Spider-Man Syroco Exclusive to Comic-Con International

DARK HORSE UNVEILS THE 2011 COMIC-CON EXCLUSIVE MARVEL SPIDER-MAN SYROCO!

JUNE 23, MILWAUKIE, OR—As part of the recently announced Marvel Syrocos program, it is announced today that these highly anticipated statues will make their debut at next month’s Comic-Con International in San Diego!

Comic-Con attendees will have a very significant opportunity to acquire a special statue of none other than Spider-Man. He is shown as half Peter Parker and half Spider-Man. Only one thousand numbered copies of this statuette are being offered. It is packaged in the same litho-printed tin box that is the hallmark of the Dark Horse Syrocos, and seems destined to be a bona fide hot item, both at Comic-Con and far beyond the exhibit hall. It will be sold at the normal retail price of $49.99, with a limit of four per customer.

“We couldn’t think of a more appropriate venue to launch this truly collectible series than Comic-Con,” Dark Horse product development VP David Scroggy remarked, “and a Spider-Man limited edition of only one thousand pieces makes this a scarce item. It gave us the opportunity to recall one of the early treatments by artist Steve Ditko, where we see both of Spidey’s identities simultaneously. Our spider sense is tingling, and the message is a quick sellout at the show.”

As previously announced, the program will begin in September 2011 with two alternating series: Classic Marvel Characters and the Fantastic Four. This new line will be deliberately different than the common modern Marvel collectible sculpture, with features like a rougher surface texture, visible seam lines, and other slightly “distressed” aspects, such as the method of paint application.

These special Comic-Con exclusives will be available at six p.m. on Wednesday, July 20. Don’t miss your chance to own one of these fantastic statues!

Leroy Douresseaux on EARP: SAINTS FOR SINNERS #4

EARP: SAINTS FOR SINNERS #4 (OF 4)
RADICAL PUBLISHING

CREATORS: Matt Cirulnick and David Manpearl
STORY: Matt Cirulnick
WRITER: M. Zachary Sherman
ARTIST: Colin Lorimer
COLORS: Kyushik Shin
LETTERS: Rus Wooton
COVER: Alex Maleev
28pp, Color, $3.50

Writers Matt Cirulnick and David Manpearl have created Earp: Saints for Sinners, a comic book miniseries from Radical Publishing. This science fiction with a Western flair takes the classic Western hero, Wyatt Earp, and puts him in a near-future, dystopian setting. With a story by Matt Cirulnick, a script by M. Zachary Sherman, and art by Colin Lorimer and Kyushik Shin (colors), Earp: Saints for Sinners turns out to be a good, violent action graphic novel.

This re-imagined Wyatt Earp rides rough after an event called “Black Thirty,” which sets off a second Great Depression. Out of the chaos rose a new type of bank robber, and Earp was the man who brought them in to justice or shot down the ones he didn’t bring in. After his brother, Virgil Earp, was killed in a train robbery, Wyatt retired and became a businessman, opening the AOK Saloon in the only boomtown left in America, Las Vegas.

As Earp: Saints for Sinners #4 opens, Morgan Earp is dead. Morgan is dead by the hand of Alan Pinkerton and his private security group, Pinkerton Security, in the service of Mayor John Flynn, owner of Flynn Casino and Mayor of Las Vegas. Now, Wyatt Earp is coming for Pinkerton and he’s bringing Hell with him. That’s Hell in the form of Jesse James, a modern day Robin Hood, and the Jesse James Gang, and, of course, Earp’s old pal, Doc Holliday.

Newly reappointed U.S. Marshal Wyatt Earp and his deputized army race through the desert to the Pinkerton compound. Earp and Doc Holliday also have scores to settle, and a woman, Josephine “Josie” Marcus, to rescue.

Earp: Saints for Sinners saves its best for last in this fourth issue. This science fiction and crime comic book is part Michael Mann urban action and part John Ford Western. Its finale delivers the gun smoke, the rat-a-tat, and the cap-popping action. Ultimately, Earp: Saints for Sinners does what a book should usually do – leave us wanting more.

A-

Leroy Douresseaux on THE GOON #34

THE GOON #34
DARK HORSE COMICS

CARTOONIST: Eric Powell
32pp, Color, $3.50

The fan-favorite comic book, The Goon, makes a welcomed return to comic book shop this week. Created by Eric Powell, The Goon follows the adventures of the title character, a kind of gangster/thug with a penchant for manhandling supernatural foes.

The Goon #34 begins with the Goon and his pal, Franky, putting a beat down a band of “sparkly vampires” (a swipe at the Twilight book series and film franchise). The bulk of the story has the children of the McGreg Home for Illegitimate, Wayward, and Possibly Homicidal Youth seeking out the Goon’s help in dealing with a monstrous new member of their brood. But to get the Goon’s help, they will have to get him in a condition that may take him out of condition for the big fight.

One doesn’t have to read more than a few pages to see why The Goon is so beloved by its fans and followers. This is only the second time I’ve read this comic book and I think it’s a delight. Except for its price point, The Goon, in particularly this 34th issue, is the perfect comic book, not only for new readers, but also for people already reading comic books. It’s a self-contained story, and a damn good read, with Powell’s gorgeous art – a cartoony style that captures the feel of pulp fiction horror and Saturday morning cartoons. The Goon represents that magical something about comic books that first captured our hearts and wedded us to this medium.

