Leroy Douresseaux on RYDER ON THE STORM #3

RYDER ON THE STORM #3

RADICAL PUBLISHING

 

WRITER: David Hine

ARTIST: Wayne Nichols and Hugo Petrus
COLORS: Feigan Chong and Sansan Saw of Sixth Creation
LETTERS: Richard Starkings and Comicraft’s Jimmy Betancourt
COVER: Francesco “Matt” Mattina
56pp, Color, $4.99 U.S.

Ryder on the Storm is a three-issue comic book miniseries from Radical Publishing. The concept rides several subgenres: supernatural-detective, horror fantasy, and action comic.

Written by David Hine and drawn by Wayne Nichols, the series focuses on Ryder, a private eye hired by a mysterious beauty to investigate the bizarre suicide of her lover. The crime is apparently tied to the Daemons, an ancient race that once ruled over the entire world, but now rules the city from behind the scenes and from beneath the streets.

As Ryder on the Storm #3 begins, the truth about the case that Ryder is investigating, the murder of Michael Hudson, is revealed. The number one suspect is Ryder’s client, Hudson’s lover, Katrina Petruska, and she has a gun pointed at Ryder. But the real action is yet to come. Ryder joins Charles Monk, the last Daemon hunter, in a final showdown with Rebecca Danton, the matriarch of the Dantons, a Daemon clan. Secrets, lies, and family ties are revealed.

Because of its smooth Film-Noir detective story and dark, urban fantasy vibe, Ryder on the Storm shocks with its sudden violent ending. As he did with FVZA: The Federal Vampire and Zombie Agency, writer David Hine delivers grit and edgy horror and slick action side by side. Hine can take a hokey concept and use his dark imagination to transform it into an inventive, engaging comic book.

However, in the praise department, I cannot short artist Wayne Nichols. Nichols is quickly becoming one of the best artists of horror comic books. Nichols visualizes all the aspects of Hine’s script through his art, while making Ryder on the Storm’s gross horror go down smoothly like an extra-creamy milkshake

A-

http://www.radicalpublishing.com/

Leroy Douresseaux on Ryder on the Storm #2

RYDER ON THE STORM #2

RADICAL PUBLISHING

 

WRITER: David Hine

ARTIST: Wayne Nichols
COLORS: Feigan Chong and Sansan Saw of Sixth Creation
LETTERS: Richard Starkings and Comicraft’s Jimmy Betancourt
COVER: Francesco “Matt” Mattina
56pp, Color, $4.99 U.S.

Before you read this review, let me offer this SPOILER ALERT: don’t read this if you have not read #1.

Ryder on the Storm is a supernatural-detective comic book from Radical Publishing. It blends elements and/or styles of Aliens, Blade Runner, Hellblazer, and Jim Butcher’s Harry Dresden.

Written by David Hine and drawn by Wayne Nichols, the series focuses on Ryder, a private eye hired by mysterious beauty Katrina Petruska to investigate the horrifically bizarre suicide of her lover, Michael Hudson. The crime is apparently tied to the Daemons, an ancient race that once ruled over the entire world.

As Ryder on the Storm #2 opens, Ryder is still dealing with the fact that he is a Daemon. The last Daemon hunter, Charles Monk tells him the history of the Daemon (the condensed version, of course). However, there are more secrets galore, as Ryder learns about the “Abaddon” and meets Rebecca Danton, who is not only the matriarch of the Daemon clan, the Dantons, but also so much more.

While I can describe Ryder on the Storm as many things, I can best describe it as good comics. Writer David Hine delivers something that is gritty and edge with gore, but is strangely smooth and silky. Hine weaves a good back story and lore for the narrative, but builds intensity and also anticipation for the horror that is coming.

Perhaps, artist Wayne Nichols is the one who provides the smooth. His clean drawing style and crystal clear storytelling reveals all the darkness Hine creates. The colors by Feigan Chong and Sansan Saw of Sixth Creation create the ambience of a storm quietly building – the calm before the sure-to-be-fun ending.

A-

http://www.radicalpublishing.com/

I Reads You Review: Ryder on the Storm #0

RYDER ON THE STORM No. 0

RADICAL PUBLISHING

WRITER: David Hine
ARTIST: Wayne Nichols
COLORS: Feigan Chong and Sansan Saw of Sixth Creation
LETTERS: Richard Starkings and Comicraft’s Jimmy Betancourt
COVER: Francesco “Matt” Mattina
16pp, Color, $1.00 U.S.

Ryder on the Storm is a supernatural-detective comic book from Radical Publishing. Written by David Hine and drawn by Wayne Nichols, the story focuses on Ryder. He is a private eye hired by mysterious beauty Katrina Petruska to investigate the horrifically bizarre suicide of her lover, Michael Hudson.

According to information provided by Radical, the case will lead Ryder to discovering that daemons walk among humanity. He will have to team up with the last daemon hunter, Charles Monk, to end the reign of ancient evil that rules over the city, while discovering terrifying truths about himself.

Ryder on the Storm #0 is a 16-page preview of the upcoming series, and there is just enough to remind the reader that the occult detective has been done to death. In fact, I can’t find anything in this preview to make me want to read more except…

I am a believer in David Hine, so I’m willing to read more before I get all judgmental. I do like the art by Wayne Nichols with colors by Feigan Chong and Sansan Saw of Sixth Creation. The art has a visual mode that is perfect for this occult detective tale and that would probably be perfect for DC Comics’ Hellblazer.