Egyptian Gods and Classic Crime Noir

Comics News
Egyptian Gods and Classic Crime Noir
By Hervé St.Louis
June 17, 2005 - 13:37

Robert D. Roach of Hometown Productions joins International Enterprise. He brings to the fold the four-issue miniseries MENTHU and THE ROACH. Originally published in 2004 by Robert's own imprint, Black Ink Productions, Menthu will be debuting in a trade paperback by the end of this year, when the Roach's debut mini-series is scheduled to conclude.

"Bringing a superhero based on Egyptian mythology along with gritty crime noir, Robert has the varied talents we look for in creators, and hope to build with our own roster," comments International Rights Manager Tim Hegarty. "Robert is clearly a star who has been on a steady rise for some time, and with these titles available around the world, we will be to show him to foreign publishers just in time for his popularity to explode."

Born and raised in Indiana, Robert was encouraged by his parents to know more about different places and people, building a foundation and desire to learn that molded him as an artist and inspired him to travel all over the U.S. and abroad. "This mindset is what spawns creative commodities like MENTHU and THE ROACH, which tend to exceed a particular genre's stereotypes. For example, with Menthu, I really want the series to be MUCH more than an African version of mainstream mythology-based superheroes." As a result, Robert spent six years researching and shaping the story, so he could do the subject matter justice, and extended the same courtesy to the Roach.

It's a drag when you're a student in college one minute and an Egyptian god with the powers of the sun the next, or when the rival gangs you're playing against each other get off a lucky shot and clip you in the thigh - but Robert D. Roach pulls them both off with his own inimitable flair. Initially colored by Larry Welch and Bryan Taylor and re-colored by Robert himself, the full color artwork of Menthu will captivate readers the world over with its magic, and the tense, black-and-white linework of the Roach completely captures the story's climatic and nostalgic mood.

"I'm sure both Menthu and The Roach are stories that cross all demographics, oceans, national borders and languages. That's why Yumi (my wife) and I are so appreciative for this opportunity with International Enterprise to reach fans beyond North America. Thanks for inviting us into your homes--we won't track mud across your floors."