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Introducing Codenames: Expansion Packs

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A new product line for the Codenames family, launching with three packs. We're excited to welcome an entirely new addition to Codenames—Codenames Expansion Packs! We are launching the product line with three themed packs: Sci-Fi , Fairy Tales , and Cute Critters , each one opening the door to fresh twists, new themes, and even more “aha!” moments at the table. Codenames Expansion Packs are bite-sized mini expansions designed to let players mix things up with new words or images. The Sci-Fi and Fairy Tales Expansion Packs each bring 50 carefully curated themed words, perfect for adding a splash of flavor to your next game of Codenames or Codenames: Duet. They also include 3 new agent tiles (2 for Codenames, 1 for Duet) and 4 themed pictures to customize your Codenames: Pictures even further. Looking for something extra cute? The Cute Critters Expansion Pack delivers 40 unique animal images, adding variety and charm to Codenames: Pictures. Ready to ...
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Featured Review: @TopCow Artifacts #33 @TopCowMatt @ImageComics


Artifacts #33 - Teacher and the Preacher

Top Cow publishes its first team of winners from the 2012 Talent Hunt! Rapture bearer and defrocked priest Tom Judge and the numeromancer Tilly Grimes are hot on the heels of a prolific serial killer. But even if Tom is able to save the next intended victim, is he already too late to save her soul?


Preview

See Artifacts #33 Preview

Review


See the Review Rating Overview page for more information on how I rate each comic




Cover & Solicit 3/5


We get a single cover drawn by new Top Cow artist -ROM- featuring Tom and a few piano keys. At first I didn't know what they were, but after reading the issue it makes more sense. The one problem I have with the cover is the coloring comes off a little dull, which is a little sad considering how vibrant the original solicit image looked.

Art, Colors & Inking 4/5


Like the cover this issues art was done by -ROM-. She is one of Top Cow's 2012 Talent Hunt winners along with this issue's writer. The art in this issue was just alright for me and didn't really compare to the amazing work Yoon's or Sejic in my opinion. She uses a painted style which Top Cow seems to enjoy lately and while her art is detailed and beautiful, it suffers from the same problem as the cover and it's colors are dull. I can understand a demonic or creepy vibe but that means dark colors not ones that appear washed out. Otherwise she does a great job with the flow and the fight scenes between Tom and Strow is excellently executed.

Layout & Flow 4/5


This issue reads very well as it's more of a one-shot than a continuation from last issue. Unfortunately for most readers you are thrown right into it without any knowledge of why Tom and Tilly are there, while explained a little later it seemed odd to me. Otherwise the pacing setup by both by the artist and the writer go very well together. Things do seem a little rushed at times and that is probably due to the limitations of getting the story told in 20 pages.

Story 5/5


The issue is written by another Talent Hunt winner Kenny Porter. For being a newcomer he does an excellent job telling the story even if the flow is slightly off. This issue starts with Tom and Tilly investigating a mysterious house, and find themselves face to face with a practitioner of demonic magic. A man named Matthew Strow is posing as a piano teacher and has killed 51 children. When they arrive they find his 52nd victim playing the piano as a means to summon a demonic force. Like I mentioned the pace is fast and Porter does an excellent job of keeping the story going, and while it seemed a little rushed he did a great job of telling a complete story. I personally can't wait to see what Porter and -ROM- do in the future with Top Cow.

Verdict - 4.3 (8.5/10) - (Buy Artifacts #33) SAVE 10%


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