Robotika

Niko, the Steampunk Samurai, is in Her Majesty’s service. But is he a faithful royal bodyguard, or a for-hire yojimbo? A perfect warrior, or a soulless weapon? Follow Niko on his journey of self-discovery with Uri Bronski and Cherokee Geisha, as the Three Yojimbo discover a world populated by silent samurai, fast talking geisha, deadly mecha-betsushikime, digital djihits and morphing butterflies. Writer/illustrator Ales Sheikman is best know for his illustrations from a variety of role playing games published by White Wolf, Holistic Design, Steve Jackson Games, and Goodman Games.

“Evoking classic science fiction, traditional samurai tales, and the timeless hero’s journey, Alex Sheikman’s story also has touches of the western, the action/adventure, the mystery, as well as the alternative, conspiratorial fiction of J. G. Ballard and Philip K. Dick. Then, to engage the reader even more, Sheikman remixes this mélange of genres with a pulp storytelling sensibility that nevertheless confronts the reader with some deep questions about what it means to be “human”… The result is a fresh and startling amalgam...”

-- Dexter K. Flowers, www.brokenfrontier.com

“If you miss the old HEAVY METAL, this is the book for you: very interesting art with gorgeous coloring and production… Sheikman could be a superstar.”

-- Steven Grant, Permanent Damage

“…Sheikman’s imaginative, textured world is a fun place to travel in. And his art – evocative of Ryan Sook, Tony Harris and Guy Davis at different times – is a pleasure to simply stare at.”

-- J. Caleb Mozzocco, Columbus Alive

“Alex Sheikman handily proves himself to be an awesomely talented artist with a cinematic, kinetic, almost effortless visual style that flows as gracefully from one panel to the next as a Ukrainian figure skater...”

-- David Moran, www.silverbulletcomics.com

“The script is thoughtful and deliberate and the book looks stunning. The action is thrilling and the art stylish and bold….A-.”

-- Tom McLean, Variety

“Alex Sheikman’s enigmatic, gorgeous and often brutally humorous dystopian vision continues to impress and overwhelm. Robotika mixes aspects of sci-fi, samurai and pulp sensibility with rock solid storytelling and an eye for stunning design. Decidedly different, often strange pushed to the brink of self-parody, this is one of the most unique visions I’ve encountered in comics on either side of the millennium.”

-- Bill Baker, Blood in the Gutters

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