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For immediate updates add Sam as your myspace friend: Myspace.com/SpiritKnight7
We need your feeback for issue #3!! Return of the King!! Send in your comments! bryan@redmachinecomics.com Fan Feedback: Regarding Spirit Knight (Issue #2: Emergency) Artwork: Better than Issue #1: Arrival. The extra work they're putting into it is paying off. And whether you may like the artwork or not, it is best to not compare Spirit Knight with other titles but to view it as its own unique art style. After all, the story is different enough, why shouldn't the art be? Also, the coloring is the same as the previous issue and still carries the same consistent dark "feel" to it, making the brief scene in the peaceful chapel that much more...refreshing. Script: Good. It's not too wordy. This story doesn't get bogged down with too many intricate details that slow down the pacing, but instead, like Issue #1, this book cuts right to the chase. We get to see just a little bit more about Sam's past, but they're cautious to give you just enough info that you need to know for his current situation and nothing else. Like the artwork, the script-writing has the same...essence as the first issue. The story is still primarily told through Sam's delirious mind. I like how, even though he's tough-looking on the outside, he's really pretty shy and introverted. He is now mostly confused but can be strong and clever at the same time. (Oh, also, I forgot to mention in Issue #1, I like how Michael refers to Sam as a "great warrior," it reminded me of the same exact context of Gideon in the Bible, a fearful man who seems to be the farthest thing from a warrior and how God can commission any man from any background to do anything He wants.) Inside Cover: "We hoped for peace, but there was nothing good; for a time of healing, but there was only terror." (Jer 8:15). I like how they bring out these darker verses out of the Bible. Not that it's glorifying evil or anything, but it really relates to modern people's dark situations and it's ironically kind of comforting knowing that the Bible can relate to a person's dark times. It just makes God look that much cooler when He does beat down the bad guys. "Human opposition only enhances Your glory..." Psalm 76:10. The verses they've used thus far fit the mood of the comic book. Overall: Spirit Knight makes a great balance between random, bizarre zombie-like chaos and deep, down-to-earth, real life struggles. Based on the last two issues released, this title doesn't seem like the type of propaganda that tries to debate deep, complicated theologies and schools of thought (Althought I do enjoy those kind of stories also). Rather, Spirit Knight is more simple: What would you do if all you had were the clothes on your back, a hotel Bible in your pocket, and an army of enemies that you suddenly made? Would you do what Sam does? If you, or anyone you know, enjoy Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Fallen, Witchblade, Hellboy, Spawn, Archangels: The Saga (or The Fall), Ghost Rider, Blade, Underworld, any zombie related title, or any other spiritual-themed thriller, Spirit Knight should be added to your collection as well. Looking forward to Issue #3. I should've figured. A story that takes place in Las Vegas....there's bound to be an Elvis impersonation sooner or later..... ~Daniel R
Spirit Knight issue 1 - Arrival: Story concept: While many Christian comic books deal with spiritual warfare, you managed to make this story different enough to be original. Artwork: You have lots of room to grow in the area of penciling, but you definitely hit the nail on the head with the coloring. GREAT use of colors. I like the way your comic book can be dark without being evil. Obviously, this Wayfaring Stranger is sent to a dark and gritty world. It's dark without being suffocating. Script: Clear and concise. The dialogue flows and is sometimes witty. You caught my attention on the very first page, "I am Sam...Sam I am....Now I know I'm losing my mind." Very short, but enough to get me to turn the first page. Page 2, described his great life. Page 3, showed how he lost it. "I have nothing left to live for." Already, in the first three pages, you caught my attention, then showed me images of success and despair, some of which I can relate to. Great work. Kept me interested for the rest of the book. Inside cover: I like the consistent theme of rain, even in the flash preview on the website carried this theme. "He reveals mysteries from the darkness..." Is that a Bible verse? You sure can't tell from that page alone. It's not shoved in your face. It's just there, and sounds cool and interesting too, especially with the rain behind it. The end cover, "...and brings the deepest darkness into the light." How cool, it's as if the whole story was told within the breath of that one sentence. The whole issue was told with one sentence as it's bookends. Original. Very creative. Oh and look, there's a Scripture reference. So it is a Bible verse after all, but it's not shoved in my face. I love it. The font is nice on the back of the cover. Faded, yet legible. I like the stylish "S" in the background too. Actually, my only complaint is the penciling, but that is something that becomes better with each image you draw. Everything else is great. I LOVE the imagery and the "look" you were shooting for. I would like to see more Christian comics filling in this genre. In addition to the comic books we have now about angels fighting demons, and historical comic books depicting Biblical events, we really need more comic books about modern people and how to disciple them and how a modern believer should engage God and their culture. Spirit Knight is the right step in this direction. Advice I've learned from other Christian writers is, "Constantly read the Word. It'll keep you from getting burned out." Keep doing what you're doing. I can't wait to see issue #2.
Until Next Time, Spirit Knight issue 1 - Arrival: "I really enjoyed the story. Not preachy at all. In fact, I wouldn't even think it was a Christian comic in the sense that I wasn't feeling like I was getting hit over the head with some message. I mean the message is there in the story but it serves the story, instead of the message dictating the story. I felt more like the religious elements were used as a means of telling a good story, much like the Greek Gods are used to tell a story. So I think in essence it should have broad appeal. I loved that the story moved fast, there didn't seem to be any pacing issues, there wasn't any point where I felt a scene didn't need to be there. I liked the fact that everything you needed to know about Sam was up front and that he, like the reader, is suddenly thrust into this crazy new reality with lots of questions and almost no time to stop and figure them out. We, like Sam, have move along for the ride. I liked the arrival of the demon seed and the "This truly is a good book" line. It was cute and witty and kinda played along with the type of snappy banter you expect to hear in a fun, action movie. I also think the first issue has set up everything the reader needs to know to enjoy and, hopefully, come back for more.
Great job and I look forward to seeing the rest of your adventure into publishing unfold."
Do you have something to say? Send it to info@redmachinemm.com.
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