Over the past few years, I've become a fan of a little independent comic book publisher based in Florida by the name of "Silverline Comics."
Silverline is headed by Roland Mann, who among other things, was a prominent team member at the Malibu Comics company, present for their pre-Ultraverse and Ultraverse eras.
So, once I discovered that Roland had his own imprint up and running, I just had to check it out.
And, at first, I wasn't super interested.
The main reason being that Silverline seemed only to sell physical copies of their books, mostly through IndyPlanet.com. As I'm more conscious of preserving the space I dedicate to my hobby-stuff in my house these days, that really sorta killed it for me right there.
Then, I discovered that Silverline offers PDF Reward Tiers on the Kickstarters for their books. Not only that, but they often offer "catch-up" rewards, allowing KS backers to acquire digital copies of past issues for the series that that are currently promoting.
And with that, my barrier was removed!
I've since backed several Silverline Kickstarters, but today, we're here to talk about one in particular, and that's:
BEYOND THE STARS #1 and #2!
Check out the covers for these issues below!
Pretty great, aren't they? No excuses or allowances need be made here for "oh, they're just a little indie company, give 'em a break" or anything like that!
And it's not just the covers that measure up, either, folks: Not only are the interior pages rendered by the same artist as the one you see on the covers above (there are alternate covers, too), but the writing, lettering, and all the other comics craft found within is more than equal to be counted among the so-called "big leagues."
Story credits are shared by Scripter Ron Fortier and Artist Andrea Bormida, with Lettering provided by Mike Belcher. Creator Profiles for each of these talented people are provided within the book on a page that looks very much like this:
What follows is the 22 pages of tightly written and excellently illustrated high-concept far-future space opera that brings you in quickly, holds you fast, and leaves you wanting more.
Not only is an entire world (comprised of galaxies!) built swiftly and concisely within these pages, but you also meet characters that are expertly introduced and provided with actual, well, character, in less time and with more sticking power than seems common in a lot of comics out there today.
The threat presented to these characters (and to everyone in the universe!) is real as well, and it is also folded into the story with seemingly effortless style, just like everything else in these issues. And did I mention that the art is beautiful?
Because the art. Is. Beautiful.
So here you go, folks, a new, ORIGINAL high-concept space opera that hits the ground running with likable, fully realized characters, and riveting adventure already unfolding to boot? What are you waiting for?
Well, you may be waiting for the issues to become available on IndyPlanet, as that tends to take a while.
You can check on that at the link provided below:
https://www.indyplanet.com/silverline
(and while you're there, check out their other series, natch!)
And follow Roland Mann and Silverline on Kickstarter here:
https://www.kickstarter.com/profile/rolandmann
https://www.kickstarter.com/profile/silverlinecomics
The Silverline crew has an active YouTube channel, too:
https://www.youtube.com/@SilverlineComics
So, if you are actually interested in something new under the sun (and all the countless stars!) in the comics multiverse, you don't have any excuses left, eh?
Go ahead and "Make Yours Silverline!", as Roland and the gang would say.
You won't be sorry.
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