Age of Bronze: ATS, Sacrifice & Betrayal

[xxdesire666xx]

I liked this issue a lot too, Ana! I think it was nice that Mr. Shanower gave us a sort of more humanlistc (sp?) touch. However, I did kind of scratch my head wondering where Kassandra was for a while. The poor wench : (. There were a few things in this book that made me giggle, like those Trojan women "Look there she is! There she is! it's HELEN!". That made me laugh, however I immedately associated that with Polyxena's reaction towards Hektor entering the city. I like this issue a lot, it is setting up the stage dramatically for the war to come, you already see preparations, those "defensive ditches", Priam was talking about. And yes, Ana, I think Mr. Shanower gave Andromache a very lovely face---however I must admit when I read the issue, I thought of you. I do not know WHY I associate Andromache with you, I just do. And yes, I do think you are right about her prescence being rather calming to Hektor.

A lot of peoples true character is developing more so, and I liked a lot how Mr. Shanower is portraying Helen's attitude to all of this---you can clearly see her in the background, and from the look on her face, she does not seem to be that pleased. I am sure when the first battle breaks out, Helen will be a weeping-sob. I must admit though, I liked Helen's character in "A thousand Ships", more so then the more recent issues. There she stood up for herself and spoke out, she was not some passive prune as she is now. But I guess that is what the fear of this war and guilt is doing to her, breaking down her esteem. I think I liked her in "A thousand Ships", more because she had the true character of a late bronze age queen---someone who clearly knew how to stick up for herself. Anyways, terrific issue. Good job Mr, Shanower, you marvel us again!! *blows kisses*

[Jeff of Earth J]

I've been off the board since Tuesday and have spent the morining desperately trying to catch up! Regarding the format questions raised on the letters page, I have some input to share, but Ana obviously has something specific in mind, so I'll save my comments until she introduces the topic formally.

Regarding the other announcement (concerning the CBG article which left the impression AoB was in danger of cancellation), I'm relieved to learn that that is not the case. It's easy enough for me to say that it's such a quality project that it should continue to be published, even in the red, but I'm not making my living off it! Obviously (from a few posts back), I was one of those who drew that mistaken conclusion, and I'd just like to reiterate how pleased I am that that is not the case.

[anacoqui]

I've been off the board since Tuesday and have spent the morining desperately trying to catch up! Regarding the format questions raised on the letters page, I have some input to share, but Ana obviously has something specific in mind, so I'll save my comments until she introduces the topic formally.

Not terribly specific. I just wanted  to see where everyone was on his format question. I started reading Age of Bronze as a trade. I can't even remember why we picked it up. Possibly Chris saw some preview art or read a review, but we fell in love with the book as trade. However knowing that independent artists have a hard time producing great quality work like this without a stedy income and because we wanted to see the conclusion of this book, we quickly switched over to individual issues for Sacrifice. I really liked reading the letters in the back, and that became a very useful and important part of my reading experience. If he goes to trade only format I would really miss that but as Mr. Shanower explained in the last issue, the letters are really slowing down. I did enjoy his text piece. In a way he did there was he has done for us here, tell us what he was trying to do when he crafted that issue, what things influenced his choices. I imagine that if he goes to a fat-quarterly or trade only format he would do more of that. So I am fine with that.

QUOTE

Regarding the other announcement (concerning the CBG article which left the impression AoB was in danger of cancellation), I'm relieved to learn that that is not the case. It's easy enough for me to say that it's such a quality project that it should continue to be published, even in the red, but I'm not making my living off it! Obviously (from a few posts back), I was one of those who drew that mistaken conclusion, and I'd just like to reiterate how pleased I am that that is not the case.

Me Too!

[anacoqui]

I There were a few things in this book that made me giggle, like those Trojan women "Look there she is! There she is! it's HELEN!". That made me laugh, however I immedately associated that with Polyxena's reaction towards Hektor entering the city.

She does seem to have fangirl quality to her. The only thing that doesn't yet make it creepy for me is that she seems so innocent about why her fixation on Hektor is wrong.

QUOTE

I like this issue a lot, it is setting up the stage dramatically for the war to come, you already see preparations, those "defensive ditches", Priam was talking about. And yes, Ana, I think Mr. Shanower gave Andromache a very lovely face---however I must admit when I read the issue, I thought of you. I do not know WHY I associate Andromache with you, I just do. And yes, I do think you are right about her prescence being rather calming to Hektor.

