Beckett's The Ballad of Sleeping Beauty and Fade From Grace

[Nikita]

I'm still reading these two series. Anyone else? Don't give up on them yet! They're getting better with each issue! I really enjoy the different art style used in both of these series. I'm not a big fan of "cowboy/outlaw" type stories, but Ballad of Sleeping Beauty has got me hooked.

[ratzo]

From my review of Fade From Grace:

This isn’t bad, as far as superhero stories go, but it’s awfully vanilla. It lightly touches on the aspect of the dangers loved ones of superheroes face, but Brad Meltzer is approaching that same subject to a much broader and deeper degree in Identity Crisis. It delves into the “learning curve” aspect and the media reaction angle, but Brian Michael Bendis has been doing it much better in Ultimate Spider-Man. It emphasizes the relationship between the main characters, but Kurt Busiek writes more challenging characters in Astro City. The animated-like art is decent, but Darwyn Cooke’s art is much more dynamic and exciting in New Frontier. If you’re gonna do a superhero book these days, you have to either do something dramatically different from Marvel and DC, or do what they do better. And this book does neither. C

Haven't read Ballad yet but I've heard good things about it.

[Nikita]

Yikes, that review of Fade was brutal. But that's the problem with being a comic book fan. We get too jaded and then we fall into the trap of expecting too much from a series. (actually, I'm not that jaded yet which is probably why I like Fade so much) I just like Fade for what it is. I read it with NO expectations. I try really hard not to compare one series against another because than that defeats the purpose of trying to give a new series a chance altogether. But that's just my style of reading various series.

[pood]

Weren't these books selling at really decent prices? I saw adds in Wizard for 25 cents. What's the regular pricing?

[Nikita]

Weren't these books selling at really decent prices? I saw adds in Wizard for 25 cents. What's the regular pricing?


25 cents? I wish. They are cheaper then many other books. They are 1.99 each while many other books are now 2.50 to 3.99 sometimes. 1.99 is if you buy them new. I'm not sure what they're selling for used.

Which issue of Wizard were you seeing them for 25cents? That's an amazing price.

[pood]

25 cents? I wish. They are cheaper then many other books. They are 1.99 each while many other books are now 2.50 to 3.99 sometimes. 1.99 is if you buy them new. I'm not sure what they're selling for used.

Which issue of Wizard were you seeing them for 25cents? That's an amazing price.

It was a promo deal, probably the first issue. Don't know. But that reg. price is great. It proves that everyone is lying when they say the prices are high for a good reason. It's only so the returns are faster to the publisher. I think this is what's killing the future of comic books in North America.

[Nikita]

It was a promo deal, probably the first issue. Don't know. But that reg. price is great. It proves that everyone is lying when they say the prices are high for a good reason. It's only so the returns are faster to the publisher. I think this is what's killing the future of comic books in North America.



Ah, I see. Actually the first issue was given away free on "free comic book" day several months ago. Personally, I think 1.99 is still a little too high considering how short books are these days, but I can't really complain. The artists and writers who create these wonderful stories and artwork need to make a living too. But the companies that own them are gouging prices on some of the books, that's for sure. I mean 3.99 or more for some books? Come on. You're right, some of the prices are ridiculous.

[pood]

They're killing their future market. They don't need to be like indie books and keep getting sophisticated. That's never been their market. But they've forgotten how to serve their traditional demographic of young teens. Japan doesn't have this problem. look at Inuyasha.

[matt levin]

the original question is who's reading Beckett comics, and I am!

Sleeping Beauty is just getting to the point where the western and the fairy tale meet, and it's been a very enjoyable, and on occassion, spectacularly beautiful, ride getting there. Some of the two page scenes, like that of simply an old woman walking into and then out of town, are vivid, restrained, and on par with the best of serious Japanese artistry in comics.

Fade from Grace, well, gosh: that there IS a brutal review; but I've been reading the comic without that kind of analysis, and.... enjoying it! Yeah, it IS pretty white-bread, now that that's mentioned, but still.... it's...pleasant! And so few comics are, these days, I've been grateful for it. And the artwork is very nice to my eyes, as well.

Ruule is one I've tried hard to dislike, as 'just another gangster story,but ever since learning (ah bless these CBR forums!) these're are Biblical stories (the latest is easiest to see, I think), I've found a whole new depth to'm..! Hunh! Who'da thought?


Matt

[Nikita]

the original question is who's reading Beckett comics, and I am!

Sleeping Beauty is just getting to the point where the western and the fairy tale meet, and it's been a very enjoyable, and on occassion, spectacularly beautiful, ride getting there. Some of the two page scenes, like that of simply an old woman walking into and then out of town, are vivid, restrained, and on par with the best of serious Japanese artistry in comics.

