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Copra #7-12
Copra: Round Two
GENOCIDE AIN'T A PRETTY THING TO SEE.
BUT THERE'S NO TIME TO MOURN WHEN YOUR FACE IS AT THE EDGE OF THE GUN. SCARRED, DESPERATE, AND ALONE, COPRA'S GONNA CLEAR THEIR NAME IN A BRUTAL RECKONING WITH THE FORCES THAT SCREWED THEM OVER AND SOLD THEM OUT.
This is it. COPRA ROUND TWO: the second volume of Michel Fiffe's unmatched juggernaut of self-published violence. Collecting the sold-out issues 7-12 of the series for the first time, get ready to catch ahold of the comics sidewinder that ripped a hole in the side of the world.
BUT THERE'S NO TIME TO MOURN WHEN YOUR FACE IS AT THE EDGE OF THE GUN. SCARRED, DESPERATE, AND ALONE, COPRA'S GONNA CLEAR THEIR NAME IN A BRUTAL RECKONING WITH THE FORCES THAT SCREWED THEM OVER AND SOLD THEM OUT.
This is it. COPRA ROUND TWO: the second volume of Michel Fiffe's unmatched juggernaut of self-published violence. Collecting the sold-out issues 7-12 of the series for the first time, get ready to catch ahold of the comics sidewinder that ripped a hole in the side of the world.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2015
About the author
Michel Fiffe
125 books75 followersMichel Fiffe is the creator of the action series COPRA, published by Bergen Street Press, and the intimately surreal Zegas, collected by Fantagraphics. He's worked with Marvel, Valiant, and BOOM! and continues to serialize COPRA when he's not writing massive essays on comics of note. Fiffe has produced Bloodstrike: Brutalists (Image Comics) and G.I. Joe: Sierra Muerte (IDW) in their entirety and has recently launched a new title, Negativeland.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
April 26, 2020
I thought the plot in places was even more incomprehensible than the first volume. I'm still not sure what happened at the end of the big confrontation with Sonia's boss. The star here is still the inventive art. Fiffe experiments with a lot of different techniques, particularly the coloring, yet it still integrates into the whole.
November 17, 2018
Even better than Round One. Fiffe's plotting has grown a little more coherent and sophisticated, but plot still takes a backseat to the character interactions and the wildly imaginative art. Fiffe's got a lot of affection for his bickering anti-heroes, but he doesn't shy away from showing the physical and psychological consequences of the violence they commit in a manner that more mainstream comics are unable or unwilling to do.
In terms of art, I don't know if there's anybody better at synthesizing a wide range of influences into a singular whole. There's bits of Kirby and Ditko an Norm Breyfogle and Walt Simonson, but also lots of indie influences ranging from Michael DeForge to Los Bros Hernandez. Fiffe has a masterful sense of tension and pacing, and an impressive ability to make the tiny character moments as exciting as the big splash pages. Character designs are, as usual, a joy. An amorphous villain made out of what looks like cotton candy or chewed-up bubble gum is the highlight here. There's also an added emphasis on architecture and landscapes. An aerial battle above an otherworldly city reminded me of Moebius' work in "The Incal," and Fiffe's version of the astral realm is wonderfully disorienting.
In terms of art, I don't know if there's anybody better at synthesizing a wide range of influences into a singular whole. There's bits of Kirby and Ditko an Norm Breyfogle and Walt Simonson, but also lots of indie influences ranging from Michael DeForge to Los Bros Hernandez. Fiffe has a masterful sense of tension and pacing, and an impressive ability to make the tiny character moments as exciting as the big splash pages. Character designs are, as usual, a joy. An amorphous villain made out of what looks like cotton candy or chewed-up bubble gum is the highlight here. There's also an added emphasis on architecture and landscapes. An aerial battle above an otherworldly city reminded me of Moebius' work in "The Incal," and Fiffe's version of the astral realm is wonderfully disorienting.
February 14, 2016
I enjoyed Round Two much better than Round One. Where Round One was more about action and setting the whole Copra world up, Round Two took the time to tell us more about the characters. I don't mind a good bit of superhero action, but for me it should be plot and characterization first and action second. Round Two delivers that.
