I met Thomas Doherty, Editor In Chief of Committed Comics at the recent Long Beach Comic Con... While there he showed some comics that are coming out at LCBS across the country, and a few that were back issues at his company's table. One that grabbed my interest was 'Threads' issue #1. The artwork looked very familar, and it turned out to be a front cover by Dick Ayers! So of course that had to go to at least in the middle of my 'possible to review' stack to read! Here are the details for the 'Threads' comic book series as explained at Committed Comics' web site: Threads was an experiment with the typical comic book format; A new concept in comic story telling. Three different creative teams per issue... one constant 'Thread' in the book. That formula turned out some of the most original and inventive stories to hit comics today. So come follow the threads and see where they take you.... Two issues were produced in 2001 and 2002 to much critical reviews and then a limited edition collected issue was printed with new material. The collected edition has since sold out! Additional Info: The cover artist of Threads shows the past (Dick Ayers), present (Alitha Martinez) and future (Raymond Thomas). Threads was originally slated to be a six issue mini series but due to creative differences the series was shortened to two issues and later a reprinted graphic novel. All of the artwork for Threads was fully colored and then converted to grey scale using a special process developed by Color Dojo. Issue 1 credits only shown here - So what were my thoughts of this first issue of the series? And only the first issue, since I didn't see or read the 2nd issue or the collected reprint TPB? Well, quite honestly I'm a probable reader for anything that is 'Ghost Rider' - 'Black Rider' - 'Night Rider' - or now 'Shadow Rider' in concept. Because it was Dick Ayers that brought that original concept to life, and I have enjoyed the original series, and the reprints, and the newer versions since 1950's. This issue started off great with a Dick Ayers front cover. Yeah, now I gotta get over that! So turning the front cover, I see the inside front cover which explains there were to be three stories in this issue. Three stories by different creative teams. I believe the concept that was explained as to what 'Threads' was about when this book was being produced in the Spring of 2002, was a good concept... The first story: Greed, was a good read. The story was good in setting up the character of 'Shadow Rider', and the other characters were fleshed out in 10 pages. T he artwork and usage of grays & blacks were done well. The lettering was fine... The second story: The Shadow Rider, with 9 pages, was a different style of writing and definitely a different art form! Even the lettering was way different from the first story. Not that I didn't like the story, it was actually good, but so far different from the first story, that it was good that this story was in the middle of the comic's pages. The third story: Revenge, with 10 pages, was once again different from the other two stories in writing and art. Right, I know, the comic is titled 'Threads'. Okay, got it... Again, after adjusting for the new writing and art style, I found myself liking this story also. Three 'threads', all about the same character 'Shadow Rider'. I liked this 'anthology book', even though the inside front cover says it isn't an anthology comic book, because "each issue is self contained". Okay, but it's still an anthology comic to me! And one that I liked, even though I was a bit prejudiced into picking it up because of the Dick Ayers front cover art! The comic book gave me what it should do... a period of time of entertainment during my reading it! What happened that the planned six issues only turned into two issues, I don't about in full, so will just say that this issue was worth picking up. Those of you that liked the original Ghost Rider - Night Rider - etc., (NOT the motorcycle guy of the 1970's), would more than likely enjoy these stories in this issue! Yeah, it's a little old, (2002), but Committed Comics does have it in their online store for sale at: http://www.committedcomics.com/comics/threads.htm Also, here is the Facebook Member Page for Committed Comics if you are a Facebook member: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1280104238&ref=ts BTW.... Whereas Tina and I don't publish comics or books (yet?) or set up at comic cons anymore, (except at our own Facebook Virtual Comic Con Dealer Table), we do have thousands of indies and mainstream comics in our own online store. Be sure to check out our new listings of comics, graphic novels, Comic Con exclusives and more pop culture items for sale in our online eBay Featured Store that our blogs are based on! It's due to sales at this online store that keep us going with the ability to post blogs like the one you have read here today! Thanks again to all of YOU reading our current and archived blog posts! We do blog daily on comic book creators, comic book reviews, and other pop culture news and events including some TV shows and theatrical films! ~ Michael @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com
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