Polaris Magazine 16 - Out Now!

[grahamthomson]

I've updated the first post in this thread with the details for buying just Polaris Magazine #16 on its own.

[Andy Turnbull]

Polaris Issue 16

So a new name and a new look. Traditionally in publishing this usually means we are in the last chance saloon and the magazine/comic/whatever is not long for this world. It's good to know that this is not the case here.

Keeping the US comic format, and opting for a cover dress more in keeping with a magazine than a comic is a nice approach and makes it stand out immediately. I'd be remiss if I didn't also praise Ed for his super sweet Action Master Prime cover.

Opting to have a feature before the contents/editorial also backs this change up (yes it has to do with the pagination of the colour and black and white but it's still a great idea) well. I find myself agreeing with much of what is said about Dinobot Hunt with one exception. I love Will Simpson's art in Dinobot Hunt and indeed in all his Transformers work and beyond. He has a fluid and visceral quality that Dan Reed aside nobody else has brought to Transformers art.

All the familiar features are there - A to Z Commentary being my personal favourite from Polaris' recurring content. The tone is spot on with the right balance of information and humour (which is never mean-spirited or snarky). The comic reviews are great, and the fact that we arbitrarily jump from story to story without any forewarning means each issue is a surprise.

It's great to see Timecode back and I certainly am looking forward to reading the completed story in one setting. It's enjoyable enough in individual installments but I feel it will really work when it is done. You unfortunately raised the bar with Globequake G - that story worked equally well in serial and collected form. A difficult trick to master.

Grounded Theory was really grand. A great character piece and with a bit of high stakes action thrown in for good measure. The best of both worlds. Prime's characterisation was bang on and he was indeed right the Decepticons did win, when you think on it. Kind of reinforces for me the idea that the Primus plan for the Transformers was for them to be Decepticons.

Top marks for the first Polaris of many!

Now onto the Digital versions

Brilliant. I've read them on both my macbook and ipad (other ereaders are available) and I can say the reproduction of them was bang on. The delivery system through pul.ly is quick and painless and a low price point as well - always important in these days of double dip recessions and economic armageddon.

Inevitably I will have a kindle next month and I will get back to you on how that works out there. Obviously the eink means grayscale only but I'll be interested to see how it works out nevertheless.

Andy

[grahamthomson]

Many thanks for your comments, Andy!

Glad to hear that, despite the name change, you're still enjoying the fanzine. Yes, the pagination did mean opening with a main feature as I didn't want to waste a colour page with the contents. At least it's not pages upon pages of adverts before the contents page like a lot of other magazines!

Yes, Timecode is back, now with at least one or two chapters per issue from hereon in! I see your points comparing it with Globequake, but back then I did have the advantage (if you can call it that) of daily chapters in batches to keep the momentum going. My aim with Timecode has been to make each chapter a little more "episodic" in terms of themes and/or characters. Saying that, I do also need to make the ongoing story move forward as well. I'm juggling.

Pleased you liked "Grounded Theory" as well. Optimus is certainly a challenge to write as he was already so developed in the Marvel series and we already saw so many sides to his character. Silverbolt on the other hand...

I daresay there'll be a lot more from Optimus in Timecode, but, sadly, not Silverbolt.

As for the Digital Edition, I'm glad you gave it a go and were pleased with the results! I expect to see some of your 'zines offered in a similar manner in the near future!!