Sam: Fate Revolution #6 Preview

From the random stack of unread comics. This is the last of three issues of this series that I had a chance to review.

Title: Sam: Fate Revolution
Issue: 6 (Preview)
Publisher: Foongatz Studios
Date: 2008
Writer: Bill Gallagher, Alex Drinan, Ron Smith
Artist: Bill Gallagher, Ron Smith

Ashcan-format preview freebie for issue #6 of Sam: Fate Revolution. The covers are formatted like a flip-book, even though the story only proceeds in one direction. Both covers are shown above.

Sam joins special forces team infiltrating the flagship of Rancor's fleet. In addition to their primary objectives, Sam wants to rescue his friend Bronto, who is being held prisoner on the ship.

Sam's scenes were reminiscent of Star Wars as his team sneaks aboard the command ship of the evil forces. Meanwhile, Bronto, who is literally a captive audience, is on the receiving end of a large infodump from a fellow prisoner. This gives us an origin story for the villain, Rancor.

The lengthy exposition is not well-suited to the purpose of a free preview, and this book suffers from its lack of action.

A good cliffhanger does end the book with some tension, but in general there is not enough going on here to keep exciting.

Rating: 5/10

Sam: Fate Revolution #1 (Remastered Edition)

From the random stack of unread comics.

Title: Sam: Fate Revolution
Issue: 1 (Remastered Edition)
Publisher: Foongatz Studios
Date: 2007
Writer: Bill Gallagher, Alex Drinan, Ron Smith
Artist: Bill Gallagher, Ron Smith

The Alliance Shipping Federation, which has handled the galaxy's merchant trade for years, finds itself forced to turn into a military power when confronted by the threat of Rancor, a being of immense power bent on conquest and destruction.

Meanwhile, in the ASF capital city, a young man named Sam struggled to piece his life together after being found suffering from amnesia. As Rancor's forces gather to strike, Sam's efforts to lead a normal life with eventually lead him directly into the conflict.

This was a good mix of action, epic backstory, and character-driven comedy. The story took the time to introduce characters and to give them individual lives and some fun dialogue.

The anthropomorphic animal characters (mostly dogs and dinosaurs!seem a bit cartoony, given the serious nature long-term plot, but I found them to be compelling and fun.

The colors are vivid, and the action, when it occurs, is explosive, with good use of splash pages.

Overall a fun book with more going on than I had expected to see.

Rating: 7.5/10

Sam: Fate Revolution: Souvenir Edition

From the random stack of unread comics.

Title: Sam: Fate Revolution: Souvenir Edition
Publisher: Foongatz Studios
Date: 2007
Creator: Bill Gallagher, Alex Drinan, Ron Smith

In a universe under threat of destruction by a cosmic-powered conqueror, a hero named Sam somehow acquires mysterious powers that might be the key to saving everything.

This is an ashcan-format preview book setting up the world and story for this space-based SF superheroic epic. Color cover, b/w interior. The book definitely has a Guardians of the Galaxy vibe to it, and the character designs presented here are loads of fun visually, especially Bronto, a humanoid sauropod engineer.

The descriptions of the characters felt a bit generic, as did the plot, and hopefully it will move into more original territory with the first full issue.

In the meantime, the visuals were enough to keep up my interest.

Rating: 6/10