Fade from Grace, well, gosh: that there IS a brutal review; but I've been reading the comic without that kind of analysis, and.... enjoying it! Yeah, it IS pretty white-bread, now that that's mentioned, but still.... it's...pleasant! And so few comics are, these days, I've been grateful for it. And the artwork is very nice to my eyes, as well.

Ruule is one I've tried hard to dislike, as 'just another gangster story,but ever since learning (ah bless these CBR forums!) these're are Biblical stories (the latest is easiest to see, I think), I've found a whole new depth to'm..! Hunh! Who'da thought?


Matt




Now for some reason, I can't get into Ruule. I really wanted to because I love "Ballad" and "Fade" so much, but Ruule did nothing for me, so I gave up on it early on. (but I'm not really a big fan of "gangster" type stories anyway)But you said Ruule is really veiled versions of Biblical stories? Can you explain a little more? (please? Maybe I'll give it another chance) :o

[ratzo]

I've written much harsher reviews than that, FWIW.

[Mike Hawthorne]

Hey,

Just wanted to thank everyone that's checking out Ballad! You all rock!

Best,
Mike Hawthorne

New Book teaser -
http://www.ape-law.com/thinktank/page85.html

[matt levin]

Nikita:

the current Ruule storyline is that of Samson and Delilah, which I actually caught on to all by myself! As such, it's more a use of the biblical characters than a retelling of the story; he loves her, she loves him, she get maneuvered into betraying him, he loses his hair-- and (yet to come) doubtless brings down the whole gangster empire in the end. Hey, I'm guessing there. It's not bad, but it's certainly not up to Ballad or Grace in my opinion. But as it's priced at that Beckett special price, I'm buying it to help Beckett keep a'goin'. Not buying two issues as I am of Beauty and Grace, but still...!

hope that helps.
Matt

[The Xenos]

I've been getting Fade and Ballad, though I'm looking aorund for issue 3 of Ballad. I've enjoyed both. Fade seems a bit quick or something is glossed over at times, but there is something there along with the suepr stylized poster style art. I really like some of the emotion there. I'm sure there are other super relationship comics out there, but this one isn't bad. The cover of issue two grabbed me enough to look inside and that got me interested enough to track down issue one as well.

Plus, yeah, nice to see $2 comics, especially from an indie company. I belive the first issues were $1.

-Xenos

[Nikita]

Nikita:

the current Ruule storyline is that of Samson and Delilah, which I actually caught on to all by myself! As such, it's more a use of the biblical characters than a retelling of the story; he loves her, she loves him, she get maneuvered into betraying him, he loses his hair-- and (yet to come) doubtless brings down the whole gangster empire in the end. Hey, I'm guessing there. It's not bad, but it's certainly not up to Ballad or Grace in my opinion. But as it's priced at that Beckett special price, I'm buying it to help Beckett keep a'goin'. Not buying two issues as I am of Beauty and Grace, but still...!

hope that helps.
Matt



Hey thanks Matt. I appreciate the info.

[Nikita]

The Ballad of Sleeping Beauty #5


That's what's out right now I believe. Anyway, back to the story. Cole and his partner are holed up in a little town after being chased by a bunch of crows. The crows cannot enter the town though. They still have the young kid with them who's on a mission to find the cursed girl he grew up with. (her birth was cursed by an indian lady who was turned away by the towns people years ago)

Anyhoo, Cole is starting to think that maybe this cursed girl and his murdered wife might have a connection. We see a flashback to of Cole being burried up to his neck in sand by Drake and Drake admitted that he was the one who killed Cole's wife. But we don't find out why yet. The ending has Drake and his gang finding the town that Cole, his partner and the kid are hiding out in and someone loses their life in the gunfight that ensues.....

I still love this series. Haunting, sad, but tense. And a mystery to boot.




Fade from Grace #3? Has anyone gotten this one yet? Is it delayed? Issue 2 is still on the stands.

[Nikita]

The Ballad of Sleeping Beauty issue 6

In issue 5, Cole finally kills Drake, the man who killed Cole's wife. But he kills him before he gets a chance to find out why he killed his wife. In the gunfight, Cole's partner Will gets shot.

In issue 6, it's just Cole and the young man he saved earlier now. They bury Will and the kid continues to share his story with Cole. Of the young girl who's birth was cursed all those years ago by the Indian woman that the town turned away. When she turns a certain age, she'll fall asleep and the entire town will fall asleep with her....The young man knew this girl and loved her and he's convinced Cole to help him....

They find the town but a forest has grown over it. The trees seem to have a life of their own and attack Cole. An Indian spirit appears and tells the young man that they're not wanted there....

Will they finally be able to unsolve the mystery of this town and it's curse....and will Cole ever find out why Drake killed his wife?....is there a connection between him and this town and the girl?......Stay tuned!



Still no new issue of Fade From Grace. I really hope this series hasn't been cancelled because it's very good too.

[Smuggletrain]

How long is Ballad suppose to last? When it started I was thinking it was only 4 or 6 issues.

