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5 Reasons You Must Read Dark Knight III: The Master Race
The biggest story coming out of Comic Con New York 2015 has easily been the details of the upcoming release of the 3rd part of a classic Dark Knight comic book series. Dark Knight III : The Master Race is a collaboration between the legendary Frank Miller, co writer Brian Azzarello and inker Klaus Janson. Fans of the original Dark Knight Returns will recognize the distinctive work of inker Klaus Janson, which brings the artwork close to the original feel of the series.
5. The Dark Knight Universe Presents Minicomics
Each Master Race release will include a mini comic inspired and created by Frank Miller himself. Miller draws the first story that covers the hero Atom and begins the exploration of what this hero would be doing in the Dark Knight universe. Miller takes the battle of good and evil to real-world levels rarely seen in comic books. Expect every story to be gritty and violent and potential ground breaking reinventions of some of your favorite heroes in the vision of Frank Miller himself.
4. The Location Based Variant Covers
D.C. has taken all the stops out by getting every fanboy artist it employs to draw a cover that represents their love for the comic book series. Over 30 artists have contributed original artwork that will be exclusive to 30 retailers around the country. You can see a list of the 30 retailers here.
3. The Artist Andy Kubert
Andy has made an effort to copy Frank Millers style to a point where you can argue he’s improved on the masters visual style. Miller is notorious for a stark bare look with key details and it looks like Kubert has mastered the look and the pacing of the panels.
2. The Inker Klaus Janson
After reading comics for years a true fan comes to appreicate the work of an great team. Miller’s work has always had a distinct look but that vision was solidified when he teamed with Klaus Janson in the original series. The way he lays his inks and how he chooses to do so creates dark portraits we can only hope they can recreate.
1. The Writer Frank Miller
Miller wanted to return to this universe because he had something new to say about the subjects he knows and loves. An inspired Frank Miller is back in the Dark Knight universe trying to finish a mind blowing, realistic and violent world where there are bloody consequences for being the target of the haunted man called The Dark Knight.
Almost every year for the past 6 years and on the same day, I’ve posted the same pic of me in the hospital during my temporary and untimely demise in 2015. A few weeks after I was back to “normal”, I asked Eric “Why’d you take the pics?” And he said, “I knew you would want to write about it if you lived.” Eric was right. Eric was often right and Eric always had my best interest at heart. I am going to miss my friend.
You ever meet someone and become friends immediately?! Well this was not the case with Eric. Before he was my manager at Morgan Stanley, I would often see this 6’4″, giant white guy walk up to the only black woman at work, say something then walk away without any hint of human emotion. Naturally I thought he was a jerk until I asked her “Yo, is that dude bothering you?” She laughed and proceeded to tell me he was a great person, which I ultimately got to experience first hand. Little did I know this Italian from Staten Island was more Brooklyn than most Brooklynites.
Eric was not with the shits!! If there were ever someone who lived their life in direct, honest and no uncertain terms, that would be Eric. He would ask me questions at work like “Why are the other consultants making more money than you?” I knew the answer to that question and so did he. Eric then proceeded to increase my salary by 15K. After arguing with all our managers that “You need to hire Alfred!”, they eventually did 1 year prior to the 2015 incident. In the hospital, one of my friends asked me, “What if you didn’t have health insurance when this happened?” I would be in debt for the rest of my life is the obvious answer. I still am in debt for the rest of my life but at least, it is to those who made sure I had a more enjoyable life and for that, I will gladly repay.
My mom loved to tell me the story of how she met Eric. After they told her I was going to be in the ICU for some time, she told the doctor “Well I’m not going anywhere.” She then hears a voice from that back of the room that says “Well I’m not going anywhere either!” That was Eric and in true form, he was at that hospital every single day until I was discharged.
Eric passed away in December 2021 of stage 4 cancer. After feeling faint on his way to my bbq, he went to get checked out and was diagnosed. During the past 5 years, Eric lost his mom, twin brother and dad. I can’t even begin to imagine what that must have felt like but I’m glad that pain he was feeling is no more.
From being my manager to my business partner, writer, book editor, artistic director, and most importantly, my friend, I am going to miss you MC Krispy E a.k.a “Enrique Pollazo!” And although you told me Enrique means Henry in Spanish and not Eric, it was too late!
Sidebar. The day I was discharged, while everyone was deciding what was best for me, no one had remembered that I would need clothes in order to leave the hospital. Eric shows up (unasked) with all the clothes I had on the day I coded, laundered and ready to go. I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve friends like this but i need to keep doing it! Sidebar complete.
Rest in Peace Eric. “Be Good.”
I had the distinct pleasure of participating in a panel discussion on writing your first book, presented by the Harlem chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Alongside Jim St. Germain, Author – A Stone of Hope: A Memoir and Dr. Keneshia Nicole Grant, Author – The Great Migration and the Democratic Party: Black Voters and the Realignment of American Politics in the 20th Century. We opined on pain points, benefits and strategies regarding our inaugural voyages into authorship. Feel free to watch for your self and I hope this provides some insight to all those looking to make the same voyage. Enjoy!
