I Reads You Juniors June 2020 - Update #88

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Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

COMICS TO TV - From RadioTimes:  How is the Netflix's "Warrior Nun" TV series different from the "Warrior Nun" comic book series.

SCANDAL - From TheBeat:  On the heels of harassment allegations against comic book figures like Jason Latour, Scott Allie, and Cameron Stewart, to name a few, comes new allegations against veteran writer, Scott Lobdell.

COMICS TO FILM - From Deadline:  Nickelodeon is rebooting the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film series again.  This time the CG film will be produced by partners Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg.

MANGA - From BleedingCool:  Yen Press announces its latest fantasy manga, "Bestia."

LGBTQ - From CBR:  The site examines the work of influential gay manga creator, Gengoroh Tagame.

SCANDAL - From TheBeat:  Dark Horse Comics and its biggest star, Mike Mignola, release statements about their editorial pal, Scott Allie, who is allegedly a serial abuser.

BOOM STUDIOS - From BleedingCool:  Who is the secret superstar behind BOOM! Studios' secret comic book project.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Although DC Comics has replaced the print edition of its "Previews" catalog with the digital/PDF, "DC Connect," the publisher will offer a print "checklist poster."  Readers can fill in the poster and turn it into their local comic book shop.

BOOKSTORES - From TheBeat:  James Killen, the graphic novel buyer at Barnes & Noble for more than 20 years, was among those laid off at the embattled retailer this week

IN MEMORIAM - From CBR:  Artist and graphic designer, Milton Glaser, has died at the age of 91, Friday, June 26, 2020 (which was his birthday). Glaser was known for his iconic logo designs, such as DC Comics' "bullet logo" and the  "I ♥ NY" logo.

MARVEL-VIDEO GAMES - From CBR:  Square Enix has released nearly 8 minutes of footage of gameplay from its upcoming game, "Marvel's Avengers."

COMICS TO FILM - From ComicBookMovies: Actor Ron Perlman who played the character Hellboy in two films directed by Guillermo del Toro said he was offered the "opportunity to participate" in the "Hellboy" reboot, directed by Neil Marshall.  Perlman said the only version of Hellboy he is interested in is the one done by del Toro.

IN MEMORIAM - From BleedingCool:  The legendary comic book inker, Joe Sinnott, has died at the age of 93, Thursday, June 25, 2020.  He inked Marvel Comics' "Fantastic Four" from 1965 to 1981 and again in the 1980s.  He is also known for inking the pencil art of the late, great Jack Kirby.

MANGA-ANIME - From Newsweek:  The "Shaman King" manga is getting a rebooted anime.  The original anime adaptation ran from 2001 to 2002.  The rebooted anime series begins April 2021 in Japan.

COMICS - From TheBeat:  Former "Batgirl" writer Mairghread Scott comes forward about exclusion at DC Comics.

SCANDAL - From BleedingCool:  Charles Brownstein Resigns as Executive Director of the CBLDF (about damn time!).

DC CINEMA - From TheWrap:  Michael Keaton is in talks to reprise his role as "Batman/Bruce Wayne" in the planned "Flash" movie.  Keaton's return as Batman would introduce the idea of a multiverse.

DC/DIAMOND - From TheBeat:  Diamond Distributors will continue to distribute DC Comics in the United Kingdom until the end of 2020 and in the U.S. through the end of July 2020... reportedly.

SCANDAL - From BleedingCool:  Damn, now it's Warren Ellis being accused of abusing young women.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  DC Comics is ending the "DC Giants Line" that it began two years ago as an exclusive publications for Wal-Mart stores throughout the United States.  Now, Wal-marts will sell five different "four-packs" of comics, with each pack focusing on a DC character or team:  one Batman pack, one Superman pack, one Wonder Woman pack, one Aquaman pack, and one Justice League pack.  Each pack will cost $8.98.

SCANDAL - From BleedingCool:  Comic book writer and artist, Cameron Stewart, becomes the latest comics creator whose career hits a snag because of abuse allegations.  DC Comics withdrawn an unannounced comics project by Stewart from their schedule.

MILESTONE MEDIA - From CBR:  Denys Cowan, co-creator of the popular "Static" comic book (which became the "Static Shock" animated TV series), teases the possible return of Milestone Media.  Milestone was the imprint that published "Static," and there have been plans and rumors concerning its return for the last decade at least.  The last serious talk of a Milestone revival was in 2017.

IMAGE COMICS - From GamesRadar:  "The Walking Dead" comic book returns with the one-shot comic book, "Neegan Lives!."  It will be free and exclusive to comic book shops and there will be no digital or bookstore release.

MANGA - From BleedingCool:  Yen Press announces the arrival of the fantasy cookery manga, "Restaurant to Another World."

COMICS TO TV - From BleedingCool:  Copernicus Studios has signed a development deal to adapt Jim Zub and Edwin Huang and Chris Stevens "Skullkickers" comic book into an animated series.

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:  Marvel Comics' "X-Men" crossover event, "X of Swords," has gone from being a 15-part story to a 24-part story.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  DC Comics' Publisher and CCO, Jim Lee, has announced a DC Comics' "virtual comics convention."  The "DC FanDome" begins Sat., Aug. 22nd.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Writer Tom King and artist Trevor Von Eeden produced an unpublished "Black Lives Matter" comic book.  It was produced for DC Comics and was entitled, "Sources," and "Bleeding Cool" has copies of the script and art.

