Hey, I’m a cruker and I do this thing called “website review comics.” You may have heard of it. Well, what I have today is outside the expected catalogue of giant robots, batgirls and mutant turtles. I was approached by fellow creatives. The creative asked very politely whether he would check out this comic and give him his ideas. A one-shot by alumni of Sparkframe anthology, Sonic the Hedgehog Comics, and a black and white story gag owned by the creators. I like Sonic and as a fellow black and white comic book indie author, how can I refuse? This book is available at what-what wath watn firs (including free). This is cool. But I paid because I could.
These are people after my own heart.
But one provision from the editor Dave (the best overlord) editor is: “It’s just fair.” It’s very fair! Anyway, that’s already the case, but transparency is important, right? So I’m going to talk to you guys about these stories. Rather than explaining in such detail to save the reading experience for yourself, I promise you, they are fun! The cart in front of the horses here, but I thought they were amazing! If you’re very leaning, read it as Google Search. Of course, some flaws, I’ll point out when I go, my yapping is sufficient.
The first story is “Drooon” by Ian Flynn and Adam Bryce Thomas. Yes, I’ve always been trying to get around this. I’ve been a Flynn fan for years, but I just never found time long before IDW’s book published his enemy number one (my pathos) to him. But now looking at it, it’s a good thing about the typical Ian Flynn. About the people working on Sonic Books, there is always this underlying sense of constant restraint, and I felt I was reviewing the work of Ian’s IDW. This is…open and free. Bound unbound. It really comes as these boys spread their wings and they are doing their best and having a good time. The dialogue is glaring and full of instantly recognizable characters, and Thomas’ art feels like a wonderful blend of Sonic, Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball, and other works on the sensibility of “comic platformer” designs. They are all really fascinating to watch, easy to read and easy to read. Like his professional job. This may be my personal favorite of the entire anthology. It’s hard to find something that’s hard to say bad things.
The second story is “Heart 2 Heart” by Miles Arq. As a fan of my own Matsumoto, this leaves my own heart behind. Visually, it’s a real feast. I love the author’s art style. When it comes to dynamic artwork, it’s very solidly correct in the perfect preference zone. On the writing side of things, it wobbles a bit. There are a lot of nasty grammar use and sentence flow that require fine tuning, and the dialogue can be a bit felt in the simplest aspect. I really liked it because a lot of the minds (HEH) clearly got into this, but that’s my job. With a bit more tweak and another dialogue path, I think this will really be something special. However, the character design was my favorite of the entire anthology. choice.
Next is Natalie Haynes’ “Shark Bait.” A very treasured planet that feels the story with a lovely swashbuckling atmosphere. The honorable Captain Sharkbait design is very cool and charming, and the sense of adventure is obvious on every panel. I’m really digging into the artistic direction for this, and the twisted ending, a comedy beat, gave me a good laugh. It’s simple, but I like it!
On Aaron Hammerstrom’s “Virtuablu.” This really resonated with me as I feel so cowboy bebop. Challenge yourself to find someone trying to do a bit of Western space that is not affected by Bebop (the crime accused here). The main characters feel the typical Schoenen Battle Girl, a lovely touch, and perhaps the coolest skeleton bounty hunter I’ve seen in my life. Frigin’rad. I want to see more and more for that guy alone. The dialogue from our main characters can be a bit distorted on the side of the clichés I hate to say, but I can get it feeling like a Goku-esque vibe. I don’t dislike it.
Then there’s “Ensouled” by Evan Stanley. I like Stanley’s work, she is one of the best people to work on Sonic comics. That’s certainly true, but I was a bit disappointed with this entry. So how short it is, and how little it is for us. We bring the setup to an interesting mystery that makes more promises, but we didn’t feel like it was in the water for long enough before the hook got caught up… Does that make sense? What I’m saying is I want her to give it a little more room to breathe it. And I think this is a huge amount of possibilities, so I’ll set it up so that the concepts are really included.
