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. Dust & Sacrifice is 66 pages of black-and-white, manga-influenced art telling a straightforward story about Mike Spears, a monster hunter investigating disappearances in a small American town.It’s competent, entertaining, and familiar, perhaps too familiar. Correia is essentially transplanting his Monster Hunter International voice into a new property, and while that works for his established fanbase, it doesn’t offer much that’s new or surprising.The Story: Simple and PredictableMike Spears arrives in a small town searching for a kidnapped girl on behalf of her mother. The relationship between Spears and the mother is mentioned but never explained. Spears walks into a bar, beats up some locals who know where the girl is, and acquires an unwanted sidekick in the girl’s brother, who insists on joining the hunt.They track the kidnapper to a remote location where he’s preparing the girl for human sacrifice. The villain is working for or with extraterrestrials, evidenced by a mysterious door standing in the middle of nowhere that leads to an alien dimension. Spears rescues the girl, kills the villain, and then faces an alien that emerges from the door. After a chase and firefight, Spears and the brother kill the alien with conventional firearms. They return home. End of story.I
This approach gives the artist significant creative control, but it also means the visual storytelling is entirely dependent on the artist’s skill and interpretation. In this case, the artist did more work translating the script into sequential art than Correia did providing direction. That’s not necessarily a problem, many comic writers work this way, but it does mean the final product’s quality is heavily dependent on the artist’s abilities.The script is short and straightforward, which matches the simplicity of the story. Correia isn’t trying to write a complex, layered narrative. He’s writing pulp action, and the script reflects that.Dust & Sacrifice moves quickly. Once the action starts, the story doesn’t waste time. Spears investigates, finds the villain, rescues the girl, and fights the alien in rapid succession. The pacing is brisk, and the book never drags. For a 66-page graphic novel, that’s appropriate—there’s no room for filler, and Correia doesn’t try to pad the story.The patriotic, blustery tone will appeal to Correia’s fanbase. His readers know what they’re getting: a tough American hero who solves problems with violence and doesn’t apologize for it. That’s Correia’s brand, and he delivers it consistently. If you’re a fan of Monster Hunter International, you’ll enjoy American Paladin because it’s the same voice and sensibility in a slightly different package.The inclusion of the script is a nice bonus. It’s always interesting to see a writer’s process, and having the script alongside the finished art allows readers to compare Correia’s vision with the artist’s interpretation. That transparency is rare in comics and adds value for fans interested in the creative process.
What Doesn’t Work: Predictable and GenericThe story is too predictable. The door to nowhere is foreshadowed early, so you know an alien is coming. The villain is a generic cultist with no personality. The alien is a monster to be shot. There are no twists, no surprises, no moments that subvert expectations. It’s a straightforward monster hunt from beginning to end.The characters are thin. Spears is a competent protagonist, but he doesn’t have depth. The supporting characters exist to move the plot forward. The villain is forgettable. The alien is just a threat to be eliminated. None of them feel like real people with motivations, histories, or internal lives.The art is inconsistent. Some panels are well-composed and expressive. Others are flat and generic. The action sequences lack impact, and the manga-influenced style doesn’t fully succeed. The book looks okay, but it doesn’t look great.The anachronisms and boomer patriotism will appeal to Correia’s core audience but might alienate readers looking for something more nuanced. Lines like “I’m an American. We can kill anything” are classic Correia, but they’re also dated and on-the-nose. The book wears its politics on its sleeve, which is fine if you agree with them but grating if you don’t.Final VerdictAmerican Paladin: Dust & Sacrifice is a solid but unspectacular debut for Larry Correia’s new graphic novel series. The story is fast-paced and entertaining, the voice is consistent with Correia’s established work, and the inclusion of the script is a nice bonus. But the plot is predictable, the characters are thin, and the art is inconsistent.
This is a book for Correia’s existing fans. If you like Monster Hunter International, you’ll enjoy American Paladin because it’s the same formula with a slightly different coat of paint. If you’re looking for something new or innovative, this isn’t it. It’s competent pulp action that delivers what it promises without exceeding expectations.For a first graphic novel, it’s a respectable effort. Correia knows how to write action and dialogue, and he’s successfully translated his prose voice into a visual medium. But the book doesn’t stand out in a crowded field of monster-hunting comics, and the art doesn’t elevate the material beyond its pulp roots.Fast-paced, entertaining, and consistent with Correia’s established voice, but predictable, thin on character development, and hampered by inconsistent art. Recommended for Monster Hunter International fans looking for more of the same in graphic novel form.What do you think? Are you picking up American Paladin, or waiting to see if the series improves in future volumes?
I mean I enjoy boilerplate pulp so I might get it
>>151975946I liked the first chapter of his Always With Honor comic
realistically cyclops could (and should) kill wolverine in basically any fight that didn't start in a phone booth with scott's back turned
Slim can and has kicked Logan's ass up and down the street
>>151970581Just force and pressure because real lasers would burn even on low settings and they didn't want boy scout era cyclops maming or killing people.
>>151975936Logan is like 4'11 so it's like beating up a kid
>>151972603I know Jean and Bobby are Omega level, who's the other person you're referring to?
>>151977583Forget Me Not
>this dumb motherfucker got into HarvardWhat's your excuse?
>>151972295good, they flanderized him being a blockhead too much in late seasons
>>151976003No Wally being special needs was as early as season 2. Season 1 was the only time he was ever presented as functional.
>>151972295I only sparringly watched this show, how did he get into harvard? Did they do an "all grown up" special or something?
>>151977555The series finale was this weird thing where Numbahs 2 through 5 were being interviewed as adults played by actors in live action
>>151972295That dumb mother fucker grew up and matured before getting into harvard.