I think the Twilight snark is funny, but I doubt Twilight creator Stephenie Meyer and Summit Entertainment could give a crap, even if they knew about this. They’re laughing all the way to the bank.

A

Kimi Ni Todoke: Someone He Likes

I read Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You, Vol. 9

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which has FREE smart phone apps).

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 28 2011

DC COMICS

APR110239 AMERICAN VAMPIRE #16 (MR) $2.99

MAR110349 AQUAMAN DEATH OF A PRINCE TP $29.99

APR110156 BATMAN ARKHAM CITY #3 (OF 5) $2.99

MAR110294 BATMAN INCORPORATED #7 $2.99

MAR110340 BATMAN KNIGHT AND SQUIRE TP $14.99

APR110224 CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK #61 $2.99

APR110152 DETECTIVE COMICS #878 $2.99

APR110140 FLASHPOINT GREEN ARROW INDUSTRIES #1 $2.99

APR110136 FLASHPOINT HAL JORDAN #1 (OF 3) $2.99

APR110134 FLASHPOINT PROJECT SUPERMAN #1 (OF 3) $2.99

APR110141 FLASHPOINT THE CANTERBURY CRICKET #1 $2.99

APR110164 GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #24 $2.99

APR110099 GREEN LANTERN EMERALD WARRIORS #11 (WAR OF GL) $2.99

MAR110266 GREEN LANTERN MOVIE PREQUEL HAL JORDAN #1 $2.99

OCT100352 JLA CLASSIC ICONS SER 1 BATMAN AF PI

OCT100351 JLA CLASSIC ICONS SER 1 GREEN LANTERN AF PI

OCT100353 JLA CLASSIC ICONS SER 1 SUPERMAN AF PI

OCT100350 JLA CLASSIC ICONS SER 1 WONDER WOMAN AF PI

APR110177 JSA 80 PAGE GIANT 2011 #1 $5.99

APR110178 JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #52 $2.99

APR110227 MAD MAGAZINE #510 $5.99

MAR110377 RATCHET AND CLANK TP $17.99

MAR110345 RED ROBIN HIT LIST TP $17.99

APR110254 SCALPED #50 (MR) $2.99

APR110182 THUNDER AGENTS #8 $2.99

NOV100232 THUNDER AGENTS ARCHIVES HC VOL 07 $59.99

OCT100341 WONDER WOMAN #600 STATUE $125.00

APR110170 WONDER WOMAN #612 $2.99

APR110187 XOMBI #4 $2.99

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 29 2011

MARVEL COMICS

APR110615 ALL WINNERS SQUAD BAND OF HEROES #1 (OF 8) $2.99

APR110597 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #664 $3.99

APR110596 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN BIG TIME #1 $5.99

