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Copperhead #1
Copperhead, Vol. 1: A New Sheriff in Town
"Copperhead is the best Image debut of the year and my favorite new comic." -Brian K. Vaughan (Saga, Y: The Last Man)
Welcome to Copperhead, a grimy mining town on the edge of a backwater planet. Single mom Clara Bronson is the new sheriff, and on her first day she'll have to contend with a resentful deputy, a shady mining tycoon, and a family of alien hillbillies. And did we mention the massacre?
Collecting: Copperhead 1-5
Welcome to Copperhead, a grimy mining town on the edge of a backwater planet. Single mom Clara Bronson is the new sheriff, and on her first day she'll have to contend with a resentful deputy, a shady mining tycoon, and a family of alien hillbillies. And did we mention the massacre?
Collecting: Copperhead 1-5
128 pages, Paperback
First published March 11, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 301 reviews
March 9, 2017
This was ok?
I doubt I'll go out and try to find any more of this title, though.
I mean, it didn't piss me off, and it was a pretty quick little read, but...? I don't know.
The characters were sorta blah, and there wasn't enough world building to make me go, Oh cool! Can't wait to see what that's all about!
The gist of the story is this:
A tough single mom is hired to be the sheriff of some wild westish town on some backwoods planet. Her deputy/partner (who kinda looks like a cross between a guinea pig and a kangaroo) is a decent guy, but he was up for the job, so he's a bit resentful.
I smell a buddy-cop story!
Anyway. A redneck family of aliens (who look a lot like Doop ) get into...{spoilery} trouble, and it's up to the new sheriff to save the day.
There are a couple stories running in the background that all sort of tie together loosely. There's the single mom stuff with her son, some sort of greasy/evil Colonel Sanders who runs the town like Boss Hog, a misunderstood A.I. who has to deal with prejudice against his kind, and these unexplained Natives - who look like praying mantises, and slaughter anything outside the city limits after dark.
I keep seeing this described as a sort of western sci-fi, so if you think that's something you'd be into, check it out. It didn't ring my bell, but that's probably just a personal preference thing.
I doubt I'll go out and try to find any more of this title, though.
I mean, it didn't piss me off, and it was a pretty quick little read, but...? I don't know.
The characters were sorta blah, and there wasn't enough world building to make me go, Oh cool! Can't wait to see what that's all about!
The gist of the story is this:
A tough single mom is hired to be the sheriff of some wild westish town on some backwoods planet. Her deputy/partner (who kinda looks like a cross between a guinea pig and a kangaroo) is a decent guy, but he was up for the job, so he's a bit resentful.
I smell a buddy-cop story!
Anyway. A redneck family of aliens (who look a lot like Doop ) get into...{spoilery} trouble, and it's up to the new sheriff to save the day.
There are a couple stories running in the background that all sort of tie together loosely. There's the single mom stuff with her son, some sort of greasy/evil Colonel Sanders who runs the town like Boss Hog, a misunderstood A.I. who has to deal with prejudice against his kind, and these unexplained Natives - who look like praying mantises, and slaughter anything outside the city limits after dark.
I keep seeing this described as a sort of western sci-fi, so if you think that's something you'd be into, check it out. It didn't ring my bell, but that's probably just a personal preference thing.
July 5, 2015
Few genres lend themselves to one another as well as westerns and science fiction. They’ve been blended together with significant success on numerous occasions via a wide variety of entertainment platforms. Jay Faerber and Scott Godlewski are definitely on the right track to follow suit with their initial installment of Copperhead.
I’d say both creators were pretty much spot on in combining the timeless western rudiments of a lonesome town, a shady business tycoon, and unfriendly locals with the conventional sci-fi tenets of a distant planet, artificial intelligence, and frightening aliens with this book. I started liking Clara Bronson almost right from the start. Clara’s the new sheriff in town and she’s smart, self-reliant, and tough as nails. My kinda girl.
Couple of members of the supporting cast were pretty cool too. The lone deputy, Budroxifinicus and the hermit, Ishmael being early favorites.
Scott Godlewski’s art is pretty good. Being more a fan of heavy inking and thick line work, it took me a bit to warm up to him, but he won me over by the end. Really liked a few of his character designs.
While Copperhead is a bit cliché’ and not especially original, the creators have done a good job of building their world and creating believable characters to live in it. I think Faerber’s pacing is well balanced in that he gives you enough to easily follow the story while keeping you curious by leaving a couple of questions unanswered. I also like that he includes a strong female lead in this one. Image Comics has been at the forefront of the industry in creating strong, complicated women that don’t need to run around in their thongs to be interesting. Although, I’m going on record as not being opposed to the occasional thong. This one’s a recommend if either of these genres is your bag.
