I hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving. While the history of the holiday is problematic, the chance to share time with family and friends is not to be discounted. Kim, she’s my fiancée, and I finally convinced skeptical humans we are finally getting married next July 9th. We’ve picked the church, the minister, the processional music, the organist, and the outfits. I wanted to wear a tux featuring pink skulls but was outvoted, infinity to one, against that. Oh well, a boy can dream.
As I’m typing this Marcie’s Marvels is taking advantage of a national promotional campaign, run by Desirae Benson, and meeting with multiple representatives in the entertainment industry. While nothing is ever guaranteed, this kind of notice for a first issue is unprecedented.
The real story of Marcie Jonea Gerald is tragic. She committed suicide at fifteen years of age after being sexually abused and later harassed. Her mother, Elizabeth Gerald, didn’t want that to be her daughter’s final legacy. She started the MJG Movement which is dedicated to serving as a resource for children and families who are victims of sexual abuse and suicide. They welcome you to join them on their mission to educate, encourage, prevent, and heal!
More below.
In other comic book news, Cyril Brown the creator of the Hybrid Zero multiverse, has started a new sideline. He will be creating custom pin ups of his characters as well as anything your little heart and wallet desires.
In an effort to tease you into sharing your hard earned cash with him you can now read Hybrid Zero: Juggernaut, Jungle Grrl, and Cassandra and the Changeling Sword for free online.
Here’s what British comic book reviewer, Zak Weber had to say about Hybrid Zero: Juggernaut.
Hybrid Zero from writer Bill McCormick and storyteller/artist Cyril Brown is a comical tale for mature readers (McCormick also brought us the boob-tastic Legends Parallel) but there is much more here than just sex jokes in space. We are introduced to a complex interspecies society with a variety of different cultures, rituals and social norms. All is not rosy in this grand arena; human separatists are protesting for the preservation of the human body from technological modifications. On planet Cerks the Quterion troops are accused of excessive use of force in quashing a rebellion, earning themselves a reputation as aggressive demons… which might explain Zoe’s penchant for destruction whenever she is given half a chance, as the robot defenders of her grandfather’s garden soon discover.
How will she fare against whatever mysterious being has stepped through the portal her aunt has ripped in the fabric of spacetime? If she fails, what are the consequences for the fate of the universe?
Central to the story are the relationships between Zoe and her parents, in particular their unconventional marriage and somewhat questionable parenting: what kind of mother designs her own child’s body as a weapon?
Brown’s art is an unrestrained explosion of Expressionist fervour, portraying hyper-expansive worldbuilding and surreal sensuality. He also created the characters and conceived the original story, so this is from the heart, and it shows. It’s not all cartoony spectacle, though, he also excels at vast, atmospheric futuristic cityscapes and complex exotic architecture and infrastructures. There is plenty here to delight the eye …
Especially if you like extremely over-the-top space operas that include characters with unfeasibly large body parts.
That’s enough for today. Until next week please stay safe, sane, and inside as much as possible.
