REVIEW The Redder Coltrane story arc

Force Six, The Annihilators

The Destruction of Redder Coltrane

Step forth and accept your annihilation

The biggest story arc from season I is reviewed by the good folks over at the COMICLER. We appreciate the good look. Let’s see what they said.

…the story in review:

…it’s hard not to be satisfied with a completed mission that encompassed sword-fights, high-tech gear, victories, casualties, stand-offs and a whole ton of shots fired.

Pilot syndrome is a well-known scourge of media. How do you hook your audience on undeveloped characters, plot introductions with limited time for world-building and mastering a sense of tone that has not had a chance to evolve naturally? Force Six, The Annihilators finally gets a chance to take off with Season One: The Destruction of Redder Coltrane. Just as the case was with Episode 01, we are treated to action-driven stories with a conservative approach to plot exposition that keeps a sense of mystery about the series. It’s still wholly unclear how much will be divulged in time; however Season One demonstrates that the promises of the original issue are kept with a substantial sense of growth.

The first thing to note would be the team. None of the characters have much in the way of backstories, motivations or even fully-developed personalities. In many ways, they are aesthetic-driven and have similar attitudes supplemented by quirks that help them feel distinguishable from one another just enough to make the team feel like it’s more than a group of skilled killers. Jackie-Five steals the show while characters like Beta-One and Kojin-Two get to enjoy powerful moments that leave the reader fascinated and in need of a bit more of their personal touches. These might not be characters that you can have firm attachments to just yet, but they are more than enough to induce interest. While the characters’ consistent attitudes do well to establish tone, there are some odd cases of phrasing and awkward dialogues that don’t quite add up without a dedicated focus. The writing isn’t something a Harvard professor would pass, but it’s enough to get you through the story with a solid grasp on what’s occurred.

Visually, Drew Spence is stretching his talents much further than would have been expected after episode 01. While 3D modelling-based media are often plagued with the overly-sleek, barren backgrounds that plagued animated series like Beware the Batman, Spence finds a way to keep things visually rich without a need for highly-populated paneling. The variety of scenery, the use of color and the way atmosphere is approached in this comic are truly inventive. There is scarcely a more beautiful depiction of what can only be described as wastelands in any modern media. Mix this with the variety of character aesthetics, with a particular emphasis on stylized weapons and you’ve got some really gorgeous eye candy.

Overall, this comic surpasses expectation with dramatic improvements in the fields of panel-layout, lettering and characterization. While there is plenty of room to grow on the story-telling front, it’s hard not to be satisfied with a completed mission that encompassed sword-fights, high-tech gear, victories, casualties, stand-offs and a whole ton of shots fired. In the end, the vaguely villainous titular character sees his end and serves his purpose. Hopefully, Drew Spence has some long-game plans to prevent these seasons from becoming overly formulaic. There’s hardly anywhere to go but forward for the Annihilators.

Pros:
Action, action and more action
Welcome variety for characters/weapons/landscapes
Greatly improved lettering

Cons:
Underdeveloped villain
Short-sighted plot
No real motivations to attach to

Final Judgement:
8.1

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Original link to the TEXT is here.

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The Countdown for Season II has begun

Force Six, The Annihilators Season II

 

 

It’s really a big deal, or at least it is to me. We are celebrating the end of season I at the start of season II. Lots of readers, lots of feedback and plenty of inspiration to start very strong.

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No Spoilers Ahead

Well, season II picks up, pretty much after episode 09 Metal Devil Maiden. It’s more tangles with the crew of vixens and full-cadre action at the jump. We should be sharing news and nibs from the season since the production is already deep into the episode count. Follow us on social media to get your A-gang glimpse.

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Don’t forget to check out the Patreon page and add your $upport. Yes, we still accept cash in an envelope, but Patreon is so much more transparent. Let’s hook that up.

Again, thank you for all your support.

I can’t wait till Friday.

-Drew Spence

REVIEW! Force Six episode 01 Trick Shot

Annihilators premiere in review

The Annihilators first episode is rewound and reviewed.