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September 17, 2017
Single mother Clara Benson arrives at Copperhead, a grimy mining town on the edge of a backwater planet to work as the towns, new sheriff. But she hasn't even settled in properly before she has to sort of a fight among a family of alien hillbillies.
This graphic novel is great, especially now when I have read all five issues. The Volume is split into two different graphic novels over at NetGalley and they are finally back so I could read part 2. The art is great, the story is great and I love the humor and I love the gritty outback town, feels like I'm reading about a planet in the Star Wars system. Yeah, it had really a Star Wars feeling this story, well except there is no force, and Jedi and stuff...
Clara Benson is a cool tough woman with secrets. I can't wait to find out why she picked that job. Is she running from something or someone? Her Deputy sheriff Boo is a cool alien dude, I want to know more about him as well.
I received this copy from the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review!
This graphic novel is great, especially now when I have read all five issues. The Volume is split into two different graphic novels over at NetGalley and they are finally back so I could read part 2. The art is great, the story is great and I love the humor and I love the gritty outback town, feels like I'm reading about a planet in the Star Wars system. Yeah, it had really a Star Wars feeling this story, well except there is no force, and Jedi and stuff...
Clara Benson is a cool tough woman with secrets. I can't wait to find out why she picked that job. Is she running from something or someone? Her Deputy sheriff Boo is a cool alien dude, I want to know more about him as well.
I received this copy from the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review!
November 20, 2016
"Space western" always sounds appealing to me. I guess it holds the promise of exploration, groundbreaking adventure, the frontier experience... Unfortunately, not many space westerns live up to that promise, do they? This one, for example, boils down to little more than a generic police procedural... and those funny-looking aliens and spaceships don't really change that. Copperhead reads like a rural, very pedestrian version of Alan Moore's Top 10. It isn't awful, but there's nothing here you haven't seen before - which is a shame, especially when it comes to science fiction.
March 14, 2015
Occasionally - not often - a blurb will work on me and Brian K Vaughan saying Copperhead is his favourite new comic and one of the best debuts in years made me pick this one up. And right away I understood why Vaughan would say that: this feels like something a younger him would write!
The opening scene is a train magnetically streaking through an alien desert landscape. Clara Bronson, our heroine and a single mother, is in the largely deserted carriage, her young son sleeping on the seat opposite. He’s sick after all the travelling, and she’s just focused on getting to Copperhead, the mining town where she’s about to start her new job.
Some guy starts hitting on her, sits himself down next to her even though she asks him politely to go away and he puts the moves on her. Then another man appears, gallantly standing up for her and gets into it with the sleazy dude even though she’s asking them both to go away, her son’s trying to sleep. Cut to the train station where the train doors open, both guys hit the ground unconscious and Clara and her son step out. Yup - that’s a Brian K Vaughan scene and Clara seems exactly the kind of tough feminist character he’d write!
But it’s not a Vaughan comic, it’s writer Jay Faerber and artist Scott Godlewski’s, and Copperhead is a fairly interesting blend of western, sci-fi and police procedural. Set in the future, humanity has mastered space travel and won a war against some aliens with the help of artificial humans - “arties” - and everyone’s learned to live alongside one another with the humans at the top of the food chain (of course).
Clara’s the new sheriff in town who has to deal with a surly deputy, a drunk town doctor, a corrupt mine owner, a family of violent alien hillbillies, a rogue artie, and the untamed monsters that live on the outskirts of their town. There’s something about the name “Bronson” that seems to attract trouble, and Clara’s got to diffuse a tense situation between the locals, solve a murder mystery, and find her son all before she’s had a chance to unpack!
The setup itself isn’t particularly original. Besides feeling like it’s written in Vaughan’s style, it’s your standard western with your usual sci-fi elements thrown in - it basically feels like Deadwood crossed with Star Wars. Clara could be any tough female lead, as is her headstrong son Zeke, while Deputy Budroxinfinicus (aka Boo) is essentially Batman if he were a giant talking hamster, and Ishmael, the artie loner, is 2000AD’s Rogue Trooper.
Besides playing spot the reference, the whole police procedural genre isn’t my thing so I wasn’t too engaged with the comic just from the approach. That and the story of the stolen alien chotchkie didn’t really grab me - it felt like a very slight case for an opening book but I liked the unexpected addition to the cast at the end.
Art-wise, if Faerber’s writing is similar to Vaughan’s, Godlewski’s art is much like Sean Gordon Murphy’s (Punk Rock Jesus, The Wake), so it looks pretty good. Hey, there are worse artists this team could’ve created their comic in the style of than these two!
