TRIUMPH MEDIA CONCLUDES SUCCESSFUL WIZARD WORLD CHICAGO!

"To me, a comic convention is like a wine tasting. You try lots of different vintages, some you don't like, some uninteresting, and some that are a treat that make you want more. That's why I check out the independent presses. Most of the flavors from the Big Three (Marvel, DC, Image) all taste the same. The independents are where you find the interesting tastes, the ones that are new and surprising. I started reading Codename: Black Death late Saturday evening while trying to get to sleep. Past experience with comic conventions has taught me to do this if I have trouble sleeping. That way, if it's bad or boring, I'll quickly get to sleep. If it's great, it makes the insomnia worth it. It's kind of a win-win for me. And the insomnia was worth it, that Saturday night. Codename: Black Death is a great superhero thriller and a great introduction to the Triumph comic universe. The first issue held my attention and left me wanting more, which to my delight I had! Marshall Ahrens is an interesting character, very real to me because he's not the typical vigilante justice seeker with a miraculous grasp of his newfound skills that you find in most other comics of this type. He makes mistakes, some pretty big ones in fact, in spite of his military training, but they're born out of his anger and desire for vengeance for what happened to his brother and his family. He's a hot-headed, spur-of-the-moment kind of guy, not always likable, prone to misjudgement at times, who begins to learn that people aren't always what they seem and that sometimes you have to put aside impulse and anger to achieve your goal. He's no perfectly moral, instantly skillful user of enhanced science; he's a flawed human being learning to use fantastic weapons in a bad situation. There aren't enough human beings in comics these days (though that does seem to be changing, too slowly), so Marshall is a refreshing change. The conspiracy he's fighting against is intriguing too, though seeing that I'd read what's labeled to be three of a four-issue miniseries makes me wonder if it can all be revealed in one more issue. I'd like to see more revealed about Senator McDonald and what exactly he's into. More of Decker as Skate (kudos for creating another complex character who's also a foil for our hero). Even more of Foley, of whom I'd also like to know how he became a Marine! My biggest hope is that these first four issues are only the beginning of Black Death's adventures, that this is just the tip of the iceberg as far as the conspiracy goes, and that Marshall, Foley and maybe Troy will be back to fight back and expose the truth. Maybe they will even interact with agents of Talon, the supergroup whose own title is being advertised in the back of each issue of Codename: Black Death. If that title is as well-written and drawn as Codename: Black Death, it should be a definite treat. In other words, give me more! Kudos to you, Steve, and to El Dazo (the artist) for creating a phenomenal comic experience, and for inspiring me to spout such hyperbole. But the comic really is that great. Good luck to you guys and to Triumph, the Gateway to the Real Universe! (their slogan)." -- John T, Wisconsin

TriumphComics.com

Codename: Black Death is a great superhero thriller and a great introduction to the Triumph comic universe