In this interview recorded at San Diego Comic-Con 2022, Owen Cotter talks with GenSeven Comics publisher Allen Ling. We go over his amazing new 130 page hard back graphic novel “Genesis II”, as well as his new titles he has released and their plots. Allen is looking to have them adapted for television by a network for the fans to enjoy in live-action.
Video Credit: 4biddenTV
By Jessica Thomas | Read the original review
Scientist Daniel lives in a San Francisco of the future where familiar architecture mingles with aquatic upgrades to keep the city’s population afloat. Drones rule the skies above while corporations have seized power after the government crumbled into ruin. To enforce their authority, private military factions have swept in to exert their hostile and violent strength over vulnerable residents. Daniel’s estranged childhood friend and scientist Lisa has just captured the interest of one of these corporations with her coveted thermal ID technology. Eager to use it for nefarious and deadly purposes, Lisa is taken hostage by the corporation’s despotic CEO. In order to save her life and the lives of everyone around the globe, Daniel and his cadre of genetically-enhanced animals must stop the malicious corporation in its tracks.
The first in a series of graphic novels, GENESIS II is an action-packed, ambitious debut entry. Some of the storytelling elements may feel very familiar to longtime fans of comic books and popular science fiction franchises, but GENESIS II uses these as a jumping-off point to build a fascinating, and at times brutal world of its own.
Beautiful artwork with stunning backdrops and vivid colors help flesh out this unique take on San Francisco—from Daniel’s gritty underwater laboratory to the manmade island of the evil tyrant Vogt where his armada of weaponized boats keep guard. The characters are just as memorable; Lisa in particular is a formidable presence all her own, her words just as sharp as her fists. While she does need Daniel’s help in escaping the clutches of Vogt and protecting her life’s work, she never comes across as a damsel in distress. The narrative moves along at quite a clip, introducing supercharged robots, faceless warriors, and sleek technology to pile on the conflict.
Daniel’s genetically-enhanced “GMO animal hybrids” round out his superhero team, each with their own exceptional attributes. Ardo, Daniel’s half-canine, half-armadillo hybrid makes for a fierce, armored protector. All of them have their own personalities, too, and their origins lend some intrigue to the story. GENESIS II both concludes in a satisfying way while teasing threads of more to come, promising future adventures in this exciting new series.
GENESIS II mixes familiar science fiction elements to offer a vividly rendered superhero tale with a cast of unique and memorable characters. An interesting take on a future America, this first installment promises adventure and high-stakes action.
~Jessica Thomas for IndieReader
Review by jotaf | View original LitPick review
In Genesis II, Daniel lives on a semi-dystopian Earth where all of humanity is ruled by fear. Drone attacks, viruses, and the occasional evil robot are only a few of Earth’s worries. These problems pale in comparison to the real danger that is soon to face all of humanity, though. That danger comes in the form of a man named Vogt. Every human alive knows the name, because they either work for him, oppose him, or survive in fear of his onslaught of terrorism. His only goal is to wipe out the entire human population and repopulate the Earth with genetically modified organisms. He has already taken control of half of the Earth’s governments, with the other half soon to follow. The only thing he needs to achieve his goal is a certain piece of newly created technology. This technology can locate any person within a five-hundred-mile radius. This would allow him to take out the few remaining people in the world that have the power to end his reign of terror. The future looks bleak, but with the help of Daniel’s creations and his friends, he just might be able to save humanity.
Opinion:
Genesis II is a beautifully drawn graphic novel. I don’t read very many graphic novels, so when I picked out this one, I was in for a pleasant surprise. The storyline was really interesting, and I loved how the tale played out. The characters were also quite appealing, so getting to know them and the world they live in was really enjoyable. I did have a couple problems with the story, though. I felt like it was missing a few extra panels. Every once in a while, a character asked something and it didn’t seem like they got a response yet acted like they had. Beyond that, I wished the story was just a little bit longer; even 10-20 more pages would have done the trick. It does work as a complete story as is, but I feel like it would be even better if it were expanded just a little bit more. Also, there would occasionally be a misuse in grammar, such as “Time to backup up all the data…” All in all, though, this was a great read, and I would recommend it to anyone ages twelve and up who enjoys graphic novels.
Article by Zennie Abraham on July 16, 2018
At San Diego Comic-Con 2018, Genesis II will launch its first in the series of comic books under the Genesis II brand.