Really? okay. I guess that's cool, since I really liked her in this issue. (Better go read up on Andromache...)

QUOTE

A lot of peoples true character is developing more so, and I liked a lot how Mr. Shanower is portraying Helen's attitude to all of this---you can clearly see her in the background, and from the look on her face, she does not seem to be that pleased. I am sure when the first battle breaks out, Helen will be a weeping-sob. I must admit though, I liked Helen's character in "A thousand Ships", more so then the more recent issues. There she stood up for herself and spoke out, she was not some passive prune as she is now. But I guess that is what the fear of this war and guilt is doing to her, breaking down her esteem. I think I liked her in "A thousand Ships", more because she had the true character of a late bronze age queen---someone who clearly knew how to stick up for herself. Anyways, terrific issue. Good job Mr, Shanower, you marvel us again!! *blows kisses*

I think Helen is terribly unhappy with how things are going. Her husband is becoming someone unpleasant to be around (his jelous fit in the previous issues), his lack of honor and courage is being exposed more and more. She knows better than anyone what the Trojans will be facing and I think she does hate the idea that they might lose. In hindsight I think she much prefers the early days of their live together on the run. They came and went as they pleased, she saw so much and got to do so much more. She is now in another gilded cage with Paris as unstable companion.

[Chris Fluit]

Regarding the possible change in format:

First off, it makes me nervous.  A number of companies have tried to make the switch to trade-only publications and failed.  Future never published a trade.  Archangel Studios have yet to come out with a trade for Red Star.  And even if Eric Shanower is able to publish a volume, that's a long time to work on a project without receiving any income for it.  That's a long time for an audience to wait between installments.  Instead of the 3-6 months that we wait now, it could be 3-4 years.  Now I know that fans of fantasy and sci-fi wait that long for the next novel in a series, but we don't know that comics fans are prepared to wait that long.  It is a choice fraught with danger.

On the other hand, I think that Eric Shanower and Age of Bronze could be the first to succeed with this route.  As Shanower notes, a lot of his audience already waits for the trade.  His trade sales are more robust than the sales of his individual issues.  So it looks like the audience would still be there.  I know I would.  As Ana mentioned, we came to Age of Bronze through the first trade.  And we often admit to each other that it reads better as a trade.  I have saved up issues so that I can read two or three at a time.  If Eric switches to trade-only, we'll still be there waiting for the next volume.  And if enough of the 3 or 4 thousand single issue readers switch to the trades, that will only add to the success of those volumes.  I think Age of Bronze could be the first to pull it off, but it's still a big risk.

My only wish though would be that Shanower would go for the switch at a good point in the story.  I guess I'd want to see Betrayal finished up.  I wouldn't want to have bought four issues of Betrayal only to have to pay for them again in a trade.

[Jeff of Earth J]

First of all, I'd like to say that I will continue to support Age of Bronze regardless of format.  

Second, Chris raises some real and valid concerns regarding the switch from monthly issues to trade paperback format (all of which I'm sure Shanower has considered).

Third, although I prefer to read this particular series in trade (or hardcover) format, like Chris and Ana, I've chosen to shown my support by buying the individual issues (I figure it's the least I can do; if there's anything more, I'm open to suggestions   ), and will continue to do so as long as necessary.

That probably wasn't much help.  

[Captain Comics]

This may be the best comic book I've ever read.

[xxdesire666xx]

I would just like to say, since I have found a website that sells Mr. Shanower's rare to find "House of Horrors", that is anyone has not yet snagged this comic they should start looking for it right now.

I loved the way he handled the mythology and the God's, and I am sorry to say but I can not help but laugh at Demeter's face when she realizes what she has just done, and just the way he draws her and the other God's like myceanean frescos and mini sacrifical sculptures is just sheer brillant! This also made a good frightening effect, seeing how the God's when they "recoiled" in horror were frighteningly gortesqe looking! I really do hope Mr. Shanower reads this and comments back, telling me what he thought of this whole thing. (I also wanted to ask a question, about at the very end, when Troy is on fire and certain characters fates are sealed on a sword--how convient--and Helen has her arms raised, lookig up. I can not get her expression or think what she is thinking, is she chanting, sining? Or is she praising the fires to burn consume Troy?) I also liked the way he portrayed poor Atreus wife, I think? This is also by far the most bloodiest issue yet so far.