DC COMICS - From GamesRader:  DC Comics is promoting parent company WarnerMedia's streaming service, HBO Max, with custom comics.

COMICS - From TheBeat:  Vault Comics and Heavy Metal Entertainment enter a publishing partnership.

MANGA - From SoraNews:  There is a program in Japan in which prisoners draw background art, such as buildings, street scenes, and train stations, for manga.  And it is for sale to the public, including manga artists who don't want to draw background details.

COMIC SHOPS - From BleedingCool:   Five comic book stores announce permanent closure

MAD - From Previews:  "Mad Magazine" cartoonist, Al Jaffee, has retired at the age of 99.  He is the longest working cartoonist in history.  He started working for Timely and Atlas (the forerunners of Marvel Comics) in the early 1940s, and began drawing for Mad in 1955.

MEMORIAM - From Nippon:  Japanese manga artist, George Akiyama, died at the age of 77, May 12, 2020. He was best known for his controversial 1970s manga, "Asura" and "Zeni Geba."

MARVEL - From TheBeat:  There will be an all-new "Iron Man" comic book series written by Christopher Cantwell and drawn by CAFU.  Iron Man will sport a redesigned suit of armor designed by Alex Ross.

DC CINEMA - From Deadline:  Warner Bros. has movied the release date of "Wonder Woman 1984" from August 14th to October 2nd.

MEMORIAM - From BleedingCool:   The legendary comic book writer and editor, Dennis J. "Denny" O'Neil, has died at the age of 81, Thursday, June 11, 2020.  As a writer, his best known work is his controversial, acclaimed, and legendary run on DC Comics' "Green Lantern."  O'Neil wrote "Green Lantern #63," but the legend began with "Green Lantern #76" that had a cover reading "Green Lantern co-starring Green Arrow."  In that issues, O'Neill joined pencil artist Neal Adams and one of comic book's most legendary run's began.  As an editor, O'Neil edited Frank Miller's run on Marvel Comics' "Daredevil," and he was the "Batman" group editor from the 1980s and into the 1990s until he retired.

From GamesRader:  The comic book world reacts to the passing of Denny O'Neil.
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POLITICS - From KSDK:  Mediocre political cartoonist, Tom Stiglich, drew a thoroughly racist, anti-African-American cartoon, and the Washington (Missouri) Missourian newspaper published it.  The paper's co-owner and publisher, Bill Miller, Sr., eventually resigned because of he published it.

VALIANT - From BleedingCool:  Valiant Entertainment updates its publishing schedule for Summer 2020.

DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:  There is a new John Constantine miniseries being released under DC Comics' "Black Label" imprint.  The three-issue "Hellblazer: Rise and Fall" finds the rich and powerful dying.

DC COMICS - From TheBeat:  Brian Michael Bendis says that he is approaching the end of his time on the DC Comics titles, "Superman" and "Action Comics."

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Former DC Comics publisher, Dan DiDio, talks about the '5G" project.

DC TV - From THR:  Actor Hartley Sawyer is the latest actor to be fired from a television series over racist and offensive tweets.  Sawyer played Ralph Dibny for the past three seasons on The CW's "The Flash."

BLACK COMICS - From SyFy:  8 Black comics creatives to get to know.

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:  Marvel Comics has rescheduled its releases for Free Comic Book Day 2020, which was originally set for May 2nd.  Marvel will now release them on July 15th.

MANGA - From CBR:  The manga, "The Promised Neverland," will come to an end with next week's publication of Chapter 181 in "Weekly Shonen Jump" (in Japan).

UCS - From BleedingCool:  UCS Comic Distributors addresses some POS (point-of-sale) compatibility issues made by comic book retailers.

DC/DIAMOND - From BleedingCool:  DC Comics and its new distributors, Lunar and UCS, say they have a plan to replace Diamond UK when it comes to getting DC titles to the United Kingdom and beyond.

DC/DIAMOND - From TheBeat:  End of an Era: The comics industry reacts to the DC Diamond split

DC/DIAMOND - From TheBeat:  Diamond Comic Distributors responds to DC Comics' announcement that the publisher is splitting from the distributor.

BLACK COMICS - From CBR:  15 Black Creator-Owned Comics That Are Essential Reading

BOOK SHOPS - From TownandCountry:  22 Black-Owned Bookstores to Shop Right Now (and Always)

GAY COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Warren Ellis remembers when Marvel went "swimsuit gay."

DC/DIAMOND - From GamesRadar:   Comic book retailers unite in shock and anger over DC split with Diamond

IDW - From GamesRadar:  IDW Publishing pledges to support the comic book Direct Market on the same day DC Comics makes a monumental announcement.

MARVEL COMICS - From YahooEntertainment:  The public knows Christian Cooper as the African-American man who was bird-watching when a white woman called 911 to report him for threatening her (which he had not).  But before that, Christian was one of the first openly gay employees at Marvel Comics, working as an editor.  He also wrote comic books for Marvel, including "Darkhold" and "Star Trek: Starfleet Academy."

