Now do one about The Red Star. Or Hellshock.

Does the word sound good that Wintermen will be collected?

Ha ha, I'm pretty sure Kris murders Agent Siegel after he confessed to having heard "everything"... Kris' "fuck" probably pertains to knowing that he has to explain Siegel's death in debriefing, or maybe he secretly grew to sorta like the guy for his mastery of Russian in issue #1? Certainly Kris doesn't want Americans knowing of the Winter secrets... I suspect the Eyecatcher is genuine in issue #1 when he mentions to Kris that, as Russians, they really don't want the US catching wind of the Winter projects. It's likely that even by telling this stuff to Siegel the Eyecatcher is ensuring that someone will have to kill him eventually...

Also, I'm not sure if this answers your question, but the woman in the cab was the same one from earlier in the book that the mobsters sent to seduce Kalenov. I figured that she was a convenient tool for Kris to use, since she had already demonstrated her ability to follow his orders.

This series reminded me of vintage Howard Chaykin. Chaykin crafted stories that immersed the readers in unique cultures with their own histories, customs and slang, but like Chaykin, Lewis trusts enough in his abilities and the intelligence of the readers to believe that they'll catch up as he plows along with his narrative. However, vintage Chaykin and Brett Lewis make the plots and characters interesting enought that you don't mind reading the books again and again to glean new information or discover missed subtexts.

Jack Potts: Hmmm. That reading of the scene in issue #2 makes perfect sense. I'll have to go back and check it out with that in mind. Even so, I wonder why he's hanging out with the woman in the first place! And Kalenov does, indeed, take his hat off. I always found it interesting that he didn't, and taking his hat off seems to symbolize that he's a changed man. Maybe.

Travis: I'm not sure why it didn't come out from Vertigo. I knew it started there, but the wall of secrecy surrounding DC means I don't even feel like finding out why it switched.

Dan: The superhero aspects are well in the background until issue #6. That's part of what makes this interesting.

Yes(thinks Greg Burgas), the unwashed masses are so ignorant. Why can't they have more refined tastes in comics like clearly I have? Must I be the sole voice of reason in a sea of mediocrity?

God, you're such a douchebag, Greg!

Clearly, I've been living in a fantasy world all along (not surprising, given the state of my checkbook).

I guess the discount FEELS like 25 percent because of the onerous local sales tax (10 percent) I save paying for comics I order through HeavyInk. Unfortunately, at this point that represents maybe 5 percent of the new comics I buy ...

Re: your questions about the cab scene in issue #2.
Kalenov WANTED the driver to overhear his conversation with the dancer/prostitute (Note that Kalenov makes a comment indicating he was actively seeking a Russian cab driver.)

Kalenov's tirade toward the woman "carelessly" drops important information about Uncle Vicky's schedule and plans. Sure enough, in the next scene, someone makes an assassination attempt on Uncle Vicky at the location Kalenov disclosed, and Kris is on hand to save Uncle Vicky's life. Suddenly, Kalenov is a made man in Uncle Vicky's eyes.

This was a very dense, information rich series. The dialogue read like it was originally written in Russian and translated into English. I had the opportunity to ask John Paul Leon about Winter Men a couple years ago at HeroesCon, and he said that was exactly what Brett Lewis was going for. Also, I noticed that Kalenov never takes off his gloves and is ALWAYS wearing a hat (even when he's getting busy with the Mongolian secretary). I had hoped that there would be some sort of reveal involving Rocket Red wiring and interfaces laced into his flesh, but alas Mr. Leon just said Kalenov's hat and gloves were just an easy way to identify the character.

>>20% off Everything and Free Shipping on All Orders

Nope, I guess they just like you more.

@ Tom Fitzpatrick

Tommy Lee Edwards and John Paul Leon share a three-name-moniker, as well as a "virtual studio" called The Blvd (http://www.theblvdstudio.com/). That might account for some of their similarities. Or they might be the same dude - JPLeon just calls himself "Tommy Edwards" when he wants to use a brush instead of pens...

Geez -- MY HeavyInk discount is 25 percent. Maybe I'm just nicer than Zach. (More likely, Zach typoed, because off the top of my head I don't believe I'm nicer than ANYbody. Well, maybe Dick Cheney. But then so is, y'know, Darkseid.)

Have never even thought about picking up WINTER MEN, as much because of the ludicrous (lack of) scheduling as the fact that offhand, the basic premise does nothing for me. Doesn't mean I shouldn't consider a change of heart, though.

Consider also, I remember first reading about Wintermen in the Vertigo X book that came out in 2003. Any idea why it came out through Wildstorm instead?

I think I'll have to wait for the trade, unless I can find the issues cheap.

Hm, Julie Newmar, Diana Rigg, and an ageless MJ Watson. Can one be blamed for surpressing the book with that sort of temptation?

Awesome post, Greg.

I very much enjoyed what I read.

Hmmm, somebody can't count.

Too bad.

I like Leon art. Especially on Earth X.

Has anybody ever noticed that Tommy Lee Edwards art is similiar to Leon's?

Are they the same person leading double lives?

Still, Lewis can write, and Leon could scribble on some butcher's paper with the burnt end of a stick and I'd pay midsized-to-large pile of money for it. I'm awaiting the finale with great anticipation, then I'll come back and finish your article. Until then though, good on you, sir.