Showing posts with label John Romita. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John Romita. Show all posts

Friday, June 30, 2023

I Reads You Juniors: June 2023 - Update #71

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon.

NEWS:

DC STUDIOS - From DeadlineDC Studios has its Superman/Clark Kent and Lois Lane, actors David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan, respectively.  They will be the leads in "Superman: Legacy," the first in a new series of films based on DC Comics characters.

From DCBlog:  Benjamin Wallfisch talks about scoring "The Flash."

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Frank Miller will draw "Ronin Book II #4" entirely by himself.  That issue may arrive in late September 2023.

MANGA TO TV - From CBR:  Netflix's live-action adaptation of "One Piece" costs 18 million dollars per episode, the most expensive per episode series ever for Netflix.  It surpasses the 15 million dollars per episode that "Game of Thrones" costs.

COMIC-CON - From Variety:  Apparently, Disney, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, Netflix, Sony Pictures, HBO, and Universal are skipping San Diego Comic-Con 2023.

SONY MARVEL U - From VarietySony debuts its first trailer for its next Marvel-based film, "Kraven the Hunter," and it is a "red-band trailer."  The film is due in theaters Oct. 6th, 2023.

From Deadline:  Sony Pictures has pulled "El Muerto," it Marvel Comics character film starring recording artist, Bad Bunny, from its release schedule.

BOOKS - From NPR:  Author Rachel Swarns talks about her new book, "The 272: The Families Who Were Enslaved and Sold to Build the American Catholic Church," which details how the Catholic Church profited from the slave trade and the enslavements of Africans and their descendants in America.

JACK KIRBY/MARVEL - From Deadline:  Neal Kirby, the son of the legendary comic book writer-artist and creator, Jack Kirby, has publicly challenged the narrative of the new Disney+ documentary, "Stan Lee."

From TheBeat:  Journalist and comics historian, Heidi MacDonald, shares some thoughts about the recent documentary, "Stan Lee," and how it relates to the late artist and co-creator of much of the Marvel Universe, Jack Kirby.

DC CINEMA/THE FLASH:

From Variety:  A timeline of the arrests, controversies, and other legal entanglements of Ezra Miller, the star of "The Flash."

From DeadlineAndy Muschietti, the director of "The Flash," will also direct DC Studios' Batman film, "Batman: Brave and the Bold."  Meanwhile, Andy and his sister, producer Barbara Muschietti, have signed first-look deals with both the picture and television divisions of Warner Bros.

From Variety:  Actor Michael Shannon said his return to the role of "General Zod" in "The Flash" was not "quite satisfying" for him as an actor.  He first played the role in 2013's "Man of Steel."
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DC ANIMATION - From Variety:  Warner Bros. various animation divisions are showing at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and Market.  Among the highlights is a "sizzle reel" of the upcoming Bruce Timm "Batman: Caped Crusader," described as a darker version of Timm's beloved "Batman: The Animated Series."  Warner Bros. has licensed "Caped Crusader" to Amazon Prime.

MARVEL - From TheFHQ:  Former Marvel EiC, Joe Quesada, answers fans' questions in this Q&A with "Fan Expo HQ." The page also includes a video of a longer interview with Quesada

SONY MARVEL U - From Deadline:  Sony Pictures has reserved to future theatrical release dates: November 8, 2024 and June 27, 2025, for two of its movies based on Marvel Comics characters.

TOKYOPOP - From BleedingCool:  TOKYOPOP has announced its slate of panels, special guests, special booth activities and premiums for Anime Expo 2023.  The event will be held July 1-4 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA.

DC TV - From Deadline:  The CW did renew "Superman & Lois" for a fourth season, but seven cast members are not returning.  There is hope that some or all of them can appear in guests or recurring roles.

EN MEMORIAM - From BleedingCool:  Legendary comic book artist, John Romita, Sr., has died at the age of 93, Monday, June 12, 2023.  Romita's career is too long and significant to summarize, but he may be best known for his run on Marvel Comics' The Amazing Spider-Man, on and off, from the 1965 to 1977.  Replacing the artist who co-created and drew Spider-Man, Steve Ditko, Romita established an entirely new look for the series.  Romita also co-created or designed such the characters Mary Jane Watson, The Punisher, and Wolverine.  Romita was also the father of acclaimed comic book artist, John Romita, Jr.

#ComicsBrokeMe:

From BleedingCool:  More tales of abuse from #ComicsBrokeMe.

From BleedingCool:  #ComicsBrokeMe stories mostly about DC Comics, but also some Marvel... tales.

From BleedingCool:  The Twitter hastag, "#ComicsBrokeMe," is allowing comics creators to talk about the personal and financial hardships and professional pressures that they deal with in order to work in American comic books.

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IMAGE COMICS TO TV - From FilmUpdates:  Film director and Oscar-winning screenwriter Jordan Peele and actress Selena Gomez are adapting the Image Comics series, "Coyotes" "2017-18) for Amazon's Prime Video.

DC TV - From CBRThe CW has renewed "Superman & Lois" for a 10-episode fourth season.  It is the last DC Comics-inspired series on the broadcast network.

From CBR:  That means that The CW has cancelled "Gotham Knights" after one season.

SPIDER-VERSE - From Variety:  On Monday, at the Annecy International Film Festival, Sony Pictures Animation gave a world premiered its boundary-pushing short, "The Spider Within: A Spider-Verse Story," which tackles mental health.  Spinning off the world of "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" and "Spider-Man: Across The Spider Verse," the short shows its protagonist Miles Morales/Spider-Man suffering from an anxiety attack as he feels overwhelmed by school work, exams and relationships.

EN MEMORIAM - From BleedingCool:  Comic book writer and artist, Ian McGinty, has died at the age of 38, Thursday, June 8, 2023.  He worked on such licensed comic books as "Adventure Time" and "Rick & Morty."  His original comics included "Welcome to Showside" and "Hello My Name is Poop."

MARVEL - From BleedingCoolMarvel Characters Inc. has settled lawsuits brought by Larry Lieber (the late Stan Lee's younger brother) and the estates of late creatres:  Don Heck, Gene Colan, and Don Rico. However, no settlement has been reached in the case of the estate of Steve Ditko, which seeks to reclaim his share of Doctor Strange and Spider-Man copyrights.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Legendary illustrator and comic book artist and creator, 73-year-old Barry Windsor-Smith, is now at home recovering from the Ischemic stroke he suffered on May 20th.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  A new "Ultimate Comics Universe" will spin out of Jonathan Hickman and Bryan Hitch's "Ultimate Invasion."

