Larry Correia launched American Paladin through Ark Press, Peter Thiel’s science fiction and fantasy publishing imprint, with a Kickstarter-funded graphic novel that delivers exactly what fans expect: a tough guy hunting monsters while spouting patriotic one-liners.
Solid breakdown of why Correia's voice works for his core audience but doesn't stretch much here. The comparison to fast food is pretty acurate... familiar, satisfying, but not memorable. I've seen this happen alot with authors translating to visual mediums where they lean too hard on their established brand instead of exploring what comics can do differently. The manga-influenced approach could've been interseting if it leaned into those kinetic action beats manga does so well, but sounds like it just borrowed the surface aesthetics.
The profile described in this review can still win big by broadening distribution. Essentially the fast food formula.
FP, do you guys have any insight into whether Ark is building those audience reach and distribution mechanisms? And if so - how?
Great questions!
I like the art.
At least an attempt was made. A little more dynamic action could have gone a long way
Solid breakdown of why Correia's voice works for his core audience but doesn't stretch much here. The comparison to fast food is pretty acurate... familiar, satisfying, but not memorable. I've seen this happen alot with authors translating to visual mediums where they lean too hard on their established brand instead of exploring what comics can do differently. The manga-influenced approach could've been interseting if it leaned into those kinetic action beats manga does so well, but sounds like it just borrowed the surface aesthetics.
Larry is openly fat and unhappy, but is he secretly a sodomite?