Review: THE TWILIGHT CHILDREN #1

THE TWILIGHT CHILDREN No. 1
DC COMICS/Vertigo – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Gilbert Hernandez
ART: Darwyn Cooke
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Darwyn Cooke
COVER: Darwyn Cooke
40pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (December 2015)

Suggested for mature readers

The Twilight Children created by Gilbert Hernandez and Darwyn Cooke

“Part One”

Gilbert Hernandez is the creator of the long-running comic book, Love and Rockets, with his brother, Jaime Hernandez.  Darwyn Cooke is a fan-favorite for his epic DC Comics miniseries, DC: The New Frontier, but his best works are the Parker graphic novels which adapt the work of famed crime fiction writer, Richard Stark.  Cooke and Hernandez are two of comic books greatest storytellers, and they finally united for a comics project.

Hernandez wrote and Cooke drew the recent four-issue miniseries, The Twilight Children, which was published by DC Comics' Vertigo imprint.  The story is set in a remote village and begins with the sudden arrival of a glowing orb and the mysterious visitor that arrives afterwards.

The Twilight Children #1 opens in a coastal fishing village somewhere in Latin America.  In some ways, it is like other places.  There is a village drunk, Bundo.  There is a town flirt, Tito, who cheats on her husband, Nikolas, with the brawny, Anton.

And then, three children:  Milo, Grover, and Jael spot a mysterious, glowing white orb appears.  It seems as if this isn't the first time this village has experienced such an appearance.  When one of the children touches the white orb, all hell breaks loose.

It is no exaggeration to call Gilbert Hernandez and Darwyn Cooke comics luminaries.  Cooke has had more mainstream success than Hernandez by producing a considerable amount of work for DC Comics.  However, Hernandez laid much of the groundwork for the explosion of indie comics and alt-comix graphic novels and publications that have appeared over the last 30 years.  When comic book creators try to create comics that read like modern fiction or even literary fiction, they are working and winning Eisner and Harvey Awards under the roof of a house that Gilbert and handful of others built, under which they now shelter their creative endeavors.

That said, The Twilight Children, at least the first issue, does not really reflect the best work of neither Hernandez nor Cooke.  It lacks the surrealism or even the anything-goes attributes of much of Hernandez's work.  Some of his work has a sense of menace about it, as if there is always a bit of cruelty or even a cruel fate awaiting the characters.  The white orb is only kinda menacing.

Cooke's art is slick in The Twilight Children #1, but not in that bracing, invigorating way that propels his Parker comics.  This is the kind of slick that is more in line with the dumpster Watchmen comics he produced for DC Comics a few years ago.  Don't get me wrong.  I think the art here is quite pretty in some places, and Dave Stewart's coloring is gorgeous.  The Cooke-Stewart team had me looking through the book even as I wrote this review.

I think the storytelling in this first issue is a little too cool, or maybe this is two giants just feeling each other out.  Anyway, I'm going to read the rest of The Twilight Children.  Besides, even Hernandez and Cooke's not-best is still better than most others' best.

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


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint or syndication rights and fees.

---------------------

Review: DARK KNIGHT III: The Master Race #1

DARK KNIGHT III: THE MASTER RACE No. 1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review originally appeared on Patreon.]

STORY: Frank Miller and Brian Azzarello
PENCILS: Andy Kubert
INKS:  Klaus Janson
COLORS: Brad Anderson
LETTERS: Clem Robins
COVER: Andy Kubert and Klaus Janson
VARIANT COVERS: Jim Lee and Scott Williams with Alex Sinclair; Frank Miller with Alex Sinclair; Dave Gibbons and Klaus Janson with Brad Anderson; Jill Thompson
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (January 2016)

Batman created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (also known simply as The Dark Knight Returns) was a four-issue comic book miniseries starring Batman.  Published by DC Comics in 1986, this prestige-format comic book was written by Frank Miller; drawn by Miller (pencils) and Klaus Janson (inks); colored by Lynn Varley; and lettered by John Costanza, with the book covers drawn by Miller and Varley.

Individually, the books were entitled “The Dark Knight Returns” (Book One); “Dark Knight Triumphant” (Book Two); “Hunt the Dark Knight” (Book Three); and “The Dark Knight Falls” (Book Four).  The series takes place in a future in which Bruce Wayne is 55 and retired from being Batman.  Gotham City's ongoing troubles give Wayne the reason he uses to bring Batman out of retirement, but Batman faces opposition from the city government and the police force.  The series introduces a new Robin, a girl named Carrie Kelley; depicts Batman's final battle with The Joker; and culminates with a confrontation against Superman, which leaves the world thinking that Batman is dead.

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (also known as “DKR”) yielded a three-volume sequel, The Dark Knight Strikes Again (also known as “DK2”), published by DC Comics from late 2001 into 2002.   DC Comics has spent the last four years reliving its mid to late 1980s glory days, so now, there is a second sequel to The Dark Knight Returns.  This is an eight-issue series entitled Dark Knight III: The Master Race (also known as DKIII).  It is written by Frank Miller and Brian Azzarello; drawn by Andy Kubert (pencils) and Klaus Janson (inks); colored by Brad Anderson; and lettered by Clem Robins.

Kubert and Janson will be the lead cover artists, but DC is publishing numerous variant covers, about 50 for the issue of DKIII.  Each issue will also include an insert entitled “Dark Knight Universe Presents” drawn by different art teams and written by Miller and Azzarello... apparently.

Dark Knight III: The Master Race #1 opens with the return (once again) of Batman, but this time, the authority in Gotham City is even less welcoming.  Commissioner Yindel and the rest of the Gotham City Police Department are ready to take-down Batman.  Meanwhile, Wonder Woman fights and a legendary small city wants help, while Superman remains in limbo.

Dark Knight III: The Master Race #1 is not as good as Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Book One.  Let's just get that out of the way.  DKIII colorist Brad Anderson is nowhere nearly as good as DKR colorist, the legendary Lynn Varley (Frank Miller's ex-wife), whose watercolor-like hues were both subtle and vivid.  There is nothing distinguishing about the work of DKIII letterer Clem Robins, certainly not in the way DKR's John Costanza's lettering was so distinctive.

DKIII's art team of Andy Kubert and Klaus Janson capture the spirit and some of the style of DKR's Frank Miller and Janson.  Kubert, however, does not match the imaginative page layouts and awe-inspiring design that Miller gave the original work.

There is a rumor that Frank Miller has contributed relatively little to the storytelling in DKIII.  Word is that DC Comics was developing DKIII independently of Miller and went to him after they'd already made the decision to produce the project.  At the very least, Azzarello is clearly writing the scripts.  It shows.  This is not bad work, but nothing about this suggests the imagination and inventiveness that Frank Miller has brought to all his work:  the good stuff, the bad stuff, and the ambivalent experimental work.  Azzarello, as good as he can be, cannot be like Frank Miller because he is not in Miller's league, no matter how much Jim Lee, Geoff Johns, and the powers at DC Comics pretend he is.

Things could change; I could be delightfully surprised.  But right now Dark Knight III: The Master Race #1 is no more special than any other Batman comic book that is a particularly good read.

B

Dark Knight Universe Presents: The Atom #1 (Insert comic book)
STORY: Frank Miller and Brian Azzarello
PENCILS: Frank Miller
INKS: Klaus Janson
COLORS: Alex Sinclair
LETTERS: Clem Robins
COVER: Frank Miller with Alex Sinclair

Frank Miller actually pencils Dark Knight Universe Presents: The Atom #1, with Klaus Janson inking.  And no, it does not remind me of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns or Frank Miller's run on Daredevil, on which Janson was Miller's most frequent collaborator and partner.

This has potential, but it lacks the spark of any of Miller's best work.

