The Winter Men [Archive] - Comic Book Resources Forums

Agent Cooper

08-02-2005, 09:32 AM

When did this become a WildStorm title, and has this affected the story in any way?

I'm pretty sure I remember this being solicited as a DC/Vertigo book (quite a while ago), and I got the impression that it was about the men who used to be members of the Rocket Red Brigade (along, possibly, with other Russian superheroes). Maybe I was mistaken about that, but I was surprised that it had become a WildStorm title.

It looks good, though. I plan on buying.

Anyone have any info?

Scott Beeler

08-02-2005, 04:07 PM

Now that you mention it, I remember that too. It was one of the projects in the Vertigo preview sampler back... two years ago?

I don't really care what label it appears under, but I think Wildstorm might actually be more appropriate. When I think of superhero stories with ideosyncratic approaches, I think more Wildstorm than Vertigo -- things like "Astro City", "Ex Machina", "Sleeper", the ABC books.

matt levin

08-05-2005, 08:27 AM

It's on my list, too. Premise seemed interesting, & it's got Leon on art: ok by me, certainly for a try-out!

The Adventurer

08-10-2005, 06:33 PM

First issue's out today.

I enjoyed it, it's got a Queen and Country conspiricy thing going on, with the Superscience in the background as a kind of mcguffen. The dialog can get muddy, but the plot's not hard to follow, the art rocks hard too.

It's good setting and has a good feel, but I really want it to get into the Super Science angle, it layed a bunch of great ideas, but as of yet, hasn't done anything with them.

Volk1

08-10-2005, 08:31 PM

Great first-issue...basically laying down the format of the story, the characters, the settings.....I was kinda bummed that the setting seems to be moving to New York now (as if NYC doesn't get enough action) instead of staying in Russia but if the writing and gritty art stays the same..I'll be up for the whole run...

zilla31

08-11-2005, 05:32 AM

def a good frist issue. kris is a great character. i just heard about this last week and i'm def glad i did. like Volk1 i was kind of bummed when i found out it was going to switch to NY too... they did a great job laying the tracks for a Russian setting... can't wait for #2.

didn't you guys love the overall "feel" of the book? good work by the writer and artist in this dept.

K'Nort

08-11-2005, 07:51 AM

Really impressed with the first issue. Great classic hard-boiled noir feel. The Gotham Central-type art adds to that. And it's not predictable right off the bat.

Scott Beeler

08-12-2005, 03:14 PM

I concur with the other positive comments. Very good atmosphere and post-Communist Russia realization (writing and art both), nice character introductions, some intriguing plot hints. Looks to be a good miniseries.

Mo S.

08-13-2005, 08:13 AM

This was definitely my favorite title in a sea of very good books out this week. I appreciate the extra pages (for no extra price!), and the attention to tone, plot and characterization. Leon's art is wonderful and Kalenov is a great character.

If you are on the fence about this, buy it NOW, because there are enough plots going that picking it up with issue #2 will not be easy.

matt levin

08-13-2005, 08:32 AM

funny; took me two sittings to read through this: the coloring' so relentlessly flat lacking the dynamics of straight black and white or the warmth deeper, richer browns and grays might've brought; the introductory story seemed too unfocused for me, and I had no real reason to care about any of the characters.

Nonetheless, I'm certainly willing to follow the story for the next two or three issues before I drop it entirely. Glad you all found it to your taste!

clayholio

08-13-2005, 10:31 PM

The first issue was great. It did everything you could want from a first issue: introduce the character, introduce the plot, and introduce the setting. Great stuff, and I'm really looking forward to the rest of this series.

Oh yeah, it's an 8 issue series, according to the cover.

MrBeebs37

08-18-2005, 11:45 AM

As impressed with this comic as I was with the first issue of the recently ended Question book, which is to say very. In fact, there seems to be a similar minimalist shape/silhouette heavy art style in both books that I'm really finding myself enjoying.

I don't know how heavy into the superhero genre this book is going to get but right now I find myself very surprised with how well the whole noir atmosphere is being worked into such a new situation/locale. Similar to my feelings when Sleeper first came out. One of those why-hasn't-it-been-done-before moments.

I'm not expecting high sales or spin-offs, but I expect I'll enjoy the 8 issues we're guaranteed.

And a minute point that I just can't avoid mentioning is just how plain old cool the main character's uniform looks. Who knew Russian army gear could be worn with that much style?

Anyone know what else the writer has done before?