APR110573 AVENGERS CHILDRENS CRUSADE #6 (OF 9) $3.99

APR110582 CAPTAIN AMERICA AMERICAS AVENGER #1 $4.99

APR110580 CAPTAIN AMERICA FIRST VENGEANCE #4 (OF 4) $2.99

APR110581 CAPTAIN AMERICA REBIRTH #1 $4.99

APR110714 DAREDEVIL REBORN PREM HC $19.99

APR110721 DAREDEVIL YELLOW TP $19.99

APR110733 DEADPOOL DEAD HEAD REDEMPTION TP $15.99

APR110738 ESSENTIAL SPIDER-MAN TP VOL 10 $19.99

APR110537 FEAR ITSELF BLACK WIDOW #1 FEAR $3.99

APR110612 FF #5 $2.99

APR110589 INCREDIBLE HULK & HUMAN TORCH FROM MARVEL VAULT #1 $2.99

APR110588 INCREDIBLE HULKS ANNUAL #1 $3.99

APR110630 IRON AGE #1 (OF 3) $4.99

APR110723 MARVEL UNIVERSE VS PUNISHER TP $14.99

APR110618 MARVEL UNIVERSE VS WOLVERINE #1 (OF 4) $3.99

APR110624 MARVEL ZOMBIES SUPREME #5 (OF 5) $3.99

APR110679 MMW MIGHTY THOR TP VOL 03 $24.99

APR110680 MMW MIGHTY THOR TP VOL 03 DM VAR ED 30 $24.99

APR110729 ONE MONTH TO LIVE TP $14.99

APR110725 SHE-HULKS TP HUNT FOR INTELLIGENCIA $14.99

APR110737 SPIDER-MAN ORIGINAL CLONE SAGA TP $39.99

JAN110827 THING PREM HC LIBERTY LEGION DM VAR ED 69 $24.99

APR110688 THOR TP BLOOD AND THUNDER $34.99

AUG100552 ULTIMATE COMICS X #5 $3.99

APR110717 ULTIMATE SIX PREM HC $24.99

APR110637 UNCANNY X-MEN #539 $3.99

APR110600 VENOM #4 $2.99

APR110647 WOLVERINE BEST THERE IS #7 $3.99

APR110724 X-FORCE TP SEX AND VIOLENCE $14.99

APR110651 X-MEN PRELUDE TO SCHISM #4 (OF 04) $2.99

IDW from Diamond Distributors for June 28 2011

IDW PUBLISHING

APR110380 ANGEL HC VOL 03 THE WOLF THE RAM AND THE HEART $24.99

APR110361 DUNGEONS & DRAGONS HC VOL 01 SHADOWPLAGUE $24.99

APR110387 SOMETHING MONSTROUS GN $17.99

APR110311 TRANSFORMERS HEART OF DARKNESS #4 $3.99

Dark Horse from Diamond Distributors for June 29 2011

DARK HORSE COMICS

SEP108093 BLADE O/T IMMORTAL TP VOL 04 ON SILENT WINGS $14.99

MAR110037 ANGEL OMNIBUS (DH ED) TP VOL 01 $24.99

MAR110039 CREEPY ARCHIVES HC VOL 10 $49.99

APR110036 CREEPY COMICS #6 $4.99

APR110028 GOON #34 $3.50

FEB110039 OH MY GODDESS RTL TP VOL 18 $11.99

APR110037 STRANGE CASE OF MR HYDE #3 (OF 4) $3.50

FEB110019 SUPERNATURAL NOIR $19.99

APR110020 USAGI YOJIMBO #138 $3.50

SEP108185 USAGI YOJIMBO TP VOL 19 FATHERS & SONS NEW PTG $15.99

SEP108186 USAGI YOJIMBO TP VOL 21 MOTHER OF MOUNTAINS NEW PTG $15.99

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 29 2011

IMAGE COMICS

JAN110650 ARTIFACTS #8 (OF 13) CVR A CANETE $3.99

JAN110651 ARTIFACTS #8 (OF 13) CVR B CHRISTOPHER $3.99

APR118218 BUTCHER BAKER RIGHTEOUS MAKER #3 VAR CVR 2ND PTG (MR) $2.99

APR110497 BUTCHER BAKER RIGHTEOUS MAKER #4 (MR) $2.99

APR110498 DAOMU #5 (MR) $2.99

APR110501 DRUMS #2 (OF 4) $2.99

APR110509 LAST MORTAL #2 (OF 4) $3.99

DEC100512 MAGDALENA #7 CVR A CHA $3.99

DEC100513 MAGDALENA #7 CVR B BLAKE II $3.99

APR110520 SKULLKICKERS #8 $2.99

APR118191 SUPER DINOSAUR #2 VAR CVR 2ND PTG $2.99

APR110522 SUPER DINOSAUR #3 $2.99

APR110524 WALKING DEAD #86 (MR) $2.99

APR110529 WALKING DEAD WEEKLY #26 (MR) $2.99

APR110397 WITCH DOCTOR #1 (OF 4) $2.99

Comics and Magazines from Diamond Distributors for June 29 2011

PREVIEWS PUBLICATIONS
MAY110001 PREVIEWS #274 JULY 2011 PI

COMICS
APR111081 AIR GEAR GN VOL 18 (MR) $10.99

APR110862 AMORY WARS KEEPING SECRETS OF SILENT EARTH 3 #12 (OF 12) $3.99

APR111242 BETRAYAL KNOWS MY NAME GN VOL 01 (MR) $18.99

APR110790 BETTY & VERONICA #254 $2.99

MAY111111 CIVIL WAR ADVENTURE GN COMPLETE $14.95

FEB111311 CONFESSIONS OF 100 HOTTEST PORN STARS SC (MR) $19.99

MAY110864 CROSSED PSYCHOPATH #1 (OF 7) EMERALD CITY (MR) $5.99

MAY110865 CROSSED PSYCHOPATH #3 (OF 7) AUXILIARY (MR) $3.99

MAR111041 DANGER GIRL ARMY OF DARKNESS #2 $3.99

FEB111154 DEADMAN WONDERLAND GN VOL 05 (OF 8) (MR) $10.99

MAY111015 DEATH OF ZORRO #5 $3.99

APR111021 DF GRIMM MYTHS & LEGENDS #5 EXC CVR $16.99

MAR111118 DF TRUE BLOOD #4 EXC CVR (MR) $9.99

MAR110961 DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP #24 (OF 24) $3.99

