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Our friends at Comics Beat were kind enough to include Moro Roger’s City in the Desert in their “5 Recent Graphic Novels You Don’t Want to Miss” review - books that “combine qualities of well-crafted concepts and remarkable artwork to create solid visual narratives”. Find out why YOU don’t want to miss this awesome book by reading the review or procuring a copy of your own! Here’s a snibbit to tempt your fancies:
This rather gorgeously designed little hardcover has raised and imprinted patterns on the surface and a limited color palette that accents the sinuous brush-work of the inks.
City in the Desert is available in comic book shops, wherever books are sold, and at the Archaia Webstore.
Comics Bulletin recently reviewed CITY IN THE DESERT by the talented Moro Rogers. An excerpt of their article is below:
Moro Rogers’s City in the Desert is a very entertaining debut from a new cartoonist. Irro and Hari, two monster hunters from the town of Kevala suddenly find themselves out of work when a shady religious group called “The Way of Sacred Peace” comes into town, promising a permanent end to the frequent monster attacks.Because this is the first of a series of graphic novels, Rogers allows herself to take her time telling the story, really building up her characters and this world they inhabit. This first volume is just an appetizer — we get our main characters, we get some bad guys, and we get some looks into the people around the town of Kevala, but Rogers is alluding to deeper connections and relationships between her characters, setting things up for what looks to be something of an ages-spanning epic in the coming volumes. Really, all this book is missing is a map on the inside cover, the almost-universal signal for “Caution: You’re About To Get Hip-Deep Into A Fantasy Story.”
An excerpt of the interview from The Morton Report with CITY IN THE DESERT creator Moro Rogers is below! Be sure to visit their website for the full article to learn more about this intriguing story and it’s creator!
“Who are Irro and Hari, and what can you tell us about their world and the City in the Desert they all inhabit?
Irro is a monster hunter and Hari is his mysterious assistant—she has claws, a tail, and other peculiar qualities. They live in Kevala, a desert city that doesn’t have much contact with the outside world. I took the name from a Sanskrit word meaning “isolated.”
So where’d this all come from? What were the circumstances that led to this series’ conception, and what influenced its development into its current form?
The idea had been kicking around in my head for a long time, but I was doing odd jobs at animation studios so I kept putting off writing it. I found myself out of work a few years ago and felt like I needed to do something of my own just to stay sane. I guess I was kind of cranky at the time and I thought if I made a graphic novel I’d at least have something to show for it.”
Don’t forget, you can buy your own copy of CITY IN THE DESERT at the Archaia store. Or track it down at your local comic shop or wherever books are sold.
Horror Talk took a look at Archaia title CITY IN THE DESERT by Moro Rogers recently and did a review. Here’s an excerpt from their article below:
“City in the Desert, the latest from writer / artist Moro Rogers, creates an interesting mythology right from the beginning. Rogers comes up with everything, including how these people came into existence in the first place. There was a god named Iriaze who created man. One day, the Evil One tried to kill man and the blood spilled from their battle created the monsters that now hunt man. Ages later, people still live in fear of these creatures, but there’s a strange relationship between the two. The beasts exist because of the sorrow of man that’s sucked up into the sky to come back down again like rain. It’s an intriguing setup.”
Check out the rest of the review at their website!
Remember that you can buy City in the Desert from the Archaia webstore. Also at your local comic shop or wherever books are sold.
Archaia will be exhibiting at WonderCon Anaheim 2013 in Anaheim, Calif. during the weekend of March 29-31. You can find us at Booth 609! Confirmed Archaia creators in attendance include:
Chris Northrop (writer: the upcoming The Reason for Dragons) Jeff Stokely (artist: the upcoming The Reason for Dragons) mpMann (artist: The Grave Doug Freshley, Inanna’s Tears, The Lone and Level Sands, Some New Kind of Slaughter) Moro Rogers (writer/artist: City in the Desert) R.J. Ryan (writer: Syndrome, the upcoming The Joyners in 3D) Saurav Mohapatra (writer: the upcoming Mumbai Confidential) Tom Pinchuk (writer: Hybrid Bastards!) We will also be presenting a panel during WonderCon. Please join us! Saturday, March 30, 11:30a.m. – 12:30p.m., Room 208AB Archaia Presents: Writing for Comics – Writing a script for comic books and graphic novels is not unlike writing one for a film or TV show, but there are marked differences. Telling an artist to “go crazy” on a panel isn’t always the best option. What are some of the things aspiring comic book writers should know, and what are some resources they have available to them? Join a lively discussion with Archaia graphic novelists R.J. Ryan (Syndrome, The Joyners in 3D), Chris Northrop (The Reason for Dragons),Saurav Mohapatra (Mumbai Confidential, Devi), Mike Kennedy (Bleedout, Star Wars), and Tom Pinchuk (Hybrid Bastards!) as they talk about their experiences and give their advice on how you can write a really great comic script!