MANGA TO ANIME - From CBR:  Henry Thurlow, an American animator living in Japan, is the first American to direct an episode of the "One Piece" anime.  His episode of One Piece, "Episode 1066," will debut in Japan on June 25th.

DC PRIDE - From DCBlog:  Author Jadzia Axelrod talks about choosing the over fifty LGBTQIA+ characters that appear in "The DC Book of Pride."

DC ANIMATION - From YouTube:  Here is the trailer for the latest DC Comics animated film, "Justice League: War World." The film is due for release July 25, 2023.

MILLARWORLD - From CBR:  Image Comics reveals three variant covers, from Frank Quitely, Jae Lee, and Danny Earls, for the upcoming "Big Game #1," which arrives July 19, 2023.

DC STUDIOS - From DeadlineWarner Bros. and writer-director James Gunn are apparently closing in on choosing the actors to play Clark Kent/Superman and Lois Lane for the film, "Superman: Legacy."  They are reportedly about to begin a second round of screen tests.

DC STUDIOS - From EW:  In an interview to promote the documentary film, "Translators," actress Leslie Grace talks about the loss of "Batgirl," the film in which she starred and what it means for representation.

DC COMICS - From CBR:  A CBR roundtable of writers: Joshua Williamson, Mark Waid, G. Willow Wilson, and Matthew Rosenberg, talk about DC Comics' big summer event, "Knight Terrors."

COMICS - From IGN:  The editor/publisher of the most excellent "Kolchak the Night Stalker 50th Anniversary" anthology graphic novel, James Aquilone/Monstrous Books, has just launched a Kickstarter for another horror comics anthology, "Dead Detectives Society."

From ComicBook:  Launching on "Kickstarter" with the "Dead Detectives Society" anthology is a new magazine, "Monstrous."

SPIDER-VERSE - From Variety:  "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" tops the weekend box office with an estimated gross of 120.5 million dollars.

From Marvel:  The directors of the new film, "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse," talk about the cultural important of Miles Morales and Gwen Stacy.

SONY SPIDER-MAN U - From Deadline: Current Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Tom Holland, says that his favorite Spider-Man film is the Oscar-winning "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" (2018).  The social media and media landscape seems obsessed with the fact that he says that he also thinks that it is the best Spider-Man movie.

MANGA TO LIVE-ACTION - From CBR:  The site is investigating a possible cast list for Netflix's live-action movie adaptation of the wildly popular manga, "My Hero Academia."

MARVEL - From CBR:  Frank Castle/The Punisher is no more... or at least has become something different.

DC ANIMATION - From CBR:  Actor Mark Hamill reflects on his time on "Batman: The Animated Series," and how he was sure his role as "Luke Skywalker" in the "Star Wars" films would keep him from getting the role he eventually won, providing the voice of "The Joker."

SONY SPIDER U - From CBR:  Actor Andy Samberg provided the voice of "Scarlet Spider" in the upcoming "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse."

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MAY 2023 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze Publishing for May 2023
From BleedingCool:  Aardvark-Vanaheim for May 2023
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for May 2023
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for May 2023
From BleedingCool:  CEX Publishing for May 2023
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for May 2023
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for May 2023
From BleedingCool:  Dead Good Comics for May 2023
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for May 2023
From BleedingCool:  Fairsquare Comics for May 2023
From BleedingCool:  Fantagraphics Books for May 2023
From BleedingCool:  Frank Miller Presents for May 2023
From BleedingCool:  IDW for May 2023
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for May 2023
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for May 2023
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for May 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for May 2023
From BleedingCool:  Opus Comics for May 2023
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for May 2023
From BleedingCool:  TOKYOPOP for May 2023
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion/2000 AD for May 2023
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for May 2023
From BleedingCool:  Sumerian Comics for May 2023
From BleedingCool:  Udon Entertainment Inc. for May 2023
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Entertainment for May 2023

JUNE 2023 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze Publishing for June 2023
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for June 2023
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for June 2023
From BleedingCool:  CEX Comics for June 2023
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for June 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for June 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Captain America" for June 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Star Wars" for June 2023
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for June 2023
From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for June 2023
From BleedingCool:  Sumerian Comics for June 2023
From BleedingCool:  Uncivilized Books for June 2023

JULY 2023 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze Publishing for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Band of Bards for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Blood Moon Comics for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  CEX Publishing for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Fairsquare Comics for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Frank Miller Presents for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Extreme Venomverse" for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Summer of Symbiotes" for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "X-Men" for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Opus Comics for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion Comics for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Sumerian Comics for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  T-Pub for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  TOKYOPOP for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Udon Comics for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Webtoon Unscrolled for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Whatnot Comics for July 2023
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for July 2023

AUGUST 2023 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Aardvard-Vanaheim for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  Dstlry Media for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics X-Men's "Fall of X" for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Fall of X" checklist and solicitations for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Summer of Symbiotes" for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for August 2023
From BleedingCool:  Whatnot Publishing for August 2023

SEPTEMBER 2023 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for September 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for September 2023

OCTOBER 2023 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Transformers" title for October 2023

DECEMBER 2023 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "G.I. Joe" comics for December 2023

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Monday, April 12, 2021

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for April 14, 2021

IDW PUBLISHING

FEB210441    CANTO & CITY OF GIANTS #1 (OF 3)    $3.99
JAN210432    CHAINED TO THE GRAVE #2 (OF 5) CVR A SHERRON (RES)    $3.99
DEC200485    GALAXY HUNTERS GAME    $79.99
DEC200482    GALAXY HUNTERS NEW WAYS TO HUNT EXPANSION    $29.99
NOV200373    GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO #279 CVR A SANCHEZ    $3.99
NOV200374    GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO #279 CVR B FICO OSSIO    $3.99
NOV200376    GI JOE TP VOL 01 WORLD ON FIRE (RES)    $29.99
NOV200362    JOHN ROMITA AMAZING SPIDER-MAN ARTISAN ED    $39.99
SEP200426    LOCKE & KEY SANDMAN HELL & GONE #1 CVR A RODRIGUEZ    $6.99
SEP200427    LOCKE & KEY SANDMAN HELL & GONE #1 CVR B  JH WILLIAMS III (C    $6.99
SEP200428    LOCKE & KEY SANDMAN HELL & GONE #1 CVR C KELLEY JONES    $6.99
JAN210450    MY LITTLE PONY FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC #96 CVR A  FLEECS    $3.99
JAN210451    MY LITTLE PONY FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC #96 CVR B JUSTASUTA    $3.99
DEC200445    STAR TREK NEXT GENERATION THE GIFT    $5.99
FEB210476    TMNT JENNIKA II #6 (OF 6)    $4.99
JAN210507    USAGI YOJIMBO #18    $3.99


