Echoes of Dawn issue # Review by "From the Tomb Magazine"

Echoes of Dawn #1 – Review


Issue: Echoes of Dawn #1
Writer: Z.M. Thomas
Pencils: Cliff Richards
Colors: Mike Bartollo
Letters: Zach Matheny
Publisher: Trepidation Comics
Release Date: Jan 2010
Pages: 24
Price: $4.99


“Echoes of Dawn follows Ethan’s terrifying journey into the city of Eastport, where he is met with the ghosts of the past who help him unravel the dirty secrets tied with the Deray name. “

Artwork: 4.0 out of 5.0
This is a great looking issue. The character designs are really nice and very realistic. They stay nice and consistent throughout the issue. The coloring is spot on and adds a nice photo like quality to the pages. The artwork is easily the highlight of this issue.

Story: 3.0 out of 5.0
So what works here really well is the dialogue. The interactions are great and like the art very realistic. For a first issue though I found myself a little more confused than I would have liked. I think there is a nice plot started, but I didn’t think enough of it was covered. A great introduction to the cast was given, but that in depth look that leads you to want to know more was lacking a little. However it was not enough to make me not want to know more, because there is one creepy element to this book that I want to see played out.

Dying Breath: 3.5 out of 5.0
While the artwork is strong the story can’t keep up in the first issue. Some great plot points were laid, but not enough structural support was really added to hook me after one issue. However the creepy factor is working for this book, as I find my intrigued to see where it is heading. Great looking art and a strange twisted plot seem to be on the horizon for this one so consider me on board for more.

If you would like to buy or know more about Echoes of Dawn #1 please check out http://www.trepidation-comics.com

Just Random Music Talk #1

So I picked up Day of Fire's new album "Losing All." And it was ... Um... yeah... FUCK YOU JOSH BROWN. Jesus Christ (pun not intended) but what is this garbage? I mean, seriously? I understand that you had a near death experience with Heroine... but writing garbage music is no excuse... Perhaps you should've just stopped doing heroine and not resort to writing some halfshit attempt at a band when the ONLY good thing you've seemed to manage of this career of yours died with your overdose. That's right, Full Devil Jacket, one of my FAVORITE bands of the early 2000's died the day you decided to shoot up. Ugh... I dunno why I thought that maybe, just maybe there would be a chance that your change in style might be somewhat audibly enjoyable... but no, I mean there's potential there, you're a fantastic vocalist, however the limits you put on yourself as a lyricist is just plain awful.

So to make up for having wasted the amount of time I wasted listening to "Losing it All," which should actually be retitled as "Losing 51 minutes and 48 Seconds..." Anyway, I ended up picking up the new Misery Index album entitled "Pulling Out The Nails," which isn't really new, but a collection of some of their earlier work. However, this is without a doubt some of the best grindcore /death metal I could ask for. The drumwork is unGodly, and really sets the bar for the genre at almost an insurmountable height. Truth be told, I'm actually taken back by how fucking awesome this album is. Of course, I don't really think you could improve much upon their last effort "Traitors" which is probably one of my favorite albums in recent years.

Another album worth picking up is the sophomore effort from Epica entitled "Design Your Universe." Needless to say, this album actually leaves me speechless almost on all fronts. While not perfect, there are definitely a handful of tracks that certainly pick up where the album lacks and does so without affecting my opinion on the album as a whole. The orchestration is flawlessly blended in with it's heavier moments and is really topped off with some of the most powerful vocals in any symphonic metal band to date.

Anyway, I'm getting pretty tired and probably should head to bed being that it's 2:05 at the moment.

Z.M.Thomas

Should the Pope Resign?

Pope Allegedly Knew About Wisc. Pedophile Priest.

New News Article brought to you by AOL News. "Pope Allegedly Knew About Wis. Pedophile Priest."

Z.M.Thomas

New... Errr... Character Designs

Here are some of the much promised character designs for the upcoming untitled comic book project that is currently in the works to be released, originally started back in 2005 with Al Rio. However, Cliff Richards has picked up where Rio had left off in 2006, and the first 66 page TPB will be available this spring!





Anyway, I hope you enjoy the images, they're pretty badass in their own right. Hopefully soon I will unveil the title for this upcoming book, perhaps upload a few sample pages for you to enjoy!

Z.M.Thomas

Random Crap #1

Ah, a busy week and weekend has come and gone about as quickly as... Ok, they went slow as hell, who am I kidding? None the less, I ended up conquering God of War III as well as working diligently on my next couple Trade Paperbacks (TPB) in hopes that they will arrive in April. We'll see.

Well, if I remember correctly (without having any motivation to actually look it up online) I believe the 8 Films to Die For IV is coming out tomorrow. And if there's anything I love more than horror films... it's horror films. So, I'll probably lose a few days of precious writing and work to this upcoming box set, but somehow that doesn't matter to me at all. Hell, this could've been spread out in a 3 day increment if After Dark Films didn't fuck up their distribution and not bring it to MN, so if you have a problem with it, take it up with them.

Anyway, the untitled project has a neat little full color character design that was created back in 2005 by the very talented Al Rio. I'll go ahead and post that in the next day or so. So Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for that. Also, the new Abe books should be available HOPEFULLY sooner than later, and I'll bring you guys up to speed once I get there myself.

Z.M.Thomas

Who the Fuck is Jack Chick?

It would appear lately I have been receiving several e-mails, asking whether or not that I am the "next Jack Chick." Now, for the better part of the past week or so, I can safely say that I had no fucking idea who Jack Chick was. So, of course I check out his website to help better educate myself on who this person is that I am allegedly following in the footsteps of.