November Release: Out this month is Moro Rogers’ City in the Desert!
We are happy to announce a Three-Day Sale on Archaia Digital Firsts on comiXology, running August 25-27!
Archaia Digital First titles are chapters and complete collections of Archaia graphic novels that can be read in advance of their print editions, available exclusively through the comiXology platform. The three-day sale will offer discounts on individual chapters and complete collections.
The Archaia Digital First titles included in the sale are:
CITY IN THE DESERT #1-4
CURSED PIRATE GIRL#1-3
CURSED PIRATE GIRL VOL. 1 Complete
THE GRAND DUKE #1-5
HOPELESS, MAINE #1-4
HOPELESS, MAINE Complete
IRON: OR, THE WAR AFTER #1-3
LAST DAYS OF AN IMMORTAL #1-4
MUMBAI CONFIDENTIAL #1-2
SPERA VOL. 2 #1
SPACE: 1999 – AFTERSHOCK AND AWE #1-2
SPACE: 1999 – CLASSICS REMASTERED #1
Click on this link to start downloading discounted Archaia Digital First titles now!
Today is definitely a day of Digital Firsts! Archaia and comiXology have teamed up to give you your favorite Archaia titles in a digital format, including our exclusive line of “digital first” comics. That means you can check out some of Archaia’s hottest new comics before they’re printed! Today we bring you the next parts to three of your favorite digital titles!
Digital Firsts: Titles That Are Available Digitally Before the Print Edition’s Release
Mumbai Confidential, Part 2:
Writer: Saurav Mohapatra
Artist: Vivek Shinde
Once Kadam was a rising star in the ranks of the Mumbai Encounter Squad, a secret unit tasked with carrying out extrajudicial executions of wanted criminals that turned it into a business for contract killings and extortion. However, the death of his pregnant wife at childbirth triggers a downward spiral that leaves Kadam a pale shadow of his former self. When Kadam is the victim of a hit-and-run that also claims the life of a street urchin, he goes into a coma for a month. After waking up, he finds a new sense of purpose and pursues the investigation into the identity of the driver on his own, after the police closed the case for lack of leads. Kadam finds out that the driver was Balwan Khan, an over-the-hill Bollywood B-Movie actor. This brings him into direct confrontation with his ex-colleagues, who are now de facto gangsters in uniform and using Khan’s movies to launder their money…
This is a hard-boiled crime noir tale set in Mumbai and told though the eyes of Arjun Kadam, a washed-out drug-addicted ex-cop.
In part 2 of this dark story, we learn what life was like for Arjun Kadam five years ago before things quickly changed.
City in the Desert, Part 4:
Creator: Moro Rogers
A monster hunter is suddenly out of a job when a religious sect supposedly rids the world of monsters, but is the sect’s noble deed too good to be true?
Monster hunter Irro is perhaps the only person in Kevala making a good living. The city pays him and his tailed assistant, Hari, a bounty for each monster carcass they bring in. But one day a religious sect called The Way of the Sacred Peace comes to Kevala to solve the monster problem by capping the city’s Spirit Fountain. Out of a job with all the monsters gone, Irro and Hari are determined to prove that there is a more sinister plot behind the Sacred Peace’s plan.
In part 4 of this adventure the citizens of Kevala are acting indifferent; some are dying from not eating, while members of the Sacred Peace are ransacking homes. Outnumbered by Darga and his men, Irro and Hari retreat to their house.