Why doesn't the whole world revolve around the Powerpuff Girls?LOOK AT THEM!!! THEY'RE SO CUTE!!!
>>151976149Because the world revolves around love, as it makes the world go around.
>>151977063The world revolves around the axis, and it orbits the sun.
Sex with Bubbles
>>151976149I remember being obsessed whit them as a kid
>>151977256But the axis lost the war. They're no longer around.
First goth thread of the year!Lets fucking go!
>You wanna talk about pain?!
>>151968977>GD EstherNot even the good/actual Esther
>>151963793fuck now I realize why that duck from Beneath the Trees is so hot
I liked it and thought it was a solid 7/10. A bit overly childish at times though.
K-Pop idol culture is a literal sickness, the gooks need to care about status way less.
>>151977048Duh. So they can be lewded.
>>151975043Would you lick her long forehead?
>>151969671If we look at the money investment to entertainment output, this is a 10/10. This is what animation should be: affordable films that aim to greatly please a specific group of people, not hundred million dollar grey slop that is designed to equally mildly entertain literally everyone.
>>151971054the only good character of the movie. Cute. Hard worker. Not a fucking schizo obsessed with hating demons. Just wants to dance, sing, and get a cute boyfriend to settle down.
Steve Rogers’s look in Avengers: Doomsday.
>>151977512Achievable natty?
>>151977512>Spent all their money on Robert Downey Jr's paycheck, now everyone has to fight in a parking lot with clothes from JCPenney.
>>151977512Imagine being Doctor Doom and getting beaten up by what looks like a weekend warrior who manages a mid tier electronics store, why live?
>browsing the valentines day section at wal-mart only to be greeted with official raisins merchWhat in the actual fuck. Also, based
>>151977254Bruh, I'm only there for the food and looking at their asses
>>151977289I'm guessing you could stay if you can tolerate watching how the other boys have preferential service.You wouldn't get upset if one of the girls Kissed one of the boys on the cheek in front of you, now would you?
>>151977362I'm only there for the food and ass angles, nothing more. I wouldn't care
>>151976688>I'm a shit tipperThen you get shit service.>>151977289>Bruh, I'm only there for the food and looking at their assesThey'd give you a much better look if you tipped better.
>>151977536Fine, I'll tip more
https://youtube.com/watch?v=RhtnX51dARsOh boy the Muppet Show is coming ba->that Kermit voice>executively produced by Seth Rogen...better luck next time Muppetbros.
>>151976287I mean...get over it? Original Mokey was an actual hippy. The new Mokey design grew on me. Especially with Donna Kimbal performing her.
>>151968424>Geoff banged ms Piggy>previous year Statler and Waldorf pissed off Kojimabest parts of the TGAs are the muppets.
>>151965502Those are his colleagues working with him, those are not the attitudes of pencil pushing suits at Disney who see money and numbers
>>151961820>Seth RogenMuppetfags, I'm literally sorry. What a horrible fate
How do you defeat a telepath?
>>151976726>Summers family reunionIndeed
>>151970555Iceman...
>>151976950I do. Do you? Find me one fucking example, anywhere, of an english speaker doing the mexican scream unironically. We do not scream like that. It's the equivalent of replacing that 'Aiee' with 'UWAAAAAAAAAAH'. Like yes, japanese people unironically go "Uwah!" or "Eeeehhhh?!" but no fucking american does. The closest you get to that shit is hank hill's 'BWAAAAAAAH'. So seeing very clearly not spanish speaking characters doing a mexican scream is just so immersion breaking it makes the page look like it's intentionally racist. It's fucking stupid. You just don't get it because you're clearly not white, and therefore the mexican scream is just normal to you and you don't notice it.
Emma Frost and Jean Grey should hate fuck. I suspect Emma and Kitty already did.
>>151970537Either having a bigger psychic power then them, having a trully alien mind or being cyclops.
Why doesn't he just stay as Captain Marvel?
>>151976804School
Should Butters and Red reconcile or stay rivals?
>>151975897This is the way
>>151969869Just make Changeling Red a reverse Mysterion where he only tolerates her as a villain
>>151969869I say both. A love hate thing.>>151976862That would be cool. Love to see someone draw that.
>>151977238It pains me that there's only 1 piece of fanart with Professor Chaos and Changeling Red together and that unless Matt and Trey revisit this plot (which they won't), then we never will
>>151970096And she was giving this to Marjorine...
>Catwoman is a lesbian>Batwoman is a lesbian>Renee Montoya is a lesbian>Harley Quinn is a lesbian>Poison Ivy is a lesbian>Roy Harper is a lesbianWhat is the point of all of this?
>>151972845I don’t even look at porn. Unlike you, I have a functional imagination and a thriving relationship.
>>151975153a woman is an adult female human being. duh.
>>151972336I dont like the mention of NAMBLA, it obviously should go without saying that these people should not be a part of any of this, and it gives an implication that the book sympathises with them otherwise
this was a reveal? I thought catwoman had been bi since forever.
>>151972300Most of these are bi, not lesbians, Catwoman is only getting her pussy eaten because Batman doesn't do that. But she'll still go down on him in exchange for an escape from a jewel heist. This is canon
I miss tiny nippon mom with a sword
>>151976820Panty color?
>>151976865As white as the driven snow. It’s a thong, though.
>>151893356Absolute Katana....WHEN
>>151977335How would she differ from the mainline one?
Do you guys like cute robot girls?
>>151963031Hmm... maid Ladytron...
>>151970804>not a cintiq.Nice, fooled me. It's great linework, very clean.
>>151975687Nein, fuck that monkey.
>>151974502>>151974696It's Japanese? you can clearly see kanji + hiragana + katakana
