Lost Vegas #1: Lost in Translation?

Ocean's 11 in space - that was the initial thought when we first read the synopsis for McCann and Lee's heist-style title a few months back.
Whilst there are elements of truth to this comparison, wow do they deliver.

Meet Roland, a down on his luck gambler who owes a hell of a lot of money to a lot of the wrong sorts of people. When the debtors come to collect (love this scene), he's forced to work on Lost Vegas - the space casino - to pay of his debts. 5 year's later and true to loveable lowlife form, Roland has made his plans to get out. A very simple concept, but one that has you immediately looking forward to the next issue.

McCann and Lee are no stranger to working with each other, but they are by no means slipping back into old habits. This is a new venture for the both of them, as it is almost completely opposite to their previous work, and McCann in particular is so versatile. I'm currently reading this side-by-side with 'Mind The Gap', and McCann's style couldn't be anymore different. Lost Vegas definitely departs from the sci-fi-esque mystery, and presents a slightly more edgier and darker tone - that is beginning to reminds me of a noir Great Gatsby.


This really comes out in Ronald's character. From the beginning you get the sense that he'll be the low-life that we love. But there's something very dark and sinister about him. He only looks out for number one, and is willing to step on/over anyone to get what he want. This is the main reason why I absolutely LOVE Skottie Young's variant cover of #1 because his style really captures these darker qualities.

Skottie Young variant cover

When it come's artwork, Janet Lee has a very unique style that ready does root the story firmly in the comic domain, but at the same time there's something that's not completely right for me. The pages are dazzling to look at, especially with the help of colourist Chris Sotomayor, but I can't help feeling that it could be slightly grander. It's almost as if the vastness of the surroundings aren't being fully translated. The double page spreads are beautiful, but I don't feel as lost in them as I should - it doesn't necessarily feel like there are thousands of people on board as opposed to hundreds. BUT that said, Lee is great at making you feel like you are the overseer of this spectacle.  

So we guess it's all aboard Lost Vegas for some glitz, glamour, aliens and a squiggly ink thing.
We like

Beginning to fill in the gaps: Mind the Gap #6

Issue 6 has arrived and McCann has up'ed the tension and mystery to this classic 'who done' it comic thriller. The last time we saw our ethereal Elle, she was about to hop into the body of a cute lil 10 year old (not as creepy as it sounds)...and with that starts the new arc 'Wish You Were Here' and MORE MYSTERY!

This is such a complex idea, and McCann pulls it off perfectly. The story of Kate is pretty heartbreaking and cold all at once. Kate and Elle's stories overlap so well, and it leaves you wondering if in the end they will pretty much align. But hey...i'm more than keen to find out.

I love the way that McCann has addressed the ideas of death, the afterlife and bodily possession. This is such an unusual take on a thriller, but this is what makes it work so well.

What would Doom do?
He'd crank the tension on this bad boy up to 10, turn out the lights, whack out the popcorn and silently wait until next month for the next body hop.

Mind the Gap: The power of cover art

So last week I rambled on about cover art and variants, and this week I was definitely a slave to its various shiny fun ways.

I'm a very visual person - i'll always remember a face and location but never a name and destination. I leave notes for myself in doodle form. My attention sways far too quickly from words if there is no imagery present...so basically i'm a child.
I'm one of those people who will invest solely in a comic or book if it has striking cover art, and Jim McCann's 'Mind the Gap' is definitely no exception to this.

When I came across Volume 1 (containing issues 1-5), I was sold hook line and sinker. But before loving up the the artwork, first, the story. Without delving too deep into it, MTG is a modern day 'who done it' thriller tailing Elle Peterssen who is attacked on a Manhattan subway platform and left comatose.  The sci-fi shiz kicks in when the only key to finding out her attacker can be found within her own subconscious- where she drifts in a purgatory like world.
5 issue's in and whilst it has some predictable elements (like most 'who done it's), there are still plenty of twists and turns and a whole lot of "huh?", and i'm pretty sure McCann has a lot left to offer.

Now back to the art. Penciled by Rodin Esquejo I was definitely captured by the sense of realism. The cover art for #1 (and volume 1) is just amazing. The pencils of Esquejo and colours by Sonia Oback practically breath life into the story. I really feel that Esquejo and Oback take what is already a strong story and amplify it. They are consistent throughout, precise and awesome at capturing the different locations, atmospheres and states (reality, flashbacks and Elle's 'purgatory'). Oback is great at adding elements of beauty and intrigue to a tale of danger and sadness.

The only downside is that i'm pretty gutted that I haven't been collecting it issue by issue! The cover art and variants are bloody awesome, and each artist is so good at depicting the same idea in different ways through their own voice. Yay for Mind the Gap!

#3 variant by Skottie Young

#4 variant by Lynell Ingram

So what would doom do? He'd take off that mask of his so he could open his eyes a little wider and wake and see the awesomeness of good cover art.