Interview: 'Roche Limit' Creator Michael Moreci

AiPT: Today I have the pleasure of talking to Michael Moreci. Thanks for taking the time. I enjoyed reading the first volume of Roche Limit and was especially intrigued by the philosophical issues you discussed. I also thought it was interesting how you combined the different genre types of detective fiction, science fiction, and a zombie apocalypse with each other.

MM: Well, let's get to it.

AiPT: In Roche Limit: Anomalous you used multiple storylines and then brought them all together by the end, what made you decide to go with this style for this particular comic? Do you plan on using this same style for Clandestiny?

MM: A big part of the first volume is multiple investigations that are happening. On the thematic level, you see it in the probing into religion, society, and existence. There's a lot going on with all of those things. The plot mirrors that in a cool way, which I enjoy. There's all these investigations happening, with Alex looking for Bekkah, Moscow looking for the Recall recipe, Watkins looking for the soul. Everyone is looking for something, searching, and that's important to the book (as Langford explains in his monologue and we pick up on in Clandestiny). 

AiPT: The process of the soul being separated into pieces by contact with the anomaly is extremely unique, are there any specific influences for this idea?

MM: Thanks! Though it's probably something I stole off of Dick or Bradbury and don't even realize it. That piece of the book's puzzle came in really late and unified everything--I needed something that would tie these characters together, and brings them closer, physically and philosophically. 

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Comic Book Review: Roche Limit Vol. 1: Anomalous TPB

Roche Limit Vol. One: Anomalous combines philosophy, science fiction, detective fiction, and yes a zombie apocalypse. Is it good?

The opening sequence of Roche Limit reminds me a lot of the original Bioshock. A wealthy man with a larger than life vision sets out to change the world and along the path it all goes wrong. The similarities end there. Where Bioshock examines the philosophy of human organizations, Moreci examines the ideas of fate, identity, and our perception of the world around us.

Each book except for the last one begins with the founder of Roche Limit, Langford Skaargred, breaking the fourth wall through an audio/visual recording where he addresses many of the aforementioned high-brow topics. However, he does use a number of the main characters to also address these topics and there is a significant plot line dedicated to self-discovery and what it means to be human.

Outside of the philosophy, Moreci and artist Vic Malhotra build a compelling world full of drug dealers, addicts, a protective Madam, and even a mad scientist. The world is seedy with good people few and far between. Even the characters who are relatable have been affected by the violent culture on Dispater, the planet where the colony of Roche Limit is located. One of the best examples of the unruly and rough culture is during an interrogation at the local watering hole.

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Affiliate link: Click here to get your copy of Roche Limit Volume 1.

Comic Book Review: Project Superpowers Blackcross #2

The supernatural occurrences ramp up in the town of Blackcross. Is it good?

Warren Ellis continues to use multiple storylines, but where it succeeded in the first book it falls flat in this one. The first book succeeded in creating immense terror and horror. It didn’t need to tell a story or build up the characters. The horror aspect carried it. However, this second issue is missing the horror. I’m not running downstairs to check that my door is locked, covering my mirrors, or applying bars to my window. It just isn’t there.

Instead, there are a couple moments that are pure shock factor. They leave you more confused than before. It is quite difficult to figure out what is happening let alone why it is happening. This does have the effect of creating a huge mystery except there doesn’t seem to be any clues.

The characters themselves are a mystery as well. The ones Ellis introduced in the previous issue are all present in this one, but since the issue is so compact and there are about six different storylines, he doesn’t have enough time to properly develop them and in some cases the events that unfold don’t give him the opportunity to do so.

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Affiliate link: Click here to get your copy of Project Superpowers: Blackcross #2.

Comic Book Review: The Black Hood #2

The Black Hood wreaks vengeance on the streets of Philadelphia while Officer Hettinger continues down a dark drug-fueled path. Is it good?

Duane Swierczynski and Michael Gaydos open the book with an intense action sequence as The Black Hood breaks up a street mugging in an extremely violent manner. The sequence is different than most opening action sequences due to The Black Hood’s self awareness. He realizes he is drugged out of his mind and running around wearing a creepy mask. This doesn’t deter or hinder him at all. It actually empowers him, allowing him to wreak more extreme violence than he otherwise would have without the mask. It is quite something to behold and Swierczynski and Gaydos think so too. There is a panel with the muggers’ victim capturing his image. The victim’s reaction was the same as mine: “Holy Crap!” The Black Hood has a similar reaction when he stares at the aftermath of his violence and bears witness in utter shock.

The extreme violence committed by The Black Hood becomes a running theme throughout the comic. It also showcases Hettinger’s fall into addiction. His violence begins escalating even while in uniform.

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Affiliate link: Click here to get your copy of The Black Hood #2.

Comic Book Review: Judge Dredd Classics: The Dark Judges #3

Judge Anderson is haunted by visions of Judge Death as she helps put a stop to a kidnapping. Is it good?

Alan Grant, John Wagner, and Brett Ewins start the story with a harrowing vision. Brett Ewins really grabs your attention with his depiction of Judge Death reaching out of the darkness to put his long yellow fingers around Anderson. It is extremely clear who the villain of the issue is going to be and that he has been a threat in the past.

However, Wagner and Grant decide to leave the main plot line and switch to a typical day in the life of Judge Anderson. She is tasked with bringing to justice a group of men who have kidnapped a baby. Wagner and Grant rely on exposition to detail what is happening to the Judges, who they are, and other events and happenings that are occurring. It can definitely help out new readers to the Judge Dredd world, but can be old hat for veteran readers of the series or even those who have read the last two issues.

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Comic Book Review: 13 Coins #6

A final battle between The Fallen and The Son ensues as they fight over the soul of John Pozner. Will The Son be able to resist the temptation of killing John in order for him to help them in their war? Is it good?

I skipped 13 Coins #5, but it doesn’t feel like I have missed anything. Parts of The Son are still clamoring to kill John Pozner so The Fallen will have no chance to release Semyaza. Meanwhile, The Fallen continue to pursue the path to power by taking control of the U.S. government through a puppet all the while hunting down Pozner and The Son.

As far as the characters, Pozner seems to be coming into his own. He is no longer distraught about the death of his girlfriend, neither is he motivated by hate. He seems to actually be fighting to stop The Fallen and feels a kinship towards a few of The Son. Most of the other characters remain static. Samuel is a hothead who continues to fly by the seat of his pants and gives somewhat decent commands.

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Affiliate link: Click here to get your copy of 13 Coins #6.

Comic Book Review: Altered States: The Shadow #1

The Shadow is transported across time where he will face an all-new evil that does not lurk in the hearts of men. Is it good?

Altered States: The Shadow #1 offers an interesting premise. It delves into The Shadow’s ability to meditate which allows him to refocus his energy by mentally preparing him for his next battle while also recuperating after his most recent encounter. Through his meditation he is transported to a mysterious arena where the action kicks off. He has little time to plan, only to react, as he faces a formidable alien foe. It is a quick start which draws you into the action and piques your curiosity to find out more about this new location. The quick pace continues throughout the comic and even speeds up at some points. The Shadow faces increasingly more formidable foes and has no time to even question the entity testing him.

David Avallone’s plot is highly intriguing in the beginning and keeps your attention until about three quarters of the way through.

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Affiliate link: Click here to get your copy of Altered States: The Shadow #1.