Digital-CAPtionS – “Kill the Revisionist!”

I’ve been reading Chad Lambert’s work for several years– both as a fan and as his letterer on both “Point Pleasant” and “Return to Point Pleasant” –which is why I was reluctant to write this review. Especially for the first installment of Digital-CAPtionS. I was afraid it would be construed as bias. I gave it some hard thought and decided to read the book. A bad review wouldn’t hurt Chad’s feelings. He has pretty tough skin, and besides: he’s been mad at me before! So I told him to send me a copy of the book (which he did in pdf format… I normally will not accept that, but more on the absence of the hard copy later) and that an honest review would follow. So here goes.

“Kill the Revisionist!” is Chad’s latest offering, a 92-page OGN published by Ape Entertainment. It’s the story of an alien prisoner sent to our planet 3.5 billion years ago from another dimension –as well as some strange circumstances involving time perception– to serve his sentence for a crime committed on his world. His sentence? To spend his life here with the inability to die. Through the ages, he survives lava, dinosaurs and the advent of humanity, leading him to modern times, in which he runs a group of masked assassins called “The Cross.”

On the other end of the spectrum is our hero, The Revisionist, a shades-clad everyman who seems as fearless as our immortal villain. Turns out, there’s a reason for that- he also cannot be killed! After a series of attacks on his life, we discover our hero is being stalked by the Cross. The Revisionist and his equally indestructible enemy have something in common more than an endless lifespan.

This story kept my attention from start to finish. Constant action and fresh dialogue keeps this tale moving at a terrific clip within a plot that is solid as a rock.

As for the art– intense. Chris Steininger’s panel work, accompanied by his brilliant use of color make for eye candy like I haven’t seen in a long time. Perfect angles on every page! His fight sequences are every bit sequential and offer the reader a true movie experience like no other… so have some popcorn and milk duds on hand when you read it!

Being a letterer myself, I can’t go without mentioning Chris Studabaker’s lettering (credit for which is severely lacking in comics these days). It didn’t offer much more than any other digital letterer might, but I really appreciated the hard work be obviously put into his sound effects. They were absolutely perfect– the placement was right on and the colors blended great with Steininger’s artwork without distracting me from what was going on at all.

“Kill the Revisionist!” is every bit worth the $14 cover price and belongs in all graphic novel collections out there. I have only one complaint: the publisher, Ape Entertainment. The book was supposed to the released last May but didn’t reach the printer in time for whatever reason (that was no fault of the creative team) until 4 months later. Unfortunately, all pre-orders were canceled because of this.

Strike 1.

I checked their website where they have an Online Store and nada. I found the book under their Now Available section, but zero links to purchase it. It said something about it being in stores… but since the order were canceled, I don’t very well see how that would be possible.

Strike 2.

When all else fails, send an email inquiring to the editor about purchasing a direct copy. That was 2-3 days ago (as of this writing), and I have received no response from Ape.

Strike 3 and two opposable thumbs down.

This is why I was willing to accept a PDF this time.

So while it appears I have reviewed a book that will be near impossible to acquire, I still believe the hunt will be well worth the rewards if you can find it. I would suggest checking back at the Ape site at www.ape-entertainment.com for future postings regarding this title. Better yet, visit the books site itself: www.killtherevisionist.com. You’ll find some sample pages and hopefully ordering information when it becomes readily available.

Again, check it out. Chad Lambert has proven once more that a friend can indeed also become a fan.

Keep The Vision,
Jaymes Reed

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Last 3 posts by Jaymes Reed

• Digital-CAPtionS - "Archie Sees The Future" - May 26th, 2009
• Digital-CAPtionS- "Angry Alien Productions" - April 17th, 2009
• Digital-CAPtionS - "Watchmen, The Motion Comic" - April 13th, 2009

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1. Digital-CAPtionS – “Cold Blooded Chillers #3″
2. Digital-CAPtionS – “Watchmen, The Motion Comic”
3. Digital-CAPtionS- “Angry Alien Productions”

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