Showing posts with label Rob Guillory. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rob Guillory. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

#IReadsYou Revew: TRUTH & JUSTICE #4

TRUTH & JUSTICE #4 (OF 6)
DC COMICS

STORY: Jeff Trammell
ART: Rob Guillory
COLORS: Jean-Francois Beaulieu
LETTERS: Becca Carey
EDITOR: Andrew Marino
COVER: Rob Guillory with Jean-Francois Beaulieu
VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Sanford Greene
40pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (June 2021)

Rated: Age 13+

Robin created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger, and Jerry Robinson; Jason Todd created by Gerry Conway and Don Newton

“Haunted by the Past”

Published by DC Comics, Truth & Justice is a six-issue comic book miniseries.  DC has said that “the ideals of truth and justice—concepts synonymous with DC’s superheroes from the Golden Age of Comics to the present day—are the foundation” of Truth & Justice, a anthology comic book series.  Each issue of the series features a different creative team, and is “...a platform for new, emerging storytellers to reveal their takes on popular DC characters,” according to DC.

The fourth issue of Truth & Justice focuses on Jason Todd.  Jason Peter Todd was introduced to comic book readers in Batman #357 (cover dated: March 1983).  Created by writer Gerry Conway and artist Don Newton, Todd became the second character to assume the role of Batman's sidekick, Robin.  Todd was killed off, but was eventually resurrected and became the antihero/superhero, Red Hood, in Batman #635 (cover dated: February 2005).  The creative team for Truth & Justice's fourth issue is writer Jeff Trammell; artist Rob Guillory, colorist Jean-Francois Beaulieu; and letterer Becca Carey.

Truth & Justice #4 (“Haunted by the Past”) opens with Jason Todd recounting his past when he was a petty thief, beginning with the moment Batman first discovered him.  Todd recalls one of the best parts of his past, fellow thief, Max Dawkins, who looked out for young Jason.  Max eventually stopped being a thief and left the streets.  Max had plans to help his community – until he was killed in an alley.

Now, Jason, as Red Hood, is on the warpath for Max's killer.  In his pursuit, however, Jason finds himself facing down his own past and wondering about his place within Batman's “Bat-Family.”  After a violent confrontation with an old Batman villain, Jason must outrun his demons … before they drag him back to the grave.

THE LOWDOWN:  I have to be honest with you, dear readers.  Truth & Justice #4 is the only issue of the Truth & Justice series that I bought, and it is the only one I intend to read.  And I only became interested in it because I am a big fan of Rob Guillory, a local comic book artist and creator, best known for his work on the Image Comics titles, Chew, and Farmhand, which he created.

Writer Jeff Trammell offers what is basically a standalone story, although this issue's shock ending promises to show up in future Red Hood comics and likely some Batman titles.  “Haunted by the Past” is basically the kind of story readers would find in a comic book “Annual.”  This story gives readers a basic look at the conflicts and internal struggles with which Red Hood must face as he makes his way as a costumed vigilante, anti-hero, and quasi-superhero.  Trammell really hits on the things that define Jason Todd/Red Hood – his origin, his death, and his resurrection, and he reveals that being Red Hood is not the end of the character's evolution.

Artist Rob Guillory's art and graphical storytelling really gets at the edginess in Red Hood and conveys his uncertain place within the world of Batman and his allies.  Guillory makes Jason Todd's angst and his conflicts with his allies feel like a real thing.  Jean-Francois Beaulieu's colors over Guillory's pencils heighten and embellish the darkness in Guillory's strong illustrations and storytelling.  It would be good to see more of this art team in other DC Comics titles.

Letterer Becca Carey emphasizes the aggressive nature of Trammell's dialogue in this story, and she creates a fast-pace that makes readers believe that everything that Jason Todd faces in “Haunted by the Past” is real.  I won't recommend Truth & Justice as a series, but I will recommend Truth & Justice #4 as a strong one-off story that any readers familiar with the Red Hood can read.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Jason Todd/Red Hood of “Bat-Family” titles will want to read Truth & Justice #4.

A
8 out of 10

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



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The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Monday, September 20, 2021

DC Comics from Lunar Distributors for September 21, 2021

DC COMICS:

Aquaman The Becoming #1 (Of 6) (Cover A David Talaski), $3.99
Aquaman The Becoming #1 (Of 6) (Cover B Khary Randolph Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Aquaman The Becoming #1 (Of 6) (Cover C Francis Manapul Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman #113 (Cover A Jorge Jimenez) (Fear State), $4.99
Batman #113 (Cover B Jorge Molina Card Stock Variant) (Fear State), $5.99
Batman #113 (Cover C Ben Oliver Card Stock Variant (Fear State), AR
Batman Li’l Gotham Calendar Daze TP, $9.99
Batman Secret Files Miracle Molly #1 (One Shot) (Cover A Little Thunder)(Fear State), $4.99
Batman Secret Files Miracle Molly #1 (One Shot) (Cover B Justine Frany Card Stock Variant)(Fear State), $5.99
Batman Secret Files Miracle Molly #1 (One Shot) (Cover C Little Thunder Card Stock Variant)(Fear State), AR
Batman The Adventures Continue Season Two #4 (Of 7) (Cover A Rob Guillory), $3.99
Batman The Adventures Continue Season Two #4 (Of 7) (Cover B Jordan Gibson Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Batman The Detective #5 (Of 6) (Cover A Andy Kubert), $3.99
Batman The Detective #5 (Of 6) (Cover B Andy Kubert Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Birds Of Prey Fighters By Trade TP, $24.99
Catwoman #35 (Cover A Yanick Paquette) (Fear State), $3.99
Catwoman #35 (Cover B Jenny Frison Card Stock Variant) (Fear State), $4.99
Catwoman #35 (Cover C Kael Ngu Card Stock Variant) (Fear State), AR
DC Connect #17, AR
Flash #774 (Cover A Bryan Hitch), $3.99
Flash #774 (Cover B Jorge Corona Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Looney Tunes #262 (Cover A Derek Fridolfs), $2.99
Low Low Woods TP, $17.99
Nightwing #84 (Cover A Bruno Redondo) (Fear State), $3.99
Nightwing #84 (Cover B Jamal Campbell Card Stock Variant) (Fear State), $4.99
Nightwing #84 (Cover C Kael Ngu Card Stock Variant) (Fear State), AR
Shazam #3 (Of 4) (Cover A Clayton Henry), $3.99
Shazam #3 (Of 4) (Cover B Fico Ossio Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Suicide Squad King Shark #1 (Of 6) (Cover A Trevor Hairsine), $3.99
Suicide Squad King Shark #1 (Of 6) (Cover B Riccardo Federici Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Suicide Squad King Shark #1 (Of 6) (Cover C Scott Kolins Card Stock Variant), AR
Supergirl Woman Of Tomorrow #4 (Of 8) (Cover A Bilquis Evely), $4.99
Supergirl Woman Of Tomorrow #4 (Of 8) (Cover B Rose Besch), $4.99
Wonder Woman Agent Of Peace Volume 1 Global Guardian TP, $19.99


