Meta 4
| Meta 4 | |
|---|---|
 Cover of issue #1 | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | ShadowLine |
| Publication date | June 2010 |
| No. of issues | 5 |
| Creative team | |
| Created by | Ted McKeever |
Meta 4 is a five-issue comic book series by Ted McKeever published by ShadowLine. The first issue was released on June 9, 2010, and the second issue was released on July 7, 2010.
Plot[edit]
Meta 4 begins with an astronaut waking on a beach with amnesia—he is unable to recall how he got there. The astronaut meets a large muscular woman named "Gasolina" who is dressed in a costume resembling that of Santa Claus. The astronaut notices a number of scars on his body that he can not explain. Author Ted McKeever has called the significance of these scars twofold: "They are both evidence of a mystery that will unfold as the story progresses, as well as a textured map that has meaning to it because of where they are on his body".[1]
Production[edit]
McKeever began actively producing Meta 4 after doing a series of black-and-white short story comics for publisher Marvel. It is based on notes he had compiled over previous years. McKeever has described the work as "a journey of self-discovery on a road trip of bizarre nightmares, twisted romance and scientific comedic insanity, spanning from Coney Island to the desolate Midwest".[2] He has also described the main two characters as representing two different mysteries: the astronaut being the mystery of physicality, and Gasolina being the mystery of language.[2]
McKeever initially planned to create Meta 4 as a graphic novel of a hundred or more pages, but was deterred by Jim Valentino of Shadowline. Valentino said of the idea: "With a graphic novel, you only have one opportunity to promote and sell a work".[2]
As inspiration for the series, McKeever points to classic science fiction films that he watched as a child, particularly Planet of the Apes. "Hands down, that movie changed my life" McKeever said. Other influences include Andromeda Strain, THX-1138, Soylent Green and Omega Man.[2]
Reception[edit]
Dean Stell of the Weekly Comic Book Review gave the first issue a "B−", saying that he found it confusing and slow. He did, however, praise the art—commenting that the simple black-and-white line art worked well for the subject.[3] Chris Arrant of Newsarama said that the style of the series is difficult to describe, but that it is "more identifiable than 99% of comics’ artists out there".[4]
References[edit]
- ^ Josh Wigler (June 9, 2010). "Exploring Ted McKeever's "Meta 4"". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
- ^ a b c d Michael Aushenker (June 15, 2010). "McKeever Makes Mega Return with META 4". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
- ^ Dean Stell (June 14, 2010). "Meta 4 #1 – Review". Weekly Comic Book Review. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
- ^ Chris Arrant (May 20, 2010). "Ted McKeever's Meta4: Self-Discovery on Coney Island". Newsarama. Retrieved June 22, 2010.