Excellent
8,645 Comic Reviews
Excellent
8,645 Comic Reviews
From the ashes, something extraordinary rises. Strength & Ash #1 launches a bold new series from Keenspot with a debut issue that announces itself with one of the most visually striking cover presentations of the year — Cover A, subtitled “Father’s Love,” featuring the combined talents of Stefano Cardoselli and Francesca Perillo. Cardoselli’s raw, visceral, and deeply expressive artistic style — one of the most immediately recognizable and uncompromising visual languages in independent comics — is elevated here by Perillo’s coloring, creating a cover that is simultaneously brutal and tender, perfectly capturing the emotional core of a series built around the theme of a father’s love tested by extraordinary circumstances.
Whether you’re a Stefano Cardoselli devotee who follows his work across every publisher, a Francesca Perillo collector, a Keenspot fan who knows their debut issues are always worth grabbing, or a reader who gravitates toward the most emotionally ambitious new launches in independent comics, Cover A of Strength & Ash #1 is the debut edition to own.
🔥 Fun Fact: Stefano Cardoselli is an Italian artist whose intensely personal, almost outsider-art aesthetic has earned him a devoted cult following across the global comics community — his work defies easy categorization and has been described as existing somewhere between underground comix, heavy metal illustration, and raw expressionism, making him one of the most genuinely singular voices in the medium today.
CVR (Cover)CVR A: The Standard Edition. This is the primary artwork found in most retail shops.
CVR B (and beyond): The Variant Edition. "B" is the first alternative cover, followed by C, D, and so on. These are often produced in smaller quantities than Cover A.
VAR (Variant)Definition: Short for Variant.Purpose: A general label confirming the book is an alternative cover option rather than the standard retail edition. These are often used to showcase guest artists or celebrate special milestones.
CARD STOCK Material: A thicker, stiffer, and more premium paper (similar to a business card).Benefits: Highly durable and resistant to "spine ticks" (small structural cracks) or corner bending.
Standard covers use thin, glossy paper; Card Stock is the "deluxe" physical upgrade.
FOIL (Foil Variant)Effect: A special edition where parts (or all) of the cover are printed with metallic, reflective foil.
Visuals: Provides a shimmering, high-end look that catches the light. These are typically priced higher and sought after for their "shelf appeal."
Artist Name (Variant Credit)Context: Usually follows the "CVR" designation (e.g., CVR B - Jimenez).
Collectability: Many collectors buy books specifically for the cover artist. A "Store Variant" or "Ratio Variant" is often defined by the prestige of the artist involved.
New Releases: Sold direct-from-distributor. While handled with care, we do not guarantee specific numerical grades or "mint" condition.
Back Issues: Sold As-Is.
Imagery: We primarily use stock photography.
Inquiries: Specific condition photos are available upon request—please contact us before purchase.
Professional Grading: We do not guarantee that any raw book will achieve a specific grade (e.g., CGC/CBCS) once submitted to a third-party service.
We know that for collectors, condition is everything. That’s why we don’t cut corners on packaging. To ensure your comics arrive in the same condition they left our shop, every order is secured using industry-leading materials:
Gemini Comic Flash Mailers: Specifically engineered for comic books, these mailers feature integrated structural ribs and a multi-depth design that prevents corner dings and edge wear during transit.
Corrugated Filler Pads: We sandwich your comics between rigid filler pads to provide an extra layer of puncture resistance and to prevent any shifting or bending inside the package.
The Result: Professional-grade protection that stands up to the rigors of the postal service, so you can unbox with confidence.
30-Day Money Back Guarantee If for any reason you are not satisfied with your purchase, you may return it within 30 days. Please note the following regarding comic conditions:
Grading Consistency: We do not guarantee that comics will achieve specific professional grading levels (e.g., CGC/CBCS).
Minor Wear: Industry-standard imperfections—including minor spine ticks, small color breaks, printer defects, or slight corner wear—are not considered grounds for returns, credits, or replacements.