Friday, December 20, 2019

Review: THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1


THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN No. 1 / #802 (2018)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Nick Spencer
PENCILS: Ryan Ottley; Humberto Ramos
INKS: Cliff Rathburn; Victor Olazaba
COLORS: Marte Gracia; Edgar Delgado
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
EDITOR: Nick Lowe
COVER: Ryan Ottley with Laura Martin
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Shane Davis and Michelle Delecki with Morry Hollowell; John Romita, Sr. and Terry Austin with Jason Keith; Erik Larsen with Dean White (Remastered); Jim Cheung with Justin Ponser; Greg Land with Jason Keith
56pp, Color, $5.99 U.S. (September 2018)

Rated  “T”

Spider-Man created by Steve Ditko and Stan Lee

“Back to Basics” Part One

Here we go.  Back in the summer, Marvel Comics published yet another The Amazing Spider-Man #1, but the publisher did not jettison its “Legacy” numbering.  So this new #1 comic book is also The Amazing Spider-Man #802.

It is a fresh start, of sorts, with a new creative team.  Nick Spencer is the new series writer.  The new art team is Ryan Ottley (pencils) and Cliff Rathburn (inks).  Laura Martin is on colors, and Joe Caramagna is on letters.

The Amazing Spider-Man #1 finds Peter Parker still trying to get his life back together in the wake of the crash and burn of his company, Parker Industries.  He shares an apartment with roommates, and he has reconnected with M.J. - Mary Jane Watson.  But something is wrong.  People are giving him the side eye, when they aren't being outright hostile and dismissive.  And he and the Avengers are in the middle of a massive alien invasion.  Is there a conspiracy against Peter Parker and Spider-Man?

I enjoyed Dan Slott's run on The Amazing Spider-Man.  Of course, I only experienced the second half of Slott's long tenure on the title, and I understand that some readers and fans were ready for Marvel to move on from him.

I don't know if readers are satisfied now, but I like this almost tripled-sized issue.  Without reverting Peter Parker to childhood, Spencer takes Peter Parker back to the days when he suffered the bane of a hero's existence – no good deed goes unpunished.  Indirectly and directly and by action and inaction, Parker and Spider-Man are causing trouble for the people for whom they care.  Obviously, there is a lot of dramatic tension and conflict.  Still, Spencer writes a light-hearted comic book with both wry humor and dark undertones.

Ryan Ottley, known for his long run on Robert Kirkman's Invincible (Image Comics), is the perfect Spider-Man comic book artist, for now.  He reminds me of Mark Bagley on Ultimate Spider-Man, and, at the time (late 2000), both that comic book and Bagley were much needed breaths of fresh air for the Spider-Man franchise.  Ottley recalls the past while being something different, essentially an indie superhero comic book artist taking on a venerable mainstream superhero franchise.  Ottley is back to basics without being retro.

Cliff Rathburn on inks accentuates the newness of Ottley's clean pencil art.  Laura Martin's colors seems out of place, too heavy for Ottley and Rathburn's illustrations.  There is nothing distinctive about Joe Caramagna's lettering.  At least, it seems that way to me.

Former Amazing Spider-Man series artist, Humberto Ramos, delivers a killer back-up story.  With his striking illustrative style, Ramos usually presents potent storytelling, and his tale enforces my belief that this Amazing relaunch could be something special... at least for awhile.

8 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.



