The first Hotwire miniseries was a lot of fun, positing a future world where ghosts were actually a consequence of so much electromagnetism - not so much supernatural as a byproduct of the modern world. Except there are people who insist it’s supernatural, and the cops don’t help by calling the cops assigned to take care of the “blue lights” as “exorcists”.

This one starts with Alice on an extended break in the aftermath of the near disastrous case wrapped up in the first miniseries. She’s playing ancient video games and messing around with an old, dead boyfriend, while the “blue” squad runs into some troublesome blue lighters. The way they handle it leads to some tragic consequences, and when Alice responds to it, she gets arrested for being drunk on the job. (She isn’t, but she sort of is. Hard to explain; you’ll have to read the comic.) And while she rots in the stir, there’s a new blue light stalking the city, one above and beyond the ones they’ve faced before.

This is a fun series, and it’s good to see it back. For those who missed it the first time around, there’s a quick recap at the start, so you don’t need to have read it to get this.

The art remains quite gorgeous. It favors the realistic, painted Radical style, which makes the weirder aspects of the story even weirder, and the action sequences kinetic. Which I like, as it’s how it should be.

A different, action oriented science fiction comic, worth a look when you’re perusing the shelves.

To read the full review, click on the image below.

The first Hotwire miniseries was a lot of fun, positing a future world where ghosts were actually a consequence of so much electromagnetism - not so much supernatural as a byproduct of the modern world. Except there are people who insist it’s supernatural, and the cops don’t help by calling the cops assigned to take care of the “blue lights” as “exorcists”.

This one starts with Alice on an extended break in the aftermath of the near disastrous case wrapped up in the first miniseries. She’s playing ancient video games and messing around with an old, dead boyfriend, while the “blue” squad runs into some troublesome blue lighters. The way they handle it leads to some tragic consequences, and when Alice responds to it, she gets arrested for being drunk on the job. (She isn’t, but she sort of is. Hard to explain; you’ll have to read the comic.) And while she rots in the stir, there’s a new blue light stalking the city, one above and beyond the ones they’ve faced before.

This is a fun series, and it’s good to see it back. For those who missed it the first time around, there’s a quick recap at the start, so you don’t need to have read it to get this.

The art remains quite gorgeous. It favors the realistic, painted Radical style, which makes the weirder aspects of the story even weirder, and the action sequences kinetic. Which I like, as it’s how it should be.

A different, action oriented science fiction comic, worth a look when you’re perusing the shelves.

To read the full review, click on the image below.

"For the uninitiated Hotwire: Requiem for the Dead is one of the best looking books on the stands, but it’s also a good old fashioned adventure to boot. You don’t really see stories like this any more, but Radical know how to make them. This title, and City of Dust are just two examples of easily accessible series from the publisher that anyone can pick up and be hooked on. They’re streamlined, but not simple, stories without the complications that some of our fave superhero titles can often be bogged down with."

"Pugh has put everything on to these pages. The story was initiated with writer Warren Ellis, but Pugh boldly makes Hotwire his own. I even noticed the unique styles of the lettering and how he displays dialogue. His panel arrangements are chaotic, yet easy to follow and his costume and tech designs are straight from an unmade James Cameron flick. The luscious variety on display really is an eye opener. Pugh makes the art flow and dance across the page like a tattooed ballerina. It’s unexpected, daring and mesmerising.

When Radical releases the TPB collecting all 4 issues make sure to put it on your wish list. Hotwire has the edginess of 2000AD with the themes of The Matrix and the look of Blade Runner. Those comparisons don’t do it justice, but if you like your sci-fi more William Gibson than Star Trek you’ll be completely satisfied. It’s the kind of series you can pass to your non-comics reading mates to prove a point.

And now that it’s all over, I must say a hearty thank you to Steve Pugh. Job well done sir."

"Even with this being the fourth issue that I've read I am still blown away by the visuals. Not only are the pencils top notch and done in a realistic style that really lends itself well to the story, but the digital painting really makes the images pop off the page. Artwork simply doesn't get much better."