It’s tough getting the balance of introducing a world and its characters while telling a story at the same time in a first volume and Faerber/Godlewski do a decent job of that here. It’s a shame the entire book isn’t as good as that opening scene but it’s not a bad comic either. I also wouldn’t agree that it’s the best debut in years and it’s a long way from being my favourite new comic. The series might pick up in the next book or two but for now Copperhead is just an ok title that has its moments.
The opening scene is a train magnetically streaking through an alien desert landscape. Clara Bronson, our heroine and a single mother, is in the largely deserted carriage, her young son sleeping on the seat opposite. He’s sick after all the travelling, and she’s just focused on getting to Copperhead, the mining town where she’s about to start her new job.
Some guy starts hitting on her, sits himself down next to her even though she asks him politely to go away and he puts the moves on her. Then another man appears, gallantly standing up for her and gets into it with the sleazy dude even though she’s asking them both to go away, her son’s trying to sleep. Cut to the train station where the train doors open, both guys hit the ground unconscious and Clara and her son step out. Yup - that’s a Brian K Vaughan scene and Clara seems exactly the kind of tough feminist character he’d write!
But it’s not a Vaughan comic, it’s writer Jay Faerber and artist Scott Godlewski’s, and Copperhead is a fairly interesting blend of western, sci-fi and police procedural. Set in the future, humanity has mastered space travel and won a war against some aliens with the help of artificial humans - “arties” - and everyone’s learned to live alongside one another with the humans at the top of the food chain (of course).
Clara’s the new sheriff in town who has to deal with a surly deputy, a drunk town doctor, a corrupt mine owner, a family of violent alien hillbillies, a rogue artie, and the untamed monsters that live on the outskirts of their town. There’s something about the name “Bronson” that seems to attract trouble, and Clara’s got to diffuse a tense situation between the locals, solve a murder mystery, and find her son all before she’s had a chance to unpack!
The setup itself isn’t particularly original. Besides feeling like it’s written in Vaughan’s style, it’s your standard western with your usual sci-fi elements thrown in - it basically feels like Deadwood crossed with Star Wars. Clara could be any tough female lead, as is her headstrong son Zeke, while Deputy Budroxinfinicus (aka Boo) is essentially Batman if he were a giant talking hamster, and Ishmael, the artie loner, is 2000AD’s Rogue Trooper.
Besides playing spot the reference, the whole police procedural genre isn’t my thing so I wasn’t too engaged with the comic just from the approach. That and the story of the stolen alien chotchkie didn’t really grab me - it felt like a very slight case for an opening book but I liked the unexpected addition to the cast at the end.
Art-wise, if Faerber’s writing is similar to Vaughan’s, Godlewski’s art is much like Sean Gordon Murphy’s (Punk Rock Jesus, The Wake), so it looks pretty good. Hey, there are worse artists this team could’ve created their comic in the style of than these two!
It’s tough getting the balance of introducing a world and its characters while telling a story at the same time in a first volume and Faerber/Godlewski do a decent job of that here. It’s a shame the entire book isn’t as good as that opening scene but it’s not a bad comic either. I also wouldn’t agree that it’s the best debut in years and it’s a long way from being my favourite new comic. The series might pick up in the next book or two but for now Copperhead is just an ok title that has its moments.
April 4, 2015
To be honest, I'm starting to get weirded out by the smug formulaic awesomeness of everything Image is doing these days -- but by extension, I'm weirded out by the smug formulaic awesomeness of creator-owned comics in general, like the equation for sequential narratives that play into trusted tropes but still feel edgy and outré is something the industry has finally got on lock. It thrills me less and less to know my tastes are so easily commodified; it actually makes me a little paranoid, being real with you. Don't know how to process.
But anyway. For all that, Copperhead is still a cool book. It's played pretty straight -- there's a new sheriff in town BUT SHE'S A GIRL and no one likes her AND THEY'RE ALIENS. And that's really it. But the dialogue, the storytelling, the art are all well-synched. Smart, not too kitschy, not too clever. The town's Native American population are creepy nocturnal bug aliens, which is either insanely racist or the most interesting thing about the book. And there's something about a galaxy-wide space war that makes for cool repartee between the Sheriff and her bitter alien deputy, but is otherwise instantly Firefly and totally boring.
But look, for a four-star review I realize I'm not doing much to sell this book. It's good. It is. It may or may not be very earnest, but it's good.
I'm mostly just wondering if my tastes are like the most lame tastes ever, if I've finally reached the age where the market is tailor-made to satisfy my pathetic ideas about what's cool, which just seems fucking awful. Like, you know what's cool? Bravestarr meets Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman. Dude, Quinn gave me such a boner! Dude I know! The middle-aged quirky white guys with glasses and beards and boardgame collections will devour that shit. Quick, let's make it a thing and then congratulate the fuck out of ourselves.