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Monday, July 9, 2018

Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for July 11, 2018

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

MAY182102    A&A ADV OF ARCHER & ARMSTRONG HC DLX ED    $49.99
MAY181715    AGENCY GN    $25.00
MAY181802    APAMA THE UNDISCOVERED ANIMAL #2    $3.99
MAY181803    APAMA THE UNDISCOVERED ANIMAL #2 LAWN MOWER JESSE VARIANT A    $3.99
MAY181388    ARCHIE #32 CVR A MOK    $3.99
MAY181389    ARCHIE #32 CVR B HACK    $3.99
MAY181390    ARCHIE #32 CVR C KRAUSE    $3.99
MAR181938    ATLAS AND AXIS TP    $19.99
MAY181321    BETROTHED #5    $3.99
MAY181397    BETTY AND VERONICA FRIENDS FOREVER TRAVEL TALES #2    $2.99
MAR181146    BLACK HOPS USA GI #1 BUNS OF THE PATRIOTS PART 1    $3.99
MAY182096    BLOODSHOT SALVATION #11 CVR A ROCAFORT    $3.99
MAY182097    BLOODSHOT SALVATION #11 CVR B GUEDES    $3.99
APR182081    BRIDE & EXORCIST KNIGHT GN VOL 01    $12.99
MAY181326    BRILLIANT TRASH TP VOL 01 GOD CRASH    $17.99
MAY181558    CALIBER PRESENTS GN VOL 03 FLASH FROM NOWHERE    $12.99
MAY182184    CASE CLOSED GN VOL 67    $9.99
DEC171069    CASPER AND HOT STUFF #1 GALVAN MAIN CVR    $3.99
DEC171072    CASPER AND HOT STUFF #1 RETRO ANIMATION INCV CVR (Net)    $10.00
DEC171071    CASPER AND HOT STUFF #1 SCHERER MISCHIEF CVR    $3.99
DEC171070    CASPER AND HOT STUFF #1 WOLFER BUBBLES CVR    $3.99
MAY181849    CATALYST PRIME ACCELL #12    $3.99
MAY181850    CATALYST PRIME ASTONISHER #9    $3.99
MAY181589    CBLDF SUMMER UPDATE 2018 (BUNDLE OF 50)    $PI
MAY181432    CHARISMAGIC VOL 03 #6 (OF 6) CVR A VAZQUEZ    $3.99
MAY181433    CHARISMAGIC VOL 03 #6 (OF 6) CVR B RANDOLPH    $3.99
MAY181716    CONSTANT COMPANION GN    $25.00
MAY181623    DF ACTION COMICS #1000 SGN SKETCH HAESER    $80.00
MAY181647    DF AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #798 VENOM SGN ROMITA SR    $299.99
MAR181591    DF AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #800 GOLD SGN ROMITA SR    $299.99
MAY181662    DF FREEDOM STARTER SET    $44.44
APR181915    DISNEY MANGA PIRATES CARIBBEAN AT WORLDS END GN    $12.99
MAY181998    DOCTOR WHO ROAD TO 13TH DR 10TH DR SPECIAL #1 CVR A HACK    $3.99
MAY181999    DOCTOR WHO ROAD TO 13TH DR 10TH DR SPECIAL #1 CVR B PHOTO    $3.99
MAY182000    DOCTOR WHO ROAD TO 13TH DR 10TH DR SPECIAL #1 CVR C JONES    $3.99
MAY182133    GFT PRESENTS 2018 COSPLAY SPECIAL #1 (OF 1) CVR A SANTACRUZ    $5.99
MAY182134    GFT PRESENTS 2018 COSPLAY SPECIAL #1 (OF 1) CVR B REI    $5.99
MAY182135    GFT PRESENTS 2018 COSPLAY SPECIAL #1 (OF 1) CVR C MCCOY    $5.99
MAY182136    GFT PRESENTS 2018 COSPLAY SPECIAL #1 (OF 1) CVR D REYES    $5.99
MAY182141    GFT TALES OF TERROR VOL 4 #5 CVR A BIFULCO    $3.99
MAY182142    GFT TALES OF TERROR VOL 4 #5 CVR B LEISTER    $3.99
MAY182143    GFT TALES OF TERROR VOL 4 #5 CVR C TOLIBAO    $3.99
JAN181203    GOLD DIGGER #254    $3.99
MAY182241    GRAND BLUE DREAMING GN VOL 01    $12.99
MAY181815    H G WELLS INVISIBLE MAN GN    $24.99
APR181919    HANGER MANGA GN VOL 01 (MR)    $12.99
MAY181836    HERAKLES HC BOOK 01    $19.99
APR182089    HIMOUTO UMARI CHAN GN VOL 02    $12.99
MAY182178    HOMESTUCK HC VOL 02 ACT 3 & INTERMISSION    $24.99
APR181624    HUNTERS OF SALAMANSTRA #11 (MR)    $4.99
APR181244    IT CAME OUT ON A WEDNESDAY #1    $1.99
MAY181430    JIRNI VOLUME 3 #5 CVR A SANTAMARIA    $3.99
MAY181431    JIRNI VOLUME 3 #5 CVR B MARION    $3.99
MAY182242    KISS HIM NOT ME GN VOL 14    $10.99
MAR181727    KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #255    $5.99
MAR181964    KONOHANA KITAN MANGA GN VOL 01    $12.99
MAY182009    KONUNGAR WAR OF CROWNS #2 CVR A JUZHEN    $5.99
APR181486    LADY DEATH UNHOLY RUIN #2 NAUGHTY ED (MR)    $40.00
MAY181596    LITTLE GIRL #1 (OF 4) (MR)    $3.99
MAY181843    LITTLE TAILS UNDER THE SEA HC VOL 06 (OF 6)    $14.99
MAR181793    MADE MEN TP VOL 01 GETTING GANG BACK TOGETHER    $19.99
APR181245    METAPHASE #1 (OF 2)    $1.50
MAY181864    MIDNIGHT TASK FORCE #1    $3.99
MAY181980    MORTE ONE-SHOT (MR)    $3.99
APR181887    MUSKETEERS #5 (OF 5) CVR A VITORINO    $3.99
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APR181889    MUSKETEERS #5 (OF 5) CVR C MEGURO    $3.99
APR181890    MUSKETEERS #5 (OF 5) CVR D    $3.99
MAY181366    NINJAS VS ROBOTS TP    $14.99
MAY181419    NU WAY #1 CVR A KONAT    $3.99
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MAY182182    POKEMON ADV BLACK & WHITE 2 GN VOL 02    $9.99
MAY182181    POKEMON HORIZON SUN & MOON GN VOL 01    $9.99
MAY181559    RAVEN CHRONICLES TP VOL 03 FLESH & GHOSTS    $14.99
MAY181910    REGAL ACADEMY GN VOL 03 ONE DAY ON EARTH    $9.99
MAY181911    REGAL ACADEMY HC VOL 03 ONE DAY ON EARTH    $14.99
MAY181312    RELAY #1 CVR A ANDY CLARKE    $3.99
MAY181313    RELAY #1 CVR B CHRISTIAN WARD    $3.99
MAY182186    RIN-NE GN VOL 27    $9.99
MAY181837    ROCKET SALVAGE GN VOL 01    $14.99
MAY181560    SAINT GERMAINE KILROY MANDATE    $14.99
APR181246    SCRIMSHAW #6    $1.50
APR181502    SHIT IS REAL GN (MR)    $24.95
MAR181869    SMOKETOWN #8    $3.99
MAY181563    SNOW WHITE GN    $14.99
APR181247    SONITUS #3 (OF 3) (MR)    $1.50
APR182097    SORRY FOR MY FAMILIAR GN VOL 02    $12.99
MAY181405    SOULFIRE SHADOW MAGIC TP VOL 01 (RES)    $14.99
MAY181464    SPONGEBOB COMICS #82    $3.99
APR181737    STABBITY BUNNY #6 CVR A    $3.99
APR181738    STABBITY BUNNY #6 CVR B    $3.99
MAY181585    STAR WARS REBEL FILES HC    $21.95
MAY181804    TAP DANCE KILLER #2    $3.99
MAY181805    TAP DANCE KILLER #2 PUNCHLINE VARIANT A    $3.99
APR181920    TAROT CAFE MANGA COLLECTION GN VOL 01    $17.99
APR181248    THE XII #3 (OF 5) (MR)    $1.50
MAY181839    VOLTRON LEGENDARY DEFENDER VOL 3 #1 CVR A YAMASHIN (RES)    $3.99
MAY181840    VOLTRON LEGENDARY DEFENDER VOL 3 #1 CVR B PENA    $3.99
MAY182248    WAITING FOR SPRING GN VOL 07    $10.99
APR181877    WASTED SPACE #3 CVR A SAUVAGE (MR)    $3.99
APR181878    WASTED SPACE #3 CVR B SHERMAN VAR (MR)    $3.99
MAR181798    WASTELAND COMPENDIUM TP VOL 02 (OF 2)    $39.99
APR181250    WICKED RIGHTEOUS #6 (OF 6) (MR)    $1.50
MAY181400    WORLD OF ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #80    $6.99
MAY182147    WORLDS GREATEST FIRST LOVE GN VOL 10 (MR)    $12.99
MAY181971    ZINNOBER #2    $3.99

