After Thoughts: Awakening signing at Jim Hanley's Universe

Whoa, what's this? Actual content after a three day gap? Yes, and this content is pretty neat, I think. As you may have known by following our Twitter account (and if you don't, I'm upset with you), the artist, Alex Eckman-Lawn, and author, Nick Tapalansky, of Archaia Comics' Awakening came to Jim Hanley's Universe in New York City today to finish up their Halloween signing tour.

So, order of events: Today was a pretty gross day in New York, what with the raining continuing from last night, and then there's the fact that Jim Hanley's Universe (which is located right across from the Empire State Building) isn't exactly right next to where I live, so that meant I had to walk a nice distance in the rain as well. But who cares, right? Let's get to the good stuff!

The signing was scheduled from 4-7 PM, but being the person I am that thinks I do things much slower than I actually seem to do, I got to Jim Hanley's at around 3:20. And to my surprise, no one was there yet (despite the staff their telling me I should arrive early a few weeks ago). So, I decided to do some browsing while I waited for everything to start, and I soon saw Alex Eckman-Lawn arrive. Now, here's a fun fact, Alex and I frequently talk online (not that it has any effect on how I write regarding his work) but we'd never spoken in person.

Being a not-creeper, I went up to him, introduced myself and we soon went browsing around the shop. And I'll tell you this much, browsing comics with somebody who's actually in the industry is pretty rad (and yes, I use the word rad). Nick Tapalansky was stuck in traffic (and who can blame him, it's NYC and crappy weather) but when he eventually came I said hello and he joked about the "password" I was supposed to say if I arrived without my book. I then took a couple of photos of the two of them to post here, but of course I failed and the few I took at the moment came out blurry...

Eventually the signing started... but I was the only one there still. Which was surprising but I'm still unsure, I mean, the book isn't exactly HUGE in terms of media coverage, and the creative team (Alex and Nick) isn't exactly well known, and Archaia isn't exactly the money-house that is Marvel; plus, I'm sure the bad weather drove away an casual shoppers looking to get some autographs of people they don't know. Regardless of what was on everyone else's mind, I have to say, I enjoyed browsing comics with Alex and I appreciated Nick's humor of saying that I'd get a post up here on VFH within the hour (which I didn't, sorry Nick! Ha ha). Can't really ask for much more than that, especially on a crappy day like this, I just hope that more people showed up after me because these guys deserve it.

Also, by showing up to the signing, I should be getting a preview of the next Awakening book within the next few days. When I do, I'll be sure to share my thoughts with you readers.

More thoughts at The Work of Jared D. Weiss

Awakening, Volume One review

After a couple of years, months, and other assorted delays, Nick Tapalansky and Alex Eckman-Lawn's existential-horror-mystery series, Awakening, finally get its first collected hardcover release. After all of this, has it really been worth the wait?

For those unaware, Awakening initially was published as an individual issue series starting in 2007; with ten planned issues, the first half of which was to be collected. Due to some dilemmas and a restructuring of Archaia Studios Press, only three of these individual issues ever came to be. However, thanks to everything being cleared up, these three issues and the two that followed are finally available for all to read as part of this hardcover collection.

Story
Collecting the first five issues of the series, Awakening, Volume One centers the story around former Park Falls detective, Derrick Peters, who is investigating a chain of recent, mysterious assaults by unknown assailants. However, Derrick's only eye witness at the moment is none other than Cynthia Ford, the "town crazy", leaving Detective Peters in a peculiar situation of disbelief.

Because this hardcover collects five issues of the series, it would be a little unfair of me to explain each part individually (I mean, that's why you're supposed to buy it); especially since each volume continues right after the other. But spoilers aside, what I can telling you is that the story of Awakening is very compelling, especially if you're like me and have a thing for detective stories. However, for those looking for zombies on top of zombies, you may want to look elsewhere as this book is more about human nature than it is about flesh ripping.

Artwork
This part of Awakening truly was the only thing that made me get into the series to begin with, having previously browsed through Alex Eckman-Lawn's artwork for the series, minus the text, via his online gallery. Perhaps it's the accidental blend of both Ashley Wood's and Ben Templesmith's styles, or just how well the artwork sets the tone for the book; but there was just something about the artwork of this book that made me have to own it. And with the hard cover's semi-gloss paper, Eckman-Lawn's artwork looks better than ever.

However, one thing the internet couldn't show me is just how much the artwork of this series changed during its 2007-2008 run. While the artwork is purposely sloppy, what you find in the first volume almost seems other-worldly when you get to the fifth volume. Gone is the heavy black line work, instead you'll find a comic that has found comfort in its unique style; and I'm certainly curious to see how much more the artwork will improve the next time around.