Monday, May 17, 2021

DC Comics from Lunar Distributors for May 18, 2021

DC COMICS:

Batman Fortnite Zero Point #3 (Of 6)(Cover A Mikel Janin), 4.99
Batman Fortnite Zero Point #3 (Of 6)(Cover B Jim Lee & Scott Williams Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman Fortnite Zero Point #3 (Of 6)(Cover C Donald Mustard Premium Card Stock Variant C), AR
Catwoman #31 (Cover A Robson Rocha), $3.99
Catwoman #31 (Cover B Jenny Frison Card Stock Variant), AR
Dark Nights Death Metal War Of The Multiverses TP, $19.99
Flash #770 (Cover A Brandon Peterson), $3.99
Flash #770 (Cover B Brett Booth Card Stock Variant), AR
Harley Quinn And Poison Ivy TP, $16.99
Joker #2 (Francesco Mattina 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $5.99
Joker #2 (Trevor Hairsine 2nd Printing Variant Cover), AR
Justice League #61 (Cover A David Marquez), $4.99
Justice League #61 (Cover B Kael Ngu Card Stock Variant), AR
Justice League Galaxy Of Terrors TP, $16.99
Legends Of The Dark Knight #1 (Cover A Darick Robertson), $3.99
Legends Of The Dark Knight #1 (Cover B David Marquez Card Stock Variant), AR
Legends Of The Dark Knight #1 (Cover C Francesco Francavilla Card Stock Team Variant), AR
Legends Of The Dark Knight #1 (Cover D Riccardo Federici Card Stock Variant), AR
Looney Tunes #260 (Cover A Walter Carzon), $2.99
Nightwing #80 (Cover A Bruno Redondo), $3.99
Nightwing #80 (Cover B Jamal Campbell Card Stock Variant), AR
Shazam The World’s Mightiest Mortal Volume 3 HC, $49.99
Superman Red And Blue #3 (Of 6)(Cover A Paul Pope), $5.99
Superman Red And Blue #3 (Of 6)(Cover B John Paul Leon), AR
Superman Red And Blue #3 (Of 6)(Cover C Derrick Chew), AR
Truth And Justice #4 (Cover A Rob Guillory), $4.99
Truth And Justice #4 (Cover B Sanford Greene Card Stock Variant), AR
Wonder Girl #1 (Cover A Joelle Jones), $3.99
Wonder Girl #1 (Cover B Bilquis Evely Card Stock Variant), AR
Wonder Girl #1 (Cover C Blank Card Stock Variant), AR
Wonder Girl #1 (Cover D J. Scott Campbell Card Stock Variant), AR
Wonder Girl #1 (Cover E Joelle Jones Card Stock Variant), AR
Wonder Girl #1 (Cover F Rafael Grampa Team Spot Foil Card Stock Variant), AR
Young Justice Book 2 Growing Up TP, $24.99


Sunday, January 3, 2021

#IReads You Review: CHEW VOLUME 1: Taster's Choice

CHEW, VOL. 1: TASTER'S CHOICE
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: John Layman
ART: Rob Guillory
COLORS: Rob Guillory with Lisa Gonzales
LETTERS: John Layman
ISBN: 978-1-60706-159-5; paperback (April 2011 – second printing)
128pp, Colors, $9.99 U.S.

Chew created by John Layman and Rob Guillory


Chew is an ongoing comic book series from writer John Layman and artist Rob Guillory.  Published by Image Comics, Chew became an immediate hit, selling out, and earning critical acclaim.  By the end of its first two years of publication, the series had won two Will Eisner Comics Industry Awards (Eisners), including “Best New Series” (2010).

The first five issues of Chew are collected in the trade paperback, Chew, Vol. 1: Taster's Choice.  This first collection of the hit series includes, of course, Chew #1 (cover dated: June 2009), which introduces Philadelphia Police Department Detective Tony Chu, a cop with a weird secret.  Tony is “cibopathic,” which means that he can get psychic impressions from whatever he eats or tastes.

If he eats an apple, Tony sees images that can tell him about the tree from which the apple came, what pesticides were used on that tree, or even when that apple was harvested.  Or Tony can eat a hamburger, and the pictures that appear in his mind could be a replay of when the cow was… harvested.

In the world of Chew, poultry is illegal because chickens were blamed for a bird flu epidemic that killed 23 million people in the United States and 116 million worldwide.  Tony and his partner, John Colby, stumble upon a black market poultry operation.  By the end of it, Colby is grievously wounded and Tony commits a shocking act of cannibalism.  Tony is recruited by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (F.D.A.) to join its Special Crimes Division.  He is matched with a new partner, the loquacious Mason Savoy.  Suddenly, cannibalism is the least of Tony's problems.

Of the many things that work successful with Chew, I think the fact that Tony Chu's life becomes more complicated is probably what keeps the series fresh and hopping.  Writer John Layman shows off his imaginative and inventive sides, producing plots which reveal that things are both what they seem and not what they seem.  The expected and unexpected are fickle lovers with a bad sense of timing where Tony Chu is concerned.

Layman also gives Chew a wicked sense of humor that plays on cop fiction stereotypes – the by-the-book newcomer (Tony to the F.D.A.), the wise old bull of a partner (Mason Savoy), and the legion of criminal enterprises, street hoods, and assorted lowlifes.  Yet Layman's depiction of a world of government corruption, bureaucratic putrefaction, and institutional decay make Chew not only timely, but also timeless.  Chew is imaginative science fiction as a satire of our society for all seasons.

In artist Rob Guillory, Layman has found the proverbial perfect man.  I can imagine another artist drawing Chew, but I do not believe that anyone but Guillory could be the series' conceptual designer or its graphical storytelling guide.  Chew would not be Chew without Guillory anymore than Pixar would be what it is without John Lassetter.