Last Days of an Immortal, Part 4:
Writer: Fabien Vehlmann
Artist: Gwen De Booneval
In the distant future, Elijah is a member of the “Philosophical Police,” who must solve conflicts that arise out of ignorance of the Other. Two species are fighting a war with roots in a crime committed centuries ago, and Elijah must solve the crime and bring peace between their species, while also confronting his own immortality in a world where science provides access to eternal life. In a world where death no longer exists, why do so many want to give up on life? Serious, heavy duty science fiction, with shades of author J.G. Ballard and the films, Gattaca, Solaris, and George Lucas’ THX 1138.
Join us next week! We will have the exciting completed digital release of Cursed Pirate Girl and Judge Bao, as well as new chapters of Gunnerkrigg Court, andSpace: 1999 - Aftershock & Awe!
We might all be busy at Comic-con but that doesn’t mean we don’t have digital releases for everyone, regardless if they’re at the con or not. We have got some special digital premieres of two very special projects that Archaia has been working on for a while.
You better be excited. We definitely are!
You already know about Archaia and comiXology’s team-up, and you know that we are making sure to bring your favorite comics straight to you! That’s right, we’ve made getting comics easier by bringing you your favorite graphic novels in a digital format.
This week has some exclusive digital premieres that we know you will love!
DIGITAL PREMIERES!
Space: 1999 #1
The sci-fi classic series returns! September 13th: 1999 – An atomic accident causes the moon to be blown out of orbit and hurled into the unknown, the survivors of the lunar base stationed there launched towards their destiny across the stars. But what of the cataclysm and wanton destruction caused to the Earth in its wake?
In an alternate universe where JFK was never assassinated, mankind has already suffered through World War III, unified into a single world government, and built a base on the moon by the year 1999!
The story continues in AWE, which adapts the pilot episode of SPACE: 1999 “Breakaway,” as seen through the personal logs of Commander John Koenig and Professor Victor Bergman on Moonbase Alpha — expanded to include both new and unfilmed material, and utilizing the remastered art of comics legend Gray Morrow as a basis for this revolutionary retelling of a sci-fi classic.
Based on the classic science fiction television series SPACE: 1999 – and set in the continuity of the original series, AFTERSHOCK AND AWE steals a glimpse at an alternate history of mankind, and jump-starts humanity’s eventual destiny far out in space.
Mumbai Confidential #1
Once Kadam was a rising star in the ranks of the Mumbai Encounter Squad, a secret unit tasked with carrying out extrajudicial executions of wanted criminals that turned it into a business for contract killings and extortion. However the death of his pregnant wife at childbirth triggers a downward spiral that leaves Kadam a pale shadow of his former self. When Kadam is the victim of a hit-and-run that also claims the life of a street urchin, he goes into a coma for a month. After waking up, he finds a new sense of purpose and pursues the investigation into the identity of the driver on his own, when the police close the case for lack of leads. Kadam finds out that the driver was Balwan Khan, an over-the-hill Bollywood B-Movie actor. This brings him into direct confrontation with his ex-colleagues, who are now de factor gangsters in uniform and use Khan’s movies to launder their money…
A hardboiled crime-noir tale set in Mumbai and told though the eyes of Arjun Kadam, a washed-out drug-addicted ex-cop.
DIGITAL FIRST RELEASES:
A monster hunter is suddenly out of a job when a religious sect supposedly rids the world of them, but is the sect’s noble deed too good to be true?
Monster hunter Irro is perhaps the only person in Kevala making a good living. The city pays him and his tailed assistant, Hari, a bounty for each monster carcass they bring in. But one day a religious sect called The Way of the Sacred Peace comes to Kevala to solve the monster problem by capping the city’s Spirit Fountain. Out of a job with all the monsters gone, Irro and Hari are determined to prove that there is a more sinister plot behind the Sacred Peace’s plan.
Adventures on and under the high seas lead a cursed pirate girl to encounter mythic creatures, gnarled and crusty pirates, and ghostly apparitions as she tries to find her lost father, one of the dreaded Pirate Captains of the mythical Omerta Seas. A whimsical swashbuckling tale of wonderland journeys and unimaginable dangers, starting in Port Elisabeth, Jamaica in the year 1728, and quickly heading across – and beneath – the waves.
