Plot:
After being thrown out by his abusive family, Alex lives only to survive each hopeless day on the streets. But when he finds a strange looking ticket laying in the gutter everything changes. He goes to the Psycho Circus with his admission ticket and is granted a wish but what do you wish for when all your hopes and dreams have been beaten out of you? The impatient Demon wants an answer... now! How will Alex know what to wish for?
Story by Brian Holguin.
Pencils by Angel Medina.
Inks by Kevin Conrad.
Color by Brian Haberlin and Andy Troy.
Lettering by Richard Starkings and ComiCraft's Dave Lanphear.
KISS REFERENCES
Page 1 (Frame 1): Simple type written on a building.
Reference: Simple Type is the name of a song recorded by Gene's & Paul's band before KISS named Wicked Lester.
Page 1 (Frame 1): KISS army logo on the right guy coat.
Reference: The KISS Army logo with the flag of Sweden instead of the KISS logo.
Page 1 (Frame 2 & all along the story): "S" logo on the guy shoe.
Reference: The stylize "S" the KISS logo.
Page 2 (Frame 1): ...in a world without heroes.
Reference: From the album: Music From "The Elder (1981), song #7, A World Without Heroes.
Page 2 (Frame 1): World without heroes written in blood on the wall.
Reference: From the album: Music From "The Elder (1981), song #7, A World Without Heroes.
Page 3 (Frame 1): Chikara logo on the old man's scarf.
Reference: KISS' Japanese symbol.
Page 3 (Frame 1): A star with the world child written on the wall just on the right of the old man with the green cap on his head.
Reference: Starchild is Paul Stanley.
Page 5 (Frame 1): Reveal the secrets that 'U' keep inside written at the bottom of the ticket.
Reference: From the album: Psycho-Circus (1998), song #1, Psycho Circus, second verse, Reveal the secrets that you keep inside.
Page 6 (Frame 1): Reveal the secrets that you keed inside..?
Reference: From the album: Psycho-Circus (1998), song #1, Psycho Circus, second verse, Reveal the secrets that you keep inside.
Page 7 (Frame 3): The cute kitty calendar behind the second man on the right.
Reference: Peter Criss.
Page 8 (Frame 1): Stars all over the place.
Reference: Paul Stanley.
Page 8 (Frame 1): Rock bottom written on the far right of the frame.
Reference: From the album: Dressed To Kill (1975), song #5, Rock Bottom.
Page 8 (Frame 2): 3 other great beasts written on the board.
Reference: The number "3" is written the same way it was behind Peter Criss' jacket during a show in the Alive II era.
Page 9 (Frame 2 & all along the story): KISS caracters make-up on the pedestal.
Reference: Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley and Peter Criss.
Page 10 (Frame 4): The air is alive with electricity.
Reference: From the album: Alive! (1975).
Page 10 (Frame 4): Strutter beer.
Reference: From the album: KISS (1974), song #1, Strutter.
Page 10 (Frame 5): Killers written on the wall at the far right.
Reference: From the album: KISS Killers (Japan) (1982).
Page 17 (Frame 4): Alive 2 cola.
Reference: From the album: Alive II (1977).
Page 20 (Frame 1): The shadow is shaped like an heart.
Reference: Paul Stanley.
Page 21 (Frame 1): On the far right there's a yoyo with the Celestial make-up on it.
Reference: Ace Frehley.
As usual, Brian Holguin leaves us with a cliffhanger and we must worry about poor Alex. How will he deal with this situation...again it's great 'cause it makes us wait for the next issue. The cover is awesome and the story is great too although it reminds me of the first two issues (The Witching Of Adam Moon).
Plot:
In a world without heroes, Alex wrestles with his demons as he navigates through the Demon's Labyrinth- the Heart of Darkness. Meanwhile, the Demon waits for Alex to make his one and only wish.
Story by Brian Holguin.
Pencils by Angel Medina.
Inks by Kevin Conrad.
Color by Andy Troy and Brian Haberlin.
Lettering by Richard Starkings and ComiCraft's John Roshell.
KISS REFERENCES
Page 1 (Frame 2): The shadow is shaped like an heart.
Reference: Paul Stanley.
Page 2 (Frame 1): Ankh on the cup.
Reference: Vinnie Vincent's make-up.
Page 2 (Frame 3): Hard luck woman written on the wall.
Reference: From the album: Rock And Roll Over (1976), song #9, Hard Luck Woman.
Page 3 (Frame 1 & all along the story): KISS make-up on the pole.
Reference: KISS.
Page 3 (Frame 1): Eric Singer written at the bottom of the pole.
Reference: Eric Singer was KISS' drummer from 1992 to 1996.
Page 3 (Frame 1): ...in a world without heroes.
Reference: From the album: Music From "The Elder" (1981), song #7, A World Without Heroes.
Page 3 (Frame 1): 'N' 2 the void written on the wall.
Reference: From the album: Psycho-Circus (1998), song #4, Into The Void.
Page 4 (Frame 2): Kulick union book as the name of a shop.
Reference: Bruce Kulick's band after he left KISS was Union.
Page 4 (Frame 4): Duece and Killers written on the wall.
Reference: From the album: KISS (1974), song #7, Deuce and from the album: KISS Killers (Japan) (1982).
Page 4 (Frame 5): Dressed 2 kill clothes as the name of the shop.
Reference: From the album: Dressed To Kill (1975).
Page 4 (Frame 5): The numbers 12, 3, 6 and 9 are replaced by the KISS make-up on the watch.
Reference: KISS.
Page 5 (Frame 1): The Four-Who-Are-One are standing like they were on the Dressed To Kill album cover.
Reference: From the album: Dressed To Kill (1975).
Page 5 (Frame 3): Youth is written inside of a flame on the wall.
Reference: From the album: Destroyer (1976), song #5, Flaming Youth.
Page 6 (Frame 5): There's a rose in the middle of the frame.
Reference: Paul Stanley.
Page 7 (Frame 1): Whoo-hooo! Mr. Speed, comin' through!.
Reference: From the album: Rock And Roll Over (1976), song #7, Mr. Speed.
Page 7 (Frame 3): D'ja see that? Caesar fell!.
Reference: From the album: Hot In The Shade (1989), song #14, Little Caesar.
Page 8 (Frame 4): You worthless little parasite.
Reference: From the album: Hotter Than Hell (1974), song #2, Parasite.
Page 10 (Frame 3): Strutter beer.
Reference: From the album: KISS (1974), song #1, Stutter.
Page 12 (Frame 6): Simmons Jeans at the top of the building.
Reference: Gene Simmons.
Page 12 (Frame 6): D'stroyer.
Reference: From the album: Destroyer (1976).
Page 22 (Frame 1): Who can you trust in a world without heroes.
Reference: From the album: Music From "The Elder" (1981), song #7, A World Without Heroes.
Page 22 (Frame 1):
Dynasty written on the basket ball and duece written below the dog Alex is petting.
Reference: From the album: Dynasty (1979) and KISS (1974), song #7, Deuce.
This story ends in a great note, it shows us that hope is one the most important things in life. He could have chosen money or any other material goods but Alex made the right choice and he's rewarded. The cover isn't the best, it seems nude.