This might only be, all together, twenty-four pages, four more pages then the actual issues, but it really is a must have. I strangely relate it to the so called curse of the "Kennedy's", and somewhat grasp the conncept that there is true evil in this world---and that Mr. Shanower fantastically, like he always does, portrayed it using "The House of Atreus" and other Greek tragedies, through a family lineage, making it all the more upsetting. I also relate it to the tragic events in the "Amityville Horror", when the whole family was shot and killed and there is a sort of unprecedented fear wrapped around it. I also greatly admire the way he portrayed Helen, not because she looks marvelously beautiful in that one particular scene, but that he kind of gave a odd---I do not know, spookyness about her, I really can not describe it. It kind of seems as if Helen embodies a real and dangerous evil, masked behind the most dangerous of all masks: the face of beauty. I love the way Mr. Shanower did her hair, as it shadows over the funeral of Katreus, kind of giving it an odd look---sort of looks like blood in a way, and it foreshadows the great war to come. But what I liked most was that it is pretty much saying, in my mind at least, that not all things very beautiful, are neciassarily good, and that is some cases end up entirely wrong for the community. Like the Greeks use to call it, a "kalon kakon", or a beautiful bad thing.

QUOTE

"And what of blameless Menelaus, succesor to Tyndareus's Spartan throne? With the throne came Tyndareus's youngest daughter, Helen. No horror she, but the most beautiful woman in the world. But Helen will multipy the horrors of the house of Atreus.

The curse of Myrtilos is as nothing compared to what Helen brings-- HORROR unprecedented, HORROR to end an age, HORROR whose fame the world will sing forever.

So mourn now, sons of Atreus. Mourn before the tomb of Katreus, King of Crete, your mother's father, slain in error by his son Althaimenes. Mourn--mourn well--but do not mourn too long: This mourning is merely practice for what WILL COME!"

[xxdesire666xx]

If anyone has ever known, Mr Shanower has returned from troy. I hope his trip was a pleasent one and hope he had fun and learned a few things. I hope he does tell us what it was like for him to go to Troy, hopefully it was not that hot. Actually, most people who went to Troy said it was relatively cool. I hope he gives us a detail of the accounts of what he say and did, mist of been exciting!

[Jeff of Earth J]

QUOTE(Comics for August 16)

IDW Publishing
Adventures In Oz TP $39.99
Adventures In Oz Deluxe HC Signed & Numbered $75.00

ATTENTION ERIC SHANOWER FANS!

The above item(s) shipped today! The collection features all five of Shanower’s original Oz graphic novels, The Enchanted Apples of Oz, The Secret Island of Oz, The Ice King of Oz, The Forgotten Forest of Oz and The Blue Witch of Oz. It’s very different from Age of Bronze, to be sure, but it could help pass the time while waiting for issue #24!

[anacoqui]

If anyone has ever known, Mr Shanower has returned from troy. I hope his trip was a pleasent one and hope he had fun and learned a few things. I hope he does tell us what it was like for him to go to Troy, hopefully it was not that hot. Actually, most people who went to Troy said it was relatively cool. I hope he gives us a detail of the accounts of what he say and did, mist of been exciting!

Desire, I just heard from Mr. Shanower on the subject this morning.
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
Dear Ana,

I'm back from my first trip to Troy. If you could please post this to the discussion at the Captain Comics Board so that anyone who's interested in reading about my trip may do so on the Age of Bronze website at:
<a href="http://www.age-of-bronze.com/aob/CartoonistinTroy.shtml" target="_blank">www.age-of-bronze.com/aob/CartoonistinTroy.shtml</a>

The first part is up now. No photos yet, but I'll get them up soon. Part Two will follow a little later, probably next week.

Hope everyone out there is doing well. I'm back at work on Age of Bronze #24.

Best,
Eric Shanower<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I just read it and it sounds like it althought the trip had a bumpy start it was still worthwhile experience.

[anacoqui]

QUOTE(xxdesire666xx @ Aug 12 2006, 05:24 PM) [snapback]268167[/snapback]

If anyone has ever known, Mr Shanower has returned from troy. I hope his trip was a pleasent one and hope he had fun and learned a few things. I hope he does tell us what it was like for him to go to Troy, hopefully it was not that hot. Actually, most people who went to Troy said it was relatively cool. I hope he gives us a detail of the accounts of what he say and did, mist of been exciting!

Desire, I just heard from Mr. Shanower on the subject this morning.