Graphic Comic from The Dynamic Universe.

Comicler.com gauges and  gives a great glimpse of the get go episode.

…it’s hard not to look forward to seeing how far this can go. Learning more about the Annihilators and seeing more gorgeous still-choreography is more than enough to deserve readership. Drew Spence might just have something really special at his fingertips…

 

Every now and again the purpose of a story isn’t just about being told, it’s about the medium of storytelling itself. While comic art has come a long way, there are always going to be those who are eager to push the envelope and take the next step into uncharted territory. While these leaps of faith don’t always have the smoothest of landings, there’s a lot to be said about opening the door for future opportunities. Such is the case with Force Six: The Annihilators.

Episode 01: Trick Shot shows off the style and uniqueness of The Dynamic Universe’s Drew Spence. Spence takes 3-D models and carefully renders them in poses over a canyon setting. This is a fast-paced issue that, while feeling more like a tease than a beginning, does tell a complete segment of a story. Playing off the limited time-frame and the unknowing perspective of the reader, Spence has a hit play out before our eyes quicker than we can gauge the full scope of the situation. This makes for a twist at the end that shows that things aren’t as simple as they seem, and the world inhabited by the Annihilators isn’t one to be taken at face value. Other than that, there’s driving and shooting. This action-packed sequence may not give clear motives for the characters, but it definitely tips the reader off to the themes they can expect in subsequent issues.

As far as the medium, Trick Shot contains its own soundtrack, playing on the virtual medium of digital comics and expanding the experience in a fun way. While the models may not be as expressive as some art styles in traditional comic books, the action poses look stellar. There’s one sequence involving a technologically-augmented stunt that feels like it was taken straight from a Final Fantasy cut scene. The possibilities of this art style really do beg to be explored, and the Dynamic Universe seems to be the place to go. With enough time and effort, this has a real chance of being placed up there with the great artists of our time. As of now, the rendering can be a bit sloppy. Some motions are unclear, and the lettering leaves something to be desired. Still, credit where it’s due, this is an exciting piece of content.

Even if the art or narrative don’t have full breathing room in such a brief issue, it’s hard not to look forward to seeing how far this can go. Learning more about the Annihilators and seeing more gorgeous still-choreography is more than enough to deserve readership. Drew Spence might just have something really special at his fingertips, but it’s too early to judge that as of now.

Pros:
Action
Soundtrack
Intriguing concept
Unique art-style

Cons:
Bland characters
Limited scope
Awkward lettering
Emotionless models

Final Judgement: 7.4

It can be purchased here and anywhere fine digital comics are sold.

ComiXology carries Force Six, The Annihilators

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Original link to review text is here. Thank you Comicler!

Force Six: The Annihilators Episode 01 Trick Shot

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ComiXology Episode 02 Sins of the Pass

Force Six, The Annihilators

—– arrives in digital format on ComiXology!

Episode 02 Sins of the Pass

 

The Annihilator Jackie 5 and Beta One travel to Fronterra in search of the war criminal Tiber HenGemon. What they find when they find him is quite a fine find, indeed.

ComiXology Link

https://www.comixology.com/Force-Six-The-Annihilators-Season-I-2/digital-comic/539860

Eye of the Beholder (short)

EYE of the Beholder

Story & Art by Drew Spence

Have you ever beheld beauty? What is it that attracts us to another human being? What if your ultimate vision of beauty became a reality? To find the answers, we ask the most important question of all. The eye remains a window. Drew Spence writes and illustrates a short that finds beauty in the cold ugliness of space.

 

 

Uncensored version available on Patreon

Episode 10 Forced ENDtry

Force Six, The Annihilators

Episode 10 Forced ENDtry

Enter the Ending of Season I

It’s the final episode of season I. We end at the beginning, backtrack and spin the clock back to Annihilator Day One. Get a great glimpse as the A-gang gathers!  Drew Spence writes and illustrates a graphic comic, mixing science fiction with science fantasy. It’s a superhero space saga as a group of renegades, gifted with special abilities and artificial enhancements, charge and change the fate of all those they come across. They are the Force Six, The Annihilators and this is the story of their rise, fall and ultimate redemption. READ NOW!

 

 

They were a team of specialists assembled to bring order to a chaotic universe. Something went wrong when right became their final choice. See the transformation from Renegade outcasts to Legends. They are Force Six, The Annihilators. Story & art by Drew Spence.

 

We are The Dynamic Universe. We create graphic comics. They sit between traditional strips and a 3-D style of photorealistic drama. Enjoy the science-fantasy action adventure with terrific tints, great graphics and compelling story-telling. Read the comic and enjoy the soundtrack. Story and art by Drew Spence.

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Interview! ComicBookBin -Drew Spence

The ComicBookBin

Interview with Drew Spence

By Hervé St-Louis
Jul 26, 2017 – 22:27

The ComicBookBin connects with comic artist Drew Spence from The Dynamic Universe. His self-published lead title is Force Six, The Annihilators. It’s a mix of science fiction, fantasy and superhero action. He’s tackled the story-telling task with a mix of 3D art and photographic manipulation. We sit down and get a look at his creative process and hear his thoughts on graphic art and what’s really behind the render.

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ComicBookBin: Hi Drew. I think that we have a good start for an interview here! (the interview started in the middle of a conversation!)

Interview? I’d better choose my words more carefully then.

Now that I’ve read the whole, thing, damn that’s wordy. Might have to make a part I and part II.

CBB: Tell me, how do you feel about 3D comics in the sense of the reaction that people have to them.

Well, it varies. I’ve heard all types of comments- how 3D is easier or is fake art or doesn’t make real comic books, etc. I take those kinds of statements as different than opinion-based reactions like “I prefer…” or “I dislike…” Someone is speaking as an authority and trying to convince me of an empirical truth whereas, the evidence actually points to the opposite. I draw too. Anyone can draw a comic. Anyone can color a page and anyone can throw some word bubbles across a panel and thus, ‘make a comic’. But what some like to do, is draw (no pun) from the greatest masters and legends of 2D work and compare that to the kid who just made his first 3D comic piece and go “See the difference?” It’s a silly exercise and your taste really needs no justification. Like what you like and support the work that you feel is meaningful no matter the chosen medium. If it speaks to you, listen. If it doesn’t, find the right conversation.

3D has established itself quite well in animation and even visual effects yet still has not made an important breakthrough in comics. Why do you think that is and how do you intend to change this?

A breakthrough is code-word for a big financial success after a big promotional campaign. That would require a book that doesn’t look like or work like traditional comics being pushed by the very same entities who’d have a lot to lose if something too different comes along and catches on. Until they have an engine in place, prepared to capitalize on a 3D trend, you won’t see any risk-taking or support from the major 2D players.

Established comics tend to have separate writers and artists, if not a whole team. The grass-roots3D is still so new and experimental, that for most, it’s still a one-creator show. When I look at many of the 3D books on offer, I find – either the graphics or the story has a challenge. So you have these wonderful illustrations doing uninteresting stuff or a great narrative hampered by the rough visuals. Somebody needs to get both parts right. And enough people need to make solid work so that it creates a wave, even if a single artist breaks first and everyone else follows.

All I can do is my part. I create a 3D comic to the best of my sensibilities and hope the readers enjoy it. I consider myself a storyteller first and illustrator second. I don’t want a book that is only worth your time because it looks cool or novel. But, we are telling stories in a very visual medium so I can’t have the limitations of my imagination or skill get in the way of the narrative.

CBB: Would you argue that 3D comics suffer from the same hyper realism fate as photo-comics?

The goal of my 3D work is not to fool you or show you ‘better looking images’. When still pictures serve as the foundation, you tend to lose the comic part. What’s a comic book- other than an exaggeration of a moment or event? Everything is pushed to its limits: fast is the fastest, strong is the strongest, evil is the most evil, etc. Hyper-real is the opposite. If the goal is to tell a fantastic story with extraordinary visuals, why would an artist choose the most faithful medium possible- a snapshot? It actually doesn’t make sense. An artist needs to control the visual punctuation. When and how do I underline? Where’s the ellipsis pause? How do I boldface and add punctuation marks? We know what to do in the bubbles, it’s important to control the volume and tone with the artwork as well.

And the opposite happens in the quiet moments. Can you capture a dynamic moment at rest? Sometimes, the inclusion of details is exactly what taps your emotion. The faithful representation of an idealized moment becomes that much more meaningful. Look at the work of comic legends John Byrne and Barry Windsor-Smith. So much happens when their characters are at rest. The weight, the posing, the heroes’ presence in a static backdrop. That’s where you need to understand the concepts of good photography along with all the tricks that come after. That’s hard to do in any photo-based engine without pre-planning or awareness.

CBB: Which 3D app do you use to render the shots?

DAZ STUDIO is the foundation. It is a free 3d rendering suite – backed by their online store, where you can purchase a massive variety of content for every genre and interest you can imagine. For comic enthusiasts, the look can be edited through shaders, which are basically filters to achieve every comic look you could want. There are morphs that can make characters look very Pixar-like or idealized like the  Marvel and DC superheroes.

For traditional artists, it’s used for anatomical reference and a drawing aide for perspective and composition. Some draw on top of the models and figures and sketch directly from the template. There are licenses for video game programmers and even some tools for animation.

The engine is really there for you to customize and you can get as deep as you want. Many digital artists do the photoreal stuff where you can’t tell if it’s CGI or Photoshop. You’ll see Daz at work for book covers, movie posters, story boards, but I make use of what it offers for comic illustration. You just need to remember Daz won’t make your artwork for you. It’s an incredibly powerful environment that places the tools in your hands, but you still need to learn the proper techniques and apply your creative talents. 3D is still not a shortcut for being an artist, it’s just a medium.

CBB: What’s your production process?

Working in 3D is more like film making where I create the characters. Dress them, make a set. Place them, do lighting and such, place a camera and snap a picture.

From there it’s all post-editing. And way after- assemble the book from all the artwork. I can work panel by panel or page by page. It’s all design decisions. My eye and taste is really what I lean on. I’m no graphic expert and I will always push and experiment. What does this do? How can I use this tool differently? What if I…

CBB: I’d like to know more about the current story that you are developing and how it fits in the greater picture of past or current work being developed by your team.

Force Six, The Annihilators is meant to combine all the things that I’m passionate about. That’s why I made the world so open-ended. Almost anything can happen. My story-telling style has the rules set in place, but we have lots of creative and visual freedom. I create many types of music so I added a soundtrack and I will be venturing into video and other 3D forms to continue telling stories.

Force Six, The Annihilators was something I started drawing back in 1984. Yep 1984 as a kid. I kept all my drawings and now, years later I’m redoing all the stories with very minor edits. In the beginning it was very silly and derivative of whatever I was into at the time. Over time, I kept adding more adult sensibilities and their world grew darker. This series is about fleshing it all out and telling the story from the beginning, well almost the beginning.

CBB: Anything else?

Yes, thank you for your time and thank you for all the readers and supporters for helping us spread the Annihilator graphic comic. We have some awesome stuff coming up, keep turning those pages.

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Drew Spence is a graphic comic writer and illustrator from the United States. He creates under the title The Dynamic Universe. He is both interested in music and video and has created several works, including the Mark of the Griffin, both a graphic novel and web series. The instrumental group fallout Shelter provides the soundtrack for many of his releases. The band members are Domino grey, Dynamics Plus and Xodus Phoenix. He currently lives on Long Island, New York and produces his work from the aptly named Fallout Shelter studios, where he crafts crafty and clever comics using CGI and photorealistic image manipulation.

Purchase Issue #1 of Force Six, The Annihilators at Comixology.

READ THE INTERVIEW HERE