DC/DIAMOND - From THR:  DC Comics has cut ties with Diamond Comics Distributors.  Via an email to retailers sent Friday morning, the company told customers that all orders for DC product will be fulfilled by Lunar Distribution and UCS Comic Distributors for periodical releases and Penguin Random House for graphic novels and collected editions.

DC/DIAMOND - From BleedingCool:  DC provides a Q&A regarding its move to quit Diamond as the exclusive distributors of its product for 25 years.

COVID-19 - From TheBeat:  TwoMorrows Publishing, the publisher of many great magazines and books about the history of and the making of comic books, needs help due to COVID-19 related financial fallout.

EISNER AWARDS - From BleedingCool:  The nominations for the 2020 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards.

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:  Marvel Comics is planning to release several comic books related to the upcoming Disney+/Marvel Studios series, "WandaVision."

DC TV - From Decider:  When The CW returns the TV series, "Batwoman," for Season 2, the identity of Batwoman will be that of a new character, "Ryan Wilder."  Leaked info says the network decided not to find a new actress to play the current Batwoman, "Kate Kane," after actress Ruby Rose, who played Kane, left the series.

COMICS - From NBCNews:  A Latino comic book, "El Peso Hero," celebrates "essential workers," who are real heroes.

DC TV - From ComicBook:  Why HBO's "Watchmen" series is more timely now than ever.

IN MEMORIAM - From TCJ:  The brilliant cartoonist, Richard Sala, was found dead in his home back around May 9th.  He was apparently 65-years-old at the time of death.  A comic book creator and graphic novelist, Sala was known for "The Chuckling Whatsit" and the comic book series, "Evil Eye" (Fantagraphics), which are just two of his wonderful works.  The link at the beginning of this paragraph goes into great detail about Sala's life and career.  This partial quote describes his work... somewhat: "It’s easy to recognize in his comics the shadowy gothic black humor of Edward Gorey or Charles Addams..."

From TCJ:  A brilliant cartoonist, Dan Clowes, speaks on his late friend, the also brilliant cartoonist, Richard Sala.

FANTAGRAPHICS - From Newsarama:  Fantagraphics Books has announced that it will publish Barry Windor-Smith's long-awaited graphic novel, "Monsters, in 2021.

MARVEL/DC - From Newsarama:  Marvel and DC/Warner Bros. express support for the black community in the wake of the unrest following the police killing of African-American George Floyd in Minnesota.

DC COMICS - From CBR:  A look back at the first comic book that both Batman and Superman appeared in.  That would be "New York World's Fair #2."

COMIC SHOPS - From BleedingCool:  Eight comic book shops have been hit by looting during the protests over the death of #GeorgeFloyd.

DC CINEMA - From GamesRadar:  Director David Ayers is saying that some "terryifying" scenes featuring the Joker with "incredible acting" by Jared Leto as the Joker were cut from his box office smash, but much-maligned 2016 film, "Suicide Squad."

DC CINEMA - From Deadline:  Henry Cavill is in talks to play Clark Kent/Superman again for Warner Bros. after having done so for "The Man of Steel" (2013), "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice" (2016), and "Justice League" (2017).  But it will not be for a sequel to "The Man of Steel."

DC COMICS - From Newsarama:  DC Comics is making five of its 100-Page Giant comic books digital-only publications:  "Titans Giant #2," "The Flash Giant #5," "Swamp Thing Giant #5," "Teen Titans Go!/DC Super Hero Girls Giant #1," and {Wonder Woman 84 Giant #1."

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JUNE 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for June 2020
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for June 2020
From TheBeat:  Archie Comics for June 2020
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for June 2020 [REVISED]
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for June 2020
From ComicsBookCase:  DC Comics for June 2020
From Dynamite:  Dynamite Entertainment for June 2020
From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for June 2020
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for June 2020
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for June 2020 [REVISED]
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for June 2020 [REVISED]
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for June 2020 [REVISED]
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Source Point Press for June 2020
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for June 2020
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for June 2020
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for June 2020 [REVISED]

JULY 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for July 2020
From ComicsPit:  BOOM Studios! for July 2020
From Comicon:  DC Comics for July 2020
From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for July 2020
From ComicsPit:  IDW Publishing for July 2020
From CBR:  Image Comics for July/August 2020
From Scout:  Scout Comics for July 2020
From AllComics:  VIZ Media for July 2020
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for July 2020

AUGUST 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  AWA for August 2020
From CBR:  DC Comics for August 2020
From FirstComicsNews:  IDW Publishing for August 2020
From Seibertron:  IDW Publishing's "Transformers" solicitations for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for August 2020
From CBR:  Marvel Comics for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  PS Artbooks for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for August 2020

SEPTEMBER 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Red 5 Comics for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for September 2020


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I Reads You Juniors December 2019 - Update #78

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a "I Reads You"

Support Leroy on Patreon.

Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

From Newsarama:  U.S. Rep. John Lewis (George's 5th Congressional District), the star of Top Shelf Productions' graphic novel trilogy, "March" (based on Lewis' life), has announced that he was Stage IV pancreatic cancer.

From CBR:  Kohei Horikoshi already has plans for the end of his smash hit manga, "My Hero Academia."

DC CINEMA - From ScreenRant:  Actor Michael B. Jordan says that if he played Superman (which he is rumored to be), the character would be authentic to comic book history.

From WCCFTech:  Valiant Comics is partnering with Blowfish Studios for the latter to produce games based on Valiant's characters.