"I love Steve Pugh’s art. Seriously, it makes me want to eat this comic and all it’s delicious characters and shapes and colours. I would immediately regretting eating it because I couldn’t look at the art anymore, but luckily, there would be many variant covers to choose from... and eat them too. Seriously, everything about this comic looks good. I really do get hungry from looking at it. "

"Hotwire: Requiem for the Dead #4 is an amazing comic that deserves to be bought by every self-respecting comic and sci-fi fan on the planet. Everyone knows how much I love 2000 AD, and this comic gives even the best thrills from the Galaxy’s Greatest a good run for their money. Steve Pugh has made this project his baby, pouring a lot of blood, sweat and tears into every single page of this comic, and his efforts really shine though to make this one of the very best comics on the shelf. If you buy one comic this week, make it Hotwire: Requiem for the Dead #4"

Read Full Review

Desmond of the Dread Media podcast on earth-2.net recently reviewed the latest issue of Hotwire: Requiem for the Dead #3. Listen for both a great show and reason to pick up the latest copy.

http://www.earth-2.net/podcasts/dreadmedia/episodes/dreadmedia_092.mp3

Courtesy of the U.K. guys at the Comics Nexus, a nice video review of the 3rd issue of Hotwire: Requiem for the Dead. Find out what all the fuss is about in the link below.

SEE IT HERE

Thanks go out to Kris Bather for his advance review of Hotwire: Requiem for the Dead #3. The comic comes out this week.

"Pugh has handled Hotwire beautifully with every issue. Sure, it’s based on initial story ideas by Warren Ellis, but this is Pugh’s show. He fleshes out enough of the characters around Hotwire, so that she doesn’t steal the show, but also manages to make her a loveable bad girl with real humanity and heroism. The last time I was this much in love with a fictional character was when I started reading X-Men in high school and saw Jim Lee’s Psylocke for the first time. Of course, the way Steve Pugh lusciously renders Alice Hotwire, it’s easy to be pleasantly distracted. Every page is a work of art and you may very well find yourself gazing at the pages longer than the story requires of you. He also lays out the pages and designs all the vehicles and gadgets with great flair.

Pugh really knows how to pace a comic. Every issue thus far has been a grand build up of set pieces culminating in a page, or two, or three that leap directly into the eyeballs and demand to be made into posters for the bedroom wall. This penultimate issue has a few such moments, but I won’t spoil them.

Too often series like this with a grand concept start with a bang and dissolve into a whimper. Hotwire is a glorious exception and is simply excitement unleashed. It’s also a movie begging to be made. With the success Radical have had already with Hollywood interest, I hope Hotwire will be next in line."

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"The book is full of fun characteristics that go the extra mile to give us a little panache, whether it’s the plot all being set amid rioting, or the explanation of using scientific terminology to describe the apparitions to avoid the emotional stigma of the term “ghost.” I loved the hints about potential glitches in the system, basically suggesting a ghost in the machine. Overall, it struck me how dense this book felt, it’s 32 pages, it’s done on beautiful glossy paper, and… it’s still $2.99(!), complete with a statement of intent regarding the price. Now, this is a title I can get behind. Grade A."

 http://www.thirteenminutes.blogspot.com/

"Pugh's possession sequences are both atmospheric and action-packed: all crackling green light (long a dramatic convention for depicting ghosts) and mist. If the artist may overdo the pouty-lipped overbite look on his heroine, as scripted, she proves an agreeable hard-ass. "'Most folk' are more likely to read their horoscope than to look both ways when crossing a busy street," this difficult elitist declares near the end of the first ish, and that line alone was enough to make me want to follow her through the rest of this diverting sci-fi horror mini-series."

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2009/02/27/134732.php

Desmond from Dread Media takes a look at Hotwire: Requiem for the Dead #1 on his weekly podcast. Have a listen below.

http://www.earth-2.net/podcasts/dreadmedia/episodes/dreadmedia_078.mp3

"Writer-artist Steve Pugh (from a story by Warren Ellis) has done an imaginative job blending the genres and putting a strong central character in the middle of events bigger than any one person.

http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=267&ai=80190

Great review from Jim Martin on our newest miniseries. Definitely pick it up if you haven't already.

