Winter City, the premier comic of the Australian publisher of the same name. It’s been popping up in a few places after a long hiatus. The artwork and atmosphere feel very enthralling, to the point that the company got on the news a couple times. Personally I found it on Comixology Submit, before it folded into Amazon Kindle. For a while, this series and company were on the top of the world. But despite a planned twelve-issue release, only 8 issues exist including inked pages up to issue 11. What happened? Wait I should tell you why people like it first.
Winter City: The Comic
Winter City follows Sam Winters. Sam was abandoned by his sex worker mother to live with his unhinged uncle Norman. Norman was far from nurturing, wishing to toughen Sam up like the men in their family. This family was full of military men with Norman having a bit of trauma he didn’t get help for. That and the guy enjoys killing the pigs he slaughters and encourages the same for Sam. In his mind he’s trying to make a man out Sam, especially with bullies. But with how Norman abuses Sam and treats him like a servant, it’s easy to see past the delusion.
Sam meanwhile found love with his religious neighbor Casey. Joining her church, Sam gets exposed to the communal preaching. While it’s always good to find faith, the evangelical fanaticism proves to be another bad influence. Sure Sam found happiness compared to his Uncle, but with the church’s talk on smiting the wicked rather than spreading hope adds another layer to him breaking.
Sam is very much a product of his environment, with Casey being what kept him stable. Like when Casey gets hurt by the neighborhood bullies, Sam flies into a rage. He murders them and proceeds to slaughter his uncle for years of abuse. Somehow he and Casey marry and started a family before they’re murdered by a real estate mogul. Sam was the whistleblower to an attempted coverup of a financial crime. He somehow survived the killing with only an eye missing and spends his time in a mental hospital.
Is There A City Named After Him?
Which now brings us to the titular city and the Winter Ripper. Now despite appearances, unlike Spawn, there’s nothing supernatural about him. Those glowing eyes are just night vision goggles Sam stole from his uncle. The metal suit is also Sam’s design from taking up blacksmithing. Armed with two wide and retractable short swords and lateral marine tactics, this grim reaper targets the people responsible for the coverup.
Look it’s obvious that this is Sam in armor preaching lines from his time in that church. I just have to acknowledge that there’s a plot hole. He went missing after his family massacre yet the mental hospital he’s at doesn’t tell anyone he’s there? If not for the official description, I would’ve thought that Sam was just helping the Ripper out.
Why People Love Winter City?
Winter City is not simply about a deranged vigilante, its appeal comes from the thrill of Sam’s fall. Throughout the 8 issues, readers feel the tragedies that make Sam who he is, as well as the mysteries that unravel. Amid all of the visceral action by Pablo Verdugo Munoz’s drawings, there are intense confrontations. As scenes unfold, it’s like layers of a conspiracy come together. Bits and pieces of information systematically paint a picture.
Some of the lettering by co-writer Patrick Purcell convey what influences Sam’s descent into madness. Some of his uncle’s more deranged talk is accented differently in both font and dialogue balloon, looking very similar to the Ripper’s. Combining this with the fire and brimstone sermons Sam experiences, his hallucinations of the Angel of Death talking to him create something terrifying.
Yet the other co-writer Carl Purcell makes it clear through an empathetic link just how tragic Sam is. After all of the hardships, shouldn’t Sam get some justice? Especially when the laws of man prove not to be enough? This is a gripping scenario that look at the very limits of humanity. This entire premise was praised by multiple parties including a number of podcasts who spread word around.
What Happened?
As for why this series never went past its 8th issue. All of the answers could be found on its Facebook page. Nothing as dramatic as folding because Comixology got absorbed into Amazon; neither was it internal politics or drama. The truth is the quality artwork went overbudget in both time and money. The Purcells are currently working long hours just to keep Winter City’s lights on. Or at least that’s what Patrick said in 2017.
There were times that the website had gone offline. If what I do to keep this website running in any indication, all of the services and fees can pile up. Frankly I wonder if they’re up to. With services in Australia like a database and creator-first stores like Ownaindi, they could certainly have an easier time with marketing. For that matter there are plenty of places to sell comics than just their website: Indyplanet, DriveThru, Comic Distro.
The ink’s not dry yet when it comes to Winter City, so maybe we can hold up on hope for a big finish. Thanks for coming to the end and as always remember to look between the panels.