October 5, 2022
A bit confusing at parts, focus on plot building and suspense and less on fights and action. Still loving the fighting visuals!
October 2, 2019
The second volume of Copra improves upon the formula that Fiffe used in the first book.
This book slows things down to present alot more characterization. Which did a world of difference. In volume one, we are kind of left wondering: "I wonder which Marvel or DC character this guy is supposed to be?" But Fiffe gives us backstory to most of the cast in this one, allowing us to connect further and actually care about what happens to them.
The pace is also slowed down so we get an intro fight, buildup, then outro fight. And this works really well to let us breathe a bit in the middle and really get into the mind of each of the characters and how their feeling as well as their motivations. Of course the plot is expanded upon and we get a glimpse of what's coming down the road as well and overall, I felt this volume was much more cohesive and direct in its story telling and we are all the more lucky for it.
The art is also kicked up a notch mixing more traditional comic art with surreal and experimental drawings. The art can be incredible at times and the innovation is out of this world. I really appreciated the imagination and passion that Fiffe puts into the book. You can feel that energy of him creating something he loves as it resonates off of every page.
Recommended for fans of action comics!
This book slows things down to present alot more characterization. Which did a world of difference. In volume one, we are kind of left wondering: "I wonder which Marvel or DC character this guy is supposed to be?" But Fiffe gives us backstory to most of the cast in this one, allowing us to connect further and actually care about what happens to them.
The pace is also slowed down so we get an intro fight, buildup, then outro fight. And this works really well to let us breathe a bit in the middle and really get into the mind of each of the characters and how their feeling as well as their motivations. Of course the plot is expanded upon and we get a glimpse of what's coming down the road as well and overall, I felt this volume was much more cohesive and direct in its story telling and we are all the more lucky for it.
The art is also kicked up a notch mixing more traditional comic art with surreal and experimental drawings. The art can be incredible at times and the innovation is out of this world. I really appreciated the imagination and passion that Fiffe puts into the book. You can feel that energy of him creating something he loves as it resonates off of every page.
Recommended for fans of action comics!
September 30, 2024
I finished Copra, vol. 2 and it gets better and better. It is certainly a intruging read. The effored that i spent when i was reading one of the issues that mostly described the personality and background of Copra memebers put a strain on my brain and that created this hard to describe unpleasent feeling. It was weird, when i turned and took a look at the issue, it was a good read yet after i finished it, i had this unpleasent feeling because my brain was tired.
The rest of the issues after that issue were alot easier reads, i am greateful for that. (HA HA) Copra can be a hard read that requires a good focus, even if that, i was still confused at some parts and i couldn't memories all the Copra teams character names yet, but that is just because i don't have photographic memory... My damn intelegence level... Eh, what are you gonna do. I have to live with this intelegence level and try to make the most of it. (HA HA)
I really like the art and coloring in Copra, it is really unique among all the super hero comics. As i read the second volume, i recognised some of the Copra team were Marvel Comics inspired characters.
Vincent (the inspiration was definetly Marvel's Doctor Strange)
Franco Castillo (the inspiration was definetly Marvel's Punisher)
And i can't remember the name of the character, but there was a Copra member inspired by Captain Boomerang and i really liked how rest of the team looked down on him. (HA HA) He was considered a vile disgusting low life even by all those other team members who were murderers and thieves, in short criminals, villains. That cracked me up each time that i saw this boomer stand in guy on a panel. (HA HA)
Yeah, i believe stand in is the right word for most of copra characters. I think i get what Michel Fiffe do here. He wants to use both Marvel and DC Comics characters in his Suicide Squad team, he wants to have creative freedom, but the team and the characters are blong to DC Comics and Marvel Comics so there is no way that he can use them so he changed the name of the team and created these stand in characters. This is acutally a indie Suicide Squad Book and i really really like that and want to see where the book will go.