APR111127 EARP SAINTS FOR SINNERS #4 (OF 4) (MR) $3.50

MAR111148 FARM 54 HC $25.00

FEB111155 FATE STAY NIGHT GN VOL 11 (OF 12) $10.99

APR111143 FORGOTTEN FANTASY SUNDAY COMICS 1900-1915 HC $125.00

MAY110785 FUBAR GN VAR CVR NEW PTG (MR) $11.99

MAR111358 GFT WONDERLAND ANNUAL 2011 A CVR CHEN $5.99

MAR111359 GFT WONDERLAND ANNUAL 2011 B CVR DEBALFO $5.99

FEB111152 GHOSTFACE GN VOL 01 $17.99

APR110763 GOBS #1 (OF 4) $3.99

MAR110839 GOLD DIGGER TP VOL 06 GOLD BRICK COLL $59.95

JAN111133 GREEN HORNET STRIKES #8 $3.99

APR110966 HACK SLASH EVA MONSTERS BALL #2 (MR) $3.99

FEB111163 HANAKO & TERROR OF ALLEGORY GN VOL 04 (OF 4) (MR) $10.99

FEB111160 HAPPY CAFE GN VOL 08 (OF 15) $10.99

APR111243 HIGURASHI WHEN THEY CRY GN VOL 13 EYE OPENING ARC PT 3 (MR) $11.99

MAR111195 HONEY WEST ANNE FRANCIS COMM GOLD ED $5.99

MAR111196 HONEY WEST ANNE FRANCIS COMM RED ACS CHARITY ED $6.99

MAR111169 I AM LEGION SC (MR) $19.95

MAR111170 INCAL CLASSIC COLLECTION HC (HUMANOIDS ED) (MR) $44.95

APR110873 INCORRUPTIBLE #19 $3.99

MAR111172 KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #175 $4.99

APR110772 KUNG FU PANDA #2 (OF 4) $3.95

MAY110957 LADY DEATH (ONGOING) #2 GRAVEYARD $9.99

MAY110958 LADY DEATH (ONGOING) #3 AUXILIARY $3.99

FEB110714 LITTLE GREEN MEN ITS A BIG WORLD AFTER ALL GN $6.95

FEB111168 LUCILLE GN (MR) $29.95

FEB111158 MAID SHOKUN GN VOL 01 (MR) $10.99

MAR111095 MOON & BLOOD GN VOL 01 $6.95

MAY111076 MORE THAN COMPLETE ACTION PHILOSOPHERS TP (SEP090822) $24.95

MAR111332 MTG PATH OF THE PLANESWALKER GN VOL 02 $17.95

MAR111338 MY GIRLFRIENDS A GEEK GN VOL 03 $11.99

APR111083 NEGIMA NEO GN VOL 07 (OF 7) (MR) $10.99

APR111255 NEVERLAND GFT DREAM EATER ONE SHOT (PT 5) GARZA CVR B (MR) $2.99

APR111254 NEVERLAND GFT DREAM EATER ONE SHOT (PT 5) RHANDOLPH CVR A $2.99

MAY110866 NIGHT O/T LIVING DEAD DEATH VALLEY #1 (OF 5) C2E2 (MR) $5.99

FEB111153 PRIEST PURGATORY GN VOL 02 (MR) $19.99

APR110982 PROJECT SUPERPOWERS BLACK TERROR TP VOL 03 INHUMAN REMAINS $16.99

APR111135 RICHELLE MEAD DARK SWAN #2 STORM BORN (MR) $3.99

APR110771 RICHIE RICH #2 (OF 4) $3.95

APR111244 SASAMEKE GN VOL 02 $20.99

FEB111157 SGT FROG GN VOL 21 $10.99

APR110858 SIMPSONS SUPER SPECTACULAR #13 $2.99

APR111124 SIXTH GUN #12 $3.99

APR110798 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #226 $2.99

APR111245 SOUL EATER TP VOL 06 $11.99

MAR111342 SUNSHINE SKETCH TP VOL 05 $11.99

APR111246 TALE OF WANING MOON GN VOL 02 (MR) $12.99

APR110921 TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE TP VOL 09 (MR) $24.99

APR110943 VAMPIRELLA SCARLET LEGION #2 $3.99

APR111252 WONDERLAND GFT DREAM EATER ONE SHOT (PT 4) CHA CVR A (MR) $3.99

APR111253 WONDERLAND GFT DREAM EATER ONE SHOT (PT 4) PATTERSON CVR B $3.99

APR110801 WORLD OF ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #8 $3.99

APR111078 YAKUZA MOON TRUE STORY OF GANGSTERS DAUGHTER GN $15.95

MAGAZINES
MAR111435 CINEMA RETRO #20 $11.99
FEB111267 DC BLACKEST NIGHT FIG COLL MAG #8 WHITE LANTERN $14.00
FEB111270 DC SUPERHERO FIG COLL MAG #82 DR MID NITE $14.00
MAY111377 DOC SAVAGE DOUBLE NOVEL VOL 45 BAMA CVR $14.95
APR111320 FANGORIA #306 $8.99
MAR111164 HEAVY METAL SUMMER 2011 (MR) $6.95
MAY111350 SCARY MONSTERS 2011 YEARBOOK MONSTER MEMORIES #19 $8.95
APR111324 SCARY MONSTERS MAGAZINE #79 $8.95
MAY111379 SHADOW DOUBLE NOVEL VOL 50 $14.95
APR111326 UNDYING MONSTERS MAGAZINE #0 SPECIAL COLL ISSUE $9.95

Nura Rise of the Yokai Clan: The Nura Clan Assembly

I read Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan, Vol. 3

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which has FREE smart phone apps).

I Reads You Review: DENGEKI DAISY, VOL. 04

Creators: Kyousuke Motomi with JN Productions (translation)
Publishing Information: VIZ Media, B&W, paperback, 192 pages, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN
Ordering Numbers: ISBN: 978-1-4215-3730-6

Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”

Not only is she an orphan, but Teru Kurebayshi also lost her brother, Soichiro. She isn’t alone, however. Teru exchanges text messages with DAISY, a mysterious figure who can only be reached through a cell phone Soichiro left her. Meanwhile, another mysterious figure comes into Teru’s life, Tasuku Kurosaki, a janitor who is always around when she needs him.

As Dengeki Daisy, Vol. 4 opens, Teru is still reeling from her discover that Kurosaki is really DAISY. What should she do? Should she tell Kurosaki that she knows his secret? Meanwhile, someone else is pretending to be DAISY and is sending viruses to Teru’s classmates, who blame her for the problems the DAISY virus causes them. But this is more than just a prank, and someone may be out to hurt Teru.

The creator of Dengeki Daisy, Kyousuke Motomi, is also the creator of Beast Master. Both series are shojo manga high school romances that match a lovelorn girl with a wild boy type. Talk about star-crossed lovers; sometimes you can’t help but think that the girl is in danger because of her beastly male love interest.

Dengeki Daisy is an edgy romantic drama, sometimes frivolous and sometimes surprisingly dark. For my tastes, this series is too moody and the narrative is drought-condition dry. However, the fake DAISY hacker storyline is fun to read, full of intrigue, classroom squabbles, teen angst, and incidents of bullying. This is a good storyline because there is mystery, conflict, and danger, and it is enough to get me back for a fifth volume – something I thought not possible.

B

Disney Comics App Launches and It's FREE

Disney Publishing Worldwide Launches Disney Comics App for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch

Over 80 Years of Disney Comics Are Now Available to Readers Digitally, Including Mickey Mouse, Cinderella, Cars 2 and More

Fans can Tweet the Release Using the #DisneyComics Hashtag

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Disney Publishing Worldwide announced today its new Disney Comics App for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch is now available on the App Store. Disney Comics gives readers instant access to one of the most extensive collections of comics, short stories and graphic novels ever created, ranging from classic adventures starring Mickey Mouse to brand new comics from Toy Story and Cars 2.

The launch collection includes more than 50 comics for readers of all ages and features Disney classic characters like Donald Duck; Disney-Pixar comics featuring Toy Story’s Buzz and Woody; Disney Channel-inspired content including High School Musical; and feature film-based comics based on Tron: Legacy and Tangled. Disney Publishing will release two new titles each week following the launch.

The Disney Comics App will launch in the U.S. and will also be available on the App Store in over 80 countries across the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Additional markets will launch Disney Comics later this year.

“Comics are a tremendous part of our heritage and we see great potential and interest in bringing our extensive catalog of Disney Comics to mobile devices,” said Russell Hampton, President, Disney Publishing Worldwide. “We create over 25,000 original comic pages each year and it’s critical that we deliver this content to our readers around the world. We have over 1 billion Disney comic readers today, and our Disney Comics App will further broaden that audience.”

The Disney Comics App offers a new, director-style reading experience; readers can choose portrait or landscape mode, automatic or manual smart paneling, and can view double spreads. Disney Comics also enables readers to preview comics before making a purchase, share their stories with Facebook friends, and save all content to their iPad, iPhone or iPod touch for offline reading. An added feature lets readers receive automatic updates when stories relating to a favorite Disney character become available.

The Disney Comics App is available for free from the App Store on iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch, or at www.itunes.com/appstore. Individual stories are $.99 and themed bundles are available for $3.99 through In-App Purchase.

For more information, visit www.disney.com/disneycomics and www.facebook.com/DisneyDigitalBooks, or follow @DisneyDigiBooks on Twitter.

Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW) is the world’s largest publisher of children’s books and magazines, with over 250 million children’s books and over 400 million children’s magazines sold each year. Disney Publishing Worldwide consists of an extensive worldwide licensing structure as well as vertically integrated publishing imprints including Disney Book Group in the U.S., Disney Libri in Italy and Disney Libros in Spain. DPW publishes a range of children’s magazines globally including Topolino, Le Journal de Mickey, and Donald Duck, as well as family titles in the U.S. which include Disney FamilyFun and Phineas and Ferb. Disney English is DPW’s English language learning business which includes Disney English schools in China and a worldwide retail licensing program. DPW’s digital products include bestselling eBook titles as well as original apps. Headquartered in White Plains, NY, Disney Publishing Worldwide publishes books, magazines, and digital products in 85 countries in 75 languages. For more information visit http://www.disneypublishing.com/.

Dark Horse Announces "Scary Godmother" for Halloween

DARK HORSE PARTNERS WITH DIAMOND TO OFFER RETAILERS A SPECIAL SCARY GODMOTHER HALLOWEEN ASHCAN!

JUNE 22, MILWAUKIE, OR—Dark Horse offers comics fans of all ages something special this Halloween that won’t rot your teeth! Sized perfectly for just about any trick-or-treat bag, this Halloween ashcan of Jill Thompson’s Scary Godmother is a perfect alternative to Halloween candy.

This special giveaway features the story “Tea for Orson,” from the Scary Godmother hardcover collection, released by Dark Horse last fall. Follow Harry and Orson on a fun eleven-page quest to sneak into a tea party, hosted by none other than Scary Godmother herself! As an added bonus, this Halloween treat features a two-page short, “Wild about Harry.”

Jill Thompson is a New York Times best-selling graphic novelist, as well as the winner of multiple Eisner Awards for her work on Scary Godmother (2001), The Dark Horse Book of Hauntings (2004), The Dark Horse Book of Witchcraft (2005), and The Dark Horse Book of Monsters (2007). Recently, she became the first female artist to win the highly coveted National Cartoonists Society Award, for her work on the Dark Horse series Beasts of Burden.

Retailers can order these special ashcans in packs of twenty-five, as a great giveaway item on the spookiest holiday of the year!

Naruto: Sasuke vs. Danzo

I read Naruto, Vol. 51 (Naruto (Graphic Novels))

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which has FREE smart phone apps).

Dark Horse Provides Retailer Incentives for Eric Powell's Chimichanga

GET YOUR CHIMICHANGA!

