Miles the Monster #1
 
written by Mark Wheatley and Allan Gross
cover by Mark Wheatley
art by Mark Wheatley
backgrounds and production assisted by Matthew Plog

published by Dover International Speedway Inc.

Miles the Monster #1:"His Shocking Birth" - reviewed by Ugo

There is a certain thrill to driving a car at over 180 mph. And there is a thrill to watching it, with the smell of fuel and burning rubber; the sounds of revving engines and the announcers voice over the P.A. system, "Gentlemen, start your engines!"

It is difficult to transfer that thrill to a Comic book.

Back in the 1960's Comic book publisher Charlton did their best with numerous Hot Rod and drag racing books, but somehow they just never quite got it right.

In some ways, car racing related Comics and car racing have some of the same passions when it comes to success. You have to love what you are doing and you have to be willing to keep going, even when it looks like you stand a chance to crash and burn. And I love car racing and Comic books, so the first issue of Mark Wheatley's and Allan Gross' new book "Miles the Monster" has been on my 'eagerly awaiting list' for a while.
When I got to my mailbox today and found a review copy of Miles the Monster #1, I read it immediately and then thought:
"This is the Comic book about car racing I have been waiting for all my life!"

Set in the world of NASCAR car racing, "Miles the Monster" is both intelligent and highly entertaining.
Time was, you could have one or the other and that was one of the reasons Charlton's books failed. The readership was aimed not just at car racing fans but also at juvenile boys and girls; so the writing had to be paced at a way pre-teens and teens could read and understand it. Which made it tough on an older reader to really enjoy.

Even with the 'realism' that Wheatley and Gross started with, the 'product placement' in the book worked together to mesh the story into an even more "real" feeling; whereas in Marvel or other books it always feels somewhat forced, here it worked to make the story more official. More lifelike.

The first issue, titled "Miles the Monster, His Shocking Birth" gives his origin story in a beautifully illustrated collectible comic book that will be available only at the Dover International Speedway the weekend of June 2-4 of 2006. This is the sort of memorabilia that both racing fans and Comic fans can truly enjoy; racing fans for the cars and Comic fans for the art and story.

The fact that it will be somewhat limited is not a bad thing either. The first limited-edition issue costs $3, with each book numbered on the back cover.
Issue No. 2 will be exclusively available at the Dover International Speedway Sept. 22-24, 2006, race weekend. Issues Nos. 3 through 8 will be released in 2007.

Because of the anticipated demand, fans can reserve their copies of Miles the Monster #1 in advance.
Those interested should send an e-mail to monstercomic@doverspeedway.com
with their name, address and desired quantity. Limit five per person. No prepayment is required.
Those reserving comic books must pick up their copies at Dover International Speedway just outside the main ticket office (Gate 11).
Pickup times will be Saturday, June 3, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
and Sunday, June 4, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.

Mark Wheatley and Allan Gross at Insight Studios created the comic book.
Wheatley, founder of Insight Studios Group in 1978, is an award-winning creator of comic books. He is internationally known as an artist, writer, editor, publisher and inventor, his portfolio of past work having earned him most top industry awards.
Gross has in the past worked for major comic book companies DC, Dark Horse and Image, before joining Insight Studios.
Insight Studios' interpretations of established characters such as Tarzan the Warrior, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, Jonny Quest, Dr. Strange, The Flash, Argus and The Spider have brought them to life for a new generation of readers.

HOME