B

[Retailer variant cover artists and art teams:
Dave Johnson; Sean Gordon Murphy; Lee Bermejo; Klaus Janson; Rafael Albuquerque; Jae Lee with June Chung; Eduardo Risso; Jock; Walter Simonson with Laura Martin; Ivan Reis with Marcelo Maiolo; Aaron Lopresti; Tyler Kirkman with Tomeu Morey; Brian Bolland; Paul Pope with Jose Villarrubia; Gabriele Dell'Otto; John Cassady with Laura Marin; Tony Daniel with Tomeu Morey; Matt Wagner with Brennan Wagner; Michael Allred and Laura Allred; Brian Stelfreeze; Amanda Conner with Paul Mounts; Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson; Jason Fabok with Brad Anderson; Darwyn Cooke, Josh Middleton; Gary Frank with Brad Anderson; Howard Porter with Hi-Fi; Kevin Eastman with Varga Tamás; Bill Sienkiewicz; Dave Dorman; Greg Capullo with FCO Plascencia; Stanley “Artgerm” Lau; Marc Silvestri with Alex Sinclair; Kelley Jones; Dale Keown with Jason Keith; Neal Adams with Alex Sinclair; Simon Bisley; Tony Harris; David Finch and Scott Hanna with Brad Anderson; Scott Williams with Alex Sinclair; John Romita, Jr. and Danny Miki with Dean White; Adam Hughes; Francis Manapul; J. Scott Campbell with Nei Ruffino; Tim Sale; Bruce Timm; Babs Tarr]

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


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

----------------------------------

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 11, 2015

DC COMICS

AUG150288     AMERICAN VAMPIRE TP VOL 07 (MR)     $14.99
SEP150250     BATMAN #46     $3.99
SEP150194     BATMAN AND ROBIN ETERNAL #6     $2.99
SEP150261     BATMAN BEYOND #6     $2.99
MAY150235     BATMAN RIP UNWRAPPED HC     $34.99
SEP150241     BATMAN SUPERMAN #26     $3.99
SEP150263     CATWOMAN #46     $2.99
SEP150206     CONSTANTINE THE HELLBLAZER #6     $2.99
SEP150211     DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS #4     $3.99
SEP150309     DC PRESENTS LOIS & CLARK 100 PAGE SPECTACULAR #1     $7.99
SEP150323     FABLES THE WOLF AMONG US #11 (MR)     $3.99
AUG150270     GREEN ARROW TP VOL 07 KINGDOM     $14.99
AUG150170     JUSTICE LEAGUE DARKSEID WAR GREEN LANTERN #1     $3.99
AUG150173     JUSTICE LEAGUE DARKSEID WAR SHAZAM #1     $3.99
SEP150201     JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED #15     $3.99
SEP150227     RED HOOD ARSENAL #6     $2.99
JUN150277     SCOOBY DOO TEAM UP TP VOL 02     $12.99
SEP150284     SCOOBY DOO WHERE ARE YOU #63     $2.99
SEP150318     SLASH & BURN #1 (MR)     $3.99
SEP150231     STARFIRE #6     $2.99
AUG150279     SUPERMAN ADVENTURES TP VOL 01     $19.99
SEP150188     SUPERMAN AMERICAN ALIEN #1     $3.99
AUG150209     TEEN TITANS #13     $2.99
SEP150329     TWILIGHT CHILDREN #2 (MR)     $4.99

DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES

JUL150348     ARROW TV STARLING CITY POLICE BADGE     $30.00
JUN150335     BATMAN ANIMATED BAS HARLEY QUINN AF     $24.95
JUN150347     BATMAN ANIMATED NBA ROXY ROCKET DLX AF     $39.95
MAY150292     DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS HOLIDAY WONDER WOMAN STATUE     $124.95
JUN150345     DC COMICS SUPER PETS DEX STARR PLUSH FIGURE     $14.95
JUN150346     DC COMICS SUPER PETS STREAKY PLUSH FIGURE     $14.95

Review: THE SPIRIT #1

THE SPIRIT #1 (2007)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

WRITER/PENCILS: Darwyn Cooke
INKS: J. Bone
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Jared Fletcher
EDITOR: Scott Dunbier
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S., $4.00 CAN (February 2007)

The Spirit created by Will Eisner

“Ice Ginger Coffee”

Beginning in 2007, DC Comics brought Will Eisner’s classic comics character, The Spirit, back with a new monthly comic book series, the first of two DC published over a five-year period.  The first 12 issues of the first series were written and drawn by acclaimed cartoonist and writer/artist, Darwyn Cooke.  I reviewed the first issue for the 105th edition of my old “Mr. Charlie” column for the ComicBookBin.

Here’s is that review:

In 1997-98, the now-defunct Kitchen Sink Press published eight issues of The Spirit: New Adventures.  It was an anthology title wherein a number of writers, artists, and cartoonists chronicled new, post-Eisner Spirit tales.  Over the course of those eight issues, Alan Moore wrote two stories:  an issue-length tale drawn by Dave Gibbons and a short story drawn by Daniel Torres.  Neil Gaiman teamed with Eddie Campbell.  Paul Chadwick and Paul Pope were two of the many artists who drew stories for the new series.  Perhaps, it was The Spirit: New Adventures that opened my mind to the idea of new Spirit tales from modern comic book creators.  I was saddened when Kitchen Sink Press troubles meant the cancellation of this series, and if I remember correctly, at least a nine issues was published.

Now, it’s DC Comics' turn to launch a new Spirit comic book.  When I learned that Darwyn Cooke would write and draw The Spirit in a new ongoing series, I instantly knew that I was likely going to like this book, and after reading the first issue, I look forward to #2, #3, #4…

I think I like this because so far it seems as if Cooke doesn't plan on making major changes to Will Eisner's famous costumed hero.  Even in this first issue, Cooke eschews "making the character his own," by transforming The Spirit into something else.  He's modernized the setting, the sets, and backdrops, but the characters are basically the same.  The plots are similar in style, but Cooke takes more pages to do what Eisner did in fewer pages (and need I say better).

The sole major change Cooke makes is to Eisner's lovable Sambo, Ebony White, The Spirit's "colored" sidekick for much of the 1940's.  The character, a thick-lipped, black kid who spoke the way many White people still think African-Americans speak (broken, minstrel English), remains hugely controversial.  Eisner apologists and/or racists defend Ebony's characterization as being acceptable at the time Eisner and others wrote Spirit stories (well, at least it was acceptable to White folks).  Now, Ebony is a sassy, young Negroid who spouts the kind of witty banter that might make him safe for The Disney Channel.  He's urban and hip-hop-ish, but not so dangerous that he couldn't date Raven of the Disney’s Channels’ “That’s So Raven.”

This first issue story, entitled "Ice Ginger Coffee" finds The Spirit racing to rescue a cable news network anchor.  Ginger Coffee (a light-skinned African-American type who blends Halle Berry and Gabrielle Union) has just been promoted to anchor of National News Network.  Her big expose to celebrate her rise is an interview of a mystery guest with insider information on the criminal organization of Amos Weinstock, aka "The Pill."  The Pill, whose obese body is covered in pustules that secrete flesh-dissolving fluids, has Ginger kidnapped.  It's The Spirit to the rescue, but Ginger, ever determined to break news, has found a way to give her audience an insider's view of her precarious situation, much to The Spirit's chagrin.  She may cost her and The Spirit their lives.

Cooke's art (inked by J. Bone) is a close relative of the style Eisner and his studio used on The Spirit back in the 1940's.  Dave Stewart's coloring is good, but comes across as a candy-coated version of Batman's dreary world.  The Spirit's world is vibrant and four-colored, and I'm hoping to see more of that in future issues.  In the meantime, I'm a satisfied fanboy and I'm curious about the future of this new series. [END]

So that’s what I had to say about The Spirit #1.  You can see the original version of this review at this link: http://www.comicbookbin.com/thespirit200701.html

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

 --------------------------

Review: BATMAN/SPIRIT #1

BATMAN/THE SPIRIT #1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

SCRIPT: Jeph Loeb
PENCILS: Darwyn Cooke
INKS: J. Bone
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Comicraft
48pp, Color, $4.99 U.S., $6.75 CAN (January 2007)

The Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger

The Spirit created by Will Eisner

“Crime Convention”

Batman/The Spirit was a one-shot, stand-alone comic book starring Batman and Will Eisner’s classic comic book character, The Spirit.  The comic book was released in late 2006, but has a 2007 cover date.  This crossover comic book is a collaboration between award-winning and celebrated creators, Jeph Loeb and Darwyn Cooke.  I reviewed it early 2007 as the 104th edition of my old “Mr. Charlie” column at the Comic Book Bin.

Here, is the classic review:

Sometime in the last few years or so, DC Comics obtained the rights to publish new comic books featuring Will Eisner's famous costumed hero, The Spirit.  As a prelude to the new series, DC presents Batman/The Spirit #1 with a script by Jeph Loeb and pencils by Darwyn Cooke (who will write and pencil the new Spirit title).  Entitled "Crime Convention," it tells of the first meeting of Batman (Bruce Wayne) and The Spirit (Denny Colt), which apparently happened several years in the past.  Robin is only 13 in the story.