COMICS-TO-FILM - From Newsarama:   Sony Pictures has moved the release date for its "Bloodshot" film (based on the Valiant Comics titles) from Feb. 21, 2020 to March 13, 2020.  The film stars Vin Diesel in the title role.

DC CINEMA - From Collider:  Director Patty Jenkins said that "Wonder Woman: 1984" is complete done - six months before its release.

REVIEWS - From Patreon:  My review of "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker."

From Newsarama:  Apparently, Jeff Kinney's comics slash illustrated books hybid series, "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" sold 10 million copies in 2019.  It has sold 200 million copies since the first book made its hardcover debut in 2007.

FOX X-MEN MOVIES - From Newsarama:  The X-Men film, "The New Mutants," is one of the films Disney inherited when it bought 20th Century Fox.  It has had numerous release date changes, from both Fox and Disney.  The film's director, Josh Boone, hints that there will be a new trailer for the film in January 2020.

From TheHollywoodReporter:  IDW Publishing is partnering with Dark Horse Comics for the four-issue comic book mash-up miniseries, "Transformers vs. The Terminator."  The series is due in comic book stores March 2020.

MEMORIAM - From Newsarama:  Comic book artist, Gerry Alanguilan, has died at the age of 51.

From BleedingCool:  So Mark Millar's secret "Project X-mas" turned out to be "American Jesus," which is apparently a reworking of a Millar series once published by Dark Horse Comics.

DC CINEMA - From Newsarama: "Bird of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)" has received an R-rating from the American movie ratings board, the MPAA.

IMAGE COMICS CINEMA - From Newsarama:  Oscar-nominated director Lee Daniels will direct a film adaptation of Robert Kirkman and Marc Silvestri's "Stealth" for Universal Pictures.

From Newsarama:   Marvel's "Free Comic Book Day 2020" offering, an "X-Men" comic book, will reportedly lead to Marvel Comics' next mega crossover event.

From Newsarama:  The "Free Comic Book Day" Committee has announced the "Gold Titles" for "Free Comic Book Day 2020" (May 2, 2020).

DC CINEMA - From CinemaBlend:  Gal Gadot explains why Wonder Woman does not have a sword and shield in "Wonder Woman: 1984.

DC CINEMA - From GamesRadar:   Here are some stills from the upcoming film, "Bird of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)," with the ridiculous title.

From AcadianaAdvocate:  Baton Rouge, Louisiana newspaper, "The Advocate," offers this feature on Louisiana comic book artist, "Farmhand."

DC TV - From BleedingCool:  Are HBO DC Comics adaptations or announcements of future ones fueling the bookstore sales of certain DC Comics graphic novels and trade paperbacks.

From SoraNews:  A Japanese manga artist shows the difference between erotic manga for men vs. women in a simple side-by-side comparison.

From BleedingCool:  Writer Alan Brennert and artist Jerry Ordway to launch the "Marvel Snapshots" series.

DC TV - From Variety:  Showrunner Damon Lindelof and cast and crew talk about the smash hit HBO series, "Watchmen."

From Newsarama:  Barry Windsor-Smith's long-awaiting project, "Monsters," will debut as a 250-page-plus graphic novel in 2020.

DC CINEMA - From Variety:  "Shazam 2" gets a new release date, April 1, 2022.

From BleedingCool:  Long at odds, "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird are reuniting to work on a new TMNT comic book.

MANGA CINEMA - From Newsarama:  The film version of the legendary manga, Akira, to be directed by Taika Waititi has been bumped from Warner Bros. film release schedule.

DC TV - From Deadline:  Actor Thomas Lennon, best known for the TV series, "Reno 911," will play classic Superman villain, Mr. Mxyzptlk, in the fifth season of The CW's "Supergirl."

From ClevelandMagazine:  Writer Mike Sangiacomo feels that the city of Cleveland, Ohio isn't embracing its comic book heritage, which includes being the birth of Superman.

MARVEL STUDIOS - From ComicBook:  Here is a look at the action figures for Marvel Studios' "Black Widow" movie.

From CBR:  The 10 best historical manga as ranked by CBR's John Witiw.

From Newsarama:  Here is a two page preview of the "Dylan Dog/Batman #0," the first issue of the crossover event between DC Comics and Italian publisher, Sergio Bonelli Editore (Dylan Dog).

From BleedingCool:  Hot gossip says the new Batman writer will be a Black man, Oscar-winner John Ridley, and that the new Batman will be Luke Fox, a young Black man.

From Newsarama:  Marvel Entertainment has moved to a new location... partially by President Trump's organization.

DC CINEMA TRAILER - From YouTube:  Here is the first official trailer for "Wonder Woman 1984," which is due June 5, 2020.

DC CINEMA - From THR:   "Wonder Woman 1984" director Patty Jenkins says that she and "Wonder Woman" actress, Gal Gadot, already have a story for a third "Wonder Woman" film.  She said that the two of them are already considering a spinoff film focusing on the Amazons.
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DC CINEMA - From ComicBook:  Apparently, the plan for The Rock's "Black Adam" movie is to be "inventive" and "reshape what the comic book movie is."  That is according to its cinematographer, Lawrence Sher, who also shot Todd Phillip's "Joker."