FRESH RETAIL INCENTIVE FROM DARK HORSE COMICS!

June 21, MILWAUKIE, OR—Eric Powell, the Eisner Award–winning creator of The Goon, takes readers on the road with a traveling show populated by a bizarre and endearing cast of characters in Chimichanga ($14.99), his first-ever tale for audiences of all ages!

In celebration of this release, Dark Horse and creator Eric Powell have extended their initial order incentive. Now through July 6, for every three copies of the hardcover that you order, you will receive one free copy of the original issue #1—signed by Eric Powell!

Originally a three-issue limited series, Chimichanga was hailed by Broken Frontier as “full of that youthful vigor that makes The Goon such a delight,” and it’s just one event in what assistant editor Daniel Chabon described to consumers as “the return of Eric Powell”:

“His hit series The Goon comes back in its bimonthly schedule, a new Billy the Kid series is on the horizon, and on September 28, get ready for his first all-ages book, Chimichanga—a story about an adorable little bearded girl who must save her ailing sideshow with the help of a large, green, googly-eyed behemoth she gets from a witch’s magic egg.



“Has that piqued your interest yet? Our deluxe hardcover edition will feature all the previously published Chimichanga comics; a brand-new ten-page story made especially for this edition and colored by Eisner Award winner Dave Stewart, and some early concept designs and sketches. Be sure to grab a copy of this book, because you’re in for a treat!”



About Dark Horse Comics
Since 1986, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way, and comics legend Will Eisner, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as the Mask, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Additionally, its highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Emily the Strange, Tim Burton, Trigun, Serenity, and Domo. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic-book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading publishers of licensed comics material.

Leroy Douresseaux on CONAN ROAD OF KINGS #6

CONAN: ROAD OF KINGS #6
DARK HORSE COMICS

WRITER: Roy Thomas
PENCILS: Mike Hawthorne
INKS: John Lucas
COLORS: Dan Jackson
LETTERS: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
COVER: Doug Wheatley
32pp, Color, $3.50

Conan: Road of Kings is the third ongoing Conan series from Dark Horse Comics, following Conan (50 issues, 2004-2008) and Conan the Cimmerian (25 issues, 2008-2010). Scheduled to run 12 issues, Conan: Road of Kings is written by Conan storytelling legend, Roy Thomas.

Road of Kings follows Conan as he travels from the easternmost edge to the westernmost shores of the map of the Hyborian age (drawn by Robert E. Howard, the creator of Conan). To reach his destination, Conan must trek the fabled Road of Kings that winds its way through the civilized kingdoms. Along the way, he helps people fight against monsters, malevolent magic, and the power-mad, while also protecting his own skin.

As Conan: Road of Kings #6 begins, our favorite sullen-eyed, dark-haired barbarian is in the capitol of Ophir, specifically in the palace of King Kennak. There, he prepares to rescue the king’s daughter, Olivia, from a death sentence pronounced by her own father! The real culprit, however, is Olivia’s stepmother, Queen Sophonesba, whom Olivia believes killed her birth mother. Conan may have met his match, as Sophonesba has a mystic ring and the powerful astrologer, Necrodemus, on her side. Meanwhile, the sword-handed assassin, Gamesh, awaits Conan.

Roy Thomas is the most famous and prolific writer of Conan’s comic book adventures. One issue of a Roy Thomas Conan comic book is like three of another writer’s, because there are multiple subplots. This sixth issue of Road of Kings seems to be three tales: the rescue of Olivia, the guard Captain Jemal, and Olivia’s kidnapper Fharos; the royal family drama; and Conan’s battle against Gamesh. Honestly, while these stories are entertaining, they’re not slam dunk-exciting like Conan: Island of No Return, although the Gamesh battle offers a hot finish.

The art by penciller Mike Hawthorne and inker John Lucas is dynamic and clean, with excellent coloring by Dan Jackson. The art, however, looks like a better fit for an adventure comedy set in the sword and sorcery genre. The art is more slick than dramatic, although it does give the bloodletting an edge and also seems to work for the Gamesh battle at the end of this issue.

B+

Bluewater's Stephen King Biocomic Now in Stores

STEPHEN KING'S NEW COMIC BOOK BIOGRAPHY ” IN STORES JUNE 22nd.

Author Stephen King, the best-selling master of horror who has terrified a generation with his nightmarish imagination, helps give voice to his own tale in a special edition of Bluewater Productions' latest biography comic title “Orbit; Stephen King”. The comic book will will hit comic shops and online retailers on June 22nd. The 32-page comic retails for $3.99.

The book, which is by Michael Lent and Brian McCarthy and penciled by Kent Hurlburt and an amazing cover by Micha_ Szyksznian. To find a comic book store near you go to http://www.comicshoplocator.com/. The comic book will also be available at Barnes & Noble as well as Amazon.

Co-author Michael Lent says: “One story we confirmed concerned a young King witnessing a friend's accident involving a train (long thought to be a source of his macabre inspirations). Until now, the story was largely apocryphal and wasn't mentioned in King's autobiography. It's a great feeling when you can resolve something once and for all.”

“Orbit: Stephen King,” follows King's career from a struggling writer to prolific best-selling author. It includes insight on his legacy as a writer, his love of the Boston Red Sox, forays into film, drug and alcohol issues, and the accident that nearly cost him his life.