The denizens of Batman's Gotham City and The Spirit's Central City come together in Hawaii for The Policeman's Benevolent Association's Annual Law Enforcement Convention.  Commissioners Gordon of Gotham City and Dolan of Central City are eager to take this working vacation.  What they don't know is that the convention is the epicenter of a diabolical plot with The Spirit's mysterious nemesis, The Octopus, as the mastermind.

Aiding him are such Spirit villains as P'Gell (who has seduced Commissioner Gordon), Carrion, The Vulture (and his pet vulture, Julia), among others.  From The Batman's rogue's gallery, many bad guys join the plot including The Joker and Harley Quinn, Catwoman, The Penguin, and Poison Ivy (who gains control of Commissioner Dolan through her poisonous kisses).  Gordon's daughter, Barbara (who apparently hasn't become Batgirl at this point), and Dolan's daughter, Ellen, also make small appearances.

Batman (and Robin) and The Spirit join forces in Hawaii to discover the details of plot and foil it, but first Batman and The Spirit have a small tussle.  It's after their first misunderstanding they find that with so many of their adversaries in town, they might have their hands full, so joining forces is the way to go.

Batman/The Spirit is like a love letter to both the creators and fans of these two venerable characters and their supporting casts and places.  Jeph Loeb's story is light, breezy, and moves fast - being more like Will Eisner's comix than what Bob Kane and Bill Finger did in their Batman comic books.  It should be no surprise that Loeb, who brought together the most prominent Bat-characters in the 12-part serial, Batman: Hush, does much the same thing in Batman/The Spirit, although in a lighter… spirit.  Still, the story is a bit dark.  There are murders committed in the background of this tale, and readers may interpret the scene in one panel to mean that Commissioner Gordon had sex with P'Gell, the long-time Spirit villainess.

The real treat here is Darwyn Cooke's art (with inks by J. Bone).  One of those artists with a "cartoony" style, Cooke worked on the popular "Batman: The Animated Series" television series.  Cooke draws a great looking Batman.  His art has a tone and style that captures the fun, B-movie, sci-fi spirit of DC Comics from the 1950's and 1960's.  Cooke displayed that so well in DC: The New Frontier, and his comic art for Batman/The Spirit looks like an untold tale set in the era of The New Frontier.  Cooke brings his own style to the table, though he references Eisner and also some of the Batman comic book artists who worked from the 1930's to the 60's without mimicking them.  You could say that he captures the spirit of those artists and those times.

I'd love to see Batman team up with The Spirit again, but only face one villain each from their respective rogue's gallery.  There are many other writers besides Loeb who could write this possible sequel, but if Cooke isn't available to draw it, hopefully DC will realize that the shortlist of artists who could do this project justice is indeed very short. [ENDS]

----------------

So that’s what I had to say about this comic book 7(!) years ago.  You can find the original version of this review at the following link: http://www.comicbookbin.com/batmanandthespirit2006.html

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 14, 2015

DC COMICS

AUG150230     BAT MITE #5     $2.99
AUG150225     BATMAN #45     $3.99
AUG150157     BATMAN AND ROBIN ETERNAL #2     $2.99
AUG150217     BATMAN SUPERMAN #25     $3.99
JUN150299     BATMAN YEAR 100 DLX ED HC     $29.99
AUG150232     CATWOMAN #45     $2.99
JUN150319     COFFIN HILL TP VOL 03 (MR)     $14.99
AUG150183     CONSTANTINE THE HELLBLAZER #5     $2.99
JUL150295     CONVERGENCE CRISIS TP BOOK 01     $19.99
JUL150297     CONVERGENCE CRISIS TP BOOK 02     $19.99
AUG150188     DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS #3     $3.99
AUG150187     EARTH 2 SOCIETY #5     $2.99
AUG150289     FABLES THE WOLF AMONG US #10 (MR)     $3.99
JUN150305     GRAPHIC INK THE DC COMICS ART OF DARWYN COOKE HC     $39.99
MAY150241     GREEN LANTERN A CELEBRATION OF 75 YEARS HC     $39.99
AUG150240     HARLEY QUINN #21     $3.99
JUL150200     JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #4     $3.99
AUG150176     JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED #14     $3.99
AUG150258     MAD MAGAZINE #536     $5.99
JUL150317     MORTAL KOMBAT X TP VOL 02 (MR)     $14.99
AUG150204     RED HOOD ARSENAL #5     $2.99
AUG158645     SCOOBY DOO TEAM UP #12 2ND PTG     $2.99
AUG150256     SCOOBY DOO WHERE ARE YOU #62     $2.99
JUL150320     SENSATION COMICS FEATURING WONDER WOMAN TP VOL 02     $14.99
AUG150206     STARFIRE #5     $2.99
AUG150160     SUPERMAN LOIS AND CLARK #1     $3.99
AUG150282     TWILIGHT CHILDREN #1 (MR)     $4.99

DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES

APR150333     ARROW TV FELICITY SMOAK AF     $24.95
JUN150336     BATMAN ANIMATED BAS BATMAN AF     $24.95
JUN150338     BATMAN ANIMATED BAS RIDDLER AF     $24.95
JUN150337     BATMAN ANIMATED NBA BATGIRL AF     $24.95
APR150357     BATMAN BLACK & WHITE STATUE JOKER BY BERMEJO 2ND ED     $79.95
APR150340     BATMAN BLACK & WHITE STATUE SCARECROW BY DANDA     $79.95
APR150347     DC COMICS CONSTANTINE STATUE     $124.95
APR150343     WONDER WOMAN ART OF WAR STATUE BY JILL THOMPSON     $79.95

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for September 23, 2015

DC COMICS

JUL150335     ASTRO CITY #27     $3.99
MAY150260     ASTRO CITY CONFESSION HC NEW ED     $24.99
JUL150260     BATGIRL #44     $2.99
JUL150261     BATMAN 66 #27     $2.99
JUL150214     DEATHSTROKE #10     $2.99
JUL150220     FLASH #44     $3.99
MAY150258     FREE COUNTRY A TALE OF THE CHILDRENS CRUSADE HC (MR)     $24.99
JUL150272     GOTHAM BY MIDNIGHT #9     $2.99
JUL150273     GRAYSON #12     $3.99
JUL150279     HARLEY QUINN & POWER GIRL #4     $3.99
JUL150290     HE MAN THE ETERNITY WAR #10     $2.99
MAY150232     JOKER ENDGAME HC     $29.99
JUL150227     JUSTICE LEAGUE 3001 #4     $2.99
JUL150291     SCOOBY DOO TEAM UP #12     $2.99
JUL150287     SINESTRO #15     $2.99
JUL150282     WE ARE ROBIN #4     $3.99
JUN150324     Y THE LAST MAN TP BOOK 03 (MR)     $19.99

DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES

APR150331     ARROW TV JOHN DIGGLE AF     $24.95
MAR150330     BATMAN BLACK & WHITE STATUE BY GREG CAPULLO 2ND ED     $79.95
APR150334     FLASH TV CAPTAIN COLD AF     $24.95
MAY150293     SUPERMAN MAN OF STEEL STATUE BY DARWYN COOKE     $79.95

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for August 26, 2015

DC COMICS

JUN150176     AQUAMAN #43     $3.99
JUN150241     BATGIRL #43     $2.99
JUN150249     BATMAN 66 #26     $2.99
JUN150247     BATMAN ARKHAM KNIGHT GENESIS #1     $2.99
JUN150182     CYBORG #2     $2.99
JUN150204     DEATHSTROKE #9     $2.99
MAY150262     EFFIGY TP VOL 01 IDLE WORSHIP (MR)     $14.99
JUN150188     FLASH #43     $3.99
MAY150246     GI ZOMBIE A STAR SPANGLED WAR STORY TP     $16.99
JUN150253     GOTHAM BY MIDNIGHT #8     $2.99
JUN150255     GRAYSON #11     $3.99
JUN150257     HARLEY QUINN #19     $3.99
JUN150273     HE MAN THE ETERNITY WAR #9     $2.99
JUN150203     JLA GODS AND MONSTERS #3     $3.99
JUN150196     JUSTICE LEAGUE 3001 #3     $2.99
MAY150242     JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK TP VOL 06 LOST IN FOREVER     $16.99
JUN150169     JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #3     $3.99
JUN150215     PREZ #3     $2.99
APR150324     SCALPED HC BOOK 02 DELUXE EDITION (MR)     $29.99
JUN150270     SINESTRO #14     $2.99
JUN150234     SUPERMAN #43     $3.99
DEC140428     SUPERMAN BATMAN MICHAEL TURNER GALLERY ED HC     $125.00
JUN150221     TEEN TITANS #11     $2.99
JUN150264     WE ARE ROBIN #3     $3.99

DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES
FEB150308     BATMAN BLACK & WHITE STATUE DARWYN COOKE 2ND ED     $89.95

2015 Eisner Award Winners - Complete List; "Lumberjanes" and "Little Nemo" Big Winners

The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, also simply know as the “Eisner Awards,” are awards annually given for creative achievement in American comic books.  The awards are named for pioneering comic book writer, artist, and publisher, Will Eisner.  Some consider the Eisner Awards to be the preeminent awards that honor American comic books, even referring to the awards as “the Oscars of comic books.”

