she can't get rid of, encountered the ghost of an old friend, and opened too many dimensional gateways to count. Despite that, there's so much that we don't know about Victory, like what her childhood was like. Or what she's been doing with her demon ring and the crazy powers it has granted. Or which old - well, foe wouldn't exactly be the right word - is about to show up to cheer her on. From writer David F. Walker (Compass, Young Justice, Naomi) and artist Brett Weldele (The Beauty, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?).

Voyagis TP -  Sumeyye Kesgin & Ellie Wright 

In her comics writing debut, ELSEWHERE artist SUMEYYE KESGIN asks: What if one of the VOYAGER probes reached an uninhabitable planet laid to waste by a wandering black hole? With her people's resources dwindling under the thumb of a relentless tyrant, Sen, a resident of the ailing planet Modia, will find adventure, friendship-and possibly salvation-in an unexpected relic from an alien planet called Earth.

Wild’s End #1 -  Dan Abnett & I.N.J. Culbard

Journey to alien-occupied interwar England, courtesy of the award-winning creative team of Dan Abnett (Warhammer 40K, Immortal Red Sonja) & I.N.J. Culbard (Salamandre, Tales From The Umbrella Academy), with Nik Abnett providing additional material! Out at sea during the invasion, our intimate crew of unlucky voyagers returns to a world they once knew, their once-cozy seaside home now occupied by alien invaders.

Combining a rich cast of anthropomorphized characters in the tradition of Blacksad and  aliens unlike any you've ever seen in the spirit of War of the Worlds meets Wind in the Willows! Wild's End is a world unlike any other... one you won't want to leave.

Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop GN Vol 1 -  Imo Oono

"Smile" is a popular streamer who's self-conscious about her looks. "Cherry" is a shy boy with a love of haiku. When these two strangers accidentally bump into each other at the local mall, it's the start of a new relationship weaved by their modern and classical expressions of their feelings. Based on the gorgeous animated film!  

You’re Thinking About Tomatoes GN  -  Michael Rosen & Cole Henley

The fan-favorite story from celebrated author and former British Children's Laureate Michael Rosen, now in graphic novel form. Frank isn't doing well at school, and he has just been told off by his head teacher again... He has one last chance to prove himself: all he has to do is follow the rules on his class trip to Chiltern House, complete his worksheet, and stay out of trouble. But when a girl steps out of a painting and steals Frank's worksheet, staying out of trouble is easier said than done. Together, they embark on a perilous adventure to discover the girl's lost identity, uniting with new friends along the way who show Frank all is not as it seems in this stately home. How did the owners of Chiltern House come to own its priceless treasures? Can the secrets of the past ever really stay hidden? Will Frank's head teacher stop him and his new friends before they find out the truth? Frank's class trip is more than he bargained for, but it may just hold the greatest lesson he'll ever learn.

Whatcha grabbing this week, Fantom Fam??

[graphicpolicy]

Thuso Mbedu and Sebastian A. Jones team for Niobe: She Tribe

Thuso Mbedu and Sebastian A. Jones team for Niobe: She Tribe #comics #comicbooks

Thuso Mbedu will author a one-shot comic titled Niobe: She Tribe along with Stranger Comics’ president Sebastian A. Jones. It will be part of Stranger’s “Tales of Asunda” series and will feature Niobe, the franchise’s star character, who was first introduced in The Untamed: A Sinner’s Prayer. Mbedu and Jones will work together in writing the Comic, set for release in spring of 2023. Stranger…

[cybercitycomix]

Top New Misc Comic Releases for the Week of June 21st, 2023.

Bone Orchard: Tenement #1,

Chilling Adventures: Camp Pickens #1,

Disney Villains: Scar #3,

Josif 1957 #1,

Myths & Legends Quarterly Dagon #1,

Razor’s Edge #1,

Tales of Asunda #1,

Tales of Syzpense #1,

Victory #1 +

Wild’s End #1.

[thebookrat]

Since I featured some of my absolute fave comics featuring strong, complex, interesting female characters yesterday — a post with plenty of covers to swoon over — for today's Cover Love post, I thought we'd take a look at a couple of my favorites that I haven't read. So, disclaimer: these seem to have strong, complex, interesting female characters, too, but as I haven't read them yet... your guess is as good as mine.

I have to confess, I actually have a read a tiny bit of this one. But I got distracted by something else, let it expire on Hoopla, and never circled back to give it another try. But this vibrant neon cover catches my eye EVERY TIME I browse the comics section...

From BRIAN K. VAUGHAN, #1 New York Times bestselling writer of SAGA and THE PRIVATE EYE, and CLIFF CHIANG, legendary artist of Wonder Woman, comes the first volume of an all-new ongoing adventure. In the early hours after Halloween of 1988, four 12-year-old newspaper delivery girls uncover the most important story of all time. Suburban drama and otherworldly mysteries collide in this smash-hit series about nostalgia, first jobs, and the last days of childhood. Collects PAPER GIRLS #1-5.