In the distant future, Elijah is a member of the “Philosophical Police,” who must solve conflicts that arise out of ignorance of the Other. Two species are fighting a war with roots in a crime committed centuries ago, and Elijah must solve the crime and bring peace between their species, while also confronting his own immortality in a world where science provides access to eternal life. In a world where death no longer exists, why do so many want to give up on life? Serious, heavy duty science fiction, with shades of author J.G. Ballard and the films Gattaca, Solaris, and George Lucas’ THX 1138.
DIGITAL RELEASES:
Spera #6
Lono’s life as a princess consisted of sitting, reading, and dreaming—until the day Pira, princess of a neighboring kingdom, arrived with news of a waking nightmare! With the help of Pira’s best friend—a fire spirit in the form of a dog named Yonder—the princesses now find themselves in a race against evil. The goal: Spera, a magical realm of which the princesses had only ever heard the tallest tales. The prize: their very lives!
It is the Spring of 1110 in the official calendar of the Pajan Empire. Okko is called upon to assist the daughter of Lady Mayudama, who has retreated into a profound silence. The best doctors have been unable to provide even a diagnosis of her condition. Okko may prove to be her last resort. But a strange force that has been prowling around the region for over a week has also arranged a meeting with the ronin for a duel of incomparable violence…
Until next Wednesday!
Archaia hopes you are having great week and if you are at San Diego Comic-Con make sure you stop by our booth, #2635!
It’s that time again! It’s our next round of digital releases. Every Wednesday, Comixology and Archaia are teaming up to bring you your favorite graphic novels in a digital format, including our exclusive line of “digital first” comics. That means you can check out some of Archaia’s hottest new comics before they’re printed! This week’s lineup takes you from the scorching desert to the distant future, and everywhere in between!
DIGITAL FIRST RELEASES
CITY IN THE DESERT #2 - Moro Rogers
Monster hunter Irro is perhaps the only person in Kevala making a good living. The city pays him and his tailed assistant, Hari, a bounty for each monster carcass they bring in. But one day, a religious sect known as The Way of Sacred Peace comes to Kevala to solve the monster problem by capping the city’s Spirit Fountain. Out of the job with all the monsters gone, Irro and Hari are determined to prove there is a more sinister plot behind Sacred Peace’s plan.
LAST DAYS OF AN IMMORTAL #2 - Fabien Vehlmann, Gwen De Bonneval
In the distant future, Elijah is a member of the ‘Philosophical Police,’ who must solve conflicts that arise out of ignorance of the Other. Two species are fighting a war with roots in a crime committed centuries ago, and Elijah must solve the crime and bring peace between their species while also confronting his own immortality in a world where science provides access to eternal life. In a world where death no longer exists, why do so many want to give up on life?
OTHER DIGITAL RELEASES:
GENETIKS™ #3 - Jean-Michel Ponzio, Richard Marazano
Genetiks™ is a pharmaceutical company on the cutting edge of biological science. Thomas Hale is one of thousands of employees in the Genetiks™ labs. Like his colleagues, he had agreed to give a drop of blood to his employers; a drop of blood that will allow the researchers at the company he works for to decode his entire genome. Since the drop of blood is the property of Genetiks™, Thomas will become, in effect, the first man to be privately owned by the corporation he works for.
OKKO: THE CYCLE OF AIR #4 - Hub
It is the Spring of 1110. Okko is called upon to assist the daughter of Lady Mayudama, who has retreated into a profound silence. The best doctors have been unable to provide even a diagnosis of her condition. Okko may prove to be her last resort. But a strange force that has been prowling around the region for over a week has also arranged a meeting with the ronin for a duel of incomparable violence.
SPERA Vol. 1 #4 - Josh Tierney
Lono’s life as a princess consisted of sitting, reading, and dreaming-until the day Pira, princess of a neighboring kingdom, arrived with news of a waking nightmare! With the help of Pira’s best friend-a fire spirit in the form of a dog named Yonder-the princesses now find themselves in a race against evil. The goal: Spera, a magical realm of which the princesses had only ever heard the tallest tales. The prize: their very lives!
