Near Death #6

[HellsRider]

Did anyone check this out?

Glad this is back after taking a month off for the first trade release. What can I say, new location and new cases for Markham. The issue is new reader friendly in that with the first couple of pages we understand the character of Markham and what he is doing and why. However if their is a bit of a failure in the issue, is that it felt too much like a one and done issue and does not hint at all at some larger narrative like the first issue did. Whether the district attorney becomes a recurring character remains to be seen, but some hint of a larger plot would have been nice. Other than that, I enjoyed the issue especially the district attorney case and getting attacked every day of the week which is done well in a two page spread. I look forward to the next issue.

[Guglie]

First of all thanks a lot for picked up the issue. I can tell you that things is going to become more complex for Markham in the next issues for sure. issue 7 and 8th are two from my fave stories (imho) and for 9, 10, 11...well Markham is going to face his past in a very dangerous way!. OK I don't tell you more because my English is poor and because I leave to Jay this role.

From my side: I hope you're enjoying the art. I'm doing my best for improving every issue.

Thanks again

[Rory426]

I've been picking this one up digitally since I heard an interview with Jay Faerber talking about it. Besides the slightly rushed opening issue (out of necessity to get the story rolling no doubt) I've been really enjoying it. I'm a sucker for a good concept and this has one. I'm also a big fan of books where the art suits the story. It's a gritty and dark story, it's got gritty and dark art to go with it.

With regards to an ongoing storyline I do think that this issue was somewhat of a one-and-done but it's always been "case of the month" style, and from Jay's facebook page it sounds like 9-11 is a three issue story arc addressing some issue with Markham.

[capuga]

I thought this was a really fun issue. It was paced really quick but I thought it did a good job showing how competent Markham is in being able to handle all of the various threats. I wonder if the line about movie sets not being as exciting as expected was from Jay's own experience working on TV? I really enjoyed the politician introduced in this issue and wouldn't mind seeing him around some more. Maybe as an ally for Markham if he gets elected. Good stuff and I'm glad to have this book back on the shelves.

[Jay Faerber]

Thanks, guys! Yes, issues 6, 7, and 8 are all basically stand alone issues (but there is some carryover), while issues #9-11 comprise our first 3-parter. I'm in the middle of scripting issue #10 now, and I think it's our best story to date. Can't wait for you guys to read it.

-- Jay

[HellsRider]

First of all thanks a lot for picked up the issue. I can tell you that things is going to become more complex for Markham in the next issues for sure. issue 7 and 8th are two from my fave stories (imho) and for 9, 10, 11...well Markham is going to face his past in a very dangerous way!. OK I don't tell you more because my English is poor and because I leave to Jay this role.

From my side: I hope you're enjoying the art. I'm doing my best for improving every issue.

Thanks again

First off, thank you and Faerber for stopping by and chatting with us about the series. Its always great to see artists/writers reach out to us. Secondly, I'm not very good in going into great detail in regards to art, but some things I did notice is that between the cover art by Francavilla and the art inside, its noticeably brighter than the first 5 issues which I'm sure was intentional due to the change in location. As mentioned before, I loved the two page spread of the district attorney and Markham getting attacked each day of the week as I did find that also a bit funny. Definitely my favorite pages of the issue art-wise. I also noticed that the blacks were held back a bit more compared to previous issues and the faces have gotten clearer and a bit more detail which is great. All in all, I have seen improvements in the art, its been great, and keep up the great work.

Interesting to do stand alone stories for the first few issues of the new arc. I hope the district attorney comes back as a contact for Markham in the coming issues in much the same way all the characters from the previous issues tied up together by the end of the first chapter. I look forward to the coming issues which I'm glad you and Faerber are excited for and in turn so am I to check them out.

[CSPDX]

Thanks, guys! Yes, issues 6, 7, and 8 are all basically stand alone issues (but there is some carryover), while issues #9-11 comprise our first 3-parter. I'm in the middle of scripting issue #10 now, and I think it's our best story to date. Can't wait for you guys to read it.

-- Jay

Hey Jay, thanks for dropping by. Really digging the series, and had a couple questions!

It makes total sense for Markham to get out of Seattle and head for warmer climates now that the mob knows his deal. In terms of structure and character building, a change of scenery can do wonders to give us new angles on our lead character, as well. That said, being a Portlander myself, I was enjoying the Seattle backdrop quite a bit. Will we be headed back to the Pacific Northwest at some point? Honestly, I've kinda been picturing this series taking place in the same world that Dex from Greg Rucka's Stumptown is happening. It's fanboy daydreaming, but I could totally see a detective cross-over there. Heck, throw in David Gold, too, for the hat-trick. I'm sure he hitched a ride up here with Bendis. So...get on that!

it's nice to see the series so grounded in the real world after the semi-supernatural premise in issue one, but I've been wondering if there were long term plans to deal with that element again? Obviously, given we're only six issues into the series it's way too early to get into the mytharc for Markham and the series in general, but I was curious if it was in the plans to eventually get there or was just a jumping off point to get the series started.

The artwork has been consistantly solid (really dug Markham's Vette this last issue!) as well and gives the series a cool, shadowy vibe I've always liked in my noir comics.

This series has been a pleasant suprise on the weeks new issues comes out, so keep it up! As long as you keep crankin' 'em out.

[Jay Faerber]

Hey Jay, thanks for dropping by. Really digging the series, and had a couple questions!

It makes total sense for Markham to get out of Seattle and head for warmer climates now that the mob knows his deal. In terms of structure and character building, a change of scenery can do wonders to give us new angles on our lead character, as well. That said, being a Portlander myself, I was enjoying the Seattle backdrop quite a bit. Will we be headed back to the Pacific Northwest at some point? Honestly, I've kinda been picturing this series taking place in the same world that Dex from Greg Rucka's Stumptown is happening. It's fanboy daydreaming, but I could totally see a detective cross-over there. Heck, throw in David Gold, too, for the hat-trick. I'm sure he hitched a ride up here with Bendis. So...get on that!

it's nice to see the series so grounded in the real world after the semi-supernatural premise in issue one, but I've been wondering if there were long term plans to deal with that element again? Obviously, given we're only six issues into the series it's way too early to get into the mytharc for Markham and the series in general, but I was curious if it was in the plans to eventually get there or was just a jumping off point to get the series started.

The artwork has been consistantly solid (really dug Markham's Vette this last issue!) as well and gives the series a cool, shadowy vibe I've always liked in my noir comics.

This series has been a pleasant suprise on the weeks new issues comes out, so keep it up! As long as you keep crankin' 'em out.
Glad you're digging the book. We don't have any plans for any supernatural stuff. I don't even really see the first issue as being supernatural. You could even consider Markham's near death experience a "dream sequence" if you want. What's important is that he believes it.

As for the setting, I started to miss the Seattle locations, so Markham returns to Seattle in issue #9 for a 3-part arc. Will he stay? That remains to be seen. And yeah, I'd LOVE to do a Stumptown crossover / guest appearance-kinda thing someday. Don't have any plans to do it, but the two series could easily co-exist in the same universe.

-- Jay