HOW HAVEN'T I READ THIS YET?

Lunella Lafayette is a preteen genius who wants to change the world, but lives in fear of the Inhuman genes inside her! Now, Lunella's life is turned upside down when a red-scaled beast is teleported from the prehistoric past to a far-flung future we call...today! Together they're the most Marvelous Team-Up of all — Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur! But will they be BFFs forever, or just until DD's dinner time? And Lunella soon learns that there are other problems with having a titanic T-Rex as a pet in the modern-day Marvel Universe. School, for one. Monster hunters are another — especially when they're the Totally Awesome Hulk! Then there's the fact that everyone's favorite dino didn't journey through time alone. Beware the prehistoric savages known as the Killer-Folk — New York City's deadliest tourists!

Welp. I think this will be in the next batch of comics I read on Hoopla.

Barbara Thorson, a girl battling monsters both real and imagined, kicks butt, takes names, and faces her greatest fear in this bittersweet, coming-of-age story called "Best Indy Book of 2008" by IGN

I've heard such mixed things on this series that I haven't picked it up yet, but basically, every cover, and every variation of every cover, is just gorgeous.

The Wicked + the Divine follows a young teenage girl, Laura, as she interacts with the Pantheon, a group of twelve people who discover that they are reincarnated deities. This discovery grants them fame and supernatural powers, with the stipulation that they will die within two years – part of a ninety-year cycle known as the Recurrence.

Okay, it seems more than a little self-indulgent to have yourself as the cover illustration (and I'm assuming, main character?) in a comic you helped co-write, so I see you, Amandla Stenberg. But the cover did catch my eye, and the interior art looks very dreamy and inviting.

“What becomes of the child who has lost her spirit?” NIOBE: She is Life is a coming of age tale of love, betrayal, and ultimate sacrifice. Niobe Ayutami is an orphaned wild elf teenager and also the would-be savior of the vast and volatile fantasy world of Asunda. She is running from a past where the Devil himself would see her damned… toward an epic future that patiently waits for her to bind nations against the hordes of hell. The weight of prophecy is heavy upon her shoulders and the wolf is close on her heels.

Honorable Mention:

This one is less a cover-love (I mean, the cover's fine, but not necessarily a stand out), but this is definitely a synopsis love: I. Am. Intrigued.

When all the men in Mancastle get eaten by a dragon, the women take over! Now the blacksmith’s wife Merinor is King, Princess Aeve is the Captain, and the only remaining (and least capable) knight Sir Riddick is tasked with teaching the ladies of the castle how to defend against all manner of monsters! Novelist Delilah S. Dawson (Star Wars: The Perfect Weapon, As Wicked as She Wants, Wake of Vultures) brings her first original series to comics, and is joined by breakthrough illustrators Ashley A. Woods (Niobe: She Is Life) and Becca Farrow for a rollicking fantasy adventure featuring women reclaiming their lives on their terms. Collects issues the complete limited series.

Let me know your thoughts on these covers, and any comics and graphic novels that have caught YOUR eye, based on cover alone, in the comments! And make sure to check out the rest of the girl power comics-inspired posts that have gone up this week! via The Book Rat

[iamghostwriter]

@strangercomics with more 🔥🔥🔥👊🏽💥🙏🏽 ・・・ "We can no longer be idle while the Devil plays God." Excerpt from #NIOBE #SheisDeath #4 and collection 🧝🏾‍♀️ Swipe to see The Untamed has always had a HAND in our tales. 🔥 LINK IN BIO 🔥 Niobe & Untamed Tale: @sebastian.a.jones Niobe & The Untamed layout: @darrellmayart Niobe art: @sheldon_mitchell. Colors: Blond The Untamed art: @bergting #strangercomics #theuntamed #niobe #asunda #representationmatters #checkcheckcheckitout #spiritualnapalm #panelalchemist #panelscientifix #madscientifix #readmorecomics #readmore #supportindiecomics #supportindiecreators #supportlocalartists #supportindieauthors #createimproverepeat #igcomicfamily #igcomicbookfamily #igcomics https://www.instagram.com/p/CGEmVlfhTb2/?igshid=1qzfgrwwaqm08

[richincolor]

Comic Review: Niobe: She is Life

Title: Niobe: She is Life Author: Amandla Stenberg, Sebastian A. Jones, Art by Ashley A. Woods Genres:  Comic Book, Fantasy Pages: 35 pages each Publisher: Stranger Comics Review Copy: Purchased Availability: Available Now

Summary: “What becomes of the child who has lost her spirit?”