DC TV - From Newsarama:  HBO's acclaimed "Watchmen" TV series has received two nominations at the Writers Guild Awards.

SONY MARVEL U - From Deadline:   Actor Stephen Graham, currently appearing in "The Irishman," has been cast in an unknown role in "Venom 2."

DC CINEMA - From THR:  Actor Peter Sarsgaard has been cast in Matt Reeves' "The Batman," possibly to play Harvey Dent (the Gotham City district attorney who would become the villain, Two-Face).

From Newsarama:  Oscar-winning filmmaker and "Mad Max" mastermind, George Miller, defends superhero films... in response to the criticism of superhero cinema from Martin Scorsese, among others.

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics will publish "The James Jean Poster Portfolio" in August 2020, highlighting the art of the award-winning artist, James Jean.

From Newsarama:  Stout Club Entertainment – the powerhouse creative group composed of comic book creators Rafael Albuquerque, Eduardo Medeiros, Mateus Santolouco, and Rafael Scavone – announced a multi-book deal for four new comic book series to debut exclusively through the comiXology Originals program.

DC CINEMA - From TheNewYorker: "The Incendiary Aims of HBO’s 'Watchmen”'"

From WeGotThisCovered:  Crystal Dynamics, creator of "Tomb Raider," is producing a prequel comic book to "Marvel's Avengers."  It is due Summer 2020.

DC CINEMA - From WeGotThisCovered:  British actor Henry Cavill may still want to be the current "Superman" of the cinema, but "sources" say that Warner Bros. is eyeing actor American actor, David Corenset, best known for the Netflix series, "The Politician."

From RSN:  Acclaimed author, Margaret Atwood ("The Handmaid's Tale") extols the life lessons of the classic newspaper comic strip, "Little Lulu."

From BleedingCool:  Yoe Press will delve into the history of Black comic book artists in "Invisible Men: Black Artists of the Golden Age of Comics."

From CBR - Manga reading tips and tricks.

From BleedingCool:  Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips, and Jacob Phillips will launch the original graphic novel, "Pulp," in May 2020.

From XinhuaNet:  Chinese sci-fi comic strips to be published in France

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DECEMBER 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for December 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for December 2019
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Red 5 for Comics for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for December 2019
From BleedingCool:  Storm King Productions for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for December 2019
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for December 2019

JANUARY 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  January 2020 comics solicitations from 26 publishers
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for January 2020
From BleedingCool:  Amigo Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for January 2020
From BleedingCool:  Black Box for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Black Mask Studios for January 2020
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for January 2020
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Fantagraphics Books for January 2020
From Newsarama:  HarperCollins for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Humanoids for January 2020
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Red 5 Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Seven Seas Entertainment for January 2020
From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Titans Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Vertical Comics solicitations for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Yen Press for January 2020

FEBRUARY 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  01: First Second for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Albatross Funnybook for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Action Lab Entertainment for February 2020
From Newsarama:  AfterShock Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Black Mask Studios for February 2020
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for February 2020
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Fantagraphics Books for February 2020
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Lion Forge for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Random House for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Rebellion for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Red 5 Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Titan Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for February 2020

MARCH 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  Action Lab Entertainment for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Artists, Writer and Artisans for March 2020
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Fantagraphics Book for March 2020
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for March 2020
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for March 2020

MAY 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS
From Newsarama:  A full-list of titles available for "Free Comic Book Day 2020" on May 2, 2020.


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Review: TRUE BELIEVERS: Conan the Barbarian #1

TRUE BELIEVERS: CONAN THE BARBARIAN No.1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Roy Thomas
PENCILS: Barry Smith
INKS: Dan Adkins
COLORS: Mimi Gold (not credited in comic book)
LETTERS: Sam Rosen
EDITOR: Stan Lee
COVER: Barry Smith and John Verpoorten with Sam Rosen
28pp, Color, $1.00 U.S. (March 2019)

Rated T

Conan the Barbarian based on the “Conan” character created by Robert E. Howard

“The Coming of Conan!”

Conan the Cimmerian is a fictional “sword and sorcery” hero created by Robert E. Howard (REH).  Conan first appeared in the pulp fiction magazine, Weird Tales (1932).  Conan lived in Howard's fictional “Hyborian Age” and was a mercenary, outlaw, pirate, thief, warrior, and eventually a king, but because of his tribal origins, some characters that encountered him thought of Conan as a barbarian.

In 1970, Marvel Comics brought Conan to the world of comic books with the series, Conan the Barbarian, originally written by Roy Thomas and drawn by Barry Smith – now known as Barry Windsor-Smith.  With a pause of only a few years, Conan comic books have been published for the better part of five decades.  Marvel Comics, which held the license to produce Conan comic books for three decades, regained the license last year (from Dark Horse Comics, which had the license for about 15 years).

Marvel recently published the first issue of a revival of Conan the Barbarian.  They are also publishing reprints of select Conan comic books from their original run with the character under the “True Believers” banner.  True Believers is a budget reprint program that began in 2015 and offers $1 reprints of individual Marvel issues that are considered fan-favorite, important, classic, or monumental.

True Believers: Conan the Barbarian #1 reprints the first Marvel Conan comic book, Conan the Barbarian #1 (cover dated: October 1970).  That issue's twenty-page story was written by Roy Thomas; drawn by Barry Smith (pencils) and Dan Adkins (inks); and lettered by Sam Rosen.  Although she is does not receive a credit in the comic book, Mimi Gold colored Smith and Adkins' art.

