Sandstone Comics Presents

Do you like a great deal? Of course you do.

I backed the Sandstone Comics Presents anthology a few days ago. The pdf version was $10 which, initially, seemed a little steep for a digital book. I'd overlooked the fact that this book is 72 pages in length, however, which makes the cost far more reasonable.

Then it got even better. Sandstone chose to promote the pdf for only $2 during its Kickstarter campaign.

So what am I (and hopefully "we") getting here?

First, it bears pointing out that Sandstone is based out of Charlottetown PEI and likely would have been supported on that basis alone. But as with any project, Canadian characters are of highest interest to me and, at first glance, there didn't seem to be much of that here.

That's a little misleading. Most of the characters are from "Charlotte City", which I suspect is simply a larger version of Charlottetown. I'm reminded of how True Patriot's Family Dynamic are based in a fictional town in British Columbia. it would appear a similar approach is in play here.

Here are the characters in question, starting with Nucleus from Indestructible.

After an accident involving an electromagnetic test, Martin (Mason) gained extreme powers and strength. Now a protector of the people, he roams the skies a Nucleus, guardian of Charlotte City. His time as a hero might be short-lived as there is a sickness living inside of him.

If Nucleus patrols the skies, The Ghost Of The Cradle prowls its streets.

When a mysterious vigilante starts targeting the criminal underworld of the Cradle, a borough of Charlotte City, Detective Alex Turnbull is tasked with tracking down this strange new threat. Turnbull is forced to face his own personal demons in the hunt for this ghostly persona, all while under the watchful eye of an even deadlier menace looming in the shadows.

There is another character mentioned on the Kickstarter page but it is unclear how involved he'll be in the anthology. The book is marketed as containing three full-length stories and in addition to the above, includes one called Leap Frog.

You can see Century Man is listed as an extra so he may only get a few pages. Nevertheless, he is also Charlotte City product.

The more I looked into the project, the more boxes it checked so rather than take them up on their offer to reduce my pledge from $10 to $2 for the pdf, I upgraded it to the print version of the book as well as a few other perks. It was listed as being a $40 reward and I did not realize it at the time but that includes shipping. That's something to bear in mind but you can still support the project for all of $2.

Follow Sandstone's progress on Facebook.

Groups of Seven/7

The folks behind Group Of 7 have been fairly active while I've been dormant! They have released the second and third issue of their flagship series...

...And are preparing to release another, presumably complementary, title.

Here’s a first look at our new project - PEREGRINES - Service. Sacrifice. Sisterhood. Protecting the dominion of Canada from threats unknown and unbelievable since 1867.

If you're unfamiliar with Group of 7, the book is described (partially) as follows:

While the battle (Vimy Ridge) rages topside, Canadian physician John McCrae leads a secret mission underneath the Ridge against a mysterious enemy with monstrous intentions. To succeed, he’ll need a group of unique soldiers.

Six more of them, in fact, including Lester Pearson and Conn Smythe. Check out the full list here.

In announcing Peregrines earlier this month on their Facebook page, the person who displayed the cover also pointed out that we can expect three more issues of the main Group of 7 book in 2019. The first three can be purchased in print or digitally by following the instructions on this page.

Meanwhile, after long period of dormancy of their own, it appears that the team behind Group of Seven (no relation between the two books) is carrying on as well as evidenced by a recent character redesign.

Here it is folks! The final new look for the character formally known as Canadianna Red. Thanks to all for the feedback with the process of the redesign. My wonderful wife has realized the vision in full colour, for your viewing edification. Here's Anna as she'll appear with her "Hell Bunnies" in the forthcoming Group of Seven issue 6. Now to get onto drawing the book...

I don't believe a fifth issue is available as of yet if I can rely on Indyplanet which I know damn well I can't from past experience. A cover for it has been displayed on that Group of Seven's own Facebook page though so work is at least under way to some degree. A compilation of the first four issues was made available on Amazon.ca in kindle format some time ago.

The Most Crude Post Ever

But it's been so long since I posted anything, probably no one will see it anyway. ;-)

My "career" as an Indiegogo/ Kickstarter supporter is somewhat spotty. Most creators have come through with their promises even if most of that group has been late in delivering.

Rob Mackinnon / Vigilante Comix and their Deborah Daring book has been among the most reliable projects I've supported. I enjoyed it a great 

When I received issue number four some time last year, I recall being a little disappointed that the series would only run for six books in total and hoping that a sequel series would be announced in the future.

My wish was half-met. As Deborah's book prepares to come to an end, Vigilante announced the following series would be crowd-funded next month.

Our tale begins 300 years ago in the Athabasca River area of the Canadian North West, when a dying Cree shaman places a curse on the white settlers that brought disease to the people of his tribe.

Fast forward to 2016 when the Shaman's spirit is awakened by a terrible wild fire that ravages his burial ground near the oil town of Fort McMurray.  

Let's have a better look at some of that art by Dario Carrasco..

Pretty swell stuff. MacKinnon has other irons in the fire in 2019 in books called Hardboiled and Hildebrand - Valkyrie. It's very encouraging to see Vigilante Comix growing. You can find out about their plans on his recently updated and expanded website.

Now I have to be honest and admit that initially, by its name, I believed that this was a bit of a rip off from the Crude story that has been running through the True Patriot Presents anthology book from Chapterhouse.

Reading more about MacKinnon's concept cleared that up quickly; a name similarity appears to be all they truly have in common.

It did, however, remind me that much like Deborah Daring's adventures appear to be coming to an end, at least temporarily, Crude's (and that of all the characters that appear regularly in TPP) may as well. The most recent issue, #11, was released on January 2nd and it confirmed that the series is coming to an end.

The penultimate issue of True Patriot Presents. Get in on the ride while you can! This issue features Dominion Jack! Crude! The Canadian Sentinel! The Family Dynamic!  

Look for an oversized issue #12 in less than two months, plus important True Patriot News!

That's quite the drag but at least there's a hint of something being on the horizon.

I suspect that anyone reading about Canadian superheroes already supports True Patriot Presents but if you do not on the basis that it is a digital-only book or simply don't hear about the book being released, I would suggest your reconsider and/or look into it. At $2 a pop on Comixology, it is an inexpensive way to support Canadian creators.