Description

War of the Worlds: The Memphis Front                     Comics Lot
Writer: Randy Zimmerman
Artist: Rich Gulick
Inker: Tim Ozon
Letterers: M.O.B. Studios & W.A.R. Studios
Editors: Randy Zimmerman & Stuart Kerr
Cover #1 by: Rich Gulick & Randy Zimmerman
Cover #2 by: Rich Gulick, Randy Zimmerman & Mick Fernette
Special Edition #1 Cover by: Rich Gulick, Randy Zimmerman & Mick Fernette

Continuing an epic story that has been the foundation of much of today’s modern science fiction and apocalyptic storytelling, based on concepts and stories originated by H.G. Wells! The “Martian Invasion” has begun again and now mankind must fight, not only for their homes, but for their very humanity… all in Glorious Black & White!!

The Memphis Front is a prequel to the earlier equally good comic series, The Haven and The Hellweed, {War of the Worlds (Caliber Comics 1996)} which had established a Martian Invasion in September of 1998. Within a year of their arrival the Martians are occupying large parts of the United States and most of the institutions of government and order have collapsed. Stepping into the breach are a motley collection of individuals who have formed resistance groups to fight the invasion. It’s not an entirely futile act, as the Martians are not quite as invincible as H.G. Wells envisaged. These Martians can be hurt. A well-aimed shoulder launched missile can bring down a Tripod, so they don’t have it all their own way. The war is however brutal and fought without mercy.

“We seemed sure that we were the superior species in the universe, yet across the immense gulf of space, minds that are to our minds as ours are to mice in the fields, intellects vast, cool and unsympathetic, regarded this Earth with envious eyes and slowly and surely drew their plans against us for what some claim would be the second time”

Story/Spoilers
In issue #1, No one would’ve believed that last years of the twentieth century human affairs were being watched from somewhere in the timeless void of space. Aliens were the stuff of legends, fairy tales to scare children or to entertain those wanting to escape the mundane existence of their lives. Few men took them seriously, let alone see them as a threat. Yet as mankind busied itself about their petty affairs they were being scrutinized and studied perhaps as narrowly as a scientist might watch under the microscope the microbes that swam and multiply in a drop water. The month of September in the ninety seventh year of the twentieth century held the beginning of our great disillusionment. It happens slowly at first, three to nine cylinders per day. We threw nearly everything we had at them, as if we knew just how to fight the myths of our childhood. Every time it looked like we were victorious another wave of cylinders would arrive and continue to crush our efforts, eventually we began to lose. When New York and then Washington D.C. fell we held our breaths waiting for some magical moment to occur. After all we had been invaded before were we not? The south of England had faced this menace, or something like it, a hundred years before and were saved by a grand act of God. When that magical failed to happen, coupled with the fall of Los Angeles and Chicago, we seemed to fall into a deep state of shock. By late October in the year 2001 we were almost at wit’s end. It was as if our invaders were some sort of retribution for our sins. We began to think maybe God was teaching us a lesson because of our own haughtiness. Mankind became frayed. We began to think we were doomed.

Issue #1 features “virgin”, “War of the Worlds” cover art on the back (see 5th scan – very cool)

Next in issue #2, No one would’ve believed that last years of the twentieth century human affairs were being watched from somewhere in the timeless void of space. It happens slowly at first, three to nine cylinders per day. We threw nearly everything we had at them, as if we knew just how to fight the myths of our childhood. Every time it looked like we were victorious another wave of cylinders would arrive and continue to crush our efforts, eventually we began to lose. When New York and then Washington D.C. fell we, as a nation and a world, held our breaths waiting for some magical moment to occur. After all we had been invaded before were we not? The south of England had faced this menace, or something like it, a hundred years before and were saved by a grand act of God. Where was the magic now? Why did God decide to abandon us? When L.A. and other large cities began to be invaded the cry went out for help. Now St. Louis has fallen, and what is left of Memphis has been taken over by the maniacal “Crump” (who believes he receives council from Elvis.) is laying their defense in the hands of a nameless stranger who has come to their city to see Graceland, before it and everything else he remembers vanishes. What the leader of Memphis failed to consider was the fact that his “hero” has already lost his most important battle already. His hero has already lost his sanity once, and could easily do so again if he can’t find reason to keep it…

Features Special Edition #1 is Limited to 2000 copies and is signed and hand numbered on the inside front cover by Randy Zimmerman. (see 4th scan) Very Cool!!!

Collectible Entertainment comment: Although the War of the Worlds – The Memphis Front (1998) is an ill-fated title that was originally to have run for five issues instead of just the 2 (3 w/ the special Edition of #1) that were published and is therefore an incomplete story (cliffhanger – see 12th scan for last panel…actually a pretty classic ending in a weird way – Good Stuff!) …. Nonetheless, Rich Gulick’s “War of the Worlds” artwork is still awesome from cover to interior. Recommended for Rich Gulick art enthusiast… as well as the War of the Worlds enthusiast. It’s good stuff.

Comics lot contains: War of the Worlds – The Memphis Front (1998 – 1999) Issues #1-2 & Special Edition #1.  Arrow Comics

Comics are bagged & boarded and will be carefully / securely packaged then shipped via USPS Priority Mail to ensure that it arrives to you perfectly and quickly.

All First Printing
Publisher: Arrow Comics
Publication Date: 1998 – 1999
Format per comic: BW, 32 pages, Comic, 10.25″ x 6.5″
UPC: None Stated

Collectible Entertainment note: Comics 1,2 & Special Edition 1 are in Fine + to Very Fine condition.  Very Nice!  Please See Scans!!  A must have for any serious War of the Worlds collector and/or enthusiast.  A fun & entertaining read.  Highly Recommended.

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