Conan the Barbarian #1 (“The Coming of Conan!”) is a story that apparently takes place early in Conan's adulthood.  He is a mercenary in service of the kingdom of Aesgaard and serve the Aesir in their war against the Vanir.  The story opens in Vanaheim, during a summer battle between the Aesir and the Vanir, where we find Conan battling the fierce Vanir warrior, Gondur.

Conan is proving to be a most accomplished warrior, although he insists that he only fights for the Aesir because they pay him the most gold.  However, Conan's prowess in battle has attracted the attention of a crazy shaman and a mysterious young woman.  Now, they want to capture Conan, and the secrets of the past, present, and future they will reveal to him will rock Conan's world.

Like many Conan comic book fans, I am an admirer of Barry Windsor-Smith's Conan comic book art, especially the art he produced during the second half of his twenty-two issue run on Conan the Barbarian.  Still, as far as figure-drawing goes, I prefer the lean, sinewy, Jack Kirby-esque Conan as drawn by Barry Smith, exemplified by the Conan that appears on the cover of Conan the Barbarian #1 and, of course, on the cover of True Believers: Conan the Barbarian #1.

“The Coming of Conan!” is good, although not great.  It is not Roy Thomas' best Conan comic book writing, and Thomas is by far the best Conan comic book writer ever.  Hell, Thomas is one of the best comic book writers of all time, and is certainly better than many of the comic book writers that pass for the current elite.  Here, Thomas offers a story in tune with the weird fiction of Conan's creator, Robert E. Howard, and it is full of theatrical, operatic dialogue and over-the-top, but colorful exposition.

I am glad that Conan is back with Marvel Comics, where I discovered the character, and I am glad for True Believers: Conan the Barbarian #1.  Hopefully, there will be more “budget” reprints of classic Marvel Conan comic books.  I love this reprint comic book, so that is why I am giving it a high grade.

8 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 2, 2019

MARVEL COMICS

OCT188201    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #9 2ND PTG RAMOS VAR    $3.99
OCT188202    AVENGERS #10 2ND PTG MCGUINNESS VAR    $5.99
OCT181021    AVENGERS TP KREE SKRULL WAR NEW PTG    $24.99
NOV181055    CAPTAIN MARVEL #1 BY ALEX ROSS POSTER    $8.99
NOV180811    CHAMPIONS #1    $3.99
NOV180814    CHAMPIONS #1 NOTO MARVEL 80TH VAR    $3.99
NOV180740    CONAN THE BARBARIAN #1    $4.99
NOV180750    CONAN THE BARBARIAN #1 FAGAN VAR    $4.99
NOV180743    CONAN THE BARBARIAN #1 RIBIC TEASER VAR    $4.99
NOV180747    CONAN THE BARBARIAN #1 SAIZ VAR    $4.99
OCT188203    DAREDEVIL #609 2ND PTG NOTO VAR    $3.99
OCT188204    DAREDEVIL #610 2ND PTG NOTO VAR    $3.99
OCT188205    DAREDEVIL #611 2ND PTG NOTO VAR    $3.99
NOV180968    DEADPOOL #8    $3.99
NOV180969    DEADPOOL #8 JAMAL CAMPBELL GOTG VAR    $3.99
OCT181017    DEADPOOL SKOTTIE YOUNG TP VOL 01 MERCIN HARD FOR MONEY    $17.99
SEP181033    DEATH OF CAPTAIN MARVEL TP NEW PTG    $19.99
OCT181024    DEATH OF INHUMANS TP    $15.99
OCT188206    FANTASTIC FOUR #3 2ND PTG PICHELLI VAR    $3.99
OCT180784    FANTASTIC FOUR OVERSIZED BY BYRNE VINYL POSTER    $34.99
NOV181056    GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #1 BY SHAW POSTER    $8.99
JUL181161    GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY TOMORROWS HEROES OMNIBUS HC    $100.00
NOV180890    IMMORTAL HULK #11    $3.99
NOV180891    IMMORTAL HULK #11 NOTO MARVEL 80TH VAR    $3.99
OCT180876    INFINITY WARS INFINITY #1    $3.99
NOV181057    INVADERS #1 BY ALEX ROSS POSTER    $8.99
OCT180954    IRON FIST MPGN TP    $19.99
NOV180923    KILLMONGER #3 (OF 5)    $3.99
NOV180823    MAN WITHOUT FEAR #1    $3.99
NOV180826    MAN WITHOUT FEAR #1 CAMUNCOLI CONNECTING VAR    $3.99
NOV181058    MARVEL COMICS PRESENTS #1 BY ARTHUR ADAMS POSTER    $8.99
NOV180873    MARVEL KNIGHTS 20TH #5 (OF 6)    $3.99
NOV180875    MARVEL KNIGHTS 20TH #5 (OF 6) ANDREWS CONNECTING VAR    $3.99
NOV180002    MARVEL PREVIEWS VOL 04 #18 JANUARY 2019 EXTRAS    $1.25
NOV180821    MARVEL TALES FANTASTIC FOUR #1    $7.99
NOV180963    MR AND MRS X #7    $3.99
NOV181003    MSH ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN ACROSS SPIDER-VERSE #1    $3.99
OCT188207    RETURN OF WOLVERINE #2 (OF 5) 2ND PTG SHALVEY VAR    $3.99
NOV180946    RUNAWAYS #17    $3.99
NOV180957    SHATTERSTAR #4 (OF 5)    $3.99
OCT188208    SPIDER-GEDDON #3 (OF 5) 2ND PTG BARBERI VAR    $3.99
OCT181015    SPIDER-GEDDON TP EDGE OF SPIDER-GEDDON    $15.99
JUL181167    SPIDER-MAN BEN REILLY OMNIBUS HC VOL 01    $125.00
NOV180974    STAR WARS AOR OBI-WAN KENOBI #1    $3.99
NOV180976    STAR WARS AOR OBI-WAN KENOBI #1 MCCAIG CONCEPT VAR    $3.99
NOV180975    STAR WARS AOR OBI-WAN KENOBI #1 RAHZZAH VAR    $3.99
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NOV180999    STAR WARS HAN SOLO IMPERIAL CADET #3 (OF 5)    $3.99
SEP180905    TONY STARK IRON MAN #7    $3.99
SEP180906    TONY STARK IRON MAN #7 UNCANNY X-MEN VAR    $3.99
OCT181016    TONY STARK IRON MAN TP VOL 01 SELF MADE MAN    $15.99
NOV180761    TRUE BELIEVERS CONAN THE BARBARIAN #1    $1.00
NOV180762    TRUE BELIEVERS CONAN TOWER OF ELEPHANT #1    $1.00
OCT188209    UNCANNY X-MEN #1 2ND PTG ASRAR VAR    $7.99
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NOV180953    WOLVERINE LONG NIGHT ADAPTATION #1 (OF 5)    $4.99

I Reads You Juniors May 2017 - Update #35

Support Leroy on Patreon.

Welcome to the I Reads You blog.  It's May 2017.  This post and its updates will offer news and blurb reviews.

From BleedingCool:  Spawn creator Todd McFarlane crashes a DC Comics panel at Megacon to confront an old Spawn cohort.

From TheComicsReporter:  2017 Reuben Award and NCS Divisional winners have been announced.

From ComicBookBin:  Johnny Bullet Episode #119.

From ComicBookBin:  Johnny Bullet Episode #119 in French.

From ComicBastards:  A review of "Samaritan Veritas #1" (Image Comics).

From BleedingCool:  Jae Lee announces his new creator owned series, "Fey," at Phoenix Comic Con.

From BleedingCool:  Some news on the firing of X-Men editor Daniel Ketchum at Marvel Comics.

From BleedingCool:  Bryan Hitch will write and draw Justice League beginning with issue #32 after writing and drawing an extra-sized #25.

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Dark Nights: Metal" gets the front cover of upcoming "Diamond Previews."

From BleedingCool:  Rich Johnston offers the history of a book currently called "Monsters" by Barry Windsor-Smith.


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BLURB REVIEW:

Spawn #273 (Image Comics – May 2017) by Todd McFarlane and Szymon Kudranski with Fco Plascencia

I have not read a new issue of Spawn since Bill Clinton was president, but I have wanted to and just kept putting it off.  On a recent visit to a “local” comic book shop, I spied a single copy of Spawn #273 sitting on the shelf.  I swear that thing was calling to me.

I read Spawn for years, although I thought it was a mediocre comic book.  I kept reading it in hopes that it would get better, which it never did, although I always enjoyed the art of Greg Capullo, who drew Spawn during most of the time I read it.

I still find all of McFarlane's exposition in panels to be stiff and stilted, but the dialogue deserves at least a grade of “B.”  The story is about a mysterious vigilante called “The Soul Crusher” and also concerns Cyan Fitzgerald, the daughter of Spawn/Al Simmons ex-wife, Wanda, and her husband, Al's best friend, Terry Fitzgerald.  I have to say that those two story lines intrigue me enough to make me want to buy another issue.  [My regular shop generally does not carry McFarlane publications, which will hamper my efforts.]

So all this time later, I find that Spawn is actually a good read.  Who knew?  People who read it, I guess!

Posted:  Monday, May 22, 2017


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From CBR:  The "Batman and Justice League" manga will launch June 19th, 2017 in Japan's "Champion RED" magazine.


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BLURB REVIEW:

Weapon X #1 (Marvel Comics – June 2017) by Greg Pak, Greg Land, and Jay Leisten with Frank D'Armata

Although this is only first issue, I can tentatively say that the latest incarnation of the “Weapon X” comic book is probably the second really good X-Men comic book to come out of Marvel's current X-Men franchise revival.  The series premise seems to be that original Wolverine, now known as “Old Man Logan,” will lead a team to investigate the clandestine military project, known as “Weapon X,” which was thought to be disbanded.

In the first issue, Wolverine... oops... Logan (can't help myself) gets sliced-and-diced pretty badly, but he does notice that the slicers are using bladed weapons similar to that of Lady Deathstrike.  Logan figures that if he can find Deathstrike, then he can find his assailants, but first he has to convince an old buddy to join him on this hunt.

So I'm really intrigued by Greg Pak's story, and I have finally figured out that I usually like what Pak writes.  Greg Land and inker Jay Leisten are a good comic book art team, and well, their storytelling makes me want to come back for more.

