Dragon Phoenix Media’s Bill Lutz sent over a little present for Moby’s readers the other day, along with some great news:
Pencils and inks for Pathways issues 3 and 4 are done!
I have to admit I am a bit biased in favor of this series, the Zero issue of Pathways was Moby’s ‘Free Comic Book Day Digital Pick’ for 2015 (and is still available for free).
Like issues 1 and 2, these two books each have three stories or segments. This unconventional approach works well with the variety of stories being told, allowing us to meet more than just a few characters. I asked Bill if the three story per issue format was going last throughout the Pathways series, and he said that would NOT be the case.
There will be three segment format, but also a special issue spotlighting the villains like World Smasher, and a series finale that will lead directly into Frontiersmen. Things will start changing sometime after issue 5.” – Pathways Writer/Artist Bill Lutz
Raw line art for Pathways Pin-Up by Bill Lutz
This segmented format allows the story moves around as we explore the universe of the Frontiersmen, and Bill’s art helps set each scene, usually using just one panel to transition from one storyline to the next.
Here’s one such panel below, doing it’s job and setting the mood. Lutz transitions smoothly from one location to another, needing only one panel to tell his readers so much. With the character facing away we get the sense of scale by him, but it’s clear he’s not why this panel exists. We know immediately that we are not on earth, and we can sense by the lone tree standing out over the empty landscape that this is a remote location. Taken together it becomes obvious that this guy is plotting a Beatles reunion, am I right?
This panel is going to look fantastic when colorist Robert Barnes gets done with it. Also, Moby wishes he had that many moons to look at:
I’ve written about Bill Lutz art style before, particularly his use of space, and these issues are no exception. I particularly noticed the work done in the panel backgrounds in issue 4, and even without colors or letters I already know it is going to be the best one yet.
Here’s a sample from the opening page of issue 4:
But the art is still only half of what is really going on here, there’s also the story. Or, more accurately, stories. One nice thing about Pathways so far is the variety, and issue three is no exception.
The first story is set in a television studio, a peaceful setting with conflict only coming at the end. The second segment takes us into space, into a trial which will determine the fate of one man. One story leaves us with unresolved conflict while the other concludes…well, I don’t want to spoil it. Point is that there’s a lot going on, more than enough to fill the projected 24 or so issues in this series, leading into ‘The Return of the Frontiersmen’.
And in the mix of all this, just out of sight of the protagonists, lurk the villains. The real question so far is just what are they up to?
That’s been part of the fun so far, just trying to get a clear picture of the evil plot being hatched. Or plots, I don’t know. Truth is I’m starting to doubt my earlier idea of someone on an alien world plotting to get the Beatles back together. But you never know….
Okay, Moby would make a weak villain, but at least the soundtrack would be sweet.
You can find Pathways 1 and 2 on Comixology and at Amazon.
There’s also a nice selection of ‘Zero Issue’ books available FOR FREE at DragonPhoenixMedia.com, each introducing a different title.