[Jedi Master Shadow]

How long is Ballad suppose to last? When it started I was thinking it was only 4 or 6 issues.

I would love to know this too - I have been enjoying both Ballad and Fade From Grace immensely. Ballad's my favorite, but my wife really likes Fade From Grace. Issue #3 IS on the stands, by the way. Originally, in the back of the book, I believe they said #4 was coming in February, so we'll see. I do know it's not canceled - can't remember where, but I read an interview with the writer not long ago who said as much.
Also, fans of Ballad might want to check out Ronin Hood of the 47 Samurai, with issue #1 coming out on Free Comic Book Day 2005 (like Ballad for 2004). I hear it's written by the same guy as Ballad.

[matt levin]

Just to let ya all know, a new Fade from Grace just appeared this week (here in western MA)-- most peculiarly covered: NO words, no logo, no title, no picture, no nothing: just a big FADE logo (which he wears on his shirt) on both front and back covers. Man, you just really gotta know what this comic is about to buy it-- bad marketing in my opinion, in that I'd bet very very few new readers will pick this up. Too bad, too bad. I do like this series, though!

Matt

[MrBiggs7]

I have never read an indie book until free comic book day. The closest to an indie book I read was Spawn back in the day. Ballad rocks. Pure and simple. I cant wait to see what happens next. I have to buy it as soon as it gets to the store because it always sells out seeing that the store owner doesnt really order that many.

[mgs]

i still get Fade once in a while, and while it's kinda basic, it's very enjoyable. especially this last one.

btw, the ending reminded me of the ending of The Matrix: Reloaded.

[Nikita]

Issue 3 of Fade From Grace is on the stands? Damn, I still haven't seen it.


Alright, on to issue 7 of Ballad


So Cole finally makes it to the town of the sleeping girl with the kid Red. We see the back story on how the girl fell asleep. The indians that Cole killed are there in ghost form and they want revenge on Cole. But, suddenly, Drake appears out of no where again. He's not dead after all! So the indians make a temporary truce with Cole to fight Drake.

But damn each issue is too short! It ends so quickly. I would have loved to see a giant graphic novel of Ballad. That would be cool. I'm not sure how long Ballad goes on but I hope it keeps going!

[Apathy Boy]

Issue 3 of Fade From Grace is on the stands? Damn, I still haven't seen it.Sorry, Nikita, they've put out issue #4 too. Apparently, the series ends with #5.

[Nikita]

Sorry, Nikita, they've put out issue #4 too. Apparently, the series ends with #5.

Well I finally figured out why I haven't gotten a Fade from Grace issue in ages. They somenow accidently took it off my monthly pull! I just found out today. So, they are going to find me issues 3, 4, and 5 because I still only have 1 and 2. Anyway, mystery solved on that. So it ends at 5 huh? Oh well. It was a nice little comic.

And Ballad is still EXCELLENT. Loving every issue. I can honestly say it's my favorite comic right now. (Adam Strange and the new Space Ghost are a close second)

[Baron Banter]

I have really been enjoying the Ballad and also Beckett's Ruule. Ballad is a natural for me since I love westerns.

[Nikita]

It's over! :( I just got my last issue of Ballad, and apparently the story ends with issue 8. It was a good issue but the ending was kind of quick. I ain't sayin' nothin' 'bout it in case ya ain't read it yet fella cowboys and cowgirls.

[matt levin]

Quick,
but sweet,
eh, Nikita?

And whattle we read from Beckett next?

Matt

[glecharles]

I actually think Fade From Grace IS doing better than what Marvel and DC do, as well as what they don't do; or rarely, at least, and not terribly well when they make the attempt.

On one level, it's a basic superhero tale, an extended origin story told more from an emotional perspective than the traditional plot-driven narrative. On another level, it's a romance comic, something neither of the Big Two could get right if they wanted to. Add the unique visual style of Jeff Amano's art work and you've got a better read than 90% of what's on the stands any given month.

And I'm putting my money where my mouth is on that opinion by giving away two FREE copies of the first issue, along with another great indie, Elk's Run #1!

Details here: http://comiccommentary.blogspot.com/2005/04/adopt-comic-elks-run-1-update.html

[Alex A Sanchez]

I just thought I'd revive this thread to let people know that the Ballad TPB is coming soon, I saw it on Beckett's website.

Mike Hawthorne you rock!

[matt levin]

Not sure what you mean, Alex--"Ballad is coming soon"? A new series? Or ("just") a collected edition? A new series would be soooooo fine. Let us know, ok?

thanks,
Matt

[Nikita]

Not sure what you mean, Alex--"Ballad is coming soon"? A new series? Or ("just") a collected edition? A new series would be soooooo fine. Let us know, ok?

thanks,
Matt


It's just a TP of the original series.

http://www.beckettcomics.com