The premier issue of FREEDOM FORMULA hit the comics stands last week on shipment day. Personally, this is the most anticipated title from Radical Comics, not just because it’s a genre that I love – cyberpunk sci-fi with exo-suits and mecha action – this is a 100% Made-in-Singapore product.
FREEDOM FORMULA – GHOST OF THE WASTELAND #1
When I flipped open the card-stock cover, what I saw far exceeded my expectations. If there’s any homegrown comic that a Singaporean fanboy/otaku can boast to the world, this is a comic series that they’d be proud to show off. It’s so good that I bought two copies of the first issue with variant covers painted by Kai.
Freedom Formula is a science fiction story set in a dystopian, post-apocalyptic future where governments lost the moral authority and ability to run the world, and where private corporations took over control of city states.
Formula Infinity
“Ghost of the Wasteland” follows the story of Zee, a boy from the Wasteland who wandered into the city of Los Petropolis. He ended up becoming a racer in the illegal races known as Freedom Formula, the street version of “Formula Infinity” races that feature genetically engineered pilots in high-speed exo-suits known as Vicious Cycles (VX).
The mecha painting that inspired FREEDOM FORMULA
“Freedom Formula” is a 100% Singaporean product, conceived in a shophouse in Katong. Edmund Shern, together with his partners at Imaginary Friends Studios, developed the concept and story with his partners based on a mecha painted by Kai. He is also the writer for the comic series.
During San Diego Comics Convention 2007, Edmund pitched the concept to Barry Levine of Radical Comics – and he green lit the project immediately.
Incoming!
The layout and paneling of the comic brings out the kinetic dynamism. And the painted artwork and level of details is insane. The interior art for the first issue is handled by Kai and Chester Ocampo. Ed explains his creative vision in Comic Book Resources.
Awesome Painted Art
In my opinion, Freedom Formula sits well with the art quality sci-fi & fantasy comics published in Heavy Metal/Metal Hurlant – and the artists among the titans such as Enki Bilal, Mobius or Alejandro Jodorowsky. From issue two to three, the interior art transits to a manga style with manga-ka Jennyson Rosero (No Man’s Land, Free Runner) providing the line art.
Freedom Formula movie poster art by Artgerm
Stanley (aka Artgerm) provided the character designs for this series. He also provided the poster art for the movie.
Yeah. If you do not already know, FREEDOM FORMULA will be made into a Hollywood live-action movie with Bryan Singer (The Usual Suspects, X-Men, X2, Superman Returns) at the helm. This was one of the big announcements at this year’s San Diego Comics Convention, and created buzz among the comics and Hollywood community.
It’s amazing how our homegrown creators did it – they pitched the concept in 2007 at San Diego Comic Convention. A year later, not only is the comics of FREEDOM FORMULA hitting the retail shops, Radical Comics announced the movie adaptation, with one of Hollywood’s brand name producer/director in-charge.
Next to Singapore’s first Olympic medal after 48 years, this is another Singaporean achievement though it didn’t make headline news here. This feat, for both comics and film making, has never been achieved by anyone in Singapore’s history.
Is Singapore a City of Possibilities? I think we are getting there.
P.S. For all you aspiring creators wanting to break into the visual entertainment scene, you have a chance for your portfolio to be reviewed by the Artgerm and gang from IFS. There’s still a month to go before submission closes for the manga art competition, GRAPHITE 2008. IFS a co-sponsor of this event and the art directors are sitting on the review panel.