By Stand in characters, i don't mean the only differences were the names of the characters. Some of the costumes were abit different as well and there were some surprises, for axample Franco Castillo (who was a stand in for Punisher) was also a cyborg, half machine, half human and i really liked his face, somehow when i look at his face on the panel, i go like this face suits Punisher really well, a total Punisher face. (HA HA) Franco Castillo's costume was a classic Punisher costume though, right down to the skull on the chest and white glows and boots. (HA HA)
I liked Vincent character who was a stand in for Doctor Strange in the Copra team and that made me want to read Doctor Strange Comics as a comics reader who has never been interested with Doctor Strange Comics, even if i saw the MCU films. I kind of want to check out some Doctor Strange Comics right now.
The rest of the issues after that issue were alot easier reads, i am greateful for that. (HA HA) Copra can be a hard read that requires a good focus, even if that, i was still confused at some parts and i couldn't memories all the Copra teams character names yet, but that is just because i don't have photographic memory... My damn intelegence level... Eh, what are you gonna do. I have to live with this intelegence level and try to make the most of it. (HA HA)
I really like the art and coloring in Copra, it is really unique among all the super hero comics. As i read the second volume, i recognised some of the Copra team were Marvel Comics inspired characters.
Vincent (the inspiration was definetly Marvel's Doctor Strange)
Franco Castillo (the inspiration was definetly Marvel's Punisher)
And i can't remember the name of the character, but there was a Copra member inspired by Captain Boomerang and i really liked how rest of the team looked down on him. (HA HA) He was considered a vile disgusting low life even by all those other team members who were murderers and thieves, in short criminals, villains. That cracked me up each time that i saw this boomer stand in guy on a panel. (HA HA)
Yeah, i believe stand in is the right word for most of copra characters. I think i get what Michel Fiffe do here. He wants to use both Marvel and DC Comics characters in his Suicide Squad team, he wants to have creative freedom, but the team and the characters are blong to DC Comics and Marvel Comics so there is no way that he can use them so he changed the name of the team and created these stand in characters. This is acutally a indie Suicide Squad Book and i really really like that and want to see where the book will go.
By Stand in characters, i don't mean the only differences were the names of the characters. Some of the costumes were abit different as well and there were some surprises, for axample Franco Castillo (who was a stand in for Punisher) was also a cyborg, half machine, half human and i really liked his face, somehow when i look at his face on the panel, i go like this face suits Punisher really well, a total Punisher face. (HA HA) Franco Castillo's costume was a classic Punisher costume though, right down to the skull on the chest and white glows and boots. (HA HA)
I liked Vincent character who was a stand in for Doctor Strange in the Copra team and that made me want to read Doctor Strange Comics as a comics reader who has never been interested with Doctor Strange Comics, even if i saw the MCU films. I kind of want to check out some Doctor Strange Comics right now.
April 27, 2021
This is a fairly strange series about a ragtag group of super-mercenaries sent on suicide missions. It is ambitious and original while also being derivative and amateurish. It had many strengths, each one countered by a serious flaw in the work. It is the kind of series you want to support because it is in its way, a triumph of self-publishing. And yet, there are so many times it pushes you away with its weirdness, or a serious lapse in its quality.
First, the good. Michel Fiffe brings a truly original energy to this story, and the way in which the narrative unspools can be pretty interesting. Visually, some amazing stuff is done with composition and layout. And there is a willingness to defy genre that is admirable,
Now, the bad. This book is basically a collection of Fiffe’s favorite characters from other published comics, with their serial numbers filed off. And in some cases, not even that - the Punisher guy still walks around with a skull on his chest, and the Deadshot guy looks very much like Deadshot. How Image got away with publishing this without a letter from both Marvel and DC’s legal departments will remains a great mystery.
Now, the ugly. The story often takes weird skips without transition, making it hard to follow. The lettering is often difficult to read because it just isn’t done well. The action gets psychedelic, which sometimes is perfect and sometimes just looks weird and off-putting.
All in all, COPRA is a series with a lot to recommend it, but with some serious caveats along the way. One imagines that if Fiffe simply wrote and penciled this, had an editor, and also had a different inker and lettered, this would have figured out its own problems and become something truly spectacular and meta. But it doesn’t do these things and never quite shakes the feeling that you’re not reading a published comic, but the pages of your friend’s high school drawing book.
