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With years spent reading single issues here and there, juggling storylines of dozens of titles, I decided it was time to find a better way to read comics. So, it was off to the back issue bins armed with the longest want list you’ve ever seen! Putting together series after series and reading them in their complete goodness, I was reborn as the Retro-Reader!

Publisher: Markosia
Number of Issues: 3
First Issue: July 2006 ($3.50)
Last Issue: September 2006 ($3.50)
Writer: Chuck Satterlee
Artist: Norm Breyfogle

In the previous mini-series (published by Speakeasy), four of New Orleans’ less-than-respectable residents gained super-powers related to their “area of corruption” and were gathered into a team by Pastor Secord to protect their hometown from supernatural threats. But, they disbanded when they learned that they were chosen to lead an army against the forces of evil at the end of days. Now, one year later, Secord and the only remaining member, Magdalena, have to reunite the team to go on a time-traveling adventure in order to stop a zombie invasion from destroying New Orleans.

The Bad: A noticeable number of spelling errors managed to pull me right out of the story. Breyfogle’s art seems a bit rushed here … not up to par with what I was used to from his work on Prime. On a disappointing note, this series was canceled before #4 could be published. Now, I may never know who the mystery guest was supposed to be!

the Good: This series has a cool premise that promises a very interesting “final battle” (unfortunately, we may never see it … especially since both series were canceled at issue #3). The improvement over the first series is noticeable and even though it’s recommended for mature readers, it has respectful elements of Christianity woven throughout.

The Verdict: This is a book that, given a bit more exposure, could easily catch on and be a big, indy hit. The premise is neat and has a lot of room to grow. All of the characters surely have interesting stories to be told and there are no end to supernatural threats to be battled … especially in New Orleans!

On Ebay: Of Bitter Souls | Norm Breyfogle | New Orelans