MAGAZINES
MAY181590    COMIC SHOP NEWS #1621    $PI
MAR188048    COMICS REVUE PRESENTS JUN 2018    $19.95
MAY182047    STAR WARS INSIDER #182 NEWSSTAND ED    $7.99
MAY182048    STAR WARS INSIDER #182 PX ED    $7.99

BOOKS
MAY182180    AMIGURUMI SAN-X CROCHET PATTERNS SC    $14.99
MAY182237    ATTACK ON TITAN CHARACTER ENCYCLOPEDIA SC (MR)    $10.99
MAY181935    CON ARTIST SC MYSTERY    $14.99
MAY181603    DUCKTALES SOLVING MYSTERIES & REWRITING HISTORY HC    $12.99
MAY182193    DURARARA LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 10    $14.00
MAY181767    LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK AVENGERS THREAT OF THANOS YR HC    $4.99
MAY182194    MAGICAL GIRL RAISING PROJECT LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 04    $14.00
MAY182115    POP MANGA MERMAIDS OTHER SEA CREEATURES COLORING BOOK    $15.99
MAY181597    STAR WARS ARE YOU SCARED DARTH VADER YR HC    $17.99
MAY181771    STAR WARS LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK LAST JEDI (RES)    $4.99
MAY182907    WARHAMMER 40K ASSAULT BLACK REACH PROSE NOVEL SC    $5.00
MAY182908    WARHAMMER 40K BLACK LEGION PROSE NOVEL SC    $16.00
MAY182910    WARHAMMER 40K CRUSADE PROSE NOVEL SC    $5.00
MAY182912    WARHAMMER 40K HORUSIAN WARS RESSURECTION PROSE NOVEL SC    $16.00
MAY182913    WARHAMMER 40K SIN DAMNATION PROSE NOVEL SC    $5.00
MAY182901    WARHAMMER CITY OF SECRETS PROSE NOVEL SC    $5.00
MAY182902    WARHAMMER HAMMERHAL PROSE NOVEL SC    $5.00
MAY182904    WARHAMMER SOUL WARS PROSE NOVEL HC    $27.00
MAY182906    WARHAMMER ULRIKA VAMPIRE PROSE NOVEL SC    $21.00
MAY182905    WARHAMMER WOLF KING PROSE NOVEL SC    $5.00
MAY188209    WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE JEDI THE LAST HC    $14.95

Friday, January 12, 2018

Review: THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #789

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN No. 789
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Dan Slott
PENCILS: Stuart Immonen
INKS: Wade von Grawbadger
COLORS: Marte Gracia
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Alex Ross
VARIANT COVERS: Alex Ross (based on art by John Romita); Steve Ditko with Michael Kelleher
32pp, Color, $9.99 U.S. (December 2017)

Rated  “T”

Spider-Man created by Steve Ditko and Stan Lee

“Fall of Parker” Part 1 – “Top to Bottom”

In a previous review, I stated that there were were three comic book series to start with the title and issue number, The Amazing Spider-Man #1, beginning with the original in 1962.  I wrote that as I began my review of the fourth regular comic book to have that title and issue number – the third in 16 years and the second in three years.  Two years later, facing reportedly plummeting sales, Marvel Comics has launched its “Legacy” initiative, which would bring Marvel titles back to their original issue numbering.

So we come to The Amazing Spider-Man #789 (“Top to Bottom”) and the beginning of a “back to basics” story arc, entitled “Fall of Parker.”  It is written by Dan Slott; drawn by Stuart Immonen (pencils) and Wade von Grawbadger (inks); colored by Marte Gracia; and lettered by Joe Caramagna; with cover art by Alex Ross.  Before we move on with this review, I don't think The Amazing Spider-Man #789 is any different from what The Amazing Spider-Man #33 (2015) would have been.

The Amazing Spider-Man #789 opens in the aftermath of the fall of Spider-Man/Peter Parker's behemoth tech company, Parker Industries.  Parker is basically living on a couch in the apartment of Bobbi Morse, who is the superhero, Mockingbird.  Everyone, mainly the general public and customers of Parker Industries tech and software, hates Peter Parker.  Then, Parker decides that being the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man will cure his ills, but nothing every really works out perfectly for puny Parker and Spidey.

The recent movie Spider-Man: Homecoming makes it clear that high school Peter Parker/Spider-Man is such an attracting and lovable character.  After all, that is the original version of the character that creators Steve Ditko and Stan Lee gave us back in 1962.  Post-high school Spider-Man is also immensely likable, but, over the decades, that Peter Parker has been such a mixed bag, entirely the fault of various writers.

Adult Peter Parker, as depicted by writer Dan Slott, has been interesting, mostly.  However, the last two years, Slott has played Peter Parker as less the lovable loser, hard-luck guy and more like Tony Stark.  That, in turn, has made Spider-Man a kind of tech-driven, Iron Man-like hero.  Stark-ish Parker is cute as a novelty.  Spider-Man as a jet-setting, international hero is also nice – as a novelty.

Spider-Man is a regular guy superhero.  Yes, the character has extraordinary and weird powers, but the civilian Peter Parker is the guy who looks out for his family and protects and serves his family.  While Parker has always been depicted as a scientific genius, playing hero-by-gadget isn't Spider-Man, who has always seemed to be about service and personal sacrifice.

So, what about The Amazing Spider-Man #789?  It's just a run-of-the-mill story which suggests or hints at nothing but the status quo.  More accurately, it is just another first chapter in an eventual trade paperback collection.  While “Fall of Parker” could turn out to be an exceptional story arc (which I doubt), the first chapter in The Amazing Spider-Man #789 represents the mediocrity that has unfortunately also been part of the Marvel recent “Legacy.”

[This comic book includes a Spider-Man “Legacy” overview short story written by Robbie Thompson; drawn by Mark Bagley (pencils) and John Dell (inker); colored by Dan Brown; and lettered by VC's Joe Caramagna.]