NIOBE: She is Life is a coming of age tale of love, betrayal, and ultimate sacrifice. Niobe Ayutami is an orphaned wild elf teenager and also the would-be savior of the vast and volatile fantasy world of Asunda. She is running from a past where the Devil himself would see her damned… toward an epic future that patiently waits for her to bind nations against the hordes of hell. The weight of prophecy is heavy upon her shoulders and the wolf is close on her heels.

Review: Before I get into my review, I have to say that the Niobe: She is Life series is the first ever comic book I have ever purchased. I’ve read graphic novel adaptations of books, but never a comic book series and I was unsure of what to expect. That being said, I wonder if some of my feeling of “incompleteness” has to do with the storytelling structure of comics, or with the series itself. Therefore, I’m glad that I chose to buy the entire 4 book series instead of just the first issue, as I got a deeper understanding of the story with each subsequent issue.

Niobe: She is Life drops the reader in the middle of the story as Niobe is literally running for her life. We gather that she’s running away from her father, and that she wants to kill him, but we don’t know why. Intriguing way to start a story, definitely, with the hope that the rest of the series will fill in the blanks. It somewhat does, but also introduces some ideas that make the story a bit confusing. The comic takes place in a fantasy world called Asunda that is filled with all sorts of different humanoid species such as elves, dwarfs, orcs, mythological beings, and gods and goddesses. I was unsure how all the beings related to each other in the world as there was clearly tension between the young men of the monastery that Niobe finds herself in, however the series did hint at some war between the Orcs and the Elves that I wasn’t too sure was over or was still being fought, and this monastery was some sort of oasis for young people without a home. I feel like I would have love to receive a bit more world-building to the series to fully understand the mythology of the world, the different civilizations/peoples that exist in the world and how they all coexist amongst each other. Niobe is often called “She tribe” and aside from her being a young woman, I wasn’t exactly too sure why the young men called her that. Is that how all Elvish young women are called? Small details such as that, which I can understand might be hard to do in a comic series, would have helped with my enjoyment of the series. All of that said, I still did enjoy the series. The writing and storytelling got stronger with each subsequent issue and by the end I was truly rooting for Niobe.

Niobe is a quiet, but headstrong character who is discovering who she really is and what role she plays in the world. Because of her lineage, she is half-Elvish half something to be determined, she hated but at the same time feared. She is willing to stand up for what is right and is a fierce warrior. When Niobe finally accepts her destiny and gives in to her power, it is truly a great moment with a wonderful unexpected twist that I as totally here for. I loved seeing the main character, a woman of color, fully become and own being the hero to save the day. She is a character that fantasy comics so desperately needed so I’m glad that Stranger Comics decided to publish this series.

Lastly, I must mention the artwork..it is absolutely stunning. The colors are bright and rich which visually brings the world of Asunda to life. Not only is Niobe an intriguing story, the series is also a work of art. Ashley A Woods whose depictions of all the different types of people, their costumes, the animals, the deities, etc, are so detailed and beautiful that it makes the world very real. Woods artwork gives Asunda a mystical quality, almost, as there are many scenes where her brush strokes makes the reader feel as if we are looking at an old world before time.

Recommendation: Overall I enjoyed the series and am looking forward to the sequel that is to come. I will definitely by the next series. And if you want to support WofC authors and artists creating powerful heroines, then go out and buy this comic (buy all 4 issues!)

[books-for-when-rainbow-is-enuf]

Diverse Books I’ve Read & Want to Read

^I read Brown Girl Dreaming last spring (2016) for a 400 level Comm class. I was sort of skeptical at first for reasons I don’t understand. I never really warmed to prose poetry books/novels as a kid and that hadn’t really changed in adulthood despite loving prose poetry and novels (?!). We spent two or three weeks with the book and I was so amazed at the nuances my classmates noticed and the way my professor wove them into our conversation. This is a beautiful memoir that I would definitely recommend to middle readers. I had the opportunity to hear Woodson speak about this and her most recent book at Amherst college several weeks ago, and she reminded and reaffirmed for me the elements I had enjoyed about Brown Girl Dreaming. 

^ This book is on my to-read list primarily because Amandla Stenberg stars in the upcoming film adaption (and I love Amandla Stenberg). This book is written by an woman of color and is about a teenager who, due to a medical condition, cannot leave her house. And then one day she meets the boy next door.

Speaking of Amandla Stenberg, I’ve also been meaning for quite some time to get my hands on a copy of the comic series she co-wrote, Niobe: She is Life. I did not read any comic books growing up, and have only recently wandered into graphic novels. The description (my own paraphrase wouldn’t do it justice, I’m sure): “NIOBE: She is Life is a coming of age tale of love, betrayal, and ultimate sacrifice. Niobe Ayutami is an orphaned wild elf teenager and also the would-be savior of the vast and volatile fantasy world of Asunda. She is running from a past where the Devil himself would see her damned… toward an epic future that patiently waits for her to bind nations against the hordes of hell. The weight of prophecy is heavy upon her shoulders and the wolf is close on her heels.”