In writing about his near-death in 1999, the authors used King's own account along with police reports that differed from accounts given by some of the media, according to Lent.

“What really enlightened us were the similarities we found between Stephen King and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones. Both came from dirt-poor families. Both had talents that were shepherded by strong, supportive mothers. Both had absent fathers. Each practiced doggedly every day -- their talents weren't hobbies, but their salvation. It brought them fame and fortune, it sustained them during their darkest hours of drug addiction and it, literally, gave them both a road to recovery when their lives were nearly cut short in tragic accidents,” added co-author Brian McCarthy.

“Orbit” was launched in April 2011 with a focused skew towards a more male demographic. “When we weighed the possibilities of featuring personalities like King, Howard Stern, LeBron James, Gary Gygax and JRR Tolkien into our existing titles, the tone and tenor didn't match. Their enduring popularity and contributions to popular culture are worthy of coverage, but they needed a different voice in which to present the material. 'Orbit' fits that bill”. The biographies have been featured on CNN, The Tonight Show, Entertainment Tonight, FOX News and more.


About Bluewater Productions
Bluewater Productions Inc. is one of the top independent production studios of comic books, young adult books and graphic novels. Its extensive catalog of titles includes the bestsellers “10th Muse” and “The Legend of Isis” ”Bluewater publishes comic books in partnership with entertainment icon William Shatner (“TekWar Chronicles”), legendary filmmaker Ray Harryhausen (“Wrath of the Titans,” “Sinbad: Rogue of Mars,” “Jason and the Argonauts,” et al) and celebrated actor Vincent Price (“Vincent Price Presents”), Additionally, Bluewater publishes a highly successful line of biographical comics under the titles “Female Force” and “Political Power.”

Bluewater aims to unite cutting-edge art and engaging stories produced by its stable of the publishing industry's top artists and writers.

For more information, visit http://www.bluewaterprod.com/.

Leroy Douresseaux on RAGE #1

RAGE #1 (OF 3)
DARK HORSE BOOKS

SCRIPT: Arvid Nelson
PENCILS: Andrea Mutti
INKS: Pierluigi Baldassini
COLORS: Michael Atiyeh
LETTERS: Michael Heisler
COVER: Glenn Fabry (alternate cover by Stephan Martiniere)
32pp, Color, $3.50

Dark Horse Comics is publishing a comic book based upon Rage, the upcoming first-person shooter game from developer, id Software, creators of Doom and Quake, and publisher, Bethesda Softworks. The three-issue comic book miniseries is written by Arvid Nelson (the creator of Rex Mundi) and drawn by Andrea Mutti, and the story, entitled “After the Impact,” is an original tale and an introduction to the world of Rage.

In the back story of Rage, Asteroid 99942 – codename: Apophis – strikes Earth on April 13, 2037. Five billion people die within 24 hours. A tiny fraction of the population survives the attack by living in burrowing cryo arks, but they emerge to find Earth a wasteland controlled by a global military dictatorship called the Authority.

In Rage #1, Dr. Elizabeth Cadence emerges from her life-sustaining ark and is immediately confronted by murderous marauders. She is rescued by Authority forces and taken to their home base, The Dead City. Cadence is also familiar with an Authority officer, Casey. As a scientist, Dr. Cadence helps the Authority, but discovers that what she has learned is not the truth.

Between the title page synopsis and this first issue, comic book readers will have a nice introduction to the world of Rage, and they will certainly have an entertaining read in this comic book.

The script by Arvid Nelson is clean and streamlined, and Nelson manages to introduce the personalities of and the conflict between the two characters that are the focus (at least at this point), Dr. Cadence and Casey. The only problem here is that this first issue seems like a prologue to the real action, which, in the context of a three-issue miniseries, suggests that there may not be a lot of story in the series. [Of course, I could be wrong.]

Artist Andrea Mutti’s graphic style is perfect for this science fiction tale. Mutti’s clean compositions make for good storytelling, and Mutti has a knack for drawing faces that convey personality traits and complex emotions. Cover artist Glenn Fabry may be the big name here, but Mutti’s interior art is the star.