C
4 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for April 1, 2015

IDW PUBLISHING

JAN152645     DRAGONS GOLD CARD GAME     $39.99
JAN150489     GALAXY QUEST JOURNEY CONTINUES #3     $3.99
JAN150453     GI JOE (2014) #7     $3.99
JAN150450     GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO #212     $3.99
JAN150457     GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO TP VOL 11     $19.99
JAN150432     JEM & THE HOLOGRAMS #1 COMP 5 CVR HOLOGRAPHIC FOIL BOX SET     $24.99
OCT140523     JOHN ROMITA AMAZING SPIDER MAN ARTIFACT ED HC     PI
JAN150544     MAXX MAXXIMIZED #17     $3.99
JAN150524     MILLENNIUM #3     $3.99
FEB150313     MY LITTLE PONY FIENDSHIP IS MAGIC #1 SOMBRA     $3.99
JAN150515     MY LITTLE PONY FRIENDS FOREVER TP VOL 03     $17.99
JAN150550     ROBERT HEINLEINS CITIZEN OF THE GALAXY #2     $3.99
JAN150539     SHADOW SHOW #5     $3.99
DEC140554     STAR TREK GOLD KEY ARCHIVES HC VOL 03     $29.99
DEC142562     STRING SAFARI BOARD GAME     $24.99
NOV140522     TARZAN RUSS MANNING NEWSPAPER STRIPS HC VOL 04 1974-1979     $49.99
JAN150464     TMNT COLOR CLASSICS SERIES 3 #3     $3.99
JAN150551     WEIRD LOVE #6     $3.99
JAN150521     X-FILES SEASON 10 #22     $3.99

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for Marcy 5 2014

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

JAN141409 07 GHOST GN VOL 09 $9.99
DEC131017 ADVENTURE TIME #18 SDCC EXC $9.99
DEC131016 ADVENTURE TIME CANDY CAPERS #1 SDCC EXC $9.99
DEC131018 ADVENTURE TIME FIONNA & CAKE #6 SDCC EXC $9.99
JAN141021 ADVENTURE TIME FLIP SIDE #3 MAIN CVRS $3.99
JAN141027 ADVENTURE TIME ORIGINAL GN VOL 03 SEEING RED $11.99
NOV130771 AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE #4 REG FRANCAVILLA CVR $2.99
JAN141367 ARCHER & ARMSTRONG #18 PULLBOX MOLINA $3.99
JAN141366 ARCHER & ARMSTRONG #18 REG LAROSA $3.99
DEC130857 ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #249 $3.99
JAN141257 AUTEUR #1 (MR) $3.99
JAN141402 BLACK BIRD GN VOL 18 $9.99
SEP130866 BLACK COAT GN BLACKEST DYE $12.99
OCT131188 BLIGHTED EYE HC (MR) $100.00
JAN141386 BLUE EXORCIST GN VOL 11 $9.99
JAN141410 D GRAY MAN 3IN1 TP VOL 03 $14.99
DEC130989 DAY MEN #1 NYCC EX CVR $9.99
JUL130927 DAY MEN #3 $3.99
NOV138222 DEATH SENTENCE #3 2ND PTG $3.99
OCT131160 DF REMARKABLE STAN LEE HOLIDAY TREAT $499.99
JAN131136 DF WOLVERINE #1 ROMITA SR SGN ED $69.99
JAN141405 DRAGONBALL 3IN1 TP VOL 04 $14.99
DEC131190 DUMBEST IDEA EVER GN $11.99
JAN140984 EVIL EMPIRE #1 (MR) $3.99
OCT130944 EXTINCTION PARADE #5 LEATHER CVR (MR) $14.99
JAN140850 FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE HC ITS ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER $22.99
JAN141381 FROM THE NEW WORLD GN VOL 03 $10.95
JAN141403 FUSHIGI YUGI GENBU KAIDEN GN VOL 12 $9.99
JAN141038 GARFIELD #23 $3.99
JAN141434 GFT CODE RED #4 A CVR TOLIBAO (AOFD) (MR) $2.99
JAN141435 GFT CODE RED #4 B CVR GARZA (AOFD) (MR) $2.99
JAN141436 GFT CODE RED #4 C CVR ERRICO (AOFD) (MR) $2.99
JAN141431 GFT GRIMM FAIRY TALES #95 A CVR SIQUEIRA (AOFD) $2.99
JAN141432 GFT GRIMM FAIRY TALES #95 B CVR MYCHAELS (AOFD) $2.99
JAN141433 GFT GRIMM FAIRY TALES #95 C CVR CUMMINGS (AOFD) $2.99
NOV131340 GFT OZ HC $24.99
JAN141457 GFT TALES FROM OZ #3 SCARECROW A CVR REI $3.99
JAN141458 GFT TALES FROM OZ #3 SCARECROW B CVR MYCHAELS $3.99
JAN141459 GFT TALES FROM OZ #3 SCARECROW C CVR QUALANO $3.99
JAN140946 GOD IS DEAD #8 (MR) $3.99
JAN140947 GOD IS DEAD #8 CARNAGE WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99
JAN140948 GOD IS DEAD #8 END OF DAYS CVR (MR) $3.99
JAN140949 GOD IS DEAD #8 ICONIC CVR (MR) $3.99
JAN141202 HENRY SPEAKS FOR HIMSELF TP $24.99
NOV131351 HIT LIST #5 A CVR CUCCA (MR) $4.99
NOV131352 HIT LIST #5 B CVR JOHNSON (MR) $4.99
NOV131353 HIT LIST #5 C CVR TOLLIBAO (MR) $4.99
SEP131123 LADY RAWHIDE #4 $3.99
JAN141150 LORDS OF MARS TP VOL 01 (MR) $19.99
NOV130981 MARK WAID GREEN HORNET #10 $3.99
DEC130864 MEGA MAN #34 REG CVR $2.99
NOV131039 MERCY SPARX TP VOL 01 (MR) $17.99
JAN141404 MIDNIGHT SECRETARY GN VOL 04 (MR) $9.99
OCT131093 MISS FURY #9 CVR A TAN $3.99
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OCT131095 MISS FURY #9 CVR C WORLEY $3.99
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DEC131161 NIJIGAHARA HOLOGRAPH HC (MR) $29.99
JAN141384 NISEKOI FALSE LOVE GN VOL 02 $9.99
JAN141124 NOIR #5 $3.99
JAN141385 ONE PIECE GN VOL 70 $9.99
JAN141406 ORESAMA TEACHER GN VOL 16 $9.99
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JAN141288 POKEMON ADV BLACK & WHITE GN VOL 03 $9.99
JAN141285 POKEMON ADVENTURES GN VOL 21 RUBY SAPPHIRE $9.99
JAN141289 POKEMON BLACK & WHITE GN VOL 14 $4.99
JAN141397 PSYREN GN VOL 15 $9.99
JAN141363 QUANTUM & WOODY GOAT #0 PULLBOX WAITE $3.99
JAN141362 QUANTUM & WOODY GOAT #0 REG FOWLER $3.99
JAN141365 QUANTUM & WOODY TP VOL 02 IN SECURITY $14.99
JAN141398 RIN-NE GN VOL 14 $9.99
JAN140942 ROVER RED CHARLIE #4 (MR) $3.99
JAN140943 ROVER RED CHARLIE #4 WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99
DEC130992 RUBICON TP (MR) $14.99
JAN141121 SHADOW GREEN HORNET TP VOL 01 DARK NIGHTS $19.99
JAN141119 SHADOW NOW #5 $3.99
DEC131287 SIMON & KIRBY HC LIBRARY HORROR $49.95
JAN141407 SKIP BEAT 3IN1 TP VOL 07 $14.99
NOV130784 SONIC MEGA MAN WORLDS COLLIDE TP VOL 02 $11.99
DEC130867 SONIC SUPER SIZED SUPER DIGEST #6 $6.99
DEC138047 SOULLESS MANGA GN VOL 02 NEW PTG $13.00
JAN141408 STROBE EDGE GN VOL 09 $9.99
JAN140999 SUICIDE RISK #11 $3.99
JAN141411 TEGAMI BACHI GN VOL 16 $9.99
DEC131364 THERMAE ROMAE HC VOL 03 (MR) $40.00
JAN141078 TUROK DINOSAUR HUNTER #2 $3.99
JAN141101 TWILIGHT ZONE #3 $3.99
JUN131174 WALT KELLY POGO COMP DELL COMICS HC VOL 01 $49.99
SEP131118 WARLORD OF MARS #34 (MR) $3.99
OCT138292 WESTWARD #6 $3.50
JAN141154 WHITE CUBE HC (MR) $22.95
JAN141416 WILL EISNERS MINOR MIRACLES TP WW NORTON ED (MR) $17.95
DEC130863 WORLD OF ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #37 $3.99