Now, for Mauro Fonseca’s “Maria Feveliero.” As a fellow Nagai fan who has taken great inspiration from his own work, I quickly resonated with this. It’s like cutie honey, such as Popeye, Chokyo-style cheesecake. This makes sense to me as Fonseca is the person I always call “Cutee Honey Guy who works at IDW Sonic”. The only bad thing I have to say here is that the pages can be felt crowded and confusing, and therefore sometimes it is difficult to follow. But the design is amazing. Our main girl is exactly the same as her Go Nagai Inspirations, and honestly, I delve into more with just more powerful character designs.
Rik Mack’s “Tales of Captain Blackbeard: The Hat” is our next story, the most sonic sensation at the heart of all these known sonic creators. Honestly, I feel that could have been a backup story for the original characters in the classic Archisonic book, and it’s a high praise. The atmosphere is perfect, whimsical, a little sad, and cheeky wherever necessary. Good, solid reading.
Next is Reggie Graham (wonderful name, by the way) Evara. This took me a minute to click, but I’ve finally liked it. Is it a compliment or insult to say this gives me the Steven Universe vibe? If that helps, I mean it in a good way. It has its tropical cold atmosphere and exaggerated character design work, and appears to be quite visually present in every respect. It’s a real eye grogber and if it sometimes overstimulates a little, it’s rad. The last emotional core is what really got me, putting a real smile on my face. Something good.
Ian Flynn is once again trying to torment internet residents with “The Nine Livings of Klaws McGee”! Well, I’m a child. He also has Jonathan Giffis helping him with his suffering. aaaah I’m Messin. We’re having fun around here. In the ribcage spirit of a good personality, this is the sleazy aspect of Ol’Flynn that his biggest fans can undoubtedly recognize, a charming little child-friendly story that is a lovely whimsical gag strip of the story. It’s simple, and probably not for anyone, but hey, I’m not going to raise my nose as intended as harmless humor.
The second is “Widow of my 20s” by Gigi Dutreux. A truly short but deeply saddened personal story from the author gives very quick insight into the moments that many of us think are going through. Losing a loved one can’t be described in words. We all had at least one experience. So I hope that it will help in some way to save other words that can be said here, provide the meaning of my sadness and drain that pain in this form. God Speed.
Finally, “Endless Fantasia” by Scrapnik Island Guy and My Twitter common Danny Barnes, Mine Cracus wrapped in pencil and Reggie Graham ink. Loves this guy Danny, he pisses off Sonic fans on Twitter in all the right ways, and it’s a joy to watch. He wrote Scrapnik Island. A good book. Please read that. Here we reviewed the dog’s age. What were I talking about again? Ah, that’s right.
As Danny posts online, I’ve been following this everywhere during this development stage, and it’s cool to see it pay off in the end! As one of my favourites, and one of the people who wrote for the Blue Blur, he brings that energy to perfection with co-leads and cool rabbit guy Jack. The Sassy Snaker in the Dreamcast era is a new form of Sassy Snaker. Jill is as cool as hell, equally incredible design, and the structure of this cartoon is generally very solid. Action beats are fun and energetic, and the characters have a positive personality that you want more. Also a sword gun. A gun that is a sword. I like it. Next to the story of Drogne in this, I would probably call this my second favorite. It’s probably a bit biased.
So it was Sparkflame Anthology. It’s not what I thought I was seeing, but I’m glad I did it! I love things like this. The real feel of people who just want to make things realize what people say to them. I am trying to live my life on my own. My favourite comics are Eastman and Laird’s TMNT. Energy, the kind of story I love and admire the most. Indie comics are both gems and snacks, and I am honored to be asked to see them. You all did an amazing job, and each of these stories is fun despite some hiccups here and there, and I didn’t hesitate to check out more. Look, pay what you want, and read for yourself!
Hope you see more, and soon! I need to give a break in poor, fast typing hands.
“Sparkflame Anthology” is an incredible collection of Sonic Alumni stories
Sparkflame anthology
The incredible collection of indie stories by Sonic Comics Alumni is filled with a pure and creative spirit that comes with itching to set fire and return to your own project.
Each story brought something unique to the table
Honestly with God’s All-Star lineup of talented people in the industry
It’s free! (If necessary! But if possible, pay!)
Some stories may need a bit more tweak to really hit that home run