I have revisited the beginning of Chew, so that I could start over and move onto what I have not read.  Unless it has experienced a tremendous fall-off, it is one of the best comic books of the past decade.

A

www.ChewComic.com
www.RobGuillory.com

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 and syndication rights and fees.

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Wednesday, September 30, 2020

#IReadsYou Review: FARMHAND #15

 

FARMHAND #15
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Rob Guillory
ART: Rob Guillory
COLORS: Rico Renzi
LETTERS: Kody Chamberlain
GRAPHIC DESIGN: Burt Durand
COVER: Rob Guillory
32pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S.(April 2020)

Rated “M/ Mature”

Farmhand created by Rob Guillory

Chapter 15: “The Knowledge of Good and Evil”


Farmhand is a dark fantasy comic book series from comic book creator, Rob Guillory.  Guillory is also known for his award-winning tenure on the long-running comic book, Chew (Image Comics), with writer John Layman.  Farmhand is written and illustrated by Guillory; lettered by Kody Chamberlain (who also designed the Farmhand logo); and currently colored by Rico Renzi.

Farmhand's central character is Ezekiel “Zeke” Jenkins, a husband, father, and graphic designer and illustrator.  He returns to his hometown of Freetown, Louisiana with his wife, Mae, and their children, Abigail and Riley.  Zeke's father, Jedidiah “Jed” Jenkins, and sister, Andrea (“Andy”), own and operate “Jenkins Family Farmaceutical Institute.”  The “farm” grows plant-based replacement human organs and tissue, and once upon a time, people, especially transplant recipients, saw this as a miracle.  But, since he returned, Zeke has discovered that the great miracle hides a great evil.

Early in Farmhand #14, Zeke gets a call from Randall Lafayette, summoning Zeke to “Uncle Randy's” house for some information exchange.  While there, Zeke has some kind of seizure and collapses to the floor unconscious.

Farmhand #15 (“The Knowledge of Good and Evil”) opens to find Zeke in some kind of dream state or some place between life and death.  And he sees it all – everything that happened that fateful day between his father, Jed; his late mother, Anna; and his father's partner, Monica Thorne.

When he regains consciousness, Zeke joins Randy, and the two head to the church of longtime family friends, Pastor John “Tree” Moore and his wife, Nancy.  Also, gathered at the church are Jed and eventually, Mae and Andrea... and of course, Monica.  Ms. Thorne wants to show herself – all her power and her army.  And nothing will be the same again.

THE LOWDOWN:  Farmhand #15 concludes Farmhand's third story arc, “Roots of All Evil” (a.k.a. Season Three), which began with issue #11.  Like plant life, Farmhand is ever-growing and evolving with a cycle of life and death that brings about change.  [Season One is Farmhand #1-5, “Reap What Was Sown” and Season Two is Farmhand #6-10, “Thorne in the Flesh.”]

“Roots of All Evil” is about revelation, however, more than it is about change.  Yes, there are new characters, but some of the most crucial moments of Farmhand's back story explode out of the ground, the way those amazing mutant crawfish explode out of the pond in Farmhand #12.  Farmhand's origin story seems to be about its own take on the Biblical bite of the apple, but there is more to the knowledge in “the knowledge of good and evil” than any one chapter can tell.  So I would not be surprised to see a future issue of Farmhand return to the events of the flashback depicted in issue #15

I have thought of Rob Guillory's storytelling as brilliant since the day I first got a preview of Farmhand #1, but it turns out that I had no idea of what was really coming.  It is hard to believe, but I must believe it since I have read it with my own eyes.  Every issue of Farmhand is fresh from the garden of Guillory's imagination, and each one offers something new or some new things.  While I await the next bumper crop, dear readers, you must go back to the beginning and discover Farmhand.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of dark fantasy fiction will want to be a Farmhand.

[This comic book also includes the one-page comic, “Freetown Funnies,” by Burt Durand.]

10 out of 10

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


https://robguillory.com/
https://twitter.com/Rob_guillory
https://www.instagram.com/rob_guillory/


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Monday, September 7, 2020

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for September 9, 2020

IMAGE COMICS

JUL200035    ICE CREAM MAN PRESENTS QUARANTINE COMIX SPEC #1 (MR)    $5.99
JUL200215    MARKED #7 CVR A HABERLIN & VAN DYKE (MR)    $3.99
JUL200216    MARKED #7 CVR B HABERLIN & VAN DYKE (MR)    $3.99
JUL200225    OBLIVION SONG BY KIRKMAN & DE FELICI #27 (MR)    $3.99
JUN200117    OUTER DARKNESS CHEW TP (MR)    $12.99
JUL200228    REAVER #11 (MR)    $3.99
JUL200234    STEALTH #5 (OF 6)    $3.99
JUL208174    UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY #7 2ND PTG (MR)    $3.99

Monday, August 31, 2020

I Reads You Juniors August 2020 - Update #100

"Support Leroy on Patreon.

Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

IN MEMORIAM - From Variety:  The actor Chadwick Boseman has died at the age of 43, Friday, August 27, 2020, after a four-year battle with cancel.  Boseman was best known for playing T'Challa/Black Panther in Marvel Studios' 2018, Oscar-winning, recording-setting film, "Black Panther."  Boseman also appeared in a number of biopics:  Jackie Robinson in "42" (2013); James Brown in "Get on Up" (2014), and Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall in "Marshall" (2017).

From TheStar:  "We lost our own superhero." How Chadwick Boseman — as a Black superhero on the big screen — made families feel seen.
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AWARDS - From TheBeat:  2020 Harvey Awards nominations have been announced.  The winners will be announced at New York Comic-Con Metaverse vitrual event in October.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Kieron Gillen talks about 10 months of his life writing Marvel Comics' new "Eternals" comic book series.

MILLARWORLD - From BleedingCool:  Superstar comic book writer and Netflix executive, Mark Millar, talks about his upcoming comic books, including "Jupiter's Legacy 3," "The Magic Order 2," and "Prodigy 2."

DC FANDOME - From DCFanDome:  "DC FanDome is live.

DC CINEMA - From Deadline:  "Justice League: Snyder Cut" will be released as four one-hour installments on HBO Max. This article includes a trailer.

DC CINEMA - From GameSpot:  The first trailer for director Matt Reeves "The Batman" has arrived. Actor Robert Pattinson stars as Batman/Bruce Wayne.