B+

http://www.rage.com/

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 22 2011

DC COMICS

APR110148 ACTION COMICS #902 (DOOMSDAY) $2.99

MAR110307 BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #40 $2.99

APR110157 BATMAN GATES OF GOTHAM #2 (OF 5) $2.99

MAR110343 BATMAN RED HOOD THE LOST DAYS TP $14.99

APR118163 BOOSTER GOLD 2ND PTG #44 (FLASHPOINT) $2.99

APR110142 BRIGHTEST DAY AFTERMATH THE SEARCH #1 (OF 3) $2.99

APR110240 DMZ #66 (MR) $2.99

APR110243 FABLES #106 (MR) $2.99

FEB110199 FIRST WAVE HC $29.99

APR110132 FLASHPOINT KID FLASH LOST #1 (OF 3) $2.99

APR110128 FLASHPOINT LOIS LANE AND THE RESISTANCE #1 (OF 3) $2.99

APR110130 FLASHPOINT THE OUTSIDER #1 (OF 3) $2.99

APR110139 FLASHPOINT THE REVERSE FLASH #1 $2.99

APR110179 GREEN ARROW #13 $2.99

MAR110406 GREEN LANTERN MOVIE 1:4 SCALE HAL JORDAN BUST $125.00

MAR110408 GREEN LANTERN MOVIE 1:4 SCALE SINESTRO BUST $125.00

MAR110398 GREEN LANTERN MOVIE HAL JORDAN MAQUETTE $195.00

APR110146 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #58 $2.99

MAR110376 KANE AND LYNCH TP (MR) $17.99

MAR110356 POWER GIRL BOMB SQUAD TP $14.99

APR110175 SPIRIT #15 $2.99

APR110165 SUPERMAN #712 $2.99

OCT100347 ULTIMATE SHOWDOWN SUPERMAN VS BIZARRO STATUE SET $175.00

APR110253 VERTIGO RESURRECTED SANDMAN PRESENTS PETREFAX #1 (MR) $7.99

APR110223 YOUNG JUSTICE #5 $2.99

APR110188 ZATANNA #14 $2.99

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 22 2011

MARVEL COMICS

APR110720 AVENGERS VS PET AVENGERS GN TP $14.99

APR110611 BLACK PANTHER MAN WITHOUT FEAR #520 $2.99

APR110728 BLACK WIDOW TP NAME OF ROSE $16.99

APR110577 CAPTAIN AMERICA #619 $3.99

APR110744 CAPTAIN AMERICA BY STEVE MCNIVEN POSTER $8.99

APR110594 CARNAGE #5 (OF 5) $3.99

APR110560 CARS 2 #1 (OF 2) $3.99

APR110634 DEADPOOL #39 $2.99

JAN110820 DEADPOOL HC VOL 01 $39.99

APR110561 DISNEY PIXAR PRESENTS CARS 2 $5.99

JAN110824 DR STRANGE PREM HC INTO DARK DIMENSION $24.99

APR110614 FANTASTIC FOUR LAST STAND #1 $4.99

APR118056 FEAR ITSELF #2 (OF 7) 2ND PTG MCNIVEN VAR FEAR (PP #972) $3.99

APR118057 FREE X-MEN SCHISM SPIDER-ISLAND POSTER PI

APR110709 IMPOSSIBLE MAN TP $34.99

APR110591 INCREDIBLE HULKS #631 $2.99

APR110551 IRON MAN 2.0 #6 FEAR $2.99

APR118012 JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #622 2ND PTG VAR FEAR (PP #972) $3.99

APR118063 JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #623 2ND PTG VAR FEAR (PP #972) $2.99

MAR110696 MARVEL ZOMBIE CHRISTMAS CAROL #2 (OF 5) $3.99

APR118013 MIGHTY THOR #1 2ND PTG VAR (PP #972) $3.99

APR110584 MIGHTY THOR #3 $3.99

APR118062 MOON KNIGHT #1 2ND PTG MALEEV VAR (PP #972) $3.99

APR110621 MYSTERY MEN #2 (OF 5) $2.99

APR110699 MYSTIQUE BY SEAN MCKEEVER ULTIMATE COLLECTION TP $24.99

APR110656 NAMOR FIRST MUTANT #11 $2.99

APR110661 NEW MUTANTS #26 $2.99

APR110730 NYX TP VOL 01 WANNABE TP NEW PTG $19.99

APR110742 RUNAWAYS TP VOL 06 PARENTAL GUIDANCE DIGEST NEW PTG $9.99

APR110549 SECRET AVENGERS #14 FEAR $3.99

APR110713 SECRET AVENGERS PREM HC VOL 02 EYES OF DRAGON $24.99

APR110556 SIGIL #4 (OF 4) $2.99

APR110623 SILVER SURFER #5 (OF 5) $2.99

APR110602 SPIDER-MAN #15 $2.99

JAN110826 THING PREM HC LIBERTY LEGION $24.99

APR110555 THUNDERBOLTS #159 FEAR $4.99

APR110715 ULT COMICS SPIDER-MAN PREM HC DEATH PRELUDE $24.99

APR110716 ULT COMICS SPIDER-MAN PREM HC DEATH PRELUDE DM VAR $24.99

APR110567 ULTIMATE AVENGERS VS NEW ULTIMATES #5 (OF 6) DOSM $3.99

APR110569 ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #160 DOSM $3.99

APR118011 VENOM #1 3RD PTG QUESADA VAR (PP #972) $3.99

APR110640 WOLVERINE #11 $3.99

APR110731 X-FACTOR TP VOL 11 HAPPENINGS IN VEGAS $14.99

APR110693 X-MEN AGE OF X HC $29.99

APR110692 X-MEN GREAT POWER PREM HC $24.99

APR110653 X-MEN LEGACY #251 $2.99

APR110695 X-MEN SECOND COMING REVELATIONS TP $19.99

APR110694 X-MEN SECOND COMING TP $34.99

IDW from Diamond Distributors for June 22 2011

IDW PUBLISHING

APR110341 COBRA ONGOING #2 $3.99

APR110296 INFESTATION OUTBREAK #1 (OF 4) $3.99

APR110300 JOHN BYRNE NEXT MEN #7 $3.99

FEB110371 MISS FURY HC $49.99

APR110302 NEXT MEN HC VOL 01 $21.99

APR110288 ROCKETEER ADVENTURES #2 (OF 4) $3.99

MAR110505 SUICIDE GIRLS #3 (OF 4) (MR) $3.99

APR110317 TRANSFORMERS 3 MOVIE ADAPTATION #3 (OF 4) $3.99