Writing
While for me, the initial appeal of Awakening was Alex Eckman-Lawn's artwork, I was more than pleased to find that Nick Tapalansky's writing was just as good. I think what makes Awakening so appealing, for myself at least, is how it conveys the feeling of a classic detective noir film, in just its writing alone. In fact, most of the text in the book comes from the narration of Derrick Peters, more so than conversation between other characters, which further embraces that existential feeling of the book.

But, much like the artwork of Awakening, the writing of the first book greatly differs by the time you get to issue five. For the better of course, but I certainly noticed more maturity and professionalism to the writing by the end of this first collection, leaving my expectations for the next collection pretty high.

Overall
As a note to those who actually picked up the first three issues of Awakening, here's why you need to buy the hardcover: contains issues four and five, has supplemental artwork from both Alex Eckman-Lawn and other artists, and it just plain looks awesome. But for those like myself who never got the chance to find Awakening in individual issues, or just didn't known about it, this hardcover collection is a must buy.

After years of only being able to browse limited pieces of artwork online, it was a really special feeling to finally hold Awakening in my hands and read it. While I can't guarantee everyone else will get that feeling, I highly suggest that you pick this up regardless. Because of if this first collection is anything to go by, then the next collection can only get better.

Overall Score: 9/10

For more on Awakening, visit Archaia's Official Website

Buy Awakening at Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com, or other online retailers and comic book shops!

Awakening finally arrives!

After a year of delay due to the restructuring of Archaia Comics (formerly Archaia Studios Press), a halt to stand-alone issues, then an additional month delay from the original June release date, not to mention some shipping delays... Awakening Volume One has finally arrived in my hands!

As you may recall, that there is the Alex Eckman-Lawn signed print I had mentioned as part of DCBS's pre-order deal, which I not only endorsed but took part in as well. Sadly it was also this print that cause a fifteen day or so delay in shipping.. which I wasn't too fond of.

Regardless, it's here now, and I hope the rest of you out there that pre-ordered this book have also received yours by now. I can't to finally sit down, read this, and admire the artwork... not to mention review it sooner or later. Stay tuned!

Awakening Volume 1 delay...

This pretty much sucks on many levels, considering the book has been delayed long enough, but here's the news from Awakening's official MySpace:

"Everybody did everything they could but, somehow, the book just didn't get out and on the way in time to make this Wednesday. They're in transit now and, to be on the safe side, have a street date of 7/29. There's a very good chance, however, that it'll get to Diamond sooner and, therefore, shops sooner as it'll ship as soon as it arrives."

So yes, instead of releasing... tomorrow (June 24th, in case you don't have a calendar), we'll have to wait a whole extra month. But as Nick Tapalansky points out in the write up, this does leave extra time for you late ones to head on over to Amazon.com a pre-order the book.

What does this mean for us now? Well, instead of expecting a review of the book this week, you can expect to see it next month...

Awakening: Exclusive Print preview

Hey you! Yes, you there, with the face, remember me telling you to pre-order the Awakening Volume 1 hard cover at DCBS.com? Well, if you forgot, just click that link to read the article. None the less, the "exclusive print" shipping with the book was reveal today, take a look:

The print, illustrated by Alex Eckman-Lawn, features Derrick Peters and Cynthia Ford, the two central characters of Awakening. And, even better, it will come signed. How cool is that?!

There's still plenty of time to pre-order before the book ships this June, but I wouldn't hold out on an offer like this, especially for such a great series. Pre-order Awakening Vol. 1 at DCBS now!

Also, if you would like to read more about Awakening, be sure to stop by Nick Tapalansky's MySpace blog for more info on the book, as well as some reviews and links about the series.

Pre-order Awakening for cheap!

It's not everyday I come here and tell you to buy things, so hear me out this time around. The world of indie comic books is a dark, untapped world, without the names of Marvel or DC, making it very hard for many series to get attention. But now, you too can enter the world of indie comics in a great way!

Pre-order Awakening Volume 1 from Discount Comic Book Service (DCBS) and not only will you be getting it for the best price around ($10.97 + shipping; that's 45% off!), but you'll also be getting a free print (8.5" x 11") to go with it! Pre-order yours here.

For those unaware, Awakening is a series published by Archaia Studios Press (who also publish the popular Mouse Guard series), written by Nick Tapalansky, and illustrated by Alex Eckman-Lawn. Awakening is an "existential horror" series that follows a former detective in a search that leads him to ... zombies. The main attraction to me was the art style, but I'm also a sucker for noir style stories, so it got me attracted there too.

Awakening Volume 1 is a hardcover collection of the first five comic books in the series. But, if you planned on finding this series in individual books, there's a catch, as volumes 4 and 5 were never individually released, meaning this hardcover collection is your only means of reading it. But hey, who doesn't like a nice hardcover graphic novel anyways? Don't miss out on your chance to get this book while it's on the cheap; I've already ordered mine!

Pre-order Awakening Vol. 1 at DCBS now!

But, if you'd rather pay more, or just want to order elsewhere you can do that too. Just make sure you get it!