The Eisner Awards also include the Comic Industry's Hall of Fame.  The Eisner Awards are associated with the annual Comic-Con International convention held in San Diego, California, in July.  The Eisner Awards have been given annually since 1988, with the exception of 1990.

The 2015 Eisner Award winners were announced Friday, July 10, 2015 at a gala ceremony held during San Diego Comic-Con International (2015).

The 2015 Eisner Awards judging panel:
Carr D’Angelo – comics retailer: Earth-2 Comics, Los Angeles
Richard Graham – librarian at University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Sean Howe – author Marvel Comics: The Untold Story
Susan Kirtley – academic/scholar at Portland State University)
Ron McFee – a Comic-Con International volunteer
Maggie Thompson – writer/editor, best known for her work on the Comics Buyers Guide

2015 EISNER AWARDS Winners:

Best Short Story
“When the Darkness Presses,” by Emily Carroll, http://emcarroll.com/comics/darkness/ (link is external)

Best Single Issue (or One-Shot)
Beasts of Burden: Hunters and Gatherers, by Evan Dorkin & Jill Thompson (Dark Horse)

Best Continuing Series
Saga, by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples (Image)

Best Limited Series
Little Nemo: Return to Slumberland, by Eric Shanower & Gabriel Rodriguez (IDW)

Best New Series
Lumberjanes, by Shannon Watters, Grace Ellis, Noelle Stevenson, & Brooke A. Allen (BOOM! Box)

Best Publication for Early Readers (up to age 7)
The Zoo Box, by Ariel Cohn & Aron Nels Steinke (First Second)

Best Publication for Kids (ages 8-12)
El Deafo, by Cece Bell (Amulet/Abrams)

Best Publication for Teens (ages 13-17)
Lumberjanes, by Shannon Watters, Grace Ellis, Noelle Stevenson, & Brooke A. Allen (BOOM! Box)

Best Humor Publication
The Complete Cul de Sac, by Richard Thompson (Andrews McMeel)

Best Digital/Web Comic
The Private Eye by Brian Vaughan & Marcos Martin http://panelsyndicate.com/ (link is external)

Best Anthology
Little Nemo: Dream Another Dream, edited by Josh O’Neill, Andrew Carl, & Chris Stevens (Locust Moon)

Best Reality-Based Work
Hip Hop Family Tree, vol. 2, by Ed Piskor (Fantagraphics)

Best Graphic Album—New
This One Summer, by Mariko Tamaki & Jillian Tamaki (First Second)

Best Graphic Album—Reprint
Through the Woods, by Emily Carroll (McElderry Books)

Best Archival Collection/Project—Strips (at least 20 years old)
Winsor McCay’s Complete Little Nemo, edited by Alexander Braun (TASCHEN)

Best Archival Collection/Project—Comic Books (at least 20 Years Old)
Steranko Nick Fury Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. Artist’s Edition, edited by Scott Dunbier (IDW)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material
Blacksad: Amarillo, by Juan Díaz Canales & Juanjo Guarnido (Dark Horse)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia
Showa 1939–1943 and Showa 1944–1953: A History of Japan, by Shigeru Mizuki (Drawn & Quarterly)

Best Writer
Gene Luen Yang, Avatar: The Last Airbender (Dark Horse); The Shadow Hero (First Second)

Best Writer/Artist
Raina Telgemeier, Sisters (Graphix/Scholastic)

Best Penciller/Inker
Fiona Staples, Saga (Image)

Best Painter/Multimedia Artist (interior art)
J. H. Williams III, The Sandman: Overture (Vertigo/DC)

Best Cover Artist
Darwyn Cooke, "DC Comics Darwyn Cooke Month Variant Covers" (DC)

Best Coloring
Dave Stewart, Hellboy in Hell, BPRD, Abe Sapien, Baltimore, Lobster Johnson, Witchfinder, Shaolin Cowboy, Aliens: Fire and Stone, DHP (Dark Horse)

Best Lettering
Stan Sakai, Usagi Yojimbo: Senso, Usagi Yojimbo Color Special: The Artist (Dark Horse)

Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism
Comics Alliance, edited by Andy Khouri, Caleb Goellner, Andrew Wheeler, & Joe Hughes, www.comicsalliance.com (link is external)

Best Comics-Related Book
Genius Animated: The Cartoon Art of Alex Toth, vol. 3, by Dean Mullaney & Bruce Canwell (IDW/LOAC)

Best Scholarly/Academic Work
Graphic Details: Jewish Women’s Confessional Comics in Essays and Interviews, edited by Sarah Lightman (McFarland)

Best Publication Design
Little Nemo: Dream Another Dream, designed by Jim Rugg (Locust Moon)


The Eisner Awards judges previously selected two individuals to automatically be inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Awards Hall of Fame for 2015. Those inductees were Marjorie ”Marge” Henderson Buell (creator of Little Lulu) and Bill Woggon (creator of Katy Keene).

The judges also chosen 13 nominees from which voters were to select 4 to be inducted into the Hall of Fame this summer. The 4 selected are John Byrne, Chris Claremont, Denis Kitchen, Frank Miller.

--------------------

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for February 11, 2015

DC COMICS

DEC140369     ARROW SEASON 2.5 #5     $2.99
DEC140406     ASTRO CITY #20     $3.99
NOV140310     BATMAN DARK NIGHT DARK CITY TP     $16.99
DEC140322     BATMAN ETERNAL #45     $2.99
NOV140294     BATMAN THE DARK KNIGHT TP VOL 04 CLAY (N52)     $16.99
DEC140408     COFFIN HILL #15 (MR)     $2.99
OCT140394     COFFIN HILL TP VOL 02 DARK ENDEAVORS (MR)     $14.99
DEC140273     CONSTANTINE #22     $2.99
OCT140355     DC THE NEW FRONTIER DELUXE ED HC     $49.99
DEC140275     EARTH 2 WORLDS END #19     $2.99
AUG140365     FABLES COMPLETE COVERS BY JAMES JEAN HC NEW ED (MR)     $49.99
DEC140412     FABLES THE WOLF AMONG US #2 (MR)     $3.99
DEC140416     FBP FEDERAL BUREAU OF PHYSICS #18 (MR)     $2.99
DEC140359     GREEN LANTERN CORPS #39     $2.99
DEC140349     HARLEY QUINN VALENTINES DAY SPECIAL #1     $4.99
NOV140338     HELLBLAZER TP VOL 10 IN THE LINE OF FIRE (MR)     $19.99
DEC140371     INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US YEAR THREE #9     $2.99
DEC140289     JUSTICE LEAGUE 3000 #14     $2.99
DEC140267     JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED #9     $3.99
DEC140288     KLARION #5     $2.99
DEC140367     MORTAL KOMBAT X #2 (MR)     $3.99
DEC140295     NEW 52 FUTURES END #41 (WEEKLY)     $2.99
DEC140298     NEW SUICIDE SQUAD #7     $2.99
DEC140401     SCOOBY DOO WHERE ARE YOU #54     $2.99
NOV140313     SCRIBBLENAUTS UNMASKED A DC COMICS ADVENTURE TP     $14.99
NOV140303     SECRET ORIGINS TP VOL 01 (N52)     $14.99
NOV140208     SECRET SIX #2     $2.99
NOV140314     SECRET SIX TP VOL 01 VILLAINS UNITED     $19.99
DEC140376     SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 CONTINUITY #3     $3.99
OCT140362     SUPERMAN KRYPTON RETURNS HC (N52)     $24.99
DEC140320     WORLDS FINEST #31     $2.99

DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES

AUG140386     DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS HAWKGIRL STATUE     $124.95
AUG140378     SUPERMAN MAN OF STEEL STATUE BY GARY FRANK     $79.95

2014 Eisner Award Winners - Complete List

[Yep, late with this, too.  Xaime and 'Beto won, Yea!]

