We've traveled the World and the Seven Seas, and we've hunted down some amazing titles for this Fresh Friday Features this week! What is it that you're searching for? Maybe you'll find it hidden in the depths of these pages.
- Comic - TALES OF THE VAGRANT DRAGON: follow the journey wandering knight 'Raphael Belthran' through unknown and cursed lands in search of a powerful artifact
- Graphic Novel - Murinae: After Midnight: Rather than a simple innocent tale of survival, a mother mouse tumbles into a reality where human morals are non-existent. Where cruelty and viciousness are the constant. She then discovers a reality where blood is life itself...
- Manga - Dark Metro: Anna is nearly drawn into its depths when she follows the suicidal Rei down an escalator to hell. The mysterious guide Seiya pulls her back.
- Webcomic - Wet Frontier: Treasure Hunters: Two orphan merpeople, down on their luck and strapped for cash decide to risk big with a treasure hunt!
TALES OF THE VAGRANT DRAGON #1, 30 pages - Published by Starbringer studio, (cc/ @Raapack)
This is the first chapter fully written and illustrated by Jheremy Raapack creator of ' TALES OF THE VAGRANT DRAGON ' - bestselling artist of " INJUSTICE GOD AMONG US ' - worked for years at DC comics, Marvel and European publishers. And Now, bringing his first authorial project to the world. Tales of the Vagrant Dragon is a Dark fantasy Story - And you will follow the journey wandering knight 'Raphael Belthran' through unknown and cursed lands in search of a powerful artifact - but the path will show his unexpected adversities and choices -this chapter brings all the elements - Monster !
Story and Art by Starbringer studio
"Stunning" would be an understatement for the work that has gone into this book. Incredible illustrations, creative and spacious paneling, with flowing action, it's a fantastic book. As a manga lover, it gave me a lot of manga-vibes with its hatching and almost tone-like feel. The backgrounds are also not skimpy at all! The story is also interesting and the "price" our hero pays is already steep. I loved the introduction of the bard-like character, I can't wait to see more!
Murinae: After Midnight, 118 pages - Published by Vargvast Creations, (cc/ @VemberJudgement)
The story starts with an air of familiarity... A poor mother mouse struggling to survive. Starving children unaware of when their next meal would come. So the mother mouse ventures out to find a way to save her family. But rather than a simple innocent tale of survival, she tumbles into a reality where human morals are non-existent. Where cruelty and viciousness are the constant. She then discovers a reality where blood is life itself... Artwork by Eisner nominated Mauricio Caballero (Helm, Zeraky). Colors by Fernando Caballero (Zeraky). Featuring character designs by Nick Tate.
Story and Art by Fernando Caballero and Mauricio Caballero
The description mentioned cruelty and viciousness and the author was not messing around! It's interesting while reading Murinae, how unpredictable this comic is. In the most enjoyable way, I was left guessing what was going to happen next, or how Ama would get out of things. Nothing seems to be going her way, and there are all kinds of folks who want to take advantage of her, in all kinds of ways. She's clearly just trying to do her best, but the gruesome, bloody, and downright violent world will drag her down with it. Great work! Looking forward to more.
Dark Metro, 201 pages - Published by TOKYOPOP, (cc/ @GCpartnerships)
Descend into the underworld of Tokyo’s metro system in the first volume of this acclaimed manga horror series. Below Tokyo’s metro system is a world more frightening than anyone could imagine. Anna is nearly drawn into its depths when she follows the suicidal Rei down an escalator to hell. The mysterious guide Seiya pulls her back. But now they must find a way out of Tokyo’s secret metro lines in time to escape Rei and the ghosts who inhabit the darkness.
Story and Art by Tokyo Calen and Yoshiken
I was so thrilled to see this on GlobalComix, as I never got to finish Volume 1 as a younger person. I love ghost and youkai stories, and in this manga, the victims of the subway, be it at someone else's hand, or their own, seek to help the metro system claim more victims. Every story is unique, but a core thread is this guide of the subway system, Seiya. I'm eager to see if this develops into a longer, more plot driven series with future volumes.
Wet Frontier: Treasure Hunters, 575 pages - Published by Wet Frontier Comics, (cc/ @Chico-D-Mar)
Two orphan merpeople, down on their luck and strapped for cash decide to risk big with a treasure hunt! On the way they'll meet all sorts of trouble; from rampaging robots, explosive shrimp, spiny urchins, and handsome piranhas. Will they make it out of this situation, treasure in tow? Or even their lives?! Updates Weekly on Wednesdays
Story and Art by Wet Frontier Comics
Who doesn't like some treasure? Watch out for the dangerous folks along the way who only seek to steal all your hard work! Though the idea of an explosion happy shrimp, all-seeing spiny sea urchins, and robots under the sea all is incredibly fascinating. I loved how all of the characters clearly have their own -very- distinctive personalities and quirks. The vertical flow is smooth and those accents in the dialogue. It all comes together so beautifully!
That's all for now, but we'll have another set of Fresh Friday reading recommendations next week. You can also browse through our Featured Comics news section and add them to your Library for future reading!
Check out more amazing stuff from @ArtCrumbs below.
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Did you get a chance to check out any of these fresh picks? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!