Arcane Secrets #1
Written and illustrated by Angel A. Svoboda
Translated by Rafael Nieves
Lettered by Malaka Studio
Edited by Jeremy Holt
Amigo Comics
Release Date: August 28, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

I asked to review this comic with no knowledge whatsoever of the publisher, the creator, or the content. It sounded up my alley, as far as titles go anyway. Well, Arcane Secrets #1 is pretty much what I was expecting. I say pretty much because I wasn’t, in any way, aware that it was geared for adolescents. That said, I review a lot of stuff for children so I’m not put off at all. As a matter of fact, I found myself more interested. So read on and I’ll tell you more about this amazing book.

Originally released by Dibbuks, a publishing company in Spain, this mini-series of three issues has all the earmarks of being fun for the whole family. I did a bit of research and found that it was given a spotlight in the June 2013 Previews. If you’re unaware of how important this is then please note that most comic stores do their ordering or at least compile their lists based on what’s offered in their monthly Previews. Getting a call out in this magazine is sure to raise awareness and sales for that particular issue. So, this is a pretty big deal to an independent company like Amigo Comics, the distributor of this series here in the United States.

Rogues #3
Written by El Torres
Illustrated by Diego Galindo
Colored by Fran Gamboa
Lettered by Malaka Studio
Cover by Diego Galindo
Amigo Comics
Release Date: July 17, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

Sword and sorcery, action and treachery, nudity and debauchery””all things you’ll find in Rogues #3. From the creative team of El Torres and newcomer Diego Galindo, comes the first issue of a new four-part arc in the series from Amigo Comics. The anti-heroes who fought off wizards and chickens in the first two issues of Rogues are back, and this time it seems like everyone is out to get them.

Someone is roaming about, murdering citizens of Gerada and Bram and the Weasel are investigating””especially considering the latest victim bears a striking resemblance to the Weasel herself. As they subdue the culprit, the two thieves are subsequently chased by a group of hired guards/mercenaries and everything goes downhill from there. With a powerful governing force behind the newly enforced city watch that’s putting an end to all miscreant behavior, will Bram and Weasel escape from justice yet again?

The Westwood Witches #2
Written by El Torres
Illustrated by Abel García
Lettered by Malaka Studio
Amigo Comics
Release Date: June 26, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

I’m sure that I’m not alone in the opinion that indie comics usually fall at one of the extreme ends of the quality spectrum. Sometimes a writer or an artist seems to come out of the ether with a jaw-dropping creation while others tend to feel like sophomoric attempts at best. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into when I picked up The Westwood Witches #2 by El Torres (The Suicide Forest from IDW) and Abel García from Amigo Comics. I feared the worst, honestly thinking that much would be lost on an American audience, but I held out the hope that this Spanish team would give the 4-issue horror series the same careful attention that has been shown in the horror film industry in Spain in recent years.

They completely blew me away.