And Holy Shit... Apparently this Jack Chick character is the asshole who prints up these pamphlets and distributes them to socially retarded religious fanatic fuckbags that hand them out at airports. Yes, now if you've ever been to the airport and received one of those pamphlets that likes to inform you that "YOU'RE GOING TO HELL," than you might be familiar with who this guy is.

Now, I'm no Jack Chick. I mean... where do I begin? I don't think I run around like some inbred fuckbag with a box of .16 cent comics with the intention to hand out the "YOU'RE GOING TO HELL" pamphlets. No, instead I write comic books. Ones with stories and PLOTS! Yes, that's right, Plots. Even Abe the Aborted Fetus has a plot line. Sure you probably think it's offensive and immature, and I wouldn't even argue with you. However, that book has something Jack Chick doesn't... story. I have a beginning, middle end, conflict and resolution.

Hell, looking beyond Abe the Aborted Fetus, I have other books that have NO religious connotation what-so-ever. Echoes of Dawn, a horror/noir book, featuring ghosts, monsters, gore and violence. Or Contagion which is a zombie story that features much of the same (minus the ghosts) INCLUDING A PLOT!

So to conclude my ramblings and to clear the air... I am no Jack Chick, nor would I ever like to be. However, one benefit has arisen from this experience. I at least have a face to the asshole behind those stupid comics I get at the airport before I get on a plane.

Z.M.Thomas

Exclusive New Comic Update #1

So as promised, I am putting up a brand new image for you guys to see. I still haven't decided on what I am going to title this project. I have a few ideas, however those will continue to simmer on my brain until one just jumps out at me.



The artwork above is the very first project Cliff Richards and I have worked on together. However, after some modifications for nearly 5 years, it's finally seeing the light of day.

Anyway, I will post more information on this book when I feel the time is right. Until then, I'll let you enjoy the image and admire the sheer awesomeness that is Cliff Richards' artwork.

(For those wondering, I've worked with Cliff Richards a total of 3 projects, Echoes of Dawn, Contagion & this upcoming Untitled Project. Make sure to check out Echoes of Dawn and Contagion on the website and see some of the completed pages that are available.)

Z.M.Thomas

Another Link and Exclusive New Comic News

While doing some writing... or more accurately trolling the web, I found a neat little story entitled: International Probe Targets Secretive Catholic Group. Would've been nice if this story was written last night in so that I don't have to re-post another news link, but.... what are you gonna do?

Anyway, I've decided to print up a collection of 100+ pages of Echoes of Dawn (collecting issues 1 - 4) into a neat little Trade paperback which will be available in time for the MCBA's (Minnesota Comic Book Association's) Springcon.

Yes I will be attending that little shindig. Or such is the theory. But the Trade Paperback will include an alternate 10 page first issue that was initially going to be the issue #0, but was scrapped after a long delay of artist changes. Having some extra time to rework important elements of the story before they went off to the current artist (otherwise known as the very talented Cliff Richards), I ended up rewriting the first book into a 22 page introduction to help give some added weight to the characters and their involvements in the story, and so forth.

Speaking of Cliff Richards, I have some exciting news to post on here, and so far only on here. I have a "new" book in the works. Ok, so new isn't exactly a true statement, as this book was in development back in 2005 when I was working with Fabiano Neves on the very first Echoes of Dawn issue. Yes, it's an old book, but an old book that has never seen the light of day, and was infact my very first collaboration with Cliff Richards. Originally the crew involved me, Al Rio (Titan A.E. movie), Cliff Richards (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and Cris DeLara (Birds of Prey) on a (still to this day) untitled project. It's a sci-fi story and I'm hoping to release it as a 66+ page graphic novel sometime this summer. In the next couple of days, I'll post some of the character designs. Until then, I'll just let you imagine how awesome this book is going to be.

Z.M.Thomas

Abortion, Religion and Politics in the news

Always keeping an eye on the news, I found some articles that might be worth reading.

Satan Inside the Vatican - AOL News - ... seriously? wtf... Also lack of accountability has also been spotted inside the Vatican.

Catholic Health Group Accepts Abortion Language in Reform Bill - Politics Daily - Letting those who die needlessly because they are unable to afford health care, but as long as they get their footnote on abortion, that seems to be Catholic enough. It's also a good fucking thing the Catholic church pays taxes too... oh... wait...

Faith-Based Politics? No -- 'What Happens in Church Stays in Church' - Politics Daily

Abuse Scandals Draw Uncomfortably Close to the Pope - Politics Daily - Ironic.

Pope Silent on Uganda's 'Kill-the-Gays' Bill - Politics Daily - Same kind of mantra the Pope followed when he was a Nazi too. Some things never change. (and yes, I know Mantra is a Buddhist term)

Well ... Looks like I'm off to do some writing.

Z.M.Thomas

First Blog (Introduction)

Well, I just thought I would welcome everyone to my first ever official blog. Sure I have a website, but that is more or less mainly for things pertinent to Trepidation Comics, and the likes thereof.

However, this is my world, and in my world anything goes. First off let me start off by introducing myself. I am Z.M.Thomas, I created Trepidation Comics back in 2004. And of those creations, my most (in)famous is Abe the Aborted Fetus. I am the sole creator and owner of Abe, as well as my other books Echoes of Dawn and Contagion.

Initially, I started off to create a comic company that specialized in horror comics, to follow much in the way of my inspirations (Steve Niles, Ben Templesmith, Robert Kirkman to name a few). However, as time has a funny tendency to change all of that on me, I've decided to open up my writing styles to include several variations of stories and not limit myself to a specific category.

But enough of the company, I've decided to create a blog to do more than focus on just that element of my life. Instead, I'm very much a junkie when it comes to movies, video games, books etc. Here you will probably find me ranting and talking about a lot of various multiple things than JUST my books. So I hope you enjoy, and my first "official" post will be up later tonight... In theory.

Z.M.Thomas