Anyway, whatever. It's fine. I love everything. Everything is fine.
But anyway. For all that, Copperhead is still a cool book. It's played pretty straight -- there's a new sheriff in town BUT SHE'S A GIRL and no one likes her AND THEY'RE ALIENS. And that's really it. But the dialogue, the storytelling, the art are all well-synched. Smart, not too kitschy, not too clever. The town's Native American population are creepy nocturnal bug aliens, which is either insanely racist or the most interesting thing about the book. And there's something about a galaxy-wide space war that makes for cool repartee between the Sheriff and her bitter alien deputy, but is otherwise instantly Firefly and totally boring.
But look, for a four-star review I realize I'm not doing much to sell this book. It's good. It is. It may or may not be very earnest, but it's good.
I'm mostly just wondering if my tastes are like the most lame tastes ever, if I've finally reached the age where the market is tailor-made to satisfy my pathetic ideas about what's cool, which just seems fucking awful. Like, you know what's cool? Bravestarr meets Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman. Dude, Quinn gave me such a boner! Dude I know! The middle-aged quirky white guys with glasses and beards and boardgame collections will devour that shit. Quick, let's make it a thing and then congratulate the fuck out of ourselves.
Anyway, whatever. It's fine. I love everything. Everything is fine.
March 10, 2017
A Western in a Sci-Fi setting. Or Sci-Fi set in the old Wild West. Take your pick.
I like the art and I was immediately drawn into the world of this comic. Liked it right from the start. Great colouring, love it. A lot of interesting details in the larger scenes, great landscapes. I probably would have liked it more, if the art had been a little smoother, although the slightly coarser sketches have some appeal as well.
The story in the second part of this comic is a bit of a let-down. Not a very exciting or suspenseful conclusion to the mystery. Nice, but doesn't make me want to rush out for more.
Would I recommend this? Definitely. Free ARC, provided by Netgalley, thank you.
I like the art and I was immediately drawn into the world of this comic. Liked it right from the start. Great colouring, love it. A lot of interesting details in the larger scenes, great landscapes. I probably would have liked it more, if the art had been a little smoother, although the slightly coarser sketches have some appeal as well.
The story in the second part of this comic is a bit of a let-down. Not a very exciting or suspenseful conclusion to the mystery. Nice, but doesn't make me want to rush out for more.
Would I recommend this? Definitely. Free ARC, provided by Netgalley, thank you.
March 16, 2016
Okay, lets get the inevitable comparisons out of the way: Firefly meets Tatooine meets High Noon. Well, that kind of works, but Copperhead does indeed preserve its own unique flavor and Jay Faerber's dusty Sf noir narrative fits the story perfectly. Clara Bronson and her son Zeke are on the run from a darkened past that we don't yet know enough about. She's the new Sheriff in an abandoned mining town and before the sun sets on their first day, she is called on to a case that let's just say gets a little messy. Loads of varieties of aliens abound in Copperhead, and the well worn but futurist design of the vehicles and town suit the story well. Scott Godlewski's artwork is fantastic and fun to look at, as well as the vivid coloring done by Ron Riley. Really looking forward to the next volume.
March 30, 2015
(Received from Netgalley for review.)
About the only thing I can say to a sci fi western is, "Give it to me!" Strange, that I don't have much interest in pure western as a genre, but cross it with SFF and I'm so there. It's working out pretty well for me so far, and this was no exception.
It's both good and bad that the single best scene in the book is the first one. Clara Bronson, that new sheriff in town, has no time for either a public transport harasser or the sort of Nice Guy who would love to posture in her general direction but who has no interest in actually listening to her. So cathartic to read, and it does a world of good establishing Bronson's character. It's good that this scene is first, because it got me hooked. Less good in that it means that the rest of the book wasn't quite up to the same standard.
I mostly blame that on the sheer amount of exposition required. There's a lot of world building in a science fiction scenario that includes aliens, artificial humans, space colonization, and a past war. All that does sometimes get in the way of telling the story, which is a shame. There's good stuff in there. But I also can't say that I'm sorry for the world building, because I'm interested in what Faerber has made. With time, this could be a rich universe to play in.
The plot does sometimes get a little lost under the exposition, but it isn't bad. Maybe a little reliant on tropes, like the abusive and criminal redneck family. But hey, at least they're alien rednecks! And I was surprised at the turns that little story took before the end of the volume.
I would definitely like to see more of this series. I think that there's plenty of room for growth, and that there are some really good stories waiting to be told in this universe.
About the only thing I can say to a sci fi western is, "Give it to me!" Strange, that I don't have much interest in pure western as a genre, but cross it with SFF and I'm so there. It's working out pretty well for me so far, and this was no exception.
It's both good and bad that the single best scene in the book is the first one. Clara Bronson, that new sheriff in town, has no time for either a public transport harasser or the sort of Nice Guy who would love to posture in her general direction but who has no interest in actually listening to her. So cathartic to read, and it does a world of good establishing Bronson's character. It's good that this scene is first, because it got me hooked. Less good in that it means that the rest of the book wasn't quite up to the same standard.
I mostly blame that on the sheer amount of exposition required. There's a lot of world building in a science fiction scenario that includes aliens, artificial humans, space colonization, and a past war. All that does sometimes get in the way of telling the story, which is a shame. There's good stuff in there. But I also can't say that I'm sorry for the world building, because I'm interested in what Faerber has made. With time, this could be a rich universe to play in.
The plot does sometimes get a little lost under the exposition, but it isn't bad. Maybe a little reliant on tropes, like the abusive and criminal redneck family. But hey, at least they're alien rednecks! And I was surprised at the turns that little story took before the end of the volume.
I would definitely like to see more of this series. I think that there's plenty of room for growth, and that there are some really good stories waiting to be told in this universe.
July 28, 2022
4 stars - English Ebook
April 27, 2015
Well, well, well…look what I stumbled across--a “BLAM BLAM” shoot ‘em up sci-fi western comic. Thank the heavens! My comic book well was running dry. I SO needed this kickass read!
Copperhead, a rough & tumble mining town has a new Sheriff—Clara Bronson. A beautiful, “don’t-mess-with-me” woman and Mom. Within minutes of setting foot in town, Clara pisses off her Deputy, Budroxifinicus (aka Boo) and is knee deep in trouble and murder. War tensions, Badland baddies, bloodshed and a desperate need for a babysitter propel this story along with humor and action. Can Sheriff Bronson keep the peace?
I’m hooked! Boo is my new guy to watch in the comic book world. I have a feeling Boo and Clara are going to make one classic wise-cracking, dangerous duo. Actually—now that I think about it—some of my favorite moments were between Boo and Clara’s son, Zeke. Haha….So hilarious and sweet. The big guy obviously has a big heart! I can’t wait to see more of it.
Can’t wait for more Copperhead!
Pick this one up.
p.s. Clara’s name has to be a shout out of love to Charles Bronson, right? It made me smile. I’ve been a Bronson fan my whole life. From Dirty Dozen to Death Wish!
March 13, 2015
This was a fun, solid, Sci-fi/western comic book. The first five issues wrap up nicely and serve as an excellent introduction to life on an alien frontier planet.
Art, color, panels were all nicely done.
And really that's all I have to say. I wasn't blown out of the water and wanting to run around like I had just found the world's first real-life working (just like it did in the movies) Lightsaber (Jedi powers not included).
But I was entertained for just under an hour, and really that's all that I was after.
So, a success! Enough that I'll check out the next trade when it's available anyway.
January 15, 2015
Unfortunately, this falls short of what Image has been publishing lately. The first three issues are good, giving solid background into the world and the characters... but then nothing happens. Five issues in, and the story has gone from well constructed to incredibly boring. With all of the fantastic comics being published between Vertigo and Image, and unless the next volume picks up significant speed, this isn't worth reading.
December 23, 2015
The first page of issue 4 involves a Sassy Sheriff Bronson, which is brilliant.
Mr. Mine owner whose name I forgot doesn't approve of Clara's sassiness, and complains non-stop.
"What is up with that bitch?"
Merged review:
Ishmael is a badass! Favourite character here!
Ishmael is an artificial human, but people who don't like them call them Arties. Arties were made for 'the war' that happened off-page, previous to events portrayed in this series.
Boo takes up babysitting whilst Sheriff Bronson investigates the murder of the Sewell family. This scene involved a rather hilarious chat between the deputy and the child.
"I'm.."
"If you're about to say bored, remember that I'm armed."
"What's this do?"
"It's designed to melt the face off of anyone younger than seventeen. Go ahead. Press it."
"What happens if I drop this?"
"Try it and find out.
Issue 3 ends with a huge twist that I didn't see coming, at all! Well played, Faerber. Well played.
Merged review:
The second issue of the Copperhead series introduces us to Ishmael.
The first time we see Ishmael, he's whooping the asses of a group of huge space-spiders, which scared the hell out of me, by the way.
He's very mysterious and I hope we learn more about him in future issues.
The Sewell's are so ugly!
This series keeps referring to 'the war'. I'm excited to learn more about this war :)
Merged review:
Copperhead is, in my opinion, the best debut comic book I've read in such a long time. It reminded me of a mix between Firefly and a cop show, mostly Deadwood... Which is a good thing.
This is made up of all sorts of strange alien characters including a rhino looking guy, a guy who looks like a hammerhead shark and many others.
Budroxifinicus, (also known as Boo, because who can even say that?!) is adorable.
The art in this is absolutely beautiful, which is one thing I've been missing in the other comics I've been reading lately.
It has its funny moments. Moments where I found myself giggling out loud to myself, and people looked at me as if I was mental.
Definitely reading the rest of the series.
I recommend this to anybody who likes space-opera, space-westerns, and sci-fi.
Merged review:
Copperhead is, in my opinion, the best debut comic book I've read in such a long time. It reminded me of a mix between Firefly and a cop show, mostly Deadwood... Which is a good thing.
This is made up of all sorts of strange alien characters including a rhino looking guy, a guy who looks like a hammerhead shark and many others.
Budroxifinicus, (also known as Boo, because who can even say that?!) is adorable.
The art in this is absolutely beautiful, which is one thing I've been missing in the other comics I've been reading lately.
It has its funny moments. Moments where I found myself giggling out loud to myself, and people looked at me as if I was mental.
The second issue of the Copperhead series introduces us to Ishmael.
The first time we see Ishmael, he's whooping the asses of a group of huge space-spiders, which scared the hell out of me, by the way.
He's very mysterious and I hope we learn more about him in future issues.
The Sewell's are so ugly!
This series keeps referring to 'the war'. I'm excited to learn more about this war :)
Ishmael is an artificial human, but people who don't like them call them Arties. Arties were made for 'the war' that happened off-page, previous to events portrayed in this series.
The first page of issue 4 involves a Sassy Sheriff Bronson, which is brilliant.
The final issue in Volume 1 ties up most, if not all of the loose ends. Right down to
My favourite part of this book is definitely the part where
I like all of the characters in this, but mostly Ishmael and Boo.
Copperhead is full of twists that are not expected, at all.
I will definitely be reading the rest of the series.
I recommend this to anybody who likes space-opera, space-westerns, and sci-fi.
Mr. Mine owner whose name I forgot doesn't approve of Clara's sassiness, and complains non-stop.
"What is up with that bitch?"
Merged review:
Ishmael is a badass! Favourite character here!
Ishmael is an artificial human, but people who don't like them call them Arties. Arties were made for 'the war' that happened off-page, previous to events portrayed in this series.
Boo takes up babysitting whilst Sheriff Bronson investigates the murder of the Sewell family. This scene involved a rather hilarious chat between the deputy and the child.
"I'm.."
"If you're about to say bored, remember that I'm armed."
"What's this do?"
"It's designed to melt the face off of anyone younger than seventeen. Go ahead. Press it."
"What happens if I drop this?"
"Try it and find out.
Issue 3 ends with a huge twist that I didn't see coming, at all! Well played, Faerber. Well played.
Merged review:
The second issue of the Copperhead series introduces us to Ishmael.
The first time we see Ishmael, he's whooping the asses of a group of huge space-spiders, which scared the hell out of me, by the way.
He's very mysterious and I hope we learn more about him in future issues.
The Sewell's are so ugly!
This series keeps referring to 'the war'. I'm excited to learn more about this war :)
Merged review:
Copperhead is, in my opinion, the best debut comic book I've read in such a long time. It reminded me of a mix between Firefly and a cop show, mostly Deadwood... Which is a good thing.
This is made up of all sorts of strange alien characters including a rhino looking guy, a guy who looks like a hammerhead shark and many others.
Budroxifinicus, (also known as Boo, because who can even say that?!) is adorable.
The art in this is absolutely beautiful, which is one thing I've been missing in the other comics I've been reading lately.
It has its funny moments. Moments where I found myself giggling out loud to myself, and people looked at me as if I was mental.
Definitely reading the rest of the series.
I recommend this to anybody who likes space-opera, space-westerns, and sci-fi.
Merged review:
Copperhead is, in my opinion, the best debut comic book I've read in such a long time. It reminded me of a mix between Firefly and a cop show, mostly Deadwood... Which is a good thing.
This is made up of all sorts of strange alien characters including a rhino looking guy, a guy who looks like a hammerhead shark and many others.
Budroxifinicus, (also known as Boo, because who can even say that?!) is adorable.
The art in this is absolutely beautiful, which is one thing I've been missing in the other comics I've been reading lately.
It has its funny moments. Moments where I found myself giggling out loud to myself, and people looked at me as if I was mental.
The second issue of the Copperhead series introduces us to Ishmael.
The first time we see Ishmael, he's whooping the asses of a group of huge space-spiders, which scared the hell out of me, by the way.
He's very mysterious and I hope we learn more about him in future issues.
The Sewell's are so ugly!
This series keeps referring to 'the war'. I'm excited to learn more about this war :)
Ishmael is an artificial human, but people who don't like them call them Arties. Arties were made for 'the war' that happened off-page, previous to events portrayed in this series.
The first page of issue 4 involves a Sassy Sheriff Bronson, which is brilliant.
The final issue in Volume 1 ties up most, if not all of the loose ends. Right down to
My favourite part of this book is definitely the part where
I like all of the characters in this, but mostly Ishmael and Boo.
Copperhead is full of twists that are not expected, at all.
I will definitely be reading the rest of the series.
I recommend this to anybody who likes space-opera, space-westerns, and sci-fi.
June 28, 2016
I'm probably in the minority here, but I hate Westerns. That's right, they've just never been my thing. In fact I tried this one without realizing it was a "Space Western." That being said, I enjoyed this one. The characters were likable and, although heavily colored, I enjoyed the art. In the end though it was a bit cliché and there's not much here that screams originality. Perhaps that's due to this being a lot of setup for the series so I'd be interested in moving on to volume 2.
November 5, 2020
3.5/5
An enjoyable mix of western, sci-fi, and police procedural.
An enjoyable mix of western, sci-fi, and police procedural.
March 30, 2015
Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher via NetGalley.
I simply loved Copperhead, right from the amazing world-setting down to the plot and characters. It has a really impressive story line and one I'm looking forward to read again and again. The life forms are really amazing, they are so... western and alien, that it's a treat seeing them.
I loved the lead, Sheriff Clara Bronson, and her personality. She's a kick-ass cop who'll stop at nothing to get criminals behind the bars and she's a single mother. I adore her as a character and would love to read all the books in this series.
I also loved the concept of humans wining a space war against aliens with the help of artificial humans (arties) and then living with other species. What's different is that this book had a side story as well where Zeke (Clara's son) tries to help a girl find her puppy and how at the end things seem to be connected with Clara's case. It kept me absorbed the entire time.
The illustrations are superb and the over-all feel of the book is very western, which is really unique. I loved the concept of the Copperhead-world and even liked the species of villains as well (whatever they were.)
I'll recommend it to anyone who likes to read a good series with amazing world-setting and great story-line along with aliens and arties.
You can also read this review at The Reading Bud .
I simply loved Copperhead, right from the amazing world-setting down to the plot and characters. It has a really impressive story line and one I'm looking forward to read again and again. The life forms are really amazing, they are so... western and alien, that it's a treat seeing them.
I loved the lead, Sheriff Clara Bronson, and her personality. She's a kick-ass cop who'll stop at nothing to get criminals behind the bars and she's a single mother. I adore her as a character and would love to read all the books in this series.
I also loved the concept of humans wining a space war against aliens with the help of artificial humans (arties) and then living with other species. What's different is that this book had a side story as well where Zeke (Clara's son) tries to help a girl find her puppy and how at the end things seem to be connected with Clara's case. It kept me absorbed the entire time.
The illustrations are superb and the over-all feel of the book is very western, which is really unique. I loved the concept of the Copperhead-world and even liked the species of villains as well (whatever they were.)
I'll recommend it to anyone who likes to read a good series with amazing world-setting and great story-line along with aliens and arties.
You can also read this review at The Reading Bud .
December 17, 2015
End of the year review: yeah, nothing strictly new in this comic. It's a blend of police procedural plus cowboy story but set in a random planet with different species. I for one liked it a lot; it works. It keep me interested in the story and sherrif's Clara's past. The dynamic between Clara and the deputy is funny and I liked the art a lot even though I couldn't pinpoint why.
Overall: it's the new series this year I enjoyed more and can't wait to read more about it, so I'm reserving the 5 stars for the next book but it's close...
Overall: it's the new series this year I enjoyed more and can't wait to read more about it, so I'm reserving the 5 stars for the next book but it's close...
August 21, 2015
I just read the first five issues of Copperhead and greatly enjoyed the story arc. Faerber has taken a wild west/cop story and placed it in a very science fiction setting. Comics are the perfect medium for a story like this.
The characters are very good, the dialogue is fantastic and the art by Godlewski is perfect for this.
Highly recommended. 4.5 stars
8/21/15 I just reread the first five issues and they held up very well. I am not going to argue my 4.5 stars and am about to move on to the next issues.
The characters are very good, the dialogue is fantastic and the art by Godlewski is perfect for this.
Highly recommended. 4.5 stars
8/21/15 I just reread the first five issues and they held up very well. I am not going to argue my 4.5 stars and am about to move on to the next issues.
August 3, 2015
Copperhead follows single mom Clara Bronson as she begins her new job as sheriff on the planet Copperhead. Clara may be in over her head as she takes on hillbilly aliens (!) and a mysterious murder, but she finds an unlikely ally in her deputy Boo, who helps her along the way. Copperhead is a great sci-fi western that will spark readers' imaginations. The illustrations are vibrant and action packed. We can’t wait for volume 2!
Find this graphic novel in our catalog: http://mlco-verso.auto-graphics.com/mvc
Find this graphic novel in our catalog: http://mlco-verso.auto-graphics.com/mvc
June 10, 2015
A colourful and action packed story with likeable characters, great artwork and a detective story which keeps you guessing.
Loved it. Looking forward to more.
Loved it. Looking forward to more.
May 11, 2023
The artwork was not that bad. The story wasn`t something great, but had it`s good moments .
On the whole a three stars experience. Maybe the next one will be better.
On the whole a three stars experience. Maybe the next one will be better.
February 26, 2016
Really enjoyed this. Great story,great characters.
June 16, 2017
This is a sci-fi style weird western. Our main character is the new sheriff in a frontier world, post war. She is a single mom and is escaping... something.
There's a bit of fish out of water, there's the guy who got passed over for promotion, there's the sheriff that hates the rich.
The story works hard to show that the sheriff is flawed, but has a softer side with her son. She's... almost too flawed for me, but I'm holding out hope that her continued character arc will move her toward the type of sheriff archetype I find more interesting.
There's a bit of fish out of water, there's the guy who got passed over for promotion, there's the sheriff that hates the rich.
The story works hard to show that the sheriff is flawed, but has a softer side with her son. She's... almost too flawed for me, but I'm holding out hope that her continued character arc will move her toward the type of sheriff archetype I find more interesting.
February 27, 2017
An enjoyable detective yarn, if a little thin on plot and characterisation. The premise is far grander than the execution, but it's held my attention enough that I'd like to find out more about Clara Bronson and the world in which she lives.
January 21, 2015
I'm reviewing this ahead of the actual release, because I lack the patience to review individual issues.
I am grateful for the existence of Image as a publisher. Over the last decade or more they've really become a great vehicle for getting something besides superheroes pushed more into the mainstream comic world. It's that sort of interest that leads them to interesting genre mashups like Copperhead.
A sci fi western has been done a few times, but I appreciated Copperhead for several reasons. The dialogue has a gruff, natural quality to it. The artwork is consistent and pleasing. The world-building doesn't overwhelm the experience, the writer is content to mete out information as necessary. The entire structure of the first arc shows a confidence on the part of both the artist and the writer that they know what this should be.
Hopefully this is the start of a long and compelling run.
I am grateful for the existence of Image as a publisher. Over the last decade or more they've really become a great vehicle for getting something besides superheroes pushed more into the mainstream comic world. It's that sort of interest that leads them to interesting genre mashups like Copperhead.
A sci fi western has been done a few times, but I appreciated Copperhead for several reasons. The dialogue has a gruff, natural quality to it. The artwork is consistent and pleasing. The world-building doesn't overwhelm the experience, the writer is content to mete out information as necessary. The entire structure of the first arc shows a confidence on the part of both the artist and the writer that they know what this should be.
Hopefully this is the start of a long and compelling run.
January 15, 2015
I read this one as it came out in singles. This book has fantastic art, great characters and Saga-quality world building.
Highly recommended for anyone who ever thought, "Yeah, Firefly is great and all... but what if it was even more western... with real aliens?"
Just read it.
Highly recommended for anyone who ever thought, "Yeah, Firefly is great and all... but what if it was even more western... with real aliens?"
Just read it.
May 15, 2024
(Source)
A space opera Star Wars x Guardians of the Galaxy western wannabe with blue skinned storm troopers and knockoff Nerf brand space guns.
May 14, 2015
Really enjoyed this unapologetically Western-themed science fiction mystery.
October 24, 2020
Loved the artwork and the concept, but in practice I think the story suffers from drawing a little too heavily on its Weird West genre roots. I felt like the parallels it draws between humans vs aliens (and others) and white Europeans vs everyone else are handled a little clumsily and the joke about Budroxifinicus' name is definitely not as cute as the author intended.
But overall I think this is a fun and interesting story in the space western category and like I said earlier, I really liked the art.
But overall I think this is a fun and interesting story in the space western category and like I said earlier, I really liked the art.
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