First, the good. Michel Fiffe brings a truly original energy to this story, and the way in which the narrative unspools can be pretty interesting. Visually, some amazing stuff is done with composition and layout. And there is a willingness to defy genre that is admirable,
Now, the bad. This book is basically a collection of Fiffe’s favorite characters from other published comics, with their serial numbers filed off. And in some cases, not even that - the Punisher guy still walks around with a skull on his chest, and the Deadshot guy looks very much like Deadshot. How Image got away with publishing this without a letter from both Marvel and DC’s legal departments will remains a great mystery.
Now, the ugly. The story often takes weird skips without transition, making it hard to follow. The lettering is often difficult to read because it just isn’t done well. The action gets psychedelic, which sometimes is perfect and sometimes just looks weird and off-putting.
All in all, COPRA is a series with a lot to recommend it, but with some serious caveats along the way. One imagines that if Fiffe simply wrote and penciled this, had an editor, and also had a different inker and lettered, this would have figured out its own problems and become something truly spectacular and meta. But it doesn’t do these things and never quite shakes the feeling that you’re not reading a published comic, but the pages of your friend’s high school drawing book.
November 28, 2021
The adventures of Copra continue at a whole new level of complexity but bring the battle to a whole other dimension. This was only a matter of time, I suppose, given all that had happened in the first volume. But what is waiting for them may be more than they can handle - not that they've been facing entirely "fair" odds ever since the first betrayal.
The book still lives up to its action comic tagline with even crazier depictions of the complex fighting that Copra gets involved with. On the surface I'm sure may relate this to other independent comic efforts with some surreal artistic depictions like MIND MGMT, but whereas that used the structure of an espionage story, this book is all about superheroes. Or at the very least super-powered individuals just trying to do their best.
By the end of the book, it felt like there was significantly increased use of more silent panels to depict reactions, rising tension, and even some of the action. And it takes a certain amount of creative bravery to do that and just let the art speak for itself, but it works to great effect.
And as much as this is a story about super-powered misfits doing their best, that doesn't mean the narrative structure doesn't continue to include reveals that feel a lot more like a spy story - or maybe a James Bond story. There's a lot of moving parts to this story and it seems we may spend years picking apart this book in order to try to figure out every single plot element seeded into this title.
The book still lives up to its action comic tagline with even crazier depictions of the complex fighting that Copra gets involved with. On the surface I'm sure may relate this to other independent comic efforts with some surreal artistic depictions like MIND MGMT, but whereas that used the structure of an espionage story, this book is all about superheroes. Or at the very least super-powered individuals just trying to do their best.
By the end of the book, it felt like there was significantly increased use of more silent panels to depict reactions, rising tension, and even some of the action. And it takes a certain amount of creative bravery to do that and just let the art speak for itself, but it works to great effect.
And as much as this is a story about super-powered misfits doing their best, that doesn't mean the narrative structure doesn't continue to include reveals that feel a lot more like a spy story - or maybe a James Bond story. There's a lot of moving parts to this story and it seems we may spend years picking apart this book in order to try to figure out every single plot element seeded into this title.
October 6, 2020
I'm just kind of exhausted with this series already. It's interesting in a way, and I like the art, and I want to enjoy it, but there is so much work and so little payoff so far. Too many characters with little to zero development, perplexing villains that we still don't really know anything about, no humor, incomprehensible action... It feels like there's a story in there somewhere, but I just don't have the energy to dig for it. This was part of a comics humble bundle I purchased awhile back, so I already own the next several volumes, and maybe I'll come back to it at some point and give it another try, but for now? I'm out.
January 9, 2022
One could almost start with this one, as there is a bit more method behind the madness. But still plenty of madness, double-cross and ambush human/robo/bugs. The prison chain notion to give characters some freedom, but to underscore the kill-or-kill-be-killed stakes it doesn't matter.
Mostly the DIY nature of the art/packaging compels me to keep an eye out the next in the series, my kids explained some of Squad symbolism, and while I see others refer to Grant Morrison's Doom Patrol, I think that is a more superior polished road to take. Although surely as insane, and the unpolished charm here is strong. Feels new even if there are reference points.
Mostly the DIY nature of the art/packaging compels me to keep an eye out the next in the series, my kids explained some of Squad symbolism, and while I see others refer to Grant Morrison's Doom Patrol, I think that is a more superior polished road to take. Although surely as insane, and the unpolished charm here is strong. Feels new even if there are reference points.