"Overall Grade A – Ghosts, a gorgeous woman, brilliant action, high concepts all mix to make this another winner from Radical."

 http://comicsand.blogspot.com/2009/02/hotwire-1-spotlight-review.html

"It’s a pretty damn good book...The painty art isn’t just easy to look at it,; it’s easy to follow from panel to panel and does a great job of carrying character expression across. Worth a look at the very least."

http://comicpants.com/2009/02/wednesday-number-ones-2409/

Not a fan of City of Dust or our earlier titles but finally won over with Hotwire.

http://comicsradar.com/archives/214

I've posted a lot of great reviews on Hotwire: Requiem for the Dead #1 but Jeff Marsick puts over both the title and Radical Publishing in his great review. The response to our latest comic has been amazing. You definitely should check it out. Don't take my word for it, read below.

 "Radical does it again. And for anyone who’s been hemming and hawing about getting on board with what this company has to offer, Hotwire is definitely the place to start. Go to your store, today, and get this issue. And then get every issue of every other series they put out. You won’t be sorry."

 http://www.newsarama.com/comics/020909-BestShots.html

"It's difficult to put into words how gorgeous this book is and how real the characters feel. I urge you to buy at least the first issue. You'll be kicking yourself if you don't. This is not homogenous artwork following a robotic house style. This is the kind of illustration that should be adorning the walls of a gallery."

http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/123407247087236.htm

This issue is a good starting point for the series, and Pugh and Ellis have a intriguing and unique plot that is part Ghostbusters part detective mystery, and a whole lot of fun. Radical Comics have been delivering some great stuff since their premiere last year, and Hotwire is no exception to the rule.

http://www.thecomicaddiction.com/reviews/radical/hotwire/hotwire_001.htm

"HOTWIRE is a strong read, and likely to become Radical’s best and biggest seller to date. Smart idea by the company to try and increase their profile on the comics shelves. Recommended."

 http://reviews.comicswaitingroom.com/2009/02/07/hotwire-1.aspx

"If Hotwire: Requiem for the Dead did anything to me as a reader, it made me want more. This is truly an amazing and satisfying single issue, and perhaps one of the better #1 issues I have read in a while. It’s all laid out for you, plain as day, and there is a lot going on here."http://comicnews.info/?p=3637

"Hotwire: Requiem for the Dead" #1 is a very engaging read with a lot of wit and action. Steve Pugh builds on Warren Ellis's concepts in the best way and illustrates them in a striking and energetic style with unique coloring. Definitely worth checking out."

 http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=708

"I liked this book, and look forward to reading the rest of the series."

 http://iloverobliefeld.blogspot.com/2009/02/review-hotwire-requiem-for-dead-1.html

"Steve Pugh’s illustrations in this book are amazing. You’ll find yourself just flipping through the pages and staring at the panels. Eventually you’ll notice that there is also a pretty intriguing storyline, also by Steve Pugh. Alice ’s character is fresh and exciting"

 http://www.comicmonsters.com/section-article-228-Hotwire__Requiem_for_the_Dead__1.html

"Hotwire is off to a great start. It is like an amalgamation of the noirish future of Blade Runner and a straight hard sci-fi approach to Ghostbusters. It is another notch in both of these creators' extremely lauded careers with a broad appeal that should unite some of more segregated genre minded readers."

 http://www.brokenfrontier.com/reviews/details.php?id=2140

"I cannot encourage you enough to go out and purchase this book. It is a beautiful and original work that has every earmarking of a big Hollywood movie. Fast-paced, full of action, filled with interesting and involving characters and scary to boot, Hotwire demonstrates that comic books are at the forefront of creativity."

http://www.bamcc.net/Comic%20Books.htm

"Hotwire: Requiem for the Dead #1 is a 28 page issue, available from February 4. If you like looking at pretty things and being seduced by an equally arresting adventure, you have to pick it up."

 http://extrasequential.com/2009/01/30/hotwire-requiem-for-the-dead-1-review/