MAGAZINES
JAN141542 COMIC SHOP NEWS #1394 PI
OCT131517 DC BATMAN AUTOMOBILIA FIG COLL MAG #25 LEGENDS DARK KNIGHT # $20.00
NOV131433 DC BATMAN AUTOMOBILIA FIG COLL MAG #26 DETECTIVE COMICS #219 $20.00
DEC131194 HEAVY METAL #267 (MR) $7.95
OCT131506 MARVEL FACT FILES #10 DOCTOR DOOM COVER $6.00
OCT131505 MARVEL FACT FILES #9 BLACK WIDOW COVER $6.00

BOOKS
NOV131374 BATMAN SCIENCE REAL WORLD SCIENCE BEHIND BATMAN GEAR SC $9.95
DEC131411 CAPTAIN AMERICA ORIGIN STORY YR HC $8.99
JAN141517 DOC SAVAGE DOUBLE NOVEL VOL 73 LAND OF LONG JUJU $14.95
DEC131402 JON HUL GALLERY SC (MR) $14.95
JAN141518 SHADOW DOUBLE NOVEL VOL 82 SPY RING $14.95
JAN141520 STAR WARS EMPIRE & REBELLION HC HONOR AMONG THIEVES $25.00
DEC132309 WARHAMMER 40K BLOOD OF ASAHEIM SC $14.00
DEC132310 WARHAMMER 40K FALSE GODS TP $16.00


Tuesday, January 28, 2014

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for January 29 2014

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

NOV130374 GHOSTBUSTERS #12 [DIG/P+] $3.99
SEP138354 GI JOE COMPLETE COLL HC VOL 02 RED LABEL ED PI
NOV130375 GODZILLA RULERS OF THE EARTH #8 [DIG/P+] $3.99
NOV130380 HALF PAST DANGER HC $29.99
SEP130429 JOHN ROMITA AMAZING SPIDER-MAN ARTIST ED HC VOL 02 PI
OCT130444 LOAC ESSENTIALS HC VOL 04 ALLEY OOP 1939 $24.99
NOV130354 MR PEABODY & SHERMAN #4 [DIG/P+] $3.99
DEC130453 MR PEABODY & SHERMAN TP $17.99
NOV130398 OTHER DEAD #5 [DIG/P+] $3.99
NOV130309 STAR TREK ONGOING #29 [DIG/P+] $3.99
OCT130430 SUPERMAN GOLDEN AGE SUNDAYS 1943-1946 HC $49.99
NOV130318 TMNT ONGOING #30 $3.99
OCT138105 TRANSFORMERS IDW COLLECTION HC VOL 03 RED LABEL ED PI
NOV130371 TRANSFORMERS REGENERATION ONE #98 [DIG/P+] $3.99


Sunday, January 26, 2014

I Reads You Review: THE INCREDIBLE HULK AND WOLVERINE #1

THE INCREDIBLE HULK AND WOLVERINE #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITERS: Len Wein, Mary Jo Duffy
PENCILS: Herb Trimpe, Ken Landgraf
INKS: Jack Abel, George Perez
COLORS: Christie Scheele
LETTERS: Artie Simek, Michael Higgins
EDITOR: Roy Thomas, Jim Shooter
EIC: Jim Shooter
COVER: John Byrne and Jack Abel with George Roussos
48pp, Color, $2.00 (October 1986)

In the summer of 1986, Marvel Comics published The Incredible Hulk and Wolverine #1.  This was a one-shot, single-issue comic book that reprinted The Incredible Hulk #180 and #181 (cover-dated November 1974).  Issue #180 (cover-dated October 1974) contained the first appearance of Wolverine, as a cameo in the final panel of the last page.  Issue #181 features the first full appearance of Wolverine.  Of course, Wolverine is a member of the X-Men and one of Marvel Comics’ most popular characters.