2014 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Winners List

Best Short Story: “Untitled,” by Gilbert Hernandez, in Love and Rockets: New Stories #6 (Fantagraphics)

Best Single Issue: Hawkeye #11: “Pizza Is My Business,” by Matt Fraction and David Aja (Marvel)

Best Continuing Series: Saga, by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples (Image)

Best Limited Series: The Wake, by Scott Snyder and Sean Murphy (Vertigo/DC)

Best New Series: Sex Criminals, by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky (Image)

Best Publication for Early Readers (up to age 7): Itty Bitty Hellboy, by Art Baltazar and Franco (Dark Horse)

Best Publication for Kids (ages 8–12): The Adventures of Superhero Girl, by Faith Erin Hicks (Dark Horse)

Best Publication for Teens (ages 13–17): Battling Boy, by Paul Pope (First Second)

Best Humor Publication: Vader’s Little Princess, by Jeffrey Brown (Chronicle)

Best Anthology: Dark Horse Presents, edited by Mike Richardson (Dark Horse)

Best Digital/Webcomic: The Oatmeal by Matthew Inman, http://theoatmeal.com

Best Reality-Based Work: The Fifth Beatle: The Brian Epstein Story, by Vivek J. Tiwary, Andrew C. Robinson, and Kyle Baker (M Press/Dark Horse)

Best Graphic Album—New: The Property, by Rutu Modan (Drawn & Quarterly)

Best Adaptation from Another Medium: Richard Stark’s Parker: Slayground, by Donald Westlake, adapted by Darwyn Cooke (IDW)

Best Graphic Album—Reprint: RASL, by Jeff Smith (Cartoon Books)

Best Archival Collection/Project—Strips: Tarzan: The Complete Russ Manning Newspaper Strips, vol. 1, edited by Dean Mullaney (LOAC/IDW)

Best Archival Collection/Project—Comic Books: Will Eisner’s The Spirit Artist’s Edition, edited by Scott Dunbier (IDW)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material: Goddam This War! by Jacques Tardi and Jean-Pierre Verney (Fantagraphics)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia: The Mysterious Underground Men, by Osamu Tezuka (PictureBox)

Best Writer: Brian K. Vaughan, Saga (Image)

Best Writer/Artist: Jaime Hernandez, Love and Rockets New Stories #6 (Fantagraphics)

Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team: Sean Murphy, The Wake (DC/Vertigo)

Best Painter/Multimedia Artist: Fiona Staples, Saga (Image)

Best Cover Artist: David Aja, Hawkeye (Marvel)

Best Coloring: Jordie Bellaire, The Manhattan Projects, Nowhere Men, Pretty Deadly, Zero (Image); The Massive (Dark Horse); Tom Strong (DC); X-Files Season 10 (IDW); Captain Marvel, Journey into Mystery (Marvel); Numbercruncher (Titan); Quantum and Woody (Valiant)

Best Lettering: Darwyn Cooke, Richard Stark’s Parker: Slayground (IDW)

Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism: Comic Book Resources, produced by Jonah Weiland, www.comicbookresources.com

Best Comics-Related Book: Genius, Illustrated: The Life and Art of Alex Toth, by Dean Mullaney and Bruce Canwell (LOAC/IDW)

Best Scholarly/Academic Work: Black Comics: Politics of Race and Representation, edited by Sheena C. Howard and Ronald L. Jackson II (Bloomsbury)

Best Publication Design: Genius, Illustrated: The Life and Art of Alex Toth, designed by Dean Mullaney (LOAC/IDW)

Hall of Fame:
Judges’ Choices: Orrin C. Evans, Irwin Hasen, Sheldon Moldoff

Recipients: Hayao Miyazaki, Alan Moore, Dennis O’Neil, Bernie Wrightson

Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award: Aaron Conley

Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award: Joe Field

Bill Finger Award for Excellence in Comics Writing: Robert Kanigher, Bill Mantlo, Jack Mendelsohn

Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award: Legend Comics & Coffee (Omaha, Nebraska), and All Star Comics (Melbourne, Australia)

"Love and Rockets" Creators Finally Among Eisner Award Winners; Image and IDW Also Win Big

[Yeah, I'm late.  Forgot to post this after losing track of time... - Editor/Leroy]

Saga, IDW Publishing Are Top Winners at 2014 Eisner Awards

Shorter Ceremony a Big Hit with Attendees

The big winners at the 2014 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, held Friday, July 25, 2014 at the Bayfront San Diego Hilton and sponsored by SHOWTIME, were Image Comics’ Saga—which received the awards for Best Continuing Series, Best Painter (Fiona Staples), and Best Writer (Brian K. Vaughan)—and publisher IDW, which took home six awards, including three for editor/designer Dean Mullaney (Genius, Illustrated: The Life and Art of Alex Toth, Tarzan: The Complete Russ Manning Newspaper Strips) and two for Darwyn Cooke’s Richard Stark’s Parker: Slayground.

Other projects receiving multiple awards were DC/Vertigo’s The Wake (Best Limited Series, Best Penciler/Inker for Sean Murphy), Marvel’s Hawkeye (Best Single Issue, Best Cover Artist for David Aja), and Fantagraphics’ Love and Rockets New Stories #6, which brought home first-time wins for brothers Jaime and Gilbert Hernandez. Matt Fraction was on the stage multiple to times to accept for Hawkeye as well as for Sex Criminals (with Chip Zdarsky) for Best New Series.

Besides IDW, other publishers with multiple wins included Dark Horse and Image with four, Fantagraphics with three, and both DC and Marvel with two. Many of these publishers also shared in the win for Jordie Bellaire as Best Colorist.

The coveted Best Graphic Album—New Award went to Rutu Modan’s The Property, published by Drawn & Quarterly, while Best Reality-Based Work was awarded to the five-years-in the-making The Fifth Beatle: The Brian Epstein Story by Vivek J. Tiwary, Andrew C. Robinson, and Kyle Baker (published by Dark Horse).

The audience at the awards was entertained by presenters who included actor/comedian Orlando Jones (Sleepy Hollow, MADtv), actress Kelly Hu ((Arrow, Warehouse 13), actor/screenwriter/comedian Thomas Lennon (Reno 911, Balls of Fury), nominee Reginald Hudlin (writer, Black Panther; producer, Django Unchained), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles co-creator Kevin Eastman, Belgian graphic novelists Benoît Peeters and François Schuiten (Obscure Cities series), writer nominees Matt Fraction (Hawkeye, Sex Criminals) and Kelly Sue DeConnick (Pretty Deadly, Captain Marvel), Hall of Fame cartoonist Sergio Aragonés (Groo, MAD), writer/artist nominee Terry Moore (Rachel Rising, Strangers in Paradise), writer/artist Bill Morrison (Bongo Comics), voice actors Phil LaMarr (Samurai Jack, Justice League Unlimited, MADtv) and Vanessa Marshall (Young Justice, Spectacular Spider-Man), and British talk show host/comics writer Jonathan Ross, who was assisted onstage by Comic-Con special guest Batton Lash (cartoonist of Supernatural Law).

Sergio Aragonés presented the Hall of Fame Awards. The seven inductees were black comics pioneer Orrin C. Evans (All-Negro Comics), cartoonist Irwin Hasen (Wild Cat, Green Lantern, Dondi), Golden Age artist Sheldon Moldoff (Batman), manga giant Hayao Miyazaki (Nausicäa), writer Alan Moore (Watchmen, V for Vendetta, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen), DC comics writer/editor Dennis O’Neil (Batman, Green Lantern/Green Arrow), and legendary comics artist Bernie Wrightson (Swamp Thing, Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein).

Among the other awards given out over the evening were the Comic-Con’s Clampett and Manning awards. The Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award, presented by Bob’s daughter Ruth, went to retailer Joe Field, for founding Free Comic Book Day. The Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award went to Aaron Conley (artist of Sabretooth Swordsman, published by Dark Horse) and was presented by past Russ Manning Award winner Jeff Smith.

The tenth annual Bill Finger Award for Excellence in Comic Book Writing was presented by Mark Evanier and Bill Finger’s granddaughter, Athena, to three recipients: Jack Mendelsohn (Panic, Jacky’s Diary); Robert Kanigher (Sgt. Rock, Enemy Ace, Metal Men), accepted by Paul Levitz; and Bill Mantlo (Rocket Raccoon, Micronauts, Rom), accepted by Marv Wolfman. Maggie Thompson (editor of Comics Buyers Guide) introduced the special In Memoriam video salute.

The Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award, given to a store that has done an outstanding job of supporting the comics art medium both in the community and within the industry at large, went to Legends Comics & Coffee (Omaha, Nebraska), and All Star Comics (Melbourne, Australia).

The title sponsor for this year’s Eisner Awards was SHOWTIME. The principal sponsors were Gentle Giant and Lebonfon Printing. Supporting sponsors were Alternate Reality Comics of Las Vegas, Atlantis Fantasyworld of Santa Cruz, CA, Diamond Comic Distributors, Flying Colors Comics and Other Cool Stuff of Concord, CA, Strange Adventures of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Warp 1 of  Edmonton, Alberta, and Mel Thompson and Associates.

The Eisner Awards are part of, and underwritten by, Comic-Con International: San Diego, a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to creating awareness of and appreciation for comics and related popular art forms, primarily through the presentation of conventions and events that celebrate the historic and ongoing contributions of comics to art and culture.

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 23 2014

DC COMICS

MAY140266     ALL STAR WESTERN #33     $3.99
MAY140186     AQUAMAN #33     $2.99
MAY140230     BATMAN #33 (ZERO YEAR) (NOTE PRICE)     $4.99
MAY140233     BATMAN #33 COMBO PACK (ZERO YEAR) (NOTE PRICE)     $5.99
MAY140354     BATMAN 66 #13     $3.99
MAR148214     BATMAN 75TH ANNIV MASKS BATMAN 1966 (BND OF 25)     PI
MAR148209     BATMAN 75TH ANNIV MASKS BOB KANE (BND OF 25)     PI
MAR148213     BATMAN 75TH ANNIV MASKS DARK KNIGHT (BND OF 25)     PI
MAR148215     BATMAN 75TH ANNIV MASKS NEW 52 (BND OF 25)     PI
MAR148210     BATMAN 75TH ANNIVERSARY CAPE     PI
MAY140238     BATMAN AND ROBIN #33 (ROBIN RISES)     $2.99
MAY140357     BATMAN BEYOND UNIVERSE #12     $3.99
MAR140264     BATMAN BLACK AND WHITE HC VOL 04     $29.99
MAY140228     BATMAN ETERNAL #16     $2.99
MAY140254     CATWOMAN #33     $2.99
MAY140400     DEAD BOY DETECTIVES #7     $2.99
MAY140194     FLASH #33     $2.99
MAY140358     HE MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE #15     $2.99
MAY140356     INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US YEAR TWO #8     $2.99
MAY140190     JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #33     $3.99
APR140269     JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICAS VIBE TP VOL 01 BREACH (N52)     $16.99
MAY140184     NEW 52 FUTURES END #12 (WEEKLY)     $2.99
MAY140264     RED LANTERNS #33     $2.99
MAY140196     SECRET ORIGINS #4     $4.99
MAY140167     STAR SPANGLED WAR STORIES GI ZOMBIE #1     $2.99
MAY140206     SUPERMAN #33     $3.99
MAY140210     SUPERMAN #33 COMBO PACK     $4.99
MAR140258     SUPERMAN ACTION COMICS HC VOL 04 HYBRID (N52)     $24.99
APR140268     SUPERMAN ACTION COMICS TP VOL 03 AT THE END OF DAYS (N52)     $16.99
APR140296     SWAMP THING BY BRIAN K VAUGHAN TP VOL 02 (MR)     $19.99
MAY140198     TRINITY OF SIN PANDORA #13     $2.99
APR140302     UNWRITTEN TP VOL 09 THE UNWRITTEN FABLES (MR)     $14.99
MAY140411     UNWRITTEN VOL 2 APOCALYPSE #7 (MR)     $3.99
MAY140200     WONDER WOMAN #33     $2.99

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for June 18 2014

IDW PUBLISHING

MAR140376 ARCHIE SWINGIN SIXTIES DAILY NEWSPAPER COMICS 1963-1965 HC $49.99
JAN140431 CHARLES SCHULZ PEANUTS ARTIST ED HC PI
APR140420 DEADWORLD RESTORATION TP $19.99
APR140385 JUDGE DREDD MEGA CITY TWO DIRECTORS CUT #1 $4.99
APR140389 KILL SHAKESPEARE MASK OF NIGHT #1 $3.99
APR140360 LITTLEST PET SHOP #2 $3.99
APR140365 MY LITTLE PONY FRIENDS FOREVER #6 $3.99
FEB140359 PARKER THE HUNTER NOVEL HC ILLUS BY DARWYN COOKE $29.99
APR140446 POPEYE CLASSICS ONGOING #23 $3.99
APR140352 POWERPUFF GIRLS #10 $3.99
APR140357 SAMURAI JACK #9 $3.99
APR140345 STAR TREK CITY O/T EDGE OF FOREVER #1 $3.99
APR140346 STAR TREK CITY O/T EDGE OF FOREVER #1 SUBSCRIPTION VARIANT $3.99
APR140435 STARSTRUCK TREASURY ED $9.99
APR140374 TMNT ONGOING #35 $3.99
APR140372 TMNT TURTLES IN TIME #1 $3.99
APR140418 V-WARS #3 $3.99
APR140380 WINTERWORLD #1 $3.99

I Reads You Review: HARLEY QUINN #0

HARLEY QUINN #0
DC COMICS – @DCComics

WRITERS: Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti
ART:  Amanda Conner, Becky Cloonan, Tony S. Daniel, Sandu Florea, Stephane Roux, Dan Panosian, Walter Simonson, Jim Lee, Scott Williams, Bruce Timm, Charlie Adlard, Adam Hughes, Art Baltazar, Tradd Moore, Dave Johnson, Jeremy Roberts, Sam Keith, Darwyn Cooke, Chad Hardin
COLORS: Paul Mounts, Tomeu Morey, John Kalisz, Lovern Kindzierski, Alex Sinclair, Lee Loughridge, Dave Stewart, Alex Sollazzo
LETTERS: John J. Hill
COVER: Amanda Conner with Paul Mounts
VARIANT COVER: Stephane Roux
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (May 2014 – second printing)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Harley Quinn created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm

DC Comics began publishing a new Harley Quinn comic book series by writers Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti and artists Chad Hardin (pencils and inks) and Alex Sinclair (colors) at the turn of the year.  As a tie-in to the new series, DC published Harley Quinn #0, which was also written by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti.

Harley Quinn #0 is essentially a stand-alone, anthology comic book.  This issue has a single narrative, which basically breaks the fourth wall, allowing Harley Quinn and Connor and Palmiotti to interact.  The two sides are arguing about the type of artists that should draw Quinn and her adventures.  The anthology part is that 17 artists draw at least one page of the 20 pages of story in Harley Quinn #0.  Amanda Conner draws the opening two pages, and Chad Hardin, the artist of the new ongoing Harley Quinn series, draws the three pages that end the story.  That leaves 15 pages for the 15 other artists.

I am a fan of many of the artists contributing to Harley Quinn #0, and some of them are familiar to me, but only in passing.  I grabbed a second printing of Harley Quinn #0 as soon as I read the names of the artists listed on the cover.  I was most looking forward to seeing art by Jim Lee and Bruce Timm, but was somewhat disappointed by their contributions.  The best page is by Walter Simonson – transposing his classic version of Manhunter onto Harley Quinn.

The biggest surprises for me were Stephane Roux, Dan Panosian, and Jeremy Roberts, and Tradd Moore’s page makes me want to see more of his work.  Of course, I am always happy to see anything by the genius named Darwyn Cooke.  I have one question for Harley: can we do this again?

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

I Reads You Review: RICHARD STARK’S PARKER: The Score (Book Three)

RICHARD STARK’S PARKER: THE SCORE (BOOK THREE)
IDW PUBLISHING – @IDWPublishing

CARTOONIST: Darwyn Cooke
EDITOR: Scott Dunbier
ISBN: 978-1613772089; hardcover (July 24, 2012)
144pp, 2-Color, $24.99 U.S.

Richard Stark’s Parker: The Score is a 2012 graphic novel written and drawn by cartoonist, Darwyn Cooke.  It is a comic book adaptation of the 1964 novel, The Score, by Richard Stark, a pseudonym of the late author Donald E. Westlake.

The Score, also published under the title, Killtown, is the fifth novel starring Parker, the master thief and ruthless criminal who is Westlake’s signature character.  Richard Stark’s Parker: The Score is Darwyn Cooke’s third graphic novel adaptation of the Parker novels, following The Hunter (2009) and The Outfit (2010).

