Review: THE EMPTY #1

THE EMPTY No. 1
IMAGE COMICS/Shadowline – @ImageComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

CARTOONIST: Jimmie Robinson
COLORS: Jimmie Robinson
LETTERS: Jimmie Robinson
28pp, Colors, $3.50 U.S. (February 2015)

Rated “T/Teen”

The Empty is a miniseries created, written, and drawn by Jimmie Robinson.  Published by Image Comics' imprint, Shadowline, The Empty is a tale about characters from different backgrounds who must work together if they are to save a dying planet.

The Empty #1 introduces the Empty.  This is a vast desert wasteland where hardly anything grows, apparently because of giant poisonous roots that leak gas into the air and the land.  A young woman named Tanoor is a fighter who hunts this dead land to find food for her village of Vaankam.  During a hunt, Tanoor discovers a young woman named Lila, who is apparently from another land, maybe even another world.  Lila's strange talents may save the Empty, but in the meantime, her powers endanger both herself and Tanoor.

I think that I had heard of The Empty long before I found some issues at my local comic shop.  I quickly snatched up The Empty #1 because of my recent interest in Jimmie Robinson, creator of The Empty and of the new series, Power Lines.

As someone who writes the story; composes the pencil, ink, and color art; and provides lettering for his comics, Robinson has control over the entire graphical package of his comic books.  Thus, there is little interference between Robinson's message/story and his audience.  There is a kind of narrative purity in that which I find hard to ignore – with good reason.

The bleak landscape of The Empty is actually beautiful, simply because Robinson's graphics and visuals are so pretty.  However, the rawness of the characters' emotions and the sense of desperation in the villagers is palatable.  Even the naked jealousy and dishonesty of the Elder Blan is powerful enough to drive the narrative.

I plan to read more of The Empty.  Even this single issue reveals the force and skill of Jimmie Robinson's immense talents as both a comics storyteller and as an illustrator and artist.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Image Sends 27 #2 Back in Stores

DRUM ROLL

 

After spectacular sellout of first issue, 27 #2 also heads back to press for second printing

Ain't It Cool calls Shadowline and Image Comics' new hit 27 "intriguingly surprising," and The Outhouse calls it "easily the most unique comic of the year." The folks at Graphic Policy "can't wait to read issue two," and apparently fans can't wait either -- 27 #2 has sold out at the distribution level!

Shadowline and Image are rushing a new printing to press, which will be on store shelves and in the hands of fans on February 9, the same day as the third issue of the hit miniseries, which is written by Charles Soule (Strongman) and illustrated by Renzo Podesta with lavish covers by W. Scott Forbes.

"It's fantastic that so many people enjoyed the first issue of 27," says Soule, "and I'm glad fans have enjoyed the second issue as well. I can't say it enough that this wouldn't be possible without the support of the fans -- this encore is for you!"

"27 is having a stupendous run, following in the footsteps of MORNING GLORIES and other great Image titles with multiple sellouts," adds Shadowline Publisher Jim Valentino. "As the miniseries continues, you can expect more rock and roll, more intrigue, and more crazy fun!"

In 27, the "27 Club" admits only the most brilliant musicians and artists -- and kills them dead in their 27th year. Will Garland is a famous rock guitarist, secretly unable to play for months due to a neurological disorder afflicting his left hand. He's also 27. With mad scientists, long dead rock legends and cosmic entities in his way, can he make it to 28?

27 #2 (of 4) Second Printing (NOV108244), a 32-page full-color comic book in the Golden Age format, will be in stores January 5, 2011, alongside 27 #3 (NOV100455). For the latest info on 27, follow Soule's blog at http://charlessoule.wordpress.com/.


Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit http://www.imagecomics.com/.

Top Cow and Shadowline Add to Image Comics' Digital Catalog

Press release:

ON TOP OF THE WORLD

Top Cow and Shadowline join forces with Image Comics to offer the best in digital comics

The Image Comics app for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch offers comics fans unprecedented access to the best comics on the market, and Top Cow and Shadowline have joined forces with Image Comics to make sure the Image digital catalog is unsurpassed.

Included in the Image Comics digital catalog, you'll find the biggest titles from Top Cow and Shadowline. Whether you're looking for WITCHBLADE, THE DARKNESS, MAGDALENA, ARTIFACTS, BOMB QUEEN, MORNING GLORIES, or Shadowline's titles for children, you'll be able to get most Top Cow and Shadowline titles from comiXology. A few first issues are free, and regular issues are typically priced for $1.99.

"comiXology has quickly proven to be the leader in the digital comic space," says Top Cow President Matt Hawkins. "It makes sense for Top Cow to be part of the Image app, so when Eric Stephenson suggested it, we agreed and folded our own efforts under the overall banner."

Shadowline Publisher Jim Valentino adds, "comiXology is leading the way in finding a new audience for comics with digital presentation, and I'm proud to have Shadowline's catalog hosted by them."

The Image Comics app is now available for free download from the iTunes App Store and features titles from Top Cow, Shadowline, Todd McFarlane Productions, Skybound, and Image Comics. In addition to individual issues for ongoing series, which are priced for $1.99, the app also provides issues of several popular Image titles, sneak peeks of upcoming titles, and other exclusive content for free.


Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit http://www.imagecomics.com/.

Shadowline and Image Comics to Publish "Fractured Fables" in July

PUTTING FABLES BACK TOGETHER AGAIN


Shadowline and Image Comics release FRACTURED FABLES, a fresh take on fairy tales

Some our most beloved fairy tales get a fresh perspective this July with the release of FRACTURED FABLES, an all-new anthology from Shadowline and Image Comics.

"FRACTURED FABLES is pure labor of love," says Shadowline Publisher Jim Valentino. "This book was meant to happen from the start. The creators who worked on it were so enthusiastic, and we've really got something special in FRACTURED FABLES. This book will introduce a whole new generation of fans to comic books!"

Some of the comic book industry's best and brightest use their talents to produce the kid-friendly anthology FRACTURED FABLES. Featuring a cover by MIKE and LAURA ALLRED and humorous takes on familiar fairy tales, creators include JILL THOMPSON, BRYAN TALBOT, PETER DAVID, BEN TEMPLESMITH, TERRY MOORE, SCOTT MORSE, DOUG TENNAPEL, TED McKEEVER, BILL MORRISON, LARRY MARDER, JIM VALENTINO, PHIL HESTER, SHANNON WHEELER and many more!

FRACTURED FABLES, a 160-page full color hardcover anthology featuring an all-star cast of creators, will be available for $29.99 and in stores July 14, 2010. A free sampling of the delightful tales in FRACTURED FABLES will be available on Free Comic Book Day. Look for it May 1, 2010, at your favorite comic book shop!

Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of four major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.