Advance Review: 321: Fast Comics Vol. 1

Writers: Felipe Cagno, Marcos Botelho, Marcelo Maiolo, Vitor Cafaggi, Gustavo Borges, Guilherme Bon, Carlos Ruas, Chris Peter, Lobo Limao, Carlos Estefan, Renato Almeida, Rafael De Latorre

Artists: Ig Guara, Paulo Kielwagen, Wilton Santos, Luciano Salles, Felipe Watanabe, Vitor Cafaggi, Gustavo Borges, Romi Carlos, Guilherme Bon, Carlos Ruas, Chris Bolson, Bianca Pinheiro, Rodney Buchemi, Matias Streb, Fabiano Neves, Lobo Limao, Geraldo Borges, Thony Silas, Guilherme Balbi, Mario Cau

Colorists: Ivan Nunes, Mat Lopes, Marcelo Maiolo, Clonerh Kimura, Chris Peter, Adriano Augusto, Zork Marinero, Omar Vinole, Ander Zarate, Teodoro Gonzales, Caio Yo

Published by Timberwolf Entertainment

321: Fast Comics is more than just a consortium of short stories assembled into one comic book ”“ it’s a challenge. 321: Fast Comics presents a concept where various writers and artists compose and depict an impactful 3 page story that focuses on 2 characters with 1 surprise ending.

The mastermind behind the 321: Fast Comics phenomenon is Felipe Cagno. Fantasy became reality for Felipe when he gathered a number of distinguished Brazilian artists and writers, experienced in working with top publishers, to partake in his idea so long as they worked within a 3 page story limit using 2 central characters and supplying a twist at the end. No other restrictions were imposed on the creative teams during this initiative. Thus, this allowed them the freedom to choose from a wide variety of genres to work with while setting up an opportunity to showcase their combined talents. Felipe was eventually recognized and awarded the coveted Best Writer title in Brazil after 321: Fast Comics made its debut there. Now, 321: Fast Comics is looking to make its mark worldwide.

This first edition of 321: Fast Comics contains 21 original short stories with non-established characters. From a writing perspective, composing twenty-one three page short stories is a challenge in itself, especially with characters no one would recognize. It’s truly a high risk/high reward scenario. If you could imagine for just a moment what these writers were up against, you will find yourself appreciating how difficult it must have been for them to develop interesting plots, select relevant genres, establish character presence and personalities, and not to mention, supply an astonishing ending where there really isn’t much room for error. I applaud each and every one of these writers that accepted the 321: Fast Comics challenge.

Call it a bad habit if you must, but sometimes I find myself trying to get a glimpse of the artwork before I read a comic. I tend to do this a lot with independent books I’m not too familiar with. I can’t say that I was disappointed with 321: Fast Comics at all. There really is some incredibly sharp and striking artwork throughout this book and the coloring work for the most part was spot on.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I see a lot of potential with 321: Fast Comics. Inviting more artists and writers to participate in this type of challenge is something I’m sure fans would want to see happen. So, in case you’re wondering, the second edition is already in the works!

Digital copies of 321: Fast Comics are available on Comixology, or you can support this initiative via Kickstarter.com. There’s only a few days left to show your support for 321: Fast Comics! It promises to be the beginning of something truly special. Don’t miss out!

Until next time!

[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]

Author Profile

13th Crusader

Real Name: Mike / Occupation: (As Mike) Classified; (as The 13th Crusader) Host of The Definitive Crusade, DC Podcast, for Undercover Capes / Known Aliases: 13, The Iron Mike, Ironhide, The Walking Human Encyclopedia, Professor M / Affiliations: Comic Crusaders / Base of Operations: The 13th Lair (location classified), often mobile / Abilities: Photographic memory (to the extent where he is capable of memorizing the comic book inventories of several stores simultaneously for lengthy periods of time), voice impersonation, acute senses (The 13th Crusader possesses an uncanny ability to track down vintage comic books, and on several occasions, with his eyes closed, he has been able to determine the exact year a comic book was published just by smelling the ink inside of it), capable of drawing sketches; however, he prefers to write. He has a substantial amount of resistance to alcohol, surpassing the levels displayed by Marvelâ€™s Volstagg and Valiantâ€™s Aram Anni-Padda â€“ combined. Multilingual (Proficient with English and Spanish, adequate with Portuguese and Italian). Above average marksman (he is capable of throwing objects accurately at high velocities), limited sword fighting skills and kickboxing techniques. / Known Weaknesses: Anything that involves the original Gwen Stacy, 2 for 1 drinks during Happy Hour, 50 cent comic book bins, the scent of 1983 comic book ink / Hobbies: Vintage comic book collecting, baseball, listening to excessive amounts of 80â€™s music / History: Little is known of The 13th Crusader. He is a man of many talents who was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. He has extensive knowledge of the comic book world and heâ€™s been collecting comic books since before he was able to read. Heâ€™s a BIG time fan of Silver and Bronze Age comics, and as such, his personal collection is truly impressive. He owns books that range from the 1950â€™s and onward. First Appearance: Comic Crusaders Column â€“ What Defines A Characters First Appearance (Feb 2014)