“Ever bought a graphic novel without really knowing anything about it? You know, you liked the pretty pictures and hoped the story would live up to the artwork.

We at (Cool) Shite have a bit of a love affair with Australian indie comic book publisher Gestalt and as such, we generally pick up everything they print. Let it be said that in 2010 they have published what I consider the gold standard in Australian comics; Changing Ways by Justin Randall.

Admittedly I picked up the book for 2 reasons: 1, it was pretty and 2, it was by Gestalt. Once purchased it sat in the stack of novels waiting for it’s turn in the sun. Now that I have read it, I wonder why it wasn’t on the top of my stack, actually everyone’s stack.

This book kicked me in the head and dragged me into it’s world so quickly that I had to struggle to put it down to do my day-job.

David Barrot is a family man, he has a pregnant wife, a young daughter and has recently moved to Grey Oaks; a small country town. In the recent past, rumours of an infection have turned up in the media. Weird scars have turned up on animals, insects and now people. The side-effects of these scars are different to each person, but when his neighbour’s dog jumps through their bedroom window in the middle of a massive rainstorm, shit just gets stranger and more violent from there on in.

It is inevitable that people who read lots of comics will see the artwork as something similar to Justin’s contemporary (and former pupil) Ben Templesmith. But that is where the comparisons should stop, Justin’s brings a realistic freshness in his life-work and amazing colourisation that give this story an atmosphere that is truly unique. Gestalt have printed the book lavishly on glossy paper stock with black bordered pages, which makes the artwork just pop. The little details that Justin has placed in the backgrounds of his scenes are amazing and give us much more opportunity to see the world building at play. These give us readers an excuse to re-read the book to see if we missed any clues.

While Justin’s artwork is impressive, his story writing skills are also a match.

We experience the unfolding horror through the Barrot family and eventually some of the other citizens. The emotional roller-coaster of David & his wife Lucy and their need to protect their daughter feels real. The police are on what has to be the start of the worst night of their lives and some of the crazy towns folk give you a sense of community gone horribly wrong. The characters feel solid and motivations are clear. David’s struggle with a secret that brought him and his family to Grey Oaks is compelling and we the reader really want to see how this plays out.

Justin has done a marvelous job with this first novel in a series. It will be something you will read and re-read and share with friends.

It blew my head off and I think it will do the same for you. Go out and buy it and see the changing face of Australian comics!”

- Bruce Moyle, (Cool) Shite on the Tube

The original review is available at coolshite.net

Justin Randall, the man behind Changing Ways, will be at San Diego Comic-Con in Booth 4500 along with the Gestalt Comics crew. Randall will be signing books for the duration, so come down and pick up a signed copy!

Check the Map to Booth #4500

Randall will be available to sign books throughout the convention!

AND we’ll have giveaways of our Character Sketches anthology, featuring the first appearance of ‘Grey Oaks’ that became the setting for Changing Ways.

Reader reviews continue to come in…

“”Dark, moody, menacing.  Good comics stories do this stuff really well, and Changing Ways is excellent!“

- Colin Wilson
Artist on Star Wars: Invasion, The Example , Dans L’Ombre, Point Blank and so much more besides.

Changing Ways is a graphic novel series written and illustrated by Justin Randall.

David Barrot, a retired Corrections Officer, moved to Grey Oaks after the tragic death of his son, Cale.

With wife Lucy and daughter Jessie, the Barrot family bought a farm on the outskirts of town and began their new life, putting aside all the dark events of their past.

Unfortunately for them, the dark just wont leave David alone.

The first sightings started months ago, igniting rumors of disease and infection. Newspapers reported unusual lesions appearing on livestock and stories of strange side effects spread quickly.

Perhaps it was inevitable that the people of Grey Oaks would be next…

These are their Changing Ways.

Read David Barrot’s journal at www.nolongerknowyourself.com

————————————–
Trailer soundtrack:
‘Little Things of Venom’ by Arid, from the album “Arid Live” – used with kind permission of Arid.
www.aridcentral.com

The first reader reviews are coming in…

“Changing Ways grabbed me by the eyeballs and wouldn’t let go until it was done.

The art demands you stop and admire every extraordinarily rendered panel while the tension of this perfectly-paced thriller forces you to turn the page.

Justin Randall balances beauty and terror on a rusty razor’s edge.”

- Tom Taylor
Writer of The Authority and Star Wars: Invasion

“It’s like a punch to the scrotum with the aftertaste of a tickling feather. Changing Ways is a hard road, full of broken glass and broken dreams.

At least wear shoes for this journey.”

- Ben Templesmith
Co-creator of 30 Days of Night & Fell

“The best graphic novel we’ve ever read.

Then again, it’s the only one we’ve ever read.

Regardless: it’s outstanding.”

- Keith & The Girl

Changing Ways is a graphic novel series written and illustrated by Justin Randall.

David Barrot, a retired Corrections Officer, moved to Grey Oaks after the tragic death of his son, Cale.

With wife Lucy and daughter Jessie, the Barrot family bought a farm on the outskirts of town and began their new life, putting aside all the dark events of their past.

Unfortunately for them, the dark just wont leave David alone.

The first sightings started months ago, igniting rumors of disease and infection. Newspapers reported unusual lesions appearing on livestock and stories of strange side effects spread quickly.

Perhaps it was inevitable that the people of Grey Oaks would be next…

These are their Changing Ways.

Read David Barrot’s journal at www.nolongerknowyourself.com

————————————–
Trailer soundtrack:
‘The Beast’ by Kwoon, from the album “Tales & Dreams” – used with kind permission of Kwoon.
www.kwoon-music.com

Changing Ways: Volume one is available to pre-order from your local comics retailer right now.

It’s distributed by Diamond Comics and listed in the February 2010 Previews.

Quote Diamond Order Code:  FEB100928

For those in the UK, Forbidden Planet will be stocking Changing Ways: Volume One and you can pre-order now for £9.32 saving £4.18 (30%) off the RRP.

Changing Ways: Volume One is now available to pre-order via Amazon.com

David Barrot moved to Grey Oaks after the tragic death of his son, Cale.

He bought a farm on the outskirts of town with his wife and daughter to begin their new life, putting aside the dark events of their past. Unfortunately for them, the dark just won t leave David alone.

The first sightings started months ago, igniting rumors of disease and infection. Newspapers reported unusual lesions appearing on livestock and stories of strange side effects spread quickly.

Perhaps it was inevitable that the people of Grey Oaks would be next… These are their Changing Ways.

Changing Ways: Volume One is the first volume in a graphic novel series written and illustrated by Justin Randall and released through Gestalt Publishing.

This production diary will detail a ‘behind the scenes’ look at Randall’s creative process as well as the production, illustration and publication of Changing Ways: Volume One.