FREAKS OF THE HEARTLAND
Writer: Steve Niles Artist: Greg Ruth
Format: Softcover, 144 pages, Full Color , Price: $17.95
ISBN: 1-59307-029-2
A town in America's heartland has a secret. It is a secret that has been kept in minds, hearts and secret rooms ventured into only at night. There are children who are thought to be Freaks and they are hidden, kept in chains, feared and murdered. A child in one of the families holding the secret knows something is wrong. Trevor is his younger brother Will 's keeper. Will is a misshapen, mental power laden freak. But his size, powers and abilities cause fear in the hearts of his family, as do the other children so unfortunately different. The bond between Trevor and Will gives both the power to overcome their situation. And when the world goes crazy, the two choose to run, and to free those similarly hidden from view. While the story is straightforward here, there is little about it that does not speak to a greater theme, that of society's persecution of the outsiders, the bond between siblings that overcomes hate, and the world's hatred of abnormal. This is Niles's greatest work, and, combined with the awesome painted art of Greg Ruth, this comic should enter the grand pantheon of the great comics. Beyond the quality of story and art is the brilliant package offered here. With a die cut cover, new art, sketchbook and more, you easily get your money's worth here.
THE NAIL
Writers: Steve Niles, Rob Zombie Artist: Nat Jones
FOR MATURE READERS
Format: Soft cover, 96 pages, Full color Price: $12.95
ISBN: 1-59307-173-6
The Nail is a semi-pro wrestler, touring the back waters and forgotten towns of America. He is joined by others, including family and friends, on his road trip that leads to the Badlands of the Dakotas. His name, The Nail, refers to a wrestling move, and his fans, while toothless and likely inebriated, chant his name at the moment that he is about to lay the move upon his opponent. His personal values are roughly hewn , but ultimately moral. He is an agent of violence in a world of violence, but he loves family, is loyal to friends and is near fearless in the wrestling ring. His skills in combat and devotion to family and friends will be tested, however. In these badlands are deviant humans performing Ancient pagan rites and hunting innocent blood. The Nail is forced to defend his friends and family, and their goal of escaping alive seems to be a dream, as the forces of oblivion bring with them their own nightmare. The story itself is something of a departure for Niles, as this is out and out horror. This is a horror movie, or even an action movie, perhaps, with horror as the source of conflict. Zombie's influence upon the story is clear. The typical human elements that Niles usually works are present: human kindness in the face of danger, love as a bond among those facing the danger, and pure fear. Niles is not a horror writer, so to speak. He manages to create human dramas within a horror setting. Zombie's touch is a dark one, and a violent one. Nat Jones is not a great artist, but he is a good one. His work illustrating the story is effective and emotive, and is well suited to showing the violence that the story requires. The foreword by Dallas Diamond Page and sketch book make this collection better than the individual issues, and I really only have one issue to complain about: the cover is awful. The Simon Bisley covers of the individual issues were reason enough to buy the series off the newsstand, the Mike Hussar cover of the TPB is hardly comparable. This is a gritty, dark work, and I think that while hardcore Niles fans might not consider it the best of his work, it is at least good.
NEWS
AND THE WINNER IS... Devil's Due announces winner of best retailer display contest
Chicago, IL -- July 25, 2005 -- A host of retailers entered their stores in The Best DDP Retailer Display Contest. The winner? Lone Star Comics in Texas! We wish to congratulate Lone Star---and every store that participated---for working so hard in making their display creations. Lone Star wins their very own DDP creator signing pizza party, free product and related merchandise. They will also have their store's information and winning entry published in upcoming titles from Devil's Due.
"What's tough is we can only pick one winner," said Vice President of Marketing Susan Bishop. "We had so many terrific entries it was sad we could only pick just one. But Lone Star's submission squeaked past the other stores to take the prize."
"We love all of our retailers," said DDP President Josh Blaylock. "We can't thank them enough for their support over the years and with everything we have going on---what with the G.I. JOE relaunch, Forgotten Realms, Dragonlance and Chaos! Comics---we hope they continue to support us as much as they have."
The Best DDP Retailer Display Contest coincided with the G.I. JOE July 4th weekend, celebrating the re-launch of the venerable heroes in the hot-selling G.I. JOE: America's Elite. G.I. JOE: America's Elite is written by Joe Casey, with art by Stefano Caselli. Two issues are on shelves now (if you can find them!): the 25-cent #0 (a second printing priced at $2.95 is also out) and issue #1. G.I. JOE is under license from the Hasb
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