QUOTE

Dear Ana,

I'm back from my first trip to Troy. If you could please post this to the discussion at the Captain Comics Board so that anyone who's interested in reading about my trip may do so on the Age of Bronze website at:
www.age-of-bronze.com/aob/CartoonistinTroy.shtml

The first part is up now. No photos yet, but I'll get them up soon. Part Two will follow a little later, probably next week.

Hope everyone out there is doing well. I'm back at work on Age of Bronze #23.

Best,
Eric Shanower

I just read it and it sounds like it althought the trip had a bumpy start it was still worthwhile experience.
 

Eric Shanower has now added pictures to part 1 and has part 2 up too.

[anacoqui]

Mr. Shanower and I exchanged some emails last week, so I could update the thread's new URL after the board moved.

We also chatted about the future of the discussion. He had this information to share about the books publishing schedule:

The next book collection will be out in 2007 and contain issues 20 through 26. I've had to split the Betrayal arc into three separate books, so there will now be Betrayal Part 1, Betrayal Part 2, and Betrayal Part 3.

Right now, however, my goal is to finish issue 25 by the end of the year because the French publisher wants issues 20 through 25 for the third French book for Angouleme in early 2007.

Also, parts 3 and 4 of my Troy trip report are up on the AOB website if you haven't seen them yet. That's the entire report up now, much longer than I'd originally intended (story of my life).

If you haven't read the trip report, go do it, it is full of interesting details, some of which I hope make it into the issues ahead. Also I think we lost Desire's post in the great board changeover, but incase you didn't notice, issue 24 has been solicited for Dec.

And only tangentially related to Age of Bronze, I saw this linked on another site "What we have learned from History -- The Trojan Horse still works" It made me laugh in the most unbecoming manner.

[anacoqui]

News from Eric Shanower's webpage: Age-of-Bronze.com:

January 4-7, 2007 - Eric Shanower will be appearing at the Age of Bronze booth in the dealers room at the 2007 Annual Meeting of the Archaeological Institute of America/American Philological Association on Thursday, January 4, through Sunday, January 7. The San Diego Marriott and Marina on Harbor Drive in downtown San Diego, CA, is the host hotel where all programs will take place and where the dealers room will be located.

January 25-28, 2007 - Eric Shanower will be appearing and signing copies of his work at the booth of Akileos Editions, publisher of the French version of Age of Bronze (L'age de Bronze), at the 34th Festival International de la Bande Dessinee in Angouleme, France.

March 15, 2007 - Eric Shanower will be speaking about Age of Bronze at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana. Details to come.

I am not sure we have any legionaries in San Diego or Angouleme, France, but I do know we have a few in Indiana, so I thought it wouldn't hurt to post this here.


Also other tidbits I saw there that might be of interest is that the Italian Publisher of Age of Bronze, is making the Italian Version of the Age of Bronze map available on their website, http://www.free-books.it

[anacoqui]

Some corrections on these:

News from Eric Shanower's webpage: Age-of-Bronze.com:

January 4-7, 2007 - Eric Shanower will be appearing at the Age of Bronze booth in the dealers room at the 2007 Annual Meeting of the Archaeological Institute of America/American Philological Association on Thursday, January 4, through Sunday, January 7. The San Diego Marriott and Marina on Harbor Drive in downtown San Diego, CA, is the host hotel where all programs will take place and where the dealers room will be located.

January 25-28, 2007 - Eric Shanower will be appearing and signing copies of his work at the booth of Akileos Editions, publisher of the French version of Age of Bronze (L'age de Bronze), at the 34th Festival International de la Bande Dessinee in Angouleme, France.

March 15, 2007 - Eric Shanower will be speaking about Age of Bronze at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana. Details to come.

January 4-7, 2007 - Eric Shanower will be appearing at the Age of Bronze booth in the dealers room at the 2007 Annual Meeting of the Archaeological Institute of America/American Philological Association on Thursday, January 4, through Sunday, January 7. The San Diego Marriott and Marina on Harbor Drive in downtown San Diego, CA, is the host hotel where all programs will take place and where the dealers room will be located.

January 25-28, 2007 - CANCELLED. Eric Shanower won't be appearing at the Angouleme Festival this year. However, plans are underway for Shanower's signing tour of France in February. Details to come.

March 15, 2007 - Eric Shanower will be speaking about Age of Bronze at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois. Details to come.

So the March engagement isn't in Indiana anymore but Illinois and their have been a change in plans for the France trip too.