Volk1

09-14-2005, 05:53 PM

Issue 2 came out today.... Anyone catch it? Another excellent issue and I'd have to say the remaining 6 will be just as good if not better. The action, the plot summary by the main character...it's all just the gritty, noir type of stuff that I love...this series just fortifies my love for comic books....

zilla31

09-15-2005, 05:06 AM

oh yeah #2 is def good (very tom clancy/robert lludlum). Gotta love that scene where kalenov is trying to convince the red mafia boss that he's "the man" (don't want to give it away but readers will know). i hope we get to see more of this character after this mini...

Destro777

10-08-2005, 05:12 PM

Chalk me up as a fan of this series. Just came across the first 2 issues this week. Everything just screams "GOOD COMIC". Story-wise it seems twice as long a read as just about eveything else out there. Smart and well-paced with some awesome characters. And I love this artist. So simple yet so detailed. Im pretty sure this was the guy that did some pretty great stuff on Morrison's new xmen run.

zilla31

10-08-2005, 06:04 PM

you're 100% right about the reading time... i feel like i'm getting more for my money w/ these - plus it's just an uber-cool story so far (w/ perfect accompanying art styles IMO).

clayholio

10-11-2005, 07:43 PM

I just read the 2nd issue today. Still really good! Part of what I love about the book is the reading time. It really feels like there's a lot there, which is a nice change of pace from comics that can be read in 5 minutes or less. Anyhow, I'm definitely on board for the duration of the series!

Mo S.

10-21-2005, 05:51 PM

For those of us anxiously awaiting the next issue, WildStorm updated the release schedule:

Winter Men #3 11/02/05 (cover and solicit) (http://www.dccomics.com/comics/?cm=4271)
Winter Men #4 12/28/05 (cover and solicit) (http://www.dccomics.com/comics/?cm=4478)
Winter Men #5 01/25/06 (cover and solicit) (http://www.dccomics.com/comics/?cm=4664)

Untitled

10-28-2005, 08:49 AM

I can't tell you how much I enjoy this book.
It just came out of nowhere.
Everone is entitled to there own opinion,I know, but I just don't know how you can read this and not enjoy it! It stands on its own very well in the face of alot of stiff competition, as comics are in probably the best state creatively then they have ever been.
I'll just say that if your not reading the Wintermen your missing out on something special. But yet again that's just my opinion.
What the hell do I know?

Mo S.

11-06-2005, 11:22 AM

My mini opinion/rant/review:

The Winter Men #3 (Lewis/Leon; WildStorm) Definitely a title that benefits from a close, careful read and then a re-read or two. It's not that the main plot is overly complicated or even surprising - while not exactly simple, it's fairly straightforward - it's how it's told and the character interactions and the hints about who the characters are/were and the big events behind that story that make the book. The narrative is told in action flashback and real-time discussion, an interesting way to frame the meaning of the events to the story and the characters and get multiple points of view. The twist is that the action flashback is what actually happened, yet the narrative is what Kris Kalenov is telling an inquiry board happened. The difference is amusing, and it leads to a great use and expansion of a Zen quote: "it's the space between the bars that holds the tiger... and it is what you leave out that makes the story."

RoyalEF

11-06-2005, 12:20 PM

This one is enjoyable. A bit heavy on reading and exposition but interesting nonetheless. I do agree about the value impression. I've caught a few beautifully drawn action-comics, but it seems that 180 seconds after I open it I'm done. That's about $1/minute. !$! The additional reading leaves you thinking you've bought something more substantial.

I'm glad to see non-superhero-in-tights stories told through the graphic novel/comic format. Not all stories can be made into movies/tv series, but that doesn't mean the stories aren't worth telling.

zilla31

11-06-2005, 12:53 PM

yeah i had to read #3 twice before i really got what was going on... but you know what? that's a good thing IMO. this will re-read really well as a trade...

zilla31

01-31-2006, 03:38 PM

whatever happened to this title? feels like a friggin' eternity since the last issue posted...

Mo S.

01-31-2006, 03:55 PM

We've been talking about exactly that here:

http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=105449

The short answer is: next issue will be out in late MARCH (yes, March 2006 at least)

rogerio

07-20-2009, 05:50 PM

THE WINTER MEN TP
Written by Brett Lewis
Art and cover by John Paul Leon
In the now-collapsed Soviet Union, the subjects of a Super Hero experiment must pick up the shattered pieces of their lives and carry on. But who – or what – is the deadly threat that’s stalking them all? Collecting THE WINTER MEN #1-5 and the WINTER MEN WINTER SPECIAL.
Advance-solicited; on sale November 25 • 176 pg, FC, $19.99 US • MATURE READERS
Finally!:smile: