For yesterday’s The Pull List, go here.

Absolution #1 – Avatar – $3.99

Score: 8.0

Back in early July, we had the chance to talk to Christos Gage about his creator owned property, Absolution, from Avatar Press. The interview can be read here.  This week, Absolution came to stores and delivered what people were hoping for from the title. Absolution takes a different approach to the superhero genre. Unlike Garth Ennis’ edgy work on The Boys which has superheroes as corrupt drug addicted sexual perverts, Gage reinvents the wheel as he poses the question about what could cause a hero to snap.

Unlike the “heroes” of The Boys, Gage’s hero John Dusk is actually a good person. He uses his powers to save the lives of innocents and defeat bad guys. There is no corporate backing or monetary gain for John by doing it. He is the equivalent of a super powered beat cop. And like some cops who have been on Special Victims Units or the homicide for too long, Absolution explores what it takes to break a man.

The issue begins with John Dusk, the spandex wearing hero seen on the cover of the issue, as he fights White Power, a superpowered white supremacist. John’s powers can be compared to a toned down version of the Green Lantern or the Invisible Woman as he controls his aura around him that allows him to make crude objects with it that can be used both offensively and defensively. When things take a turn for the worst in the fight, John must use lethal force to stop his assailant. Even knowing the criminal is a rapist and murder, John still tries to keep him from dying until he sees two of White Powers captives, causing him to make a decision he can never step back from.

Can video games actually be good mature comic properties? Very few have been able to in the past with World of Warcraft and the miniseries promoting Hellgate: London being the most notable exceptions. The sad truth about video game comics is they are often shameless promotion tools that end up showcasing the lack of overall story quality in the games that is often made up by graphics and gameplay fun, Gears of War being the prime example of a story so flimsy that a strong sneeze could burst through it but still considered great because of its gameplay mechanics.

But if there is anyone who can bring the classic epic poem turned video game, Dante’s Inferno, in to a quality comic read, it’s The Flickcast favorite Christos Gage, scribe of recent hit G.I. Joe: Cobra and his up and coming Absolution. DC Comics will be pairing him up with Incredible Hulk artist Diego Latorre. A first peek at the comic will be available this week at Comic-Con where EA will also be debuting the trailer for the upcoming Starz channel animated spin-off. Other than that, details have been slim about the comic project.

One of the most enjoyable things about writing for The Flickcast is having early access to new products like comics, movies and video games. Along with that, sometimes comes the chance for exclusive access to their creators as well. Recently, I was given the chance to interview Christos Gage.

For those not familiar with him, he has quite an extensive resume both in television and comics, from Law and Order: Special Victims Unit to Avengers: Initiative from Marvel. And of course we can’t forget the Flickcast favorite miniseries he recently was a part of through IDW, G.I.Joe: Cobra. Now, Christos is taking on a new challenge, but one he is most certainly looking forward to.

Coming out in August, Christos will debut Absolution from Avatar Press. The same people who brought us Crossed by Garth Ennis will be giving Christos free reign on his creator owned property. The following is the conversation we were able to have with Christos about this exciting new project.

The Flickcast: Thank you for taking the time to answer some of our questions. For those not aware, you have your first miniseries from Avatar Press coming out in August called Absolution. Would you mind giving a brief idea of what the book is?

Christos Cage: Absolution is about John Dusk-a superhero in a world where superheroes are a sanctioned branch of law enforcement-who starts secretly executing criminals.  There comes a point where he’s seen one too many of them end up beyond the reach of the law, whether because they’ve served their time, or there wasn’t enough evidence to convict, or whatever.  He’s seen them go out and re-offend, which he and everyone else knew would happen.

With San Diego Comic-Con, the biggest gathering of geekdom in the world, fast approaching, fanboys and girls prepare for one of their favorite parts of any big convention: the exclusives. Action figures, variant covers, statues, t-shirts, keychains and all other random swag branded with fan’s favorite comic, movie and tv show characters can be found in the halls of the massive San Diego Convention Center.

With San Diego Comic-Con also being the premier event for new product and franchise announcements, information and promotion, it’s only fitting that every year, their exclusives keep getting better and better.

Here are just some of the ones we here at The Flickcast are looking forward to this year:

DC Direct Blackest Night Action Figures

Limited to 1500 pieces each, except for the Green Lantern version which will have 3000 units produced, and priced at $20 each, Blackest Night is kicked off in to full effect with Hal Jordan getting the color treatment from five of the eight Lantern Corps. After having seen Hal already don a blue ring in the build to blackest night, is it possible that this is a preview of what may come for our hero?

Did the vision Hal had where Sinestro said he needs Hal’s help mean this Sinestro Corp uniform could be in Hal’s future? Regardless, DC Direct puts out high quality figures that are fantastically sculpted and these look to be no exception.