Do not mistake the fact that I fell behind in my comic book reading to mean that there weren’t any comic books worth talking about.  In fact, I’m going through the stack all this week and growing mad with myself.  Mad that I didn’t read some of these amazing books the day they came out.  First of all is this fourth issue of Executive Assistant Assassins introducing the deadly and beautiful Sophora.

From Aspen Comics, Vince Hernandez, Lori Hanson, Jonathan Bolerjack, John Starr, Josh Reed.

 

There is no need to wait for the highly rumored third Expendables movie.  There is already an action packed story full of beautiful women who kick ass and its called Executive Assistant Assassins.  I have always been a fan of the girls who kick ass stories.  Charlie’s Angles, Tomb Raider, Resident Evil, Shimmer wrestling, Alias, Buffy, and I could go on and on.  But nothing has surprised me more than these Assassins.

Just when I think I know the “rules” of this tale, Sophora is introduced.  She can be anything for any man.  She is the object of desire and the weapon of war at all times.  And she knows it.  Even as a reader I wanted to hurt her or save her depending on what Sophora had just said.  She is dedicated to the point of ruthlessness. Sophora lets her guard down just once and it leads to the most challenging moment in her already eventful life.  In her first appearance I am already engrossed in her story and I hope to see much much more from her.

Speaking of seeing much more; where has Lori Hanson been?  Can someone send me a full list of credits?  Holy crap.  Aspen Comics is known for featuring the most beautiful leading women in all of comics and then here comes Lori elevating a bar I thought was already at its highest.  Sophora would not have this immediate impact in the hands of a lesser artist.  Hanson has put a mark on this character that will be hard for anyone to equal.

Credit to Bolerjack too.  No tracing here!  There are scenes in this comic that carry much more emotion thanks to his great artistic choices.  There are levels to the ink that become as dark as the danger Sophora finds herself in.

John Starr must live on the coast because he captures the sea perfectly.  The sky, the surf, and the infinite spaces in between.  The colors bring the Seven Seas to so much life I can taste the salt.

Holy crap Josh Reed do you see what you’ve done?!  Text that resembles a treasure map.  Fonts that echo Sophora’s tattoos.  This is some crazy work.  Every single member of this creative team brought their A games and created an instant fan favorite character.

Which brings me to Vince.  Seriously man, when do you sleep?  How do you create these amazing stories and do everything else you do day to day?  Here’s the lesson to anyone who wants to get into comics.  You have to work at least as hard as Vince.  If you cant do that, step aside.

All of them created one of the best stories of pirates, women and love that has ever been told.  And its only the first part.  I cant wait for more of these artists and especially more of Sophora for many years to come.

 

Check out the Aspen Comics solicitation of this issue for more!

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT: ASSASSINS #4
Vince Hernandez – Writer / Lori Hanson – Art / John Starr – Colors

Introducing Executive Assistant Sophora!

The high seas are growing increasingly dangerous—and fatal–for both voyagers and pirates alike. Enter Sophora, a new breed of Executive Assistant sworn to protect her master on both land and sea! When Tikoté, a budding captain of a pirate vessel decides to up the ante on his competition, he decides to enlist the help of Sophora. However, when the allure of the open sea—and love—beckon, Sophora makes a choice that puts her squarely in the crosshairs of her brutal master!

The first chapter of the new EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT: ASSASSINS story arc “Lost at Sea” starts right now!

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT: ASSASSINS #4 is in stores October 10th, 2012!