The Incredible Hulk and Wolverine #1 also includes the short story, “Wolverine and Hercules,” which originally appeared in Marvel Treasury Edition #26 (1980).  “Wolverine: The Evolution of a Character” is an essay at the back of this comic book.  It is written by former Marvel writer and editor, Peter Sanderson, and details the creation of Wolverine and also provides a fictional biography of the character.  This text piece includes spot illustrations and other art drawn by John Romita, Paul Smith and Joe Rubinstein; John Byrne and Terry Austin; John Romita, Jr. and Dan Green; and Frank Miller and Joe Rubinstein.

The Incredible Hulk #180 finds the Hulk returning to Canada.  There, deep in the Canadian woods, the emerald behemoth finds himself caught in a conspiracy involving Marie Cartier and Georges Baptiste.  Marie’s brother, Paul Cartier, bears the curse that transforms him into “the hideous cannibal beast,” known as the Wendigo.

Marie has devised a plan to transfer the Wendigo’s form to the Hulk.  Events don’t follow her planning once Hulk and Wendigo engage in an epic battle.  Meanwhile, at a top secret Royal Canadian Air Force Tracking Installation, military authorities are not about to allow the Hulk to rampage through Canada again.  They’re sending something called “Weapon X” to take care of the green giant.

The Incredible Hulk #181 begins with Wolverine revealing himself to the Hulk and the Wendigo and launching himself into their battle.  This three-way fight devolves into a death match between the Hulk and the Wolverine.  Meanwhile, Georges Baptiste makes a fateful decision about him and Marie Cartier’s plan to save her brother from the curse of the Wendigo.

When The Incredible Hulk and Wolverine #1 arrived on newsstands and in comic book shops, it gave me a chance to read the story in which Wolverine made his first appearance, and I was ecstatic about that opportunity.  I would read the story again in a single-issue facsimile reprint of The Incredible Hulk #181.

I long ago lost or sold my original copy of The Incredible Hulk and Wolverine #1, but a recent at sale at super comics retailer Mile High Comics’ website allowed me to get another copy.  I had forgotten that even with a $2.00 cover price, The Incredible Hulk and Wolverine #1 was just a cheapie reprint.  At a time when comic book publishers, large and small, were moving to heavier and whiter paper stocks, Marvel Comics printed The Incredible Hulk and Wolverine #1 on newsprint.  The print quality ranges from mediocre to tolerable, and the colors don’t “pop” off the page the way they do today.  With newsprint, things like details, borders, and lettering can fade or even not fully print.

I think that at the time this was originally published Marvel Comics was printing anything that would help with their market share and that could make a lot of money with little investment.  The Hulk stories here were bought and paid for over a decade earlier, and who knows if the creators got any royalty payments from this reprinting.  Like I said, high return on low investment.

That aside, I like these old Hulk comics.  Writer Len Wein’s ability to create a compelling story out of monster comics and supernatural melodrama is a sign of the skill that made him a standout comic book creator and editor in the 1970s and 1980s.  Penciller Herb Trimpe, one of my favorites, mixes the dynamism and fury of Jack Kirby (who was obviously an influence on Trimpe) with the cartoon mysticism of Steve Ditko.  This is classic comic book art and graphical storytelling – monster comics and mystic mumbo-jumbo.

It is also fun to look at this early Wolverine-in-the-raw, which is practically nothing like what the character would become in the decades that followed his first appearance.  So I grade this comic book not on the cheap newsprint reproduction, but on the fun old comics.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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




Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for December 4 2014

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.

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS
OCT130905 ABSOLUTION HAPPY KITTY SPECIAL #1 (MR) $3.99
OCT130907 ABSOLUTION HAPPY KITTY SPECIAL #1 JAPANESE ART CVR (MR) $3.99
OCT130906 ABSOLUTION HAPPY KITTY SPECIAL #1 VIDEO GAME CVR (MR) $3.99
SEP131012 ADVENTURE TIME ORIGINAL GN VOL 02 PIXEL PRINCESSES $11.99
SEP131298 ALICE LOVES FABLES TOY BOX GN (MR) $13.99
OCT131350 ARCHER & ARMSTRONG TP VOL 03 FAR FARAWAY $14.99
SEP130885 ARCHIE #650 REG CVR [DIG/P+] $3.99
SEP130888 ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #246 [DIG/P+] $3.99
OCT131055 ASH & THE ARMY OF DARKNESS #2 $3.99
AUG131236 BATTLESTAR GALACTICA #6 (MR) $3.99
JUN131269 BETTIE PAGE IN DANGER #10 CELEBRATION SET W/ DVD (MR) $19.95
OCT131311 BETTIE PAGE IN DANGER HOLIDAY SPECIAL (MR) $9.95
OCT131312 BETTIE PAGE IN DANGER HOLIDAY SPECIAL GIFT SET (MR) $19.95
AUG131243 BIONIC MAN #26 $3.99
OCT131119 BLACK BAT #7 $3.99
OCT131120 BLACK BAT #7 TAN SUBSCRIPTION CVR $3.99
JUN131140 BLACK IS THE COLOR GN $14.99
SEP131039 BLAKE & MORTIMER GN VOL 16 SECRET O/T SWORDFISH PART 2 $15.95
MAR131192 BRENDA STARR COMP PRE CODE COMICS HC VOL 01 $60.00
OCT131031 BROOKLYN QUESADILLAS GN $15.00
OCT131190 CAPTAIN EASY HC VOL 04 SOLDIER OF FORTUNE $49.99
AUG130945 CAVEWOMAN SEA MONSTERS $3.75
SEP130849 CAVEWOMAN SEA MONSTERS BUDD ROOT SP ED PI
AUG130946 CAVEWOMAN SEA MONSTERS SP ED PI
SEP131169 COUCH TAG HC $26.99
SEP131040 CRUSADE GN VOL 02 QA DJ $13.95
SEP131300 DANCE IN VAMPIRE BUND MEMORIES OF SLEDGE HAMMER GN VOL 01 $13.99
OCT131374 DEMON LOVE SPELL GN VOL 05 $9.99
OCT131377 DENGEKI DAISY GN VOL 13 $9.99
FEB131002 DF AGE OF ULTRON #1 HAESER REMARK ED $89.99
DEC121074 DF AVENGERS #1 ROMITA SR SGN ED $99.99
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FEB130989 DF GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #1 CGC GRADED $89.99
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