Allen Ling’s (the founder of Genesis II) close friendship with the actor Daniel Wu (of AMC’s “Into the Badlands and the “Tomb Raider” reboot) inspired one of the lead characters, “Daniel”. The Genesis II team at San Diego Comic-Con consists of creative bosses Mr. Ling, Christian Boe and Eisner award-winning comic creato and editor, Mel Smith.
Genesis II is set in near-future San Francisco, where humans have mastered space travel and interspecies genetic engineering. Governments are in shambles worst than ever, and corporations operate as nation-states with private militia. Lisa, a scientist researching groundbreaking – and potentially world-ending– technology, has attracted the attention of a malevolent corporate tyrant. Daniel, along with his GMO animal hybrid guardians, fights to save Lisa and prevent global genocide.
Genesis II Comics is a venture whose seed was planted long ago. As a rather active child, Allen Ling’s parents used to bribe him with comic books, which held his attention and kept him still (for a while). A passion for storytelling, visual expression and sharing with like-minded friends is something that catalyzed Allen’s entrepreneurial energy and boundless possibilities. As the son of Chinese immigrants, Allen was also a dutiful son who went to college, and dedicated himself to being successful to make his family proud.
But creating an innovative physical therapy practice, music production, real estate development and farming ventures were not enough. And success brought on its own challenges. Divorce, co- parenting two children, a near fatal bout with cancer, and the untimely death of his father were multiple wake up calls. As he was rebuilding his life, he realized that the creative lifestyle he envisioned early on was never fully realized and he needed to address
his passion for comic books. Having grown companies with fearlessness, Allen’s new venture, Genesis II Comics, is no different.
Mimicking aspects from his own life, Genesis II is about change, the future, reinventing yourself, taking chances, and fighting evil. It’s also about the deep love between two longtime friends, and the sacrifices we all make to preserve that friendship.
Comic-Con ’18 – Photo Montage
About Genesis II at San Diego Comic-Con 2018
Genesis II Comics is a new media company dedicated to creating fun, groundbreaking media content across a range of digital channels. The company’s first book in the series is being launched during San Diego Comic-Con 2018.
The co-creators of the Genesis II graphic novel, Allen Ling and Christian Boe, met in 2014, through a mutual acquaintance. Allen had wanted to do a graphic novel but needed the energy and talent of a young artist to be able to complete this ambitious project. Christian and Allen had some things common; they both recently lost their fathers, guitar playing, snob java drinking and a tremendous passion for comics.
Another friend of Allen’s introduced him to Mel Smith, who became the project manager and editor, and graphic novel sifu (the chinese word for a person with a mastery of skill) at the middle of the last year of production. And just in the nick of time. He proceeded to recruit more help for the covers, lavish splash pages that Allen envisioned (but was too lazy to draw or even sketch out for Christian), a colorist so Christian can focus on just line drawing and composition, and a seasoned “letterist”. Mel helped placement for dialogue, and then coached Allen “osmotically” to write the book’s voice and thought balloons as well as captions in a comic book format.
Andrew Brown interviews Genesis II Illustrator, Christian Boe
For more information about Genesis II, the team, preview the first book in the Genesis II series and to purchase, please go to www.genesisiicomics.com.
Reviewed by Oscar
Rating: High Five
Who I’d Recommend to: Fans of the Lunar Chronicles, Outer Bounds, and Legends of Zero
Synopsis: Set in near-future San Francisco. Humans have mastered space travel and interspecies genetic engineering. Governments are in shambles, and corporations operate as nation-states with paid militia. Lisa, a scientist researching ground-breaking – and potentially world-ending – technology, has attracted the attention of a malevolent corporate tyrant. Daniel, along with his GMO animal hybrid guardians, fights to save Lisa and prevent global genocide.
Thoughts: Genesis II is amazing. I love, love, love this graphic novel. Before I read Genesis II, I actually never read a graphic novel from start to finish. However, now that I read my first graphic novel, I want to read more. I really enjoyed how Allen Ling and Christian Boe created such interesting and creative characters. For example, I love how Ozzie Musk over comes his fear of flying to save the day. I also liked how Christian Boe drew such creative, fantastic characters and scenery. Another thing that made me impressed about this graphic novel is how everything from the future seems probable. For example, there are drones flying every where and there is a colony started by Elon Musk on Mars. Overall, I love, love, love, this amazing, creative, interesting graphic novel.
NOTE: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review. All thoughts are my own.