^ I read Chains many years ago, right after it came out. The library copy was hardcover and I was probably twelve or thirteen. I had already read Halse Anderson’s other well-known titles, Speak and Fever 1793, and I really liked her writing style. I grew more and more excited reading this book, as the heroine was not only a brown girl, not just a servant, but she becomes a spy. The heroine moves in a very different way than I was accustomed from the passive role to one of subversive agency. I really need to read the rest of this trilogy.

[nerdgirlofficial]

The Untamed: A Sinner's Prayer (Graphic Novel) Released November 4, 2015 by Sebastian A. Jones 5 Stars Adult Content #Amazon buy link: http://amzn.to/2mXo1so NerdGirlOfficial link: http://wp.me/p3HVmR-dtC Book Synopsis: Seven Days for Seven Souls... "I was given a second chance in death. Vengeance was offered and I was quick to accept." A cloaked Stranger slips into the rustic Town of Oasis, changing things forever. Ten years it has been since he ran this town with malice and harshness. Even then, there was hope for his soul. His wife and daughter were on the verge of turning him from wickedness. But they were murdered, and so was he. Now he has returned, hell-bent on killing. "THE UNTAMED promises to be an epic tale, conceived and crafted not only with a great love of comics, but also a profound understanding of the power of visionary storytelling." - CLIVE BARKER (Hellraiser) "Sebastian A. Jones is like the Robert E. Howard of our generation. THE UNTAMED is like Solomon Kane mixed with Kill Bill, only shrouded with more mystery and twice the action." - CAMERON HATHEWAY (Bleeding Cool) "What's not to love about Jones and Bergting's The Untamed: it's a Sergio Leone, Frank Frazetta, William Blake fever dream mash-up. And that's just where it begins!" - LLOYD LEVIN (Watchmen, Hellboy, Boogie Nights) "Sebastian A. Jones' THE UNTAMED is what we fantasy fans have been starving for -- a completely original dark and gritty thriller set in a brutal world that delivers on all levels." - ANDREW COSBY (Co-Founder of BOOM! Studios, 2 Guns, Creator of Eureka) "A haunting revenge saga amongst the dunes of Asunda. Jones weaves grim poetry through the Stranger's bloody mission, elevating the simple tale to grave myth." - PAUL MONTGOMERY (iFanboy) "Peter's one of my favorite working artists today. Fluid storytelling with an eye for acting and mood." - RICK REMENDER (Fear Agent, Punisher) Hidden within the Desert of the Dying Tree lies a town run by ruthless killers, a growing cancer upon the vast and volatile fantasy world of Asunda. Some say it s a watering hole for the Devil. For one man, it s a second chance at revenge... and a last chance at redemption. Would you damn yourself to save the ones you love? The Untamed: A Sinner's Prayer is set in the dark fantasy world of Asunda. Asunda was created by Stranger Comics founder and president Sebastian A. Jones over a 20 year period. A true labor of love, Asunda is unlike any other fantasy setting in existence. Developed in coordination with Stranger s art director, anthropologist Darrell May, Asunda features an honest and oftentimes beautifully violent and savage approach to the medieval sword and sorcery genre, one where the world is exactly that... an entire world, filled with a variety of races which have evolved to suit their environment, not a decades old preconception of what elves and dwarves should be or how they should appear. If you like your fantasy with a touch of Sergio Leone, The Untamed is for you. If you think Clint Eastwood, Toshiro Mifune, or Richard Roundtree would have made bad ass elves, The Untamed is for you. If you want to see a wicked man return from the dead to choose between revenge and redemption... then The Untamed is definitely for you. ***** Gladys #XOXOtheNerdGirl ***** He was a man once alive with malice and hate. Running a town to ruin, but his loves almost cured him of his rage until they were all murdered. As the Devil's hand he returns for revenge and retribution but can his quest give him the salvation he needs. 7 Days. 7 Sinners. 7 ways to repent. During our "ghosts" quests he accomplishes much but meets a gentle quiet soul amidst the gritty grim of Asunda. Like his wife and daughter she is a flower among the fruitless dirty garden they called life. Will this dark fantasy tickle your fancy? Bring rage boiling to the crown of your head while raining down dark tears of angels? Questions can be answered if only you read it yourself. 5 stars and a tip of my Nerd Girl hat. Can't wait for more. *This review was written in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official.

[theimaginauts]

NIOBE & THE STRANGER

Art by JAE LEE

[artverso]

Tehani Farr - Tales of Asunda

[artverso]

Iga Oliwiak - Tales of Asunda 

[artverso]

Jae Lee - Tales of Asunda

[artverso]

David Mack - Tales of Asunda