Richard Stark’s Parker: The Score opens in Jersey City on Monday, April 13, 1964.  Parker is there for a meeting with Paulus about an upcoming job, but the job isn’t Paulus’ idea.  This operation is the brainchild of Edgars, someone who is both an amateur and someone unknown to Parker.  Parker should refuse the job and walk out, but he doesn’t.

Edgar proposes a grand robbery; the target – an entire town.  According to Edgar, a cool quarter of a million dollars is there for the taking in the mining town of Copper Canyon, North Dakota.  It’s like science fiction, thinks Parker, a job with too many rules and set up by an amateur.  Still, he’s intrigued, and he assembles a team of 12 to knock over a town.  Parker, Edgars, Paulus, Grofield, Wycza, Wiss, Palm, Elkins, Chambers, Cho, Salsa, and “Pop” Phillips.  But it’s all going to blow up in their faces.

I have praised Darwyn Cooke’s Parker graphic novels so much that I think I’ve run out of words that I can use for more praise.  Speaking of praise, maybe I should get Biblical on this review.  Seriously folks, Parker: The Score is so f-word + ing good.

Like the two before it, Parker: The Score is a great crime comic, obviously.  I think what makes it a superior work of comics and storytelling is that for all its crime genre trappings, Parker: The Score balances classic elements of storytelling.  Over the years, I have learned that storytelling is about plot, setting, and characters – especially the last one.  Parker: The Score balances all three.  It flows like a lush jazz composition played by an orchestra not afraid of finding the brash rhythms and strident moments or even the dark mood in the last act.

Cooke makes the setting, Copper Canyon, also a character.  The town is a she, a siren that entices with the treasure she holds within her – ready to be plucked by any ambitious man or group of men that think it is worth the risk of crashing and burning.

Cooke takes some of the characters:  Parker, Edgar, and Grofield, to name a few, and makes them, specifically their actions and motivations, the plot.  They drive the story even more so than the primary plot, which is about the planning and execution of the robbery.

Which brings us to the setting:  it is the robbery itself.  Parker and company and Copper Canyon are brought to this thing that is also a place:  the act and planning of a robbery.  It is where characters and setting meet in order to do their thing.  Cooke presents the fundamentals and elements of the story in such a way that they function as they should.  They also break the boundaries and expand the story beyond their function.

Parker: The Score is such a beautifully drawn and designed book.  Cooke’s style, which resembles the work of cartoonists such as Alex Toth, Will Eisner, Steve Ditko, and John Romita, is always attractive.  It is the storytelling at the core of his art, however, that is important.  He uses the overall graphic design of the page and the design of the elements and contents of individual panels not just as compositional elements, but also as the storytelling.  Thus, this book of striking images is more than just pretty pictures.  It is that kind of storytelling that has been grabbing the human imagination for a long time, or so I’m told.  Richard Stark’s Parker: The Score: you need to score one.

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.

Review: RICHARD STARK’S PARKER: The Hunter (Book One)

RICHARD STARK’S PARKER: THE HUNTER (BOOK ONE)
IDW PUBLISHING – @IDWPublishing

CARTOONIST: Darwyn Cooke
EDITOR: Scott Dunbier
ISBN: 978-160010-493-0; hardcover (July 28, 2009)
140pp, 2-Color, $24.99 US

Richard Stark’s Parker: The Hunter is a 2009 graphic novel written and drawn by cartoonist, Darwyn Cooke.  Originally published as a hardcover, Parker: The Hunter is based on the 1962 crime novel, The Hunter, written by Donald E. Westlake (under his pseudonym Richard Stark).  The Hunter introduces the enduring and ruthless career criminal, Parker (whose first name is never mentioned in any of the 24 “Parker” novels).

When IDW announced in 2008 that acclaimed comic book creator Darwyn Cooke (DC: The New Frontier, The Spirit) was adapting four of author Westlake’s “Parker” books as graphic novels, fans were excited.  This was probably especially true of readers looking forward to what would hopefully be a great crime comic book.  With the release of the first Parker graphic novel, The Hunter, fans of crime comics got their wish.

However, Parker: The Hunter is not just a fine crime comic book, but it is also an outstanding comic book.  In his adaptation, Cooke even remains faithful to the original novel’s uncomplicated plot.

Parker arrives in New York City with a head of steam, as he scams and schemes his way to a little financial stability.  He only needs a little stability, just enough to begin to get payback.  Parker’s mission begins the woman who betrayed him – the woman who shot Parker just above the belt and left him for dead – his wife Lynn Parker.  She’s the key to Parker discovering the whereabouts of Mal Resnick, the partner who double-crossed him after a successful heist.  Parker, however, wants more than to just coldly exact revenge; he also wants back everything that was taken from him, including the money Resnick stole from him, and that will pit Parker against Resnick’s employers, The Outfit.

Is The Hunter a great crime comic?  It certainly could be considered as such.  Is it a faithful adaptation of the source?  Yes, it is – quite so, but The Hunter is something else, also.  It’s a terrific comic book, plain and simple.  Darwyn Cooke has taken Westlake’s first Parker novel, a story that has already been told, and Cooke retells it in a new voice.  This is Cooke’s voice – the graphic novel as only he can do it.  Cooke blends words/text, pictures in sequence, portraits, cityscapes, and single illustrations into a graphic work that does more than just adapt The Hunter into comics form.  It is something new; it is Parker and his world as they’ve never before been.

With modern crime comics, sometimes the emphasis is either on drawing stylish art that will have a “film noir feel” (even in full-color crime comics) or stories that “play with crime genre conventions.”  Cooke’s The Hunter is certainly visually stylish.  The elements of line, shape, value, texture, and color are hardboiled.  In terms of components and principles of art, Cooke’s work here has a passing resemblance to the comics of Will Eisner and Alex Toth, both noted for their cinematic visual motifs.  However, ultimately the art direction, graphic design and composition, both as style and as storytelling, make The Hunter something different.  Whereas other creators may be concerned about crime comics that have a general visual style or specific narrative conventions, Cooke reaches beyond convention simply to tell a great story with wide appeal.

The parts of Westlake’s text that Cooke uses as word balloons and in captions, he also brings to life with his art.  The art establishes story, especially the first 24 pages, in which Cooke efficiently reveals to the reader Parkers abilities and his aptitude as a criminal.

Cooke detailed renderings of New York City, 1962, brings us to a hustling, diverse city of distinct locales and varied local colors.  From the bustle of the subway to greasy diners manned by saucy waitresses, Cooke establishes the world in which Parker will make his long, slow, but relentless climb up the hill to revenge.  Look at this book long enough and it is obvious that Cooke put so much thought into creating The Hunter’s environments via art direction and set decoration.  There’s the cool, ultra-modern of Lynn Parker’s apartment, bought with ill-gotten gains.  That actually pales next to the spotless, space-age elegance of the lobby at Frederick Carter Investments.  Whatever the setting, Cooke’s deft touch at fashioning the milieu of Parker’s world brings the story alive and brings the reader into that world.

Ultimately, The Hunter will be judged on how well Cooke tells a story, more so than on how pretty the art looks or how much the art fits a genre.  Every panel and every page connects in one fantastic tale of a man who simply wishes to balance the scales in his favor.  Yeah, Parker is a ruthless criminal and murderer, but in the world in which he lives, he earned what is his.  All he wants to do is get that back.

Decades ago, Donald Westlake began an epic journey convincing readers that Parker was doing the right thing as Parker saw it, and that first book, The Hunter, was a terrific book of crime fiction.  Nearly 50 years later, Cooke retells that story in his own unique voice, and as expected, Darwyn Cooke’s The Hunter is a superb comic book – in whatever genre one might place it.  It is a graphic novel better than most and as good as the best.

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.

The "Leroys" 2012 - Richard Stark's Parker: The Score

Hey, it’s Leroy Douresseaux – the Prince of Comic Book Reviews.  Of course, the prince can’t read every thing.  Seriously, I wish I could, as I am always curious about the comic books that I have not read.  Still, I’ve managed to compile a list of what I think are the best comic books, graphic novels, and books related to comics of the year 2012 that I actually read.  It has taken me awhile, of course…

And if the Eisner Awards are the Oscars of comic book awards (which is sad that people actually say that), then, the “Leroys” are the Golden Globes of comic book awards.  My “best picture” award is the “Comic Book of the Year” award.

2012’s “Comic Book of the Year” goes to Richard Stark’s Parker: The Score by Darwyn Cooke; edited by Scott Dunbier and published by IDW Publishing

I was going to go with Building Stories by Chris Ware (Pantheon Books), just for its sheer audacity, planning, and publication design.  I could even go with Love and Rockets: New Stories #5, which is so awesome.  But I’m a homer for Darwyn Cooke.

25 Best of (what I’ve read) 2012:
COMICS AND GRAPHIC NOVELS AND RELATED: (in alphabetical order)

1. All New X-Men by Brian Michael Bendis and Stuart Immonen – Marvel Comics
2. Bakuman by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata – VIZ Media
3. Bad Medicine by Nunzio DeFilippis & Christina Weir and Christopher Mitten – Oni Press
4. Batman: Earth One by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank – DC Comics
5. Bleach by Tite Kubo – VIZ Media
6. Building Stories by Chris Ware – Pantheon Books
7. Comics Sketchbooks: The Private Worlds of Today’s Most Creative Talents by Steven Heller – Thames & Hudson, Inc.
8. Cross Game by Mitsuru Adachi – VIZ Media
9. The Hive by Charles Burns – Pantheon Books
10. The Judas Coin by Walter Simonson – DC Comics
11. Legends of the Dark Knight: Jim Aparo, Volume 1 – DC Comics
12. Love and Rockets: New Stories #5 by Gilbert and Jaime Hernandez – Fantagraphics Books
13. Marvel Comics: The Untold Story by Sean Howe - HarperCollins
14. Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto – VIZ Media
15. Natsume’s Book of Friends by Yuki Midorikawa – VIZ Media
16. Ooku: The Inner Chambers by Fumi Yoshinaga – VIZ Media
17. Peanut – Ayun Halliday and Paul Hobbe – Schwartz & Wade Books
18. Richard Stark’s Parker: The Score by Darwyn Cooke – IDW Publishing
19. Right State by Mat Johnson and Andrea Mutti – DC Comics/Vertigo
20. Rocketeer Adventures 2 (anthology) edited by Scott Dunbier – IDW Publishing
21. The Rocketeer: Cargo of Doom by Mark Waid and Chris Samnee – IDW Publishing
22. Slam Dunk by Takehiko Inoue – VIZ Media
23. The Strain by David Lapham and Mike Huddleston – Dark Horse Comics
24. Three Wolves Mountain – by Bohra Naono – SuBLime/VIZ Media
25. 20th Century Boys by Naoki Urasawa – VIZ Media

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for December 11 2013

Digital Comics: Digital new releases available from your local comic book shop are marked below. [DIG] = Digital version available. [DIG/P+] = Print-Plus digital/print combo pack available. For more information, go to www.digitalcomicsreader.com.

IDW PUBLISHING

OCT130432 DANGER GIRL THE CHASE #4 [DIG/P+] $3.99
SEP130390 DOCTOR WHO SERIES 2 HC GIRL WHO WAITED BOY WHO LIVED $49.99
OCT130377 GHOSTBUSTERS ONGOING TP VOL 06 $17.99
OCT130394 GI JOE #11 [DIG/P+] $3.99
SEP130409 GI JOE IDW COLLECTION HC VOL 03 $49.99
OCT130396 GI JOE SPECIAL MISSIONS #10 [DIG/P+] $3.99
OCT130438 HAUNTED HORROR #8 [DIG/P+] $3.99
OCT130440 INDESTRUCTIBLE #1 [DIG/P+] $3.99
OCT130445 JUDGE DREDD COMPLETE CARLOS EZQUERRA HC VOL 01 RED LABEL ED PI
SEP130467 LIL ABNER HC VOL 06 $49.99
SEP130448 MAGIC THE GATHERING THEROS #2 [DIG/P+] $4.99
OCT130351 MAXX MAXXIMIZED #2 [DIG/P+] $3.99
OCT130428 MEMORY COLLECTORS #2 [DIG/P+] $3.99
OCT130425 OTHER DEAD #4 [DIG/P+] $3.99
OCT130365 POWERPUFF GIRLS #4 [DIG/P+] $3.99
OCT130368 POWERPUFF GIRLS CLASSICS TP VOL 02 POWER UP [DIG] $19.99
OCT130333 RICHARD STARKS PARKER SLAYGROUND HC $17.99
OCT130434 ROCKETEER SPIRIT PULP FRICTION #4 [DIG/P+] $3.99
OCT130321 STAR TREK ANNUAL 2013 [DIG] $7.99
SEP130426 THUMBPRINT BY JOE HILL HC $21.99
OCT130355 THUNDER AGENTS CLASSICS TP VOL 02 $29.99
AUG130470 TMNT 25TH ANNIVERSARY HC $49.99
OCT130408 TMNT COLOR CLASSICS SERIES 2 #2 $3.99
NOV120362 TMNT ULT COLL HC VOL 05 $49.99
AUG130500 TMNT ULTIMATE COLLECTION HC VOL 02 RED LABEL ED PI
OCT130393 TRANSFORMERS MONSTROSITY TP $19.99
OCT130390 TRANSFORMERS PRIME BEAST HUNTERS #8 [DIG/P+] $3.99
OCT130330 WRAITH WELCOME TO CHRISTMASLAND #2 [DIG/P+] $3.99
OCT130417 X-FILES CLASSICS HUNDRED PENNY PRESS ED #1 [DIG] $1.00
OCT130414 X-FILES SEASON 10 #7 [DIG/P+] $3.99

I Reads You Review: THE ROCKETEER/THE SPIRIT: Pulp Friction #2

THE ROCKETEER/THE SPIRIT: PULP FRICTION #2
IDW PUBLISHING with DC Entertainment – @IDWPublishing and @DCComics

WRITER:  Mark Waid
PENCILS: Loston Wallace
INKS: Bob Wiacek
COLORS: Hi Fi Designs
LETTERS: Tom B. Long
EDITOR: Scott Dunbier
COVER: Paul Smith with Jordie Bellaire
SUBSCRIPTION VARIANT COVER: Darwyn Cooke and J. Bone
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2013)

Artist and illustrator, Dave Stevens (who died in March of 2008), created the comic book character, The Rocketeer.  Cliff Secord is a stunt pilot who discovers a mysterious jet pack.  Donning the jet pack and a helmet, Secord becomes “The Rocketeer,” and begins a series of adventures set mainly in Los Angeles, beginning in the year 1938.

Legendary cartoonist Will Eisner (who died in January of 2005) created The Spirit, a comic book character that first appeared on June 2, 1940 in what readers called “The Spirit Section.”  This was a 16-page, Sunday newspaper supplement or insert that was carried in various newspapers from the 1940s and to the early 1950s.  Once known as Detective Denny Colt (believed by some to be dead), The Spirit is a masked vigilante who fights crime in Central City.

IDW Publishing (in association with DC Comics) brings the two characters together in a new comic book miniseries entitled, The Rocketeer/The Spirit: Pulp Friction.  The series is written by Mark Waid and drawn by various artists.  Pulp Friction unites the two characters, as they try to solve a murder case.  The corpse of Alderman Tommy Cunningham, Central City politician, is found in Los Angeles, which is impossible, because he should not be in L.A.

The Rocketeer/The Spirit: Pulp Friction #2 opens with the Central City contingent:  The Spirit, Commissioner Dolan, and Ellen (the Commissioner’s daughter), at odds with our L.A.-based friends: The Rocketeer, actress Betty (Cliff Secord’s lady), and airplane mechanic Peevy (Cliff’s friend and partner).  The girls are using their feminine wiles to both agitate and excite.

Meanwhile, The Spirit’s mysterious nemesis, the Octopus, plots with Benedict Trask, who seems to be trying to become the first of what we now call a media mogul.  Their plotting involves a surprise attack on our heroes.

Having Mark Waid write the first ever team up of The Rocketeer and The Spirit, as is the idea of uniting them in the first place, is a no-brainer.  Waid is good with Golden Age characters, of which both these classic comics characters are.  Here, Waid’s comics script is a nice brew of fisticuffs, high-flying derring-do, and pulp crime fiction with an occasional bit of innuendo.  Is that a rabbit in your pocket, Mr. Second?...

I thought Paul Smith was going to be the series artist, but that seems not to be the case, as this second issue and the third are drawn by different artists.  Loston Wallace, who provides the pencil art (which Bob Wiacek inks), is good enough.  His style is acceptable for this kind of story, and his storytelling is good.  The most important thing is that he does not make the transition from Paul Smith a disaster.

I’m ready for the next issue of The Rocketeer/The Spirit: Pulp Friction.  Tune in tomorrow.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

The text is copyright © 2013 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.