Posted:  Thursday, May 18, 2017
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From BleedingCool:  R.I.P. - British comic book creator, Edmund Bagwell, has died at the age of 50.

From Bleeding Cool:  Geoff John reveals "Doomsday Clock," a miniseries pitting Superman vs. Dr. Manhattan of "Watchmen."

From icv2:  R.I.P. - The "Golden Age" horror artist, Jay Disbrow, died on May 2, 2017 at the age of 91.  He was a prolific artist drawing pre-Code horror comics.  Fantagraphics Books published his "The Flames of Gyro" in 1979.  And from 2000 to 2005, he published his Flash Gordon-like adventure strip, "Aroc of Zenith," on the Internet.

From BleedingCool:  Scott Snyder will leave All-Star Batman sometimes next year.


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BLURB X-MEN REVIEWS:

X-MEN: GOLD #1 (Marvel Comics – June 2017) by Marc Guggenheim, Ardian Syaf, and Jay Leisten with Frank Martin

“Back to Basics” Part 1:  On the Interwebs, I have come across people saying that X-Men: Gold is writer Marc Guggenheim's return to the halcyon days of the X-Men when Chris Claremont wrote Uncanny X-Men.  Claremont wrote X-Men/Uncanny X-Men beginning with X-Men #94 in 1975 until the early 1991 when he quit the franchise.  Not all of those days were gold.  Quite frankly, after John Byrne left as co-plotter/penciller with Uncanny X-Men #143, Claremont long run, as basically the solo writer, was inconsistent.  There were some good stories, but also a surprising amount of mediocrity and redundancy, with only a few high points, high mostly because of artists like Paul Smith, Barry Windsor-Smith, and Alan Davis.

Judging only by this first issue, Guggenheim seems to be summoning the average days of Claremont.  But hey, this is only the first issue; still, I don't hold out hope.  I think that it will be obvious by the third issue if X-Men: Gold will be exceptional or be what most recent X-Men comic books have been, average at best.

On the other hand...

X-MEN: BLUE #1 (Marvel Comics – June 2017) by Cullen Bunn, Jorge Molina and Matteo Buffagni with Matt Milla

Now, this is an X-Men comic book in the best sense of that description.  It has the original X-Men fighting an early X-Men adversary, and I am a total sucka for Juggernaut.  Writer Cullen Bunn gets it where Marc Guggenheim in X-Men: Gold doesn't get it – or at least not yet.  When you can't be imaginative, inventive, and original when it comes to writing the X-Men, be shocking and surprising.  And Bunn delivers shocks and surprises here that are sweet, and he made invent later.

This first issue is simply a joy to read and it has a snazzy cover by Art Adams (who delivers good comic book cover art about 9 out of 10 times).  I am not crazy about the art team of Molina & Buffagni, but I'll tolerate them if the upcoming issues deliver on the last page of the main story; deliver on the back-up story; and deliver on “More Things to Come in X-Men Blue.”

Posted:  Wednesday, May 10, 2017
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From ComicsBeat:  Heidi MacDonald on the recent DC Comics editorial alignment.

From BleedingCool:  Updates on the Ardian Syaf controversy regarding hidden messages he placed in his art for "X-Men: Gold #1."

From YahooMovies:  Robert Kirkman, creator of "The Walking Dead," apologizes for a death in issue #167 of the comic book.

From DCComics:  Read the press release: "DC Entertainment Expands Editorial Leadership Team."

From BleedingCool:  Take a look inside "Dark Days: The Forge," the prequel to DC Comics' event "Dark Nights: Metal."

From TheBristolBoard:  An online portfolio of unusual John Buscema art, unusual for the late artist who was known for his long association with Marvel's "Conan the Barbarian" and short stint as the first artist on the first "Wolverine" solo comic book series.

From Kickstarter:  Cartoonist Shaenon K. Garrity has a Kickstarter. (from "The Comics Reporter)

From BleedingCool:  Apparently, Marvel destroys Las Vegas in  "Secret Empire #2.

From BleedingCool:  This Jim Lee cover art for "Dark Nights: Metal" will be on a metallic cover.

From BleedingCool:  The "Love is Love" anthology added to list of 2017 Eisner Award nominees.

From YahooTV:  Marvel Comics, in a statement to ABC News, says that it hears fans' concerns about the Hydra-Captain America.

From TIME:  If you are wondering about Marvel Comics' "Black Panther and the Crew," here is an interview "Time Magazine" did with series writer, Ta-Nihisi Coastes.

From ComicCon:  The 2017 Eisner Award nominations have been announced.

From BleedingCool:  Writer Matthew Rosenberg wanted Eisner props for Khary Randolph for his "Black" covers.

From StarTribune:  Neil Gaiman says "American Gods" rooted in Wisconsin-Minnesota weirdness.

From BleedingCool:  Greg Capullo offers a pencil sketch of Wonder Woman from the upcoming "Dark Nights: Metal."

From GoFundMe:  Writer James Hudnall really needs your help. [Thanks to "The Comics Reporter" for the heads up.]

From PeterDavid:  Another comic book creator/writer is in distress, Peter David. [Thanks again to "The Comics Reporter."]

From YahooTV:  Did you like Starz's "American Gods" TV series' debut?  Here, is a recap from the site.