Carmen - Its okay we know where in the world she is.

Carmen #0 & #1

Carmen is created by Mike Speakman, Issue #0 written by Mike Speakman & Aharon Claridge illustration & letters by Blake Wilkie. Issue #1 written by Mike Speakman & Aharon Claridge, illustrations & letters by Matt Kyme, colours & cover art by Matty Taylor and published by If? Commix. Carmen is a thriller/mystery/spy comic about a woman named Carmen who's boyfriend Cody Sinclair, an American solider, was recently killed in action under suspicious circumstances, those suspicious circumstances being that he was straight up murdered by another American soldier. A shady organization called King-Dome Come Industries, run by the terrifying Mr. King, steals Cody's body needing his brain for something. The brain is damaged during transportation and the information now unreadable. A person who was special to Cody is needed to transfer his memories so Mr. King can unlocks Cody's secrets. Carmen, now in danger, is being hunted.

Oh this? This is just my copy signed by Matty Taylor

The art style is very interesting and different straying away from the "classic" comic book style and uses thick lines and deep colours that reminds me of a stain glass window. Some of the backgrounds creatively use real pictures and textures enhanced with colours and outlines makings the backgrounds interestingly detailed without drawing your eye away from the focus of the panel. Those who like incredibly realistic art may be a little turned off by the art in Carmen but it is an unusual and engaging style that is refreshingly different.

I usually make my coffee after I get out of the shower but whatever

Carmen, although we haven't learned much about her personality yet, has already shown us an insight into her character as she reacts realistically when large frightening men force their way into her apartment by freaking the hell out but shows that she isn't going to be just another damsel in distress as she fights back by elbowing one of her attackers in the throat. What makes Carmen such an interesting character is that she really has no idea what is going on or why people are after her, she is just a normal person. We don't know much about her skills yet but she neither turns into a blubbering, helpless mess waiting to be rescued or into a super solider that can defeat her attackers without breaking a sweat. Carmen, although she may pick up some skills along the way, is looking like a story about an ordinary person in an extraordinary situations.

Carmen isn't going down without a fight

Normally I am not a huge fan of spy/thriller comics but I enjoyed Carmen immensely and was intrigued at what direction the story would progress in. I read a comic many times while writing reviews and each time I read Carmen I enjoyed it more. Carmen is a locally produced comic and like many creator owned local comics it doesn't have a monthly schedule with each issue coming out every few months or so. Many creator owned comics are funded via Kickstarter and other such websites and by their creators personally.

I'm both excited and inpatient so, so very inpatient

I give Carmen 4 out of 5 brains in a jar and remember support local talent!

Follow Carmen on Twitter and get your own copy of Carmen here.


I also just wanted to share this wonderful picture of me as a zombie drawn by Matty Taylor at an event at All Star Comics where he was doing free sketches for people.

This hangs proudly on my sketch wall