Artist Spotlight: The Art Of . . . Sam Spratt

Showcasing art from some of my favourite artists, and those that have attracted my attention, in the field of visual arts, including vintage; pulp; pop culture; books and comics; concert posters; fantastical and imaginative realism; classical; contemporary; new contemporary; pop surrealism; conceptual and illustration.

The art of Sam Spratt.

Artist Spotlight: The Art Of . . . Paul Renaud

Showcasing art from some of my favourite artists, and those that have attracted my attention, in the field of visual arts, including vintage; pulp; pop culture; books and comics; concert posters; fantastical and imaginative realism; classical; contemporary; new contemporary; pop surrealism; conceptual and illustration.

The art of Paul Renaud.

#ArtOfTheDay: 'Mass Effect' by Anna Helme

'Mass Effect' by Anna Helme.

Artist Spotlight: The Art Of . . . Orlando Arocena

Showcasing art from some of my favourite artists, and those that have attracted my attention, in the field of visual arts, including vintage; pulp; pop culture; books and comics; concert posters; fantastical and imaginative realism; classical; contemporary; new contemporary; pop surrealism; conceptual and illustration.

The art of Orlando Arocena.

Artist Spotlight: The Art Of . . . Muju (Ignatius Tan)

Showcasing art from some of my favourite artists, and those that have attracted my attention, in the field of visual arts, including vintage; pulp; pop culture; books and comics; concert posters; fantastical and imaginative realism; classical; contemporary; new contemporary; pop surrealism; conceptual and illustration.

The art of Muju (Ignatius Tan).

Artist Spotlight: The Art Of . . . Matt Rhodes

Showcasing art from some of my favourite artists, and those that have attracted my attention, in the field of visual arts, including vintage; pulp; pop culture; books and comics; concert posters; fantastical and imaginative realism; classical; contemporary; new contemporary; pop surrealism; conceptual and illustration.

The art of Matt Rhodes.

Artist Spotlight: The Art Of . . . Massimo Carnevale

Showcasing art from some of my favourite artists, and those that have attracted my attention, in the field of visual arts, including vintage; pulp; pop culture; books and comics; concert posters; fantastical and imaginative realism; classical; contemporary; new contemporary; pop surrealism; conceptual and illustration.

The art of Massimo Carnevale.

#ArtOfTheDay: 'Tali’Zorah' by Anthony Palumbo

'Tali’Zorah' by Anthony Palumbo.

Cover art for 'Mass Effect: Homeworlds' issue #2, published May 2012 by Dark Horse Comics.

#CoolArt: 'Mass Effect: Legendary Edition' prints by Development Plus, Inc through Bioware

'Mass Effect: Legendary Edition' by Development Plus, Inc.

• 'Trilogy Triptych'. Officially licensed 36" x 24" lithograph print on 100# White McCoy Gloss Cover paper, in an open edition for $35.
  

• 'Legendary Edition Key Art'. Officially licensed 24" x 18" lithograph print on 100# White McCoy Gloss Cover paper, in an open edition for $35.

On sale now through Bioware Gear.

'Trilogy Triptych'

'Legendary Edition Key Art'

Artist Spotlight: The Art Of . . . Lazare Gvimradze

Showcasing art from some of my favourite artists, or those that have attracted my attention, in the field of visual arts, including vintage; pulp; pop culture; books and comics; concert posters; fantastical and imaginative realism; classical; contemporary; new contemporary; pop surrealism; conceptual and illustration.

The art of Lazare Gvimradze.

Artist Spotlight: The Art Of . . . Laurie Greasley

Showcasing art from some of my favourite artists in the field of visual arts, including vintage; pulp; pop culture; books and comics; concert posters; fantastical and imaginative realism; classical; contemporary; new contemporary; pop surrealism; conceptual and illustration.

The art of Laurie Greasley.

#CoolArt: 'Mass Effect' Character Prints Portfolio by Matt Taylor through Dark Horse Direct

'Mass Effect' Character Prints Portfolio by Matt Taylor.

8" x 12" lithograph 4 print set, encased in a black cloth, bi-folding portfolio case with silver foil logos, in a limited edition of 250 for $125.

Also includes a digital comics redemption code for 'Mass Effect: The Complete Comics' through Dark Horse Digital.

On sale now through Dark Horse Direct.

Artist Spotlight: The Art Of . . . Kate Niemczyk

Showcasing art from some of my favourite artists in the field of visual arts, including vintage; pulp; pop culture; books and comics; concert posters; fantastical and imaginative realism; classical; contemporary; new contemporary; pop surrealism; conceptual and illustration.

The art of Kate Niemczyk.

Artist Spotlight: The Art Of . . . Joe Quinones

I've previously showcased a few of my favourite pop culture and vintage pulp artists, and each weekend I showcase art from more of my favourite artists.

The art of Joe Quinones.

Artist Spotlight: The Art Of . . . Jeff Spokes

I've previously showcased a few of my favourite pop culture and vintage pulp artists, and each weekend I showcase art from more of my favourite artists.

The art of Jeff Spokes.

Artist Spotlight: The Art Of . . . Jason Chan

I've previously showcased a few of my favourite pop culture and vintage pulp artists, and each weekend I showcase art from more of my favourite artists.

The art of Jason Chan

Artist Spotlight: The Art Of . . . Jake Probelski

I've previously showcased a few of my favourite pop culture and vintage pulp artists, and each weekend I showcase art from more of my favourite artists.

The art of Jake Probelski.

#ArtOfTheDay: 'Shepard & Normandy Crew' by Crystal Fae

'Shepard & Normandy Crew' by Crystal Fae, inspired by 'Mass Effect 3'.

#ArtOfTheDay: 'N710' by Matt Rhodes

'N710' by Matt Rhodes, inspired by the 'Mass Effect' series.

Book Review: 'Mass Effect: Initiation' by NK Jemisin & Mac Walters

I'm a big fan of the 'Mass Effect' video game series, and seeing as EA/Bioware have iced the series, hopefully only temporarily, and with no extra DLC planned for the game, I'm enjoying any extra content that adds to the expansion of the universe. And so a 'Mass Effect' book (co)written by the Hugo Award winning author NK Jemisin?! I'm so down for that!

'Initiation', co-written with 'Mass Effect' creative director Mac Walters, focuses on Cora Harper, one of NPCs from your squad in the Andromeda game, and her prospective boss, Alec Ryder (father of the playable character in the game), with the POV switching over every once in a while, but this is Cora's story, as she's recruited by Ryder into his Andromeda Initiative program.

We get to know Cora a lot more than when we see her in the game, as Jemisin takes what was almost a bland NPC and fleshes out her character a lot more, making her a likeable hero, creating a much more emotionally engaging character and also getting a sense of how determined she can also be as she overcomes the obstacles that bar her way. Whereas, as hinted at in the game, Ryder is definitely committed to the Andromeda Initiative project, and stubbornly so.

The book is set some time around the time of the 'Mass Effect 2' game, with Commander Shepard spoken of in the interludes, told in the style of news reports, that pepper in between the chapters. As such, there are also mentions of other characters like Khalisah al-Jilani, Councillor Udina, as well as other locations and events that will be very familiar to players of the original trilogy of games.

The story is certainly fast paced and action packed, as Cora is sent out to retrieve the stolen kernel code for the AI system that Alec Ryder was developing, which ends up her chasing leads across the galaxy after things don't exactly go to plan.

It's a great read, with a sense of nostalgia, that will be welcomed by fans of the game series. Recommended if you like the 'Mass Effect' series and into science fiction.