DC CINEMA - From THR:  "Official main trailer" for "Wonder Woman 1984." The film due October 2, 2020,

DC CINEMA - From ScreenGeek:  The first trailer for "Justice League Snyder Cut" is out there, but Warner's is doing its best to silence it.

DC CINEMA - From ScreenGeek:  Out of FanDome came a sneak peek at director James Gunn's "The Suicide Squad."

DC CINEMA - From Variety:  Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson previews his costume for the DC Extended Universe film, "Black Adam," which is still scheduled for a December 2021 debut.

DC FANDOME - From BleedingCool:  For "DC FanDome," Jim Lee created a superhero based on guest, professional tennis champion, "Venus Williams."
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DARK HORSE - From CBR:  Dark Horse Comics is publishing a comic book adaptation of Neil Gaiman's 2017 book, "Norse Mythology."  Due to start this Fall, "Neil Gaiman's Norse Mythology" will feature art by P. Craig Russell, Mike Mignola, and Jerry Ordway.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics is publishing a portfolio featuring the art of hot cover artist, Peach Momoko.  It will be entitled "Marvel Portfolio: Peach Momoko."

COMICS - From THR:  Vault Comics announces "I Walk With Monsters" from writer Paul Cornell.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics will release an omnibus collecting Dark Horse Comics' "Aliens" comic books published from 1988 to 1992.  Marvel recently obtained the license to publish comic books based on the film "Alien" (1979) and its sequels and spinoffs, which Dark Horse had since the late 1980s.

SONY MARVEL U - From Deadline:  Sony Pictures is eyeing director J.C. Chandor ("Margin Call") to direct its "Kraven the Hunter" movie based on the classic Spider-Man villain.

DC CINEMA - From ComicBook:  A few months ago, it was announced that the Batman played by Michael Keaton in two films ("Batman" and "Batman Returns") would appear in Warner Bros.' planned DC Comics movie, "The Flash."  Now, according to reports, the Batman played by Ben Affleck ("Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice," "Suicide Squad," and "Justice League") will also appear in "The Flash."

COMIC SHOPS - From BleedingCool:  Lashawn Colvin is opening a new comic book store, making her the first Black woman in U.S. south to own a comic book shop.  Comics & Geeks of Alabama will be opening in early October, and is located at 1264 Perry Hill Road, Montgomery, Alabama.

DC FANDOME - From GamesRadar:  The site has a schedule of events for DC Comics' "DC Fandome," which occurs Sat., Aug. 22nd.

SONY MARVEL U - From Variety:  Actress Olivia Wilde has signed a deal with Sony Pictures to develop and direct an untitled female-centric Marvel film project.

MARVEL - From Marvel:  The "Eternals" are coming back to comic books in November, and Marvel has released a trailer to announce it.

DC FANDOME - From CBR:  DC Comics has announced that its "DC Fandome" event will not be divided into two separate virtual events.  The first will be held on Sat., Aug. 22nd, 2020 as planned.  The second will be held Sat., Sept. 10th, 2020.

COMICS TO FILM - From THR:  The site remembers director Edgar Wright's 2010 film, "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World," on the tenth anniversary of its release.  The film is based on cartoonist Bryan Lee O'Malley's "Scott Pilgrim" graphic novels.

IMAGE COMICS - From CBR:  Superstar comic book writer, Scott Snyder, has a new creator-owned imprint at Image Comics, "Best Jackett Press."  But he isn't moving his own creator-owned titles, "Wytches" and "Undiscovered Country" to that label.

DC CINEMA - From CBR:  Producer Charles Roven speaks to home the upcoming sequel, "Wonder Woman 1984," does and doesn't tie into the "DC Extended Universe" (DCEU).

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  "Chex Mix" cereal is sending a free comic book anthology to comic book stories (via Diamond Comics Distributors) next week.

DC TV-FANDOME - From BleedingCool:  Did Jim Lee just draw the first look at actress Javicia Leslie's "Ryan Wilder/Batwoman," who will take over The CW's "Batwoman" from actress Ruby Rose's "Kate Kane/Batwoman?"

MANGA - From ANN:  Inia Asano has put his crazy manga, "Dead Dead Demon's Dededededestruction," on hiatus until the winter.

MANGA - From CBR:  A look at ONE, the writer-artist who created the manga, "One-Punch Man."

MARVEL - From Truthout:  Marvel Comics’ “The Punisher” was a hate symbol long before police co-opted his character.

FRANK MILLER - From CBR:  Yes, Zack Snyder's film, "300," is still problematic and racist, as was its source material, Frank Miller's comic book miniseries, "300."

JIM LEE - From THR:   Jim Lee, DC Comics' Publisher, gives a wide ranging interview to "The Hollywood Reporter" about the recent changes at the comics publisher.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Marie Javins and Michele Wells are interim Editor-in-Chiefs at DC Comics after former EiC Bob Harras was "laid off."

MARVEL TV - From TheWrap:  With each passing season, ABC's "Marvel's Agents of SHIELD" experienced a steep drop in ratings.  The series recently ended after sevens seasons and 136 episodes.

ALAN MOORE - From BleedingCool:  DC Comics will publish Alan Moore's "Twilight of the Superheroes" proposal, which was meant to be a big post-"Crisis on Infinite Earths" event, in a collection of DC comics stories from the 1980s.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  According to the site, with DC Comics' November 2020 solicitations, five more titles have been cancelled, including "John Constantine Hellblazer," "Teen Titans," and "Young Justice."

IMAGE - From BleedingCool:  Rodney Barnes and Jason Shawn Alexander's vampire comic book, "Killadelphia," has seen a 40 percent increase in sales from issue #6 to #7.

DC CINEMA - From IndieWire:  Actor Ray Fisher, who played "Cyborg" in the "Justice League" movie, says that former DC Comics executive, Geoff Johns, threatened his career after he (Fisher) complained about director Joss Whedon's on-set behavior during reshoots for "Justice League."

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DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  There was a DC Comics "townhall" meeting involving remaining executives and staff.  The publisher will issue press releases afterwards.

From BleedingCool:  Is DC Comics going into a new two-year plan?

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics' next big think, "Generations," has apparently been cancelled.

From THR:  The WarnerMedia layoffs that have been roiling Hollywood hit DC Comics and the DC Universe streaming service today (Mon., Aug. 10th), with Bob Harras and Hank Kanalz among the laid off.  DC Direct, the in-house merchandise and collectibles manufacturer, has also been shuttered.

From BleedingCool:  The site has something to say about the DC Comics layoffs.

From BleedingCool:  There are rumors of a new DC Comics "implosion," as the number of titles may be cancelled.
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COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Writer-artist Johnnie Christmas has just sold at auction three middle-grade graphic novels to HarperAlley, the graphic novel imprint of HarperCollins Childrens.

DC CINEMA - From THR:  The voice cast has been revealed for the 42nd DC Universe animated film (straight to DVD), "Batman: Soul of the Dragon."  Executive produced by Bruce Timm, the film is due in early 2021.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Oscar-winning screenwriter John Ridley's oft-delayed "The Other History of the DC Universe" is apparently happening now.  First issue is due Nov. 2020.

BATMAN - From BleedingCool:  Legendary X-Men writer, Chris Claremont, shares with his Facebook followers his pitch for a Young Adult Batman story.

DC COMICS - From Deadline:  "DC Fandome" announces it impressive line-up of stars.

MARVEL STUDIOS - From WeGotThisCovered:  The hot rumor is that Marvel Studios is considering actor Shia LaBeouf for the character "Iceman" in its "X-Men" reboot.

DC CINEMA - From YahooTotalFilm:  New image from Zack Snyder's "Justice League" film reveals original design for the villain, Steppenwolf.

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:  John Walker the "U.S. Agent," the character that once replaced Steve Rogers as Captain America, will be back in a new miniseries written by Christopher Priest and drawn by Stefano Landini.

COMICS - From TheBeat:  Former Disney Channel child star, Dylan Sprouse ("The Suite Life" series), talks about his new comic book, Sun Eater, from Heavy Metal... and also about making mead.

ANIME - From Variety:  Japan's leading anime content providers have banded together to start a YouTube channel, "Animelog."  The goal is to have 30 companies provide 3000 anime titles by 2022.

LEGAL - From BleedingCool:  Updates on the Richards Meyers vs. Mark Waid legal case.

MANGA - From BleedingCool:  Kodansha and comiXology will publishing a complete English-language edition of the entire run of the "Shaman King" manga for the first time.

MANGA - From ComicBook:  Fans online are asking that a number of manga published in the 1980s be adapted into anime, including "Fist of the North Star" and "Slam Dunk."

IDW - From BleedingCool:  The publisher has reportedly fired its recently promoted publishers, Jud Meyers.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Some Mark Waid, Alex Ross, DC Comics gossip.

DC COMICS - From YahooEntertainment:  DC Comics gets in social media hot water over the term, "blerd" (black nerd).

MANGA - From BleedingCool:  Yen Press announces 10 new manga and light novel titles for August 2020.

DARK HORSE - From BleedingCool:  The three best-selling comic books on Amazon right now are the three volumes of "The Umbrella Academy" from Dark Horse Comics.  Netflix's adaptation of the comic book just made its second season debut.

DC CINEMA - From BleedingCool:  Director James Gunn has revealed a new logo for his upcoming film, "The Suicide Squad."  Details about the film will be revealed Aug. 22nd at "DCFandome."

From YahooEntertainment:  In a birthday video, some of "The Suicide Squad" actors may reveal the characters they are playing in the film.
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MARVEL COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics has cancelled its current "Doctor Strange" comic book series with today's (8/5) release of "Doctor Strange #6."

NEWSPAPER COMICS - From YahooEntertainment:  A black cartoonist, Bianca Xunise, is one of the six female cartoonists who create the collaborative comic comic strip, "Six Chix."  A recent episode of "Six Chix," produced by Xunise got "Six Chix" cancelled by some of its more than 120 clients.

DC COMICS - From TheBeat:   The first three issues of DC Comics' digital-first series, "Injustice: Year Zero," debuted today.  Each issues costs .99 cents or $2.49 for a bundle of three.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  The site has details on writer Ridley Pearson and artist Berat Pekmezci's original graphic novel trilogy, "The Indestructibles," the first volume of which is due in March 2021.

MANGA - From OtakuStudy:  Square Enix Manga & Books new manga acquisitions for 2021.

eREADERS - From GoodEReads:  The site recommends the "The Pocketbook Color" e-reader for reading manga and comics.

DIGITAL - From MediaPost:  "Batman" comic book writer, James Tynion IV, has launched a digital horror anthology, "Razorblades: The Horror Magazine."

MANGA TO ANIME - From CBR:  There is an English-dub trailer for anime film, "Demon Slayer-Kimetsu no Yaiba-The Movie: Mugen Train," an anime adaptation of the manga, "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba."  The film may be released in the U.S. in 2021.

SCANDAL - From THR:  This article says that the "comic book industry reckons with abuse claims."  [As far as I'm concerned, at least they are pretending to reckon. - Leroy]

MANGA - From CBR:  A guide to three manga that won awards at the 2020 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards.

EASTERN COMICS - From CBR:  The difference between manga (Japan), manhwa (Korea), and manhua (China).

COMICS - From Rappler:  Why adults still read comic books  [Well, I just love the medium. - Leroy]

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  The "RunDMC" comic book from Rob Guillory, Amy Chu, and Larry Hama has debuted on Playbo.com.

SCANDAL - From BleedingCool:  Comic book writer Warren Ellis has been the subject of numerous sexual abuse allegations.  He is also creator, writer, and producer of Netflix's hit animated series, "Castlevania."  Ellis has finished his work on the upcoming fourth season of the series, but "word" is that he will not be back for any potential future seasons after the fourth.

FOX MARVEL U - From THR:  How the success of the first X-Men (2000) film made Bryan Singer into a monster.

MANGA - From ScreenRant:  Horror manga master, Junji Ito, says that he would like to collaborate with master of horror, Stephen King...

MANGA - From Epicstream:  Toonami co-founder, Jason Demarco, talks about what separates manga from Western comic books.

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

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

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

OCTOBER 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Albatross Funnybooks for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for October 2020

NOVEMBER 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Abaze for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press/Lion Forge for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Entertainment for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for November 2020

DECEMBER 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool: VIZ Media for December 2020



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



Friday, July 31, 2020

I Reads You Juniors July 2020 - Update #100

Support Leroy on Patreon.

Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

COMICS - From Previews:  NBA and NCAA champion and pro basketball legend, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, will write the introduction to Z2 Comics upcoming graphic novel about ground-breaking jazz musician, Charlie "Bird" Parker.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics just charged $4.99 for a comic book with 20 pages of story.

TOP SHELF - From AJC:  The real-life comic book hero that was the late Congressman John Lewis.

COMICS TO TV - From Variety:  The site has a preview of the second season of Netflix's "The Umbrella Academy" (based on Gerard Way's comic book series), which starts today (July 31st).

BOOKS - From BleedingCool:   The late Lin Carter's "Flashing Swords!" fantasy anthology book series is coming back... But some authors are already asking that their stories be removed from the upcoming "Flashing Swords! #6."

MANGA - From ANNManga Planet, the digital manga platform, has obtained three more licenses from publisher, Thirdline, which will give Manga Planet a total of five new offerings in August 2020.

STAR WARS - From BleedingCool:  Writer Si Spurrier accepts a 2020 GLAAD Media Awards as a representative for the creative team of the Marvel Comics titles, "Star Wars: Doctor Aphra."

FRANK MILLER - From CBR:  Legendary comic book creator, Frank Miller, is being sued over the TV rights to two of his biggest creator owned properties, "Sin City" and "Hard Boiled."

COMICS - From TheBeat:  Pantheon won the rights, at auction, to cartoonist Ben Passmore's upcoming "graphic history" of Black activism, "Black Arms to Hold You Up."

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Dave Sim will reprint his long-running "Cerebus" comic book in a series of hardcover editions through Waverley Press.  The first book will collected will be "High Society."

IMAGE - From BleedingCool:  The team of writer Ed Brubaker and artist Sean Phillips will release three full length graphic novels in 2021, according to Brubaker's newsletter.

MARVEL TV - From Deadline:  Actor Peter Shinkoda claims the former head of Marvel Television, Jeph Loeb, made anti-Asian comments during production of the Marvel/Netflix series, "Daredevil."

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  A planned Batman comic book by writer Warren Ellis and artist Declan Shalvey has been cancelled.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  The rumor is that Marvel Comics may have cancelled its planned "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" comic book adaptation.

IDW - From BleedingCool:  IDW talks about its publishing projects for the rest of the 2020 and into 2021.

DC COMICS - From CBR:  Here is some preview art from writer Geoff Johns and artist Jason Fabok's "Batman: Three Jokers."

FOX MARVEL U - From THR:  Director Josh Boone and the cast of "The New Mutants" reveal the opening scene of the movie.  The film, one of the last of Fox's "X-Men" films produced before Disney bought the studio, is still due to be releases August 28th... 2020...

DC CINEMA - From THR:  Director Zack Snyder talked about the "Snyder Cut of Justice League," his edit of his 2016 film, "Justice League," which ended up being finished by director Joss Whedon.

EISNERS - From BleedingCool:  The winners at the "Will Eisner Awards Comic Industry Awards 2020" were announced Friday night, July 24th.

SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON 2020 - VIRTUAL:

From Deadline:  The breaking film news has a page dedicated to San Diego Comic-Con 2020.

From YouTubeThursday, July 7/23, 4:00pm — Teaching and Making Comics - Virtual Panel
Ebony Flowers (Hot Comb), Roman Muradov (Vanishing Act), Trina Robbins (Flapper Girls), and Sophie Yanow (The Contradictions) are four vital cartoonists who have taught classes on comics themselves. They speak with James Sturm (Off Season) about their teaching philosophy, and how teaching has transformed their perspectives on the comics canon and their own work.

------------------------------
From Variety:  The Hollywood news site lists its "best panels of panels of SDCC."

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Actor Oscar Isaac (Star Wars' Poe Dameron) is part of the creative team of a "Head Wounds: Sparrow," a graphic novel from Legendary Comics.

IDW/MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  IDW will publish the four-issue, biweekly Marvel Comics kids' comic, "Marvel Action: Chillers," beginning in October 2020.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  The site has info on the PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) loan applications filed by comic book companies.

IDW/MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  A hot rumor is that IDW Publishing plans to publish a weekly Marvel Comics anthology comic books series aimed at young readers.

MANGA - From ABSCBN:  In Japan the long-running volley manga, Haikyu!!, recently ended with Chapter 402.

MARVEL - From ComicBook:  Marvel Comics is using its "Free Comic Book Summer" push to tease the future of the X-Men.

VALIANT - From BleedingCool:  Writer Jeff Parker and artist Javier Pulido are the creative team behind Valiant's 2021 relauch of its "Ninjak" franchise.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics will publish Mark Russell's Jesus Christ comic book, "Second Coming," which was originally to be published by the Vertigo Comics imprint until DC Comics cancelled it.  The series is now called "Second Coming: Only Begotten Son."

DC TV - From TheBeat:  Neil Gaiman gives out some details on Netflix's in-development TV adaptation of Gaiman's beloved comic book series, "The Sandman."

IMAGE COMICS - From TheBeat:   The new twice-monthly comic book series, "The Walking Dead" deluxe will present the series in color for the first time.

COMICS TO TV - From Variety:  Actors Zachary Queinto and Khary Payton have joined the voice cast of the Amazon prime animated series adaptation of Robert Kirkman's comic book, "Invincible."

IN MEMORIAM -  From CNNPolitics:  Iconic American Civil Rights Movement leader and comic book creator, Congresmman John Lewis (D-Georgia), has died at the age of 80, Friday, July 17, 2020.  Lewis was chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and he was one of the "Big Six" leaders of the groups who organized the 1963 March on Washington.  Lewis played many key roles in the movement, including being one of the original 1961 Freedom Riders.  With his Congressional staffer, Andrew Aydin, as co-writer, and with Nate Powell as artist, Lewis created the "March" graphic novel trilogy, which chronicled the Civil Rights Movement through Lewis' perspective.

From IReadsYou:  Leroy Douresseaux's review of "March Book One."

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FRANK MILLER - From BleedingCoolFrank Miller shows off some concept art from "Cursed," his book project that is an upcoming Netflix series.

DC TV - From YahooEntertainment:  "Stargirl" actress, Anjelika Washington, said that early in her career she confronted a producer about providing her with a stunt double... in blackface.

BOOM STUDIOS - From BleedingCool:  The superstar comic book that BOOM! Studios will unleash on the world later this year is "BRZRKR," written by Keanu Reeves(!) and drawn by Alessandro Vitti.

DC Comics - BleedingCool:  "Batgirl #50," "Justice League Odyssey #25," and "Batman And The Outsiders #17" are the final issues of those series.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Writer Kevin Shinick and artist Clayton Henry will be the new creative team on "Flash" later this year.

FCBD - From IBPost:  "Free Comic Book Day 2020" is now "Free Comic Book Summer" every Wednesday.

COMICS TO STREAMING - From Deadline:  Netflix is producing an animated TV series based on Stan Sakai's long-running comic book series, "Usagi Yojimbo."  The TV series will have the title, "Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles."

MEXICAN COMICS - From Tor:  The website, "Tor," offers a brief history of Mexican horror comic books.

ARCHIE COMICS - From THR:  Archie Comics has made a deal to produce superhero comic books based on characters the late comic book legend, Stan Lee, created after he left Marvel.

TELEVISION - From VarietyGrant Morrison talks about his adaptation of the 1932 novel, "Brave New World" (Aldous Huxley), for NBCUniversal's streaming service, "Peacock."

WATCHMEN - From THR:  DC Comics has announced a 12-issue comic book series starring popular "Watchmen" character, Rorschach.  "Rorschach" the comic book will be written by Tom King, drawn by Jorge Fornes, colored by Dave Stewart, and lettered by Clayton Cowles.

DC COMICS - From THR:  DC Comics will release "Wonder Wonder 1984 No. 1," a special comic book that will act as a prologue to the upcoming film, "Wonder Woman 1984," which has seen its release delayed several time.  The comic book will debut in Walmart stores before receiving a wider release.

7/14 - SCANDAL - From BleedingCool:  In the wake of allegations against Warren Ellis, Image Comics has removed from its website the article, "An Oral History of the Warren Ellis Forum."

7/13 - SCANDAL - From BleedingCool:  There is a new website, SoManyOfUs.com, in which women share their stories of allegedly being groomed by noted comic book writer, Warren Ellis.

7/12 - SCANDAL - From TheDailyBeast:  The website has a new article the comic book industry's "sexual misconduct crisis."  The author argues that the industry is "running precisely as designed."
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COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Stjepan Sejic has made all six volumes of his erotic romance comic book, "Sunstone," available as a free PDF.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Darryl McDaniels of Run DMC is uniting with longtime "G.I. Joe" writer, Larry Hama; "Poison Ivy" writer, Amy Chu; and "Farmhand" creator Rob Guillory, for a new comic joint project called "Outta This World."

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  The tale of the forgotten comic book and manga tie-in to the 2004 film, "Blade: Trinity."

BOOM STUDIOS - From BleedingCool:  The launch later this year of Tom Taylor's "Seven Secrets #1" may be BOOM's biggest ever launch of a creator-owned comic book series.

COVID-19  - From TheBeat:  Which comic book companies received small business COVID-19 PPP (Payment Protection Program) loans?

DC TV - From THR:  Spinning out of director Matt Reeves' "The Batman" film will be a HBO Max TV series similar to the fan-favorite comic book series, "Gotham Central."  Terrence Winter, the creator of "Boardwalk Empire," will write and executive produce the series.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Marvel and Scholastic, the largest producer of graphic novels in the U.S., have united in a multi-year, multi-graphic novel deal to produce a line of graphic novels for middle grade readers.  They will be released under Scholastic's "Graphix Media" line, and the first release will be a Spider-Man original graphic novel, "Miles Morales: Shock Waves."

BOOM STUDIOS - From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios has signed artist Jenny Frison to a deal to produce 20 covers, likely of the variant cover kind.

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios signed a deal with artist Mirka Andolfo to produce 12 cover illustrations.

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios signed a cover art deal with artist Miguel Mercado.

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios has signed a cover art deal with Japanese comics creator and cover artist, Peach Momoko.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  The future of Superman, Jonathan Kent, and "5G" at DC Comics.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  "Plastic Man: Rubber Banded - Deluxe Edition," a hardcover collection of Kyle Baker and Scott Morse's 2004 Plastic Man comic book, will come with an actual rubber band.

DC TV - From Variety:  Actress Javicia Leslie will replace actress Ruby Rose as the series lead in the second season of The CW's "Batwoman."  Leslie will play a new character named Ryan Wilder, who will replace Rose's "Kate Kane" as Batwoman.

COMICS - From Looper:  Comic book artist, Kaare Andrews, talks about transitioning from comic books to film directing.

COMIC STRIPS - From GamesRadar:  Retired cartoonist Gary Larson draws his first new episodes of his beloved comics strip, "The Far Side," in 25 years.

IMAGE COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Image Comics is teasing a big crossover comic book event for November 2020.

BRITISH COMICS - From 2000AD:  The July 7th installment of the "2000AD Thrill-Cast Lockdown Tapes" features a podcast interview with British comics legend, Bryan Talbot.

BLACK COMICS - From DW:  A brief history of Black superheroes

COMICS TO TV - From Inverse:  Comic book writer Greg Rucka insists that comic books are not just fodder for movie adaptations.  He even claims that he did not create the comic book, "The Old Guard" to be movie fodder and that he DID NOT want it to be a movie. [As Eminem said, "Go 'head, girl. Run that game.]

SCANDAL - From TCJ:   Journalist Michael Dean offers a detailed history of sexual misconduct and bullying at the CBLDF, with an emphasis on alleged drunk and disorderly lout, Charles Brownstein.

From BleedingCool:  The site has some additional details and recent developments concerning the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF).

From TheBeat:  Also, the Cody Pickrodt, Whitney Taylor et al lawsuit and counter-suit were settled out of court last month.

COMICS - From CBRChristopher Priest reflects on his career and how he wants to be known as a "comic book writer" and not necessarily a "black comic book writer," which he is.

COMICS - From FandomWire:  The "comic book industry" is dying.

COMICS - From BleedingCoolDave Sim is going to republish "Spawn #10."  He wrote and Todd McFarlane, who created Spawn, drew the issue which Image Comics published in 1993.  The issue featured a crossover between Spawn and Cerebus, the character created by Sim.

DC TO TV - From Variety:  The DC Universe series, "Stargirl" has been renewed for a second season, but it will be exclusive to the broadcast network, The CW," and its digital platforms.

DC TO STAGE - From BleedingCool:  In 1972, DC Comics was going to produce a musical stage show starring the Justice League Of America aimed at the student college circuit.  It never happened.

COMICS TO TV - From BleedingCool:  Is Disney+ casting an actress to play "Echo," the "Daredevil" character created by David Mack and Joe Quesada?  Mack certainly seems to think so.

SOCIAL MEDIA - From IGN:  Georgia State University visual effects student, Julian Bass, gets attention with his TikTok video, including from former Disney CEO Bob Iger.  Of course, he gets attention from jealous people too.

MARVEL COMICS - From IGN:  The licenses to produce comic books based on the iconic sci-fi film properties, "Alien" and "Predator," are moving from Dark Horse Comics to Marvel Comics.

SONY MARVEL U - From YahooEntertainment:  Gina Prince-Bythewood was supposed to direct a movie starring Marvel Comics' Spider-Man line characters, Black Cat and Silver Sable, for Sony Pictures.  Now, Prince-Bythewood says that Sony does not believe the movie, entitled "Silver and Black," could work without an appearance by Spider-Man.

MANGA - From BleedingCool:  At "Anime Expo Lite," Yen Press announces new manga and light novel titles for December 2020.

BLACK COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Here Comes A New Challenger: BIC Distro Brings Black Comics To Retail

DC CINEMA - From CBR:  "Justice League" producer Jon Berg denies the accusations that "Justice League" actor, Ray Fisher, made against himself, Geoff Johns, and director Joss Whedon.

MANGA - From BleedingCool:  Yen Press announces six new manga title acquisitions.

MANGA - From ANN:  When the 21st volume of the historical manga, "Ooku: The Inner Chambers" debuts in early 2021 in Japan, it will be the final volume of the series by the acclaimed and prolific creator, Fumi Yoshinaga.  VIZ Media is publishing the series in English.

MANGA - From Bounding:  UDON Entertainment has announced that it will publish the final three volumes of the "Persona 4" manga later this year.  VIZ Media is currently publishing the "Persona 5" manga.

DC CINEMA - From Variety:  "Justice League" actor, Ray Fisher (Cyborg) accuses director Joss Whedon of abusive behavior on the set of "Justice League."

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Is there a new "Watchman" comic book coming from writer Tom King?

LCS-COVID-19 - From BizJournal:  Local comic book retailers face COVID-19 challenges — and industry upheaval.

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COMIC BOOK INDUSTRY SEXUAL MISCONDUCT SCANDAL:

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

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

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

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

6/26- From TheBeat:  There are sexual misconduct allegations against comic book writer-artist, Jason Latour.

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

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

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

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

OCTOBER 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Albatross Funnybooks for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for October 2020



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Tuesday, June 23, 2020

#IReadsYou Review: FARMHAND #11

FARMHAND No. 11
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Rob Guillory – @Rob_guillory
ART: Rob Guillory
COLORS: Taylor Wells
LETTERS: Kody Chamberlain
GRAPHIC DESIGN: Burt Durand
COVER: Rob Guillory with Taylor Wells
32pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S.(November 2019)

Rated “M/ Mature”

Farmhand created by Rob Guillory

Chapter 11: “Rootwork”

Farmhand is the (incredible) dark fantasy comic book series from comic book creator, Rob Guillory.  Guillory is also known for his award-winning tenure on the long-running comic book, Chew (Image Comics), with writer John Layman.  Farmhand is written and illustrated by Guillory; colored by Taylor Wells; and lettered by Kody Chamberlain (who also designed the Farmhand logo).

Farmhand's central character would appear to be Ezekiel “Zeke” Jenkins, a husband, father, and graphic designer and illustrator.  He returns to his hometown of Freetown, Louisiana with his wife, Mae, and their children, Abigail and Riley.  The old family business was “Jenkins Family Farm.”  The new family business is “Jenkins Family Farmaceutical Institute,” operated by Zeke's father, Jedidiah “Jed” Jenkins (who could be the lead character), and Zeke's sister, Andrea.  The “farm” grows plant-based replacement human organs and tissue, and once upon a time, people, especially transplant recipients, saw this as a miracle.  But, now...

Farmhand #11 (“Rootwork”) opens many many years before the present day.  Jedidiah and his wife, Anna, with baby Andrea in tow, are hosting a crawfish boil.  Their guests are Randall and Dolly Lafayette, Nancy and John “Tree” Moore, and Monica Thorne.  Monica is the biomedical engineer and botanist who would help Jed design the seed of a possible apocalypse, and even back then, the blood was trying to tell...

In the present day, Randall Lafayette's useless son, Tiberius, helps Jed so that he can visit the former Hoodoo woman and prophetess, “Grandmomma” a.k.a. “Auntie Janice.”  Once upon a time she foretold Jed's future, which turns out to be... rooted in the past.

Farmhand #11 launches Farmhand's “Season Three,” so to speak – the series' third story arc.  Farmhand is set in Freetown in the state of Louisiana.  Louisiana is a state established by multiple “racial,” ethnic, religious, and cultural groups – indigenous, immigrant, invader, and enslaved – long before it became part of the then still new United States.  Instead of being a bunch of ingredients or a selection of “tapas,” Louisiana is an elaborate gumbo, one in an evolving state of neo-cuisine

Some people say they “don't believe” in “interracial relationships,” with many emphasizing that this is the command of their favorite holy book.  Yet a Black person and White person can still come together and conceive a child, despite anyone's belief to the contrary.  It is sort of like the purity of your rose garden being an illusion; other plants will come a knockin' regardless of your beliefs.  Barriers and purity standards are labels and enclosures that are more man-made than they are natural.

Farmhand's dark fantasy is made of blood magic and green magic, of bloodlines and roots that break on through the barriers and borders, erasing any kind of red-lining.  In this comic book, people foolish enough to believe that they can control and divide get caught up in Farmhand's version of “The Twilight Zone.”  In the “Farmhand Zone,” humanity is the common denominator.  All are vulnerable, aggressive, and damned.

I think Rob Guillory's storytelling is brilliant.  He defies conventions and labels.  In every issue, he shows his characters in a different light.  He seems to be moving beyond heroes and villains and beyond the just and the unjust.  Everyone is trouble and in trouble.

And I can't stop reading.  I never know what to expect from Farmhand, the best ongoing comic book series in America.

[This comic book also includes the one-page comic, “Freetown Funnies” by Burt Durand.]

https://robguillory.com/
https://twitter.com/Rob_guillory
https://www.instagram.com/rob_guillory/

10 of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.



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