September 24, 2024
Os membros da Copra continuam tentando limpar seu nome. Depois do Rax ajudar os membros da Copra numa missão, alguns dos integrantes da Copra vão até a dimensão dele ajudá-lo. E é a mesma dimensão de onde veio o fragmento que destruiu a cidade do Benny. As lutas e sequências de ação que o Fiffe produz são ótimas e dinâmicas. Já me acostumei com os desenhos dele e aí consigo aproveitar melhor a história. Mas mesmo assim não é uma história completamente imperdível. E acho interessante como o Fiffe termina um plot já emendando com o plot e arco seguintes. Me deixa curioso em continuar com a história.
May 11, 2019
En general este arco es mejor que el anterior aunque igual tiene altibajos. El #7 por ejemplo es casi perfecto y en los siguientes números a veces uno no sabe que está pasando y sin embargo cierra bien con el #12 . El dibujo a veces no ayuda a seguir la trama pero, al menos para mi, es imposible no admirar la crudeza del estilo de Michel Fiffe.
February 4, 2019
Not quite as earth-shattering in its experimental-action layouts as the first volume, but this second volume deepens the conspiracy plotting and continues with Fiffe's absolutely stunning art. I cannot wait to read later volumes!
September 8, 2020
AAAAHHH! I LOVE THIS COMIC!
Literally, this is the only title I've found that can capture the feel and tone of what comic books *used* to be, before they became franchise fodder. Such an breath of fresh air.
Literally, this is the only title I've found that can capture the feel and tone of what comic books *used* to be, before they became franchise fodder. Such an breath of fresh air.
March 10, 2024
Better lettering, more details about the members of Copra, but not much about the group itself, or it's peers - just a lot of mindless shooting and zapping. It's still readable, but you need more than a 100 watt bulb to get the words straight in your mind.
May 16, 2017
I cannot get enough of Fiffe's art, and the way he pairs character development with savage action sequences is superlative.
October 22, 2017
It's stylish, packed with action and honest. And with the awesome cliff-hanger in the end.
However, it feels a little bit rushed & more of the same stuff I've seen in Vol. 1
However, it feels a little bit rushed & more of the same stuff I've seen in Vol. 1
May 28, 2019
A madly genius art comic riff on Suicide Squad, written and drawn by Michel Fiffe, who has a scary amount of comic knowledge and an art style that is unlike anyone else. Now that Image is reprinting it, I am excited for Copra to get into as many hands as possible.
December 19, 2019
The conclusion to the first year of Copra, this is Michel Fiffe coming into his own with amazing art and great storytelling.
July 30, 2020
This series has great visual flair. As the plot becomes broader it's getting a little harder to follow. That's pretty typical of Western comics though.
June 26, 2021
A little hard to follow the details at times but worth a read for the raw, vibrant art, and the overall suspense of the plot. This series is still a unique experience.
January 27, 2022
This is a really solid series. I have really enjoyed Michael Fiffe's take on some very similar characters to DC and Marvel. Looking forward to volume 3.
August 8, 2023
The art is its own worse enemy, sometimes its balls to the wall 11/10 creativity, which also holds it back cause I can't understand WTF is going on.
April 30, 2015
An astonishing burst of artistic creativity, although the tough-guy dialogue needs more character and originality.
July 13, 2015
I continue to be deeply in awe of (and even more jealous of) Michel Fiffe. Copra is the most comics comic I have ever had the pleasure to experience.
August 25, 2015
Utter madness on the page. One of the most compelling comics you'll ever read.
June 19, 2016
Excellent!
Fife is a master of the medium, using graphic design and tropes to play with ideas and how the reader interacts with the world he has created.
Fife is a master of the medium, using graphic design and tropes to play with ideas and how the reader interacts with the world he has created.
November 1, 2016
This was an excellent volume which built upon the last issue so well. Felt like I had a better understanding of the group and their motivations. The dialogue was top notch as usual.
September 11, 2015
I enjoyed this less than the first volume. Michel Fiffe is a better artist than a writer.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews