I Reads You Juniors July 2017 - Update #50

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From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet Episode #128 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet Episode #128 in French.

From PreviewsWorld:  Marvel announced its 53rd Marvel Legacy title, Captain America #695, from the creative team of Mark Waid and Chris Samnee.

From HowardCruse:  Noted Underground Comix cartoonist Howard Cruse is writing about his experiences as a cartoonist for "Playboy" magazines.

From BleedingCool:  Bryan Hitch teases something with Justice League and Justice Society of America.

From BleedingCool:  Here is an 8-page preview of "X-Men: Grand Design" from Ed Piskor (Hip Hop Family Tree).

From ICv2:  Marvel reveals 1,000,000 BC Avengers.

From BleedingCool: In October, Image Comics will publish 30 tribute covers for "The Walking Dead."

From BleedingCool:  Mark Buckingham and Steve Rude will be the creative team of DC Comics' "Manhunter vs. Sandman," replacing the announced creative team.

From CBR:  Kieron Gillen and Salvador Larocca, the creative team behind Marvel's excellent Darth Vader comic book that began in 2015, will become the new creative time of the main Star Wars comic book, beginning in the Fall.

From BleedingCool:  Rich Johnston interviews recent Eisner Award winner, Sonny Liew.

From CBR:  As part of Marvel Comics' "Legacy" the Inhumans in the comic book series, "Royals" will get a redesign by Javier Rodriguez.

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet, Episode #127 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet, Episode #127 in French.

From MailChimp via The Comics Reporter:  IDW and French graphic novel publisher, Glenat, have joined for a venture called "Original Graphic Novel," which will produce original comic books to be published both in the U.S. and France.

From BleedingCool: Marvel Comics Bullpen legend, Flo Steinberg, died Sunday, July 23, 2017.

From BleedingCool:  David Avallone talks about bring pin-up/bondage goddess Bettie Page back to comics in Dynamite Entertainment's "Bettie Page."

From TheComicsReporter:  Another newspaper editorial cartoonist, Nick Anderson, has been fired.

SDCC:

From BleedingCool:  Veterans artists Keith Pollard and Ron Wilson win "Inkpot Awards."

From BleedingCool:  Frank Miller will write and John Romita, Jr. will draw "Superman: Year One."

From BleedingCool:  "Highlights" from Marvel boss, Joe Quesada's SDCC panel.

From BleedingCool:  There will be a Justice League/Doom Patrol Young Animal crossover comic book event.

From CBR:  The 2017 Eisner Award winners (for excellence in comics) have been announced.  Image Comics' "Saga" led with four wins.

From CBR:  Beloved Star Wars Expanded Universe character, Grand Admiral Thrawn, is getting a comic book series from Marvel Comics.

From CBR:  IDW Publishing has announced the expansion of the "Black Crown" imprint, which is overseen by former Vertigo boss, Shelley Bond, including a book drawn by Love and Rockets' Gilbert Hernandez.

From Newarama:  Grant Morrison is writing sequels to two of his biggest hits, "Batman: Arkham Asylum" and "Wonder Woman: Earth One."

From CBR:  Ed Piskor, the creator of "Hip Hop Family Tree," is producing a six-issue history of the X-Men in the miniseries, "X-Men: Grand Design."

From TheComicsReporter:  Jeff Smith ("Bone") is releasing his first picture book through Scholastic Books.

From BleedingCool:  At the IDW/Top Shelf panel, a final "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" miniseries is announced.
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From CBR:  Image Comics studio, Top Cow, is rebooting Cyber Force, which was one of the debut Image Comics titles in 1992.

From Vulture:  A profile of Karen Berger's new line of comic books at Dark Horse, "Berger Books."

From BleedingCool:  Award-winning cartoonist, Box Brown, will produce a new comic book based on Nickelodeon's "Rugrats" for BOOM! Studios "KaBoom!" imprint.

From BleedingCool:  Steve Skroce, the comic book artist famous for storyboarding the film, "The Matrix," has a new comic book.  He is writing and drawing "Maestros" from Image Comics.

From BleedingCool:  Former editor of DC Comics' Vertigo line, Karen Berger, is now at Dark Horse.  Her new line, Berger Books, announces its initial titles.

From BleedingCool:  DC Super Hero Girls keeps getting bigger.

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #126 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #127 in English.

From BleedingCool:  Mike Ploog will make the miniseries, "Thicker Than Blood," his final work as he moves on to retirement.

From ComicsBeat:  Jack Kirby and Stan Lee named "Disney Legends" at D23 Expo 2017.

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BLURB REVIEW:

Youngblood #2 (Image Comics – June 2017) by Chad Bowers and Jim Towe with Juan Manuel Rodriguez

I would like to be snarky and be cynical, but I have to admit that I am really liking this new Youngblood comic book.  Writer Chad Bowers is keeping things relatively simple, introducing new characters and reviving “classic” Youngblood characters.  I don't remember much about the original Youngblood series, but I like the way in which Bowers is bringing together the past while pushing forward with new blood.  Artist Jim Towe and colorist Juan Manuel Rodriguez are quite good on covers and splash pages, and I can see Towe's storytelling steadily improving.  Simply put, I like what Bowers and Towe are doing here and so far, I enjoy the read.

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From BleedingCool:  Scott Sndyer talks about his DC "Metal" comics.

From ComicBookBin:  Deejay Dayton details the history of "Super-Chief" in his latest DC History column.

From RichardSala:  Go and start reading "The Bloody Cardinal 2."

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet Episode #125 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet Episode #125 in French.

From BleedingCool:  More details on Sean Murphy's "Batman: White Knight."

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet Mobile - #88

From ComicBookBin:  Deejay Dayton gives you a Silver Age history of DC Comics' "Cave Carson," who now stars in "Cave Carson Has a Cybernetic Eye."

From ICv2:  Marvel Comics' "Legacy #1" one-shot will lead into 53 new comic book titles.

From CBR:  Stan Sakai talks about his one-shot comic book that reunited his samurai rabbit, Usagi Yojimbo, with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

From BleedingCool:  Will DC Comics make a move to return to publishing creator-owned comic books?

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet Episode #124.
From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet Episode #124 in French

From ComicBookBin:  Johnny Bullet Mobile #87.

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From BleedingCool:  Howard Chaykin responds to cover controversy.

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics and Howard Chaykin apologize and pull the planned cover art for "The Divided States of Hysteria #4."

From BleedingCool:  A tale of two covers - Black #3 and The Divided States of Hysteria #4.
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From GoFundMe:  Verteran comic book creator and World War II veteran Sam Glanzman is in hospice care and needs his readers' help.

From TCJ:  Sloane Leong offers a tribute to the webcomic, "Octopus Pie" (which I once reviewed for the ComicBookBin).

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 19, 2017

DARK HORSE COMICS

APR170056    ALIENS DEAD ORBIT #3    $3.99
MAY170074    ANGEL SEASON 11 #7 HANS VAR    $3.99
MAY170073    ANGEL SEASON 11 #7 MAIN FISCHER CVR    $3.99
MAY170075    BTVS SEASON 11 #9    $3.99
MAY170076    BTVS SEASON 11 #9 JEANTY & VINES VAR    $3.99
MAR170047    COMPLETE DOC UNKNOWN HC    $24.99
MAY170036    DEPT H #16    $3.99
MAR170043    ETHER TP VOL 01 DEATH OF THE LAST GOLDEN BLAZE    $14.99
MAR170045    GUILD LIBRARY EDITION HC VOL 01    $49.99
JAN170171    HATSUNE MIKU RIN-CHAN NOW TP VOL 02    $10.99
MAR170121    HP LOVECRAFT HOUND & STORIES TP TANABE (MR)    $12.99
MAR170061    KILL ALL MONSTERS OMNIBUS HC VOL 01    $24.99
MAY170013    SHAOLIN COWBOY WHOLL STOP THE REIGN #4 (MR)    $3.99
MAY170014    SHAOLIN COWBOY WHOLL STOP THE REIGN #4 TARTAKOVSKY VAR (MR)    $3.99
MAR170065    USAGI YOJIMBO LTD ED HC VOL 31 HELL SCREEN    $59.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 18, 2015

DARK HORSE COMICS

SEP150035     BPRD HELL ON EARTH #137     $3.50
SEP150054     BTVS SEASON 10 #21 MAIN CVR     $3.99
JUL150088     CHRONICLES OF CONAN TP VOL 30 DEATH OF CONAN     $19.99
SEP150070     DARK HORSE PRESENTS 2014 #16     $5.99
SEP150028     EVE VALKYRIE #2     $3.99
APR150081     GAME OF THRONES FIGURE BRIENNE OF TARTH     $24.99
APR150082     GAME OF THRONES FIGURE THE HOUND     $24.99
JUL150116     GAME OF THRONES STATUETTE DAENERYS & DROGON     $99.99
AUG150070     MULAN REVELATIONS #4     $3.99
SEP150077     PAYBACKS #3     $3.99
SEP150021     PLANTS VS ZOMBIES ONGOING #6 GROWN SWEET HOME     $2.99
SEP150063     POWER CUBED #3     $3.99
SEP150047     ROOK #2     $3.99
SEP150048     STEAM MAN #2     $3.99
SEP150066     USAGI YOJIMBO #150     $3.50

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 4, 2015

DARK HORSE COMICS

SEP150049     ANGEL AND FAITH SEASON 10 #20 MAIN CVR     $3.99
JUL150109     ARCHIE VS PREDATOR HC     $19.99
SEP150071     BARB WIRE #5     $3.99
SEP150018     CALL OF DUTY BLACK OPS III #1     $3.99
SEP150044     DEAD VENGEANCE #2     $3.99
SEP150037     JOE GOLEM OCCULT DETECTIVE #1     $3.50
SEP150020     LARA CROFT FROZEN OMEN #2     $3.99
JUL150097     MISTER X RAZED TP     $15.99
JUL150098     ORDER OF THE FORGE TP     $14.99
JUL150099     SHAPER TP     $17.99
SEP150045     THIS DAMNED BAND #4     $3.99
JUN150041     USAGI YOJIMBO GALLERY EDITION     $125.00

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 1, 2014

DARK HORSE COMICS
AUG140089     ANGEL AND FAITH SEASON 10 #7 MAIN CVR     $3.50
MAY140058     ART OF BOOK OF LIFE HC     $34.99
JUN140055     ART OF NAUGHTY DOG HC     $39.99
JUN140040     CONCRETE PARK HC VOL 01 YOU SEND ME     $12.99
AUG140081     CONCRETE PARK RESPECT #2     $3.99
JUL140099     DREAM THIEF ESCAPE #4     $3.99
JUN140018     EDGAR ALLAN POE SPIRITS OF DEAD HC     $24.99
MAY140101     EERIE ARCHIVES HC VOL 17     $49.99
APR140090     GAME OF THRONES HOUND BUST     $150.00
JUN140071     LOVERBOYS HC     $19.99
JUN140070     STAR WARS DARTH MAUL SON OF DATHOMIR TP     $16.99
JUN140064     STAR WARS ONGOING TP VOL 03 REBEL GIRL     $16.99
AUG140086     USAGI YOJIMBO SENSO #3     $3.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for August 6, 2014

DARK HORSE COMICS

JUN140021     ANGEL AND FAITH SEASON 10 #5 MAIN CVR     $3.50
APR140073     COMPLETE ELFQUEST TP VOL 01 ORIGINAL QUEST     $24.99
APR140066     FEAR AGENT TP VOL 05 I AGAINST I (2ND ED)     $16.99
DEC130145     GAME OF THRONES ARYA STARK STATUE     $225.00
APR140053     JUICE SQUEEZERS TP VOL 01 GREAT BUG ELEVATOR     $12.99
JUN140033     MICHAEL AVON OEMINGS VICTORIES #14 (MR)     $3.99
APR140088     OH MY GODDESS RTL TP VOL 46     $12.99
APR140076     RING OF NIBELUNG HC     $29.99
APR140047     SKYMAN TP VOL 01 RIGHT STUFF     $14.99
APR140086     TRIGUN MAXIMUM OMNIBUS TP VOL 04     $19.99
JUN140045     USAGI YOJIMBO SENSO #1     $3.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 23 2014

DARK HORSE COMICS

MAY140054     AXE COP AMERICAN CHOPPERS #3     $3.99
MAY140032     BTVS SEASON 10 #5 MAIN CVR     $3.50
MAY140092     CONAN THE AVENGER #4     $3.50
MAR140009     DRAGON GIRL MONKEY KING ART OF KATSUYA TERADA HC     $39.99
MAY140066     DREAM THIEF ESCAPE #2     $3.99
MAY140083     ELFQUEST FINAL QUEST #4     $3.50
MAR140014     GANTZ TP VOL 32 (MR)     $13.99
MAY140010     GOON OCCASION OF REVENGE #1     $3.50
MAY140038     GROO VS CONAN #1     $3.50
MAY140077     HALO ESCALATION #8     $3.99
DEC130150     MASS EFFECT ALLIANCE CRUISER SHIP REPLICA     $44.99
FEB140109     MASS EFFECT ALLIANCE SHUTTLE REPLICA     $39.99
MAY140075     MASS EFFECT FOUNDATION #13     $3.99
MAR140015     MPD-PSYCHO TP VOL 11     $12.99
MAR140071     SAKAI PROJECT HC 30 YEARS USAGI YOJIMBO     $29.99
MAY140084     STAR WARS LEGACY II #17     $2.99
MAR140020     STAR WARS LUCAS DRAFT HC     $39.99
MAR140021     STAR WARS LUCAS DRAFT TP     $19.99
MAY140076     TOMB RAIDER #6     $3.50

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 16, 2014

DARK HORSE COMICS

MAY140025     BPRD HELL ON EARTH #121     $3.50
MAY140064     BRAIN BOY MEN FROM GESTALT #3     $2.99
MAR140080     BTVS SPIKE INTO LIGHT HC     $14.99
MAY140097     EYE OF NEWT #2     $3.99
MAY140062     GHOST #6     $2.99
MAR140093     GRINDHOUSE MIDNIGHT TP VOL 01     $17.99
MAR140100     PICTURES THAT TICK LTD ED HC VOL 02     $100.00
MAR140099     PICTURES THAT TICK TP VOL 02     $29.99
MAY140086     STAR WARS DARTH MAUL SON OF DATHOMIR #3     $3.50
MAR140070     USAGI YOJIMBO LTD HC VOL 28 RED SCORPION     $59.99
MAY140078     WITCHER #5     $3.99
MAY140029     WITCHFINDER MYSTERIES OF UNLAND #2     $3.50

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 2, 2014

DARK HORSE COMICS

MAY140039     1 FOR $1 AVATAR LAST AIRBENDER RIFT #1     $1.00
MAY140030     ANGEL AND FAITH SEASON 10 #4 MAIN CVR     $3.50
MAR140061     AVATAR LAST AIRBENDER TP VOL 08 RIFT PART 2     $10.99
MAR140042     CATALYST COMIX TP     $19.99
MAR140073     CONAN TP VOL 15 NIGHTMARE OF SHALLOWS     $19.99
MAR140053     FEAR AGENT TP VOL 04 HATCHET JOB (NEW PTG)     $16.99
FEB140012     FRANK MILLER ART OF SIN CITY TP     $25.00
MAR140090     KISS ME SATAN TP     $19.99
MAR140010     LONE WOLF & CUB OMNIBUS TP VOL 05     $19.99
MAY140067     MICHAEL AVON OEMINGS VICTORIES #13 (MR)     $3.99
MAR140056     NEVER ENDING TP     $9.99
MAR140032     ROBOCOP VS TERMINATOR GALLERY SERIES HC     $125.00
MAR140028     ROBOCOP VS TERMINATOR HC     $24.99
MAR140089     SECRET FILES OF DR DREW HC     $29.99
MAR140017     STAR WARS DARTH VADER & CRY OF SHADOWS HC     $24.99
MAR140087     STRAIN TP VOL 04 THE FALL     $19.99
MAR140069     USAGI YOJIMBO TP VOL 28 RED SCORPION     $17.99
FEB140108     VAMPIRE HUNTER D NOVEL VOL 21 BLOOD BATTLE (MR)     $11.99
MAR140051     WHITE SUITS #4     $3.99

"The Sakai Project" Celebrates Character, Benefits Creator

DARK HORSE ANNOUNCES THE SAKAI PROJECT

Artists Celebrate Thirty Years of Usagi Yojimbo

The most amazing artists in the world have come together to celebrate thirty years of Stan Sakai’s marvelous samurai rabbit saga, Usagi Yojimbo, in a new oversized hardcover benefit book: The Sakai Project: Artists Celebrate Thirty Years of “Usagi Yojimbo”.

“It has been an absolute pleasure publishing Stan’s work over the years, and recently collaborating with him directly on 47 Ronin,” said Dark Horse’s president and founder, Mike Richardson. “With the thirtieth anniversary of his most beloved creation, Usagi, and in a time of need for Stan and his family, we are honored to publish this tribute to Stan and his work. We are donating all of the proceeds to Stan and his wife, Sharon. We hope you will join us in honoring one of the comics industry’s shining lights.”

The participating artists bring their own interpretations and their own styles to the subject, making this book a one-of-a-kind treasure.

The Sakai Project is produced in association with the Comic Art Professional Society (CAPS). All proceeds from this book will go to Stan and Sharon Sakai.

ADAM HUGHES | ALAIN MAURICET | ALEX MALEEV | ALLISON SOHN | ANDY GRENEN | ARTHUR ADAMS | BATTON LASH | BILL MORRISON | BRIAN CHING & MICHAEL ATIYEH | BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS | CARLOS D’ANDA & GABE ELTAEB | CHRIS SCALF | DAN PANOSIAN | DAVE GIBBONS | DAVID MACK | DOUG WHEATLEY | EDGAR DELGADO | ERIC POWELL | GABRIEL HARDMAN | GEOF DARROW | HOWARD CHAYKIN | JAN DUURSEMA | JEFF SMITH | JOYCE CHIN | MARK CRILLEY | MATT GROENING | MATT WAGNER | MICHAEL ALLRED | MICHAEL AVON OEMING | MICHAEL GOLDEN | MIKE KUNKEL | MIKE MIGNOLA | OSCAR MARTIN | PAUL GULACY | PAUL RENAUD | PHIL YEH | RICHARD CORBEN | SCOTT SHAW | SERGIO ARAGONÉS | STEPHANIE GLADDEN | TIM SALE | TOM MANDRAKE | TOM RICHMOND | WALTER SIMONSON | WILLIAM STOUT | & MORE!

Industry professionals, Dark Horse encourages your participation! The deadline for art submissions is February 20, 2014. For technical specifications and other information, e-mail Dark Horse at sakaiproject@darkhorse.com.

The Sakai Project will be released on July 23. Pre-order with your local comics retailer.

About Dark Horse
Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent, such as Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Brian Wood, Gerard Way, Felicia Day, and Guillermo del Toro, and comics legends, such as Will Eisner, Neal Adams, and Jim Steranko, Dark Horse has developed its own successful properties, such as The Mask, Ghost, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Its successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Mass Effect, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, EVE Online, Halo, Serenity, Game of Thrones, and Domo. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading publishers of both creator-owned content and licensed comics material.

2012 Eisner Award Winners - Complete List

Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Winners 2012

SAN DIEGO - The following awards were given out at the 24th annual Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, Friday night July 13, at the Indigo Ballroom in the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel, as part of Comic-Con International: San Diego.

Best Short Story
"The Seventh," by Darwyn Cooke, in Richard Stark's Parker: The Martini Edition (IDW)

Best Single Issue (or One-Shot)
Daredevil #7, by Mark Waid, Paolo Rivera, and Joe Rivera (Marvel)

Best Continuing Series
Daredevil, by Mark Waid, Marcos Martin, Paolo Rivera, and Joe Rivera (Marvel)

Best Limited Series
Criminal: The Last of the Innocent, by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips (Marvel Icon)

Best Publication for Early Readers (up to age 7)
Dragon Puncher Island, by James Kochalka (Top Shelf)

Best Publication for Kids (ages 8-12)
Snarked, by Roger Langridge (kaboom!)

Best Publication for Young Adults (Ages 12-17)
Anya's Ghost, by Vera Brosgol (First Second)

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

Best Humor Publication
Milk & Cheese: Dairy Products Gone Bad, by Evan Dorkin (Dark Horse Books)

Best Digital Comic
Battlepug, by Mike Norton, http://www.battlepug.com/

Best Reality-Based Work
Green River Killer: A True Detective Story, by Jeff Jensen and Jonathan Case (Dark Horse Books)

Best Graphic Album - New
Jim Hensons Tale of Sand, adapted by Ramon K. Perez (Archaia)

Best Graphic Album - Reprint
Richard Stark's Parker: The Martini Edition, by Darwyn Cooke (IDW)

Best Archival Collection/Project - Comic Strips
Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse vols. 1-2, by Floyd Gottfredson, edited by David Gerstein and Gary Groth (Fantagraphics)

Best Archival Collection/Project - Comic Books
Walt Simonson's The Mighty Thor Artist's Edition (IDW)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material
The Manara Library, vol. 1: Indian Summer and Other Stories, by Milo Manara with Hugo Pratt (Dark Horse Books)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material - Asia
Onward Towards Our Noble Deaths, by Shigeru Mizuki (Drawn & Quarterly)

Best Writer
Mark Waid, Irredeemable, Incorruptible (BOOM!); Daredevil (Marvel)

Best Writer/Artist
Craig Thompson, Habibi (Pantheon)

Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team
Ramón K. Pérez, Jim Henson's Tale of Sand (Archaia)

Best Cover Artist
Francesco Francavilla, Black Panther (Marvel); Lone Ranger, Lone Ranger/Zorro, Dark Shadows, Warlord of Mars (Dynamite); Archie Meets Kiss (Archie)

Best Coloring
Laura Allred, iZombie (Vertigo/DC); Madman All-New Giant-Size Super-Ginchy Special (Image)

Best Lettering
Stan Sakai, Usagi Yojimbo (Dark Horse)

Best Comics-Related Journalism
The Comics Reporter, produced by Tom Spurgeon, http://www.comicsreporter.com/

Best Educational/Academic Work (tie)
1. Cartooning: Philosophy & Practice, by Ivan Brunetti (Yale University Press)
2. Hand of Fire: The Comics Art of Jack Kirby, by Charles Hatfield (University Press of Mississippi)

Best Comics-Related Book
MetaMaus, by Art Spiegelman (Pantheon)

Best Publication Design
Jim Henson's Tale of Sand, designed by Eric Skillman (Archaia)

Hall of Fame
Judges' Choices: Rudolf Dirks, Harry Lucey Bill Blackbeard, Richard Corben, Katsuhiro Otomo, and Gilbert Shelton

Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award:
Tyler Crook

Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award:
Morrie Turner

Bill Finger Excellence in Comic Book Writing Award:
Frank Doyle and Steve Skeates

Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award:
1. Akira Comics, Madrid, Spain - Jesus Marugan Escobar
2. The Dragon, Guelph, ON, Canada - Jennifer Haines

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

For a list of past winners, go to http://www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_eisners_pastwinners.php

I Reads You Review: ROCKETEER ADVENTURES VOL. 2 #1

"More tears than rockets"
ROCKETEER ADVENTURES VOL. 2 #1
IDW PUBLISHING

WRITERS: Marc Guggenheim, Peter David, Stan Sakai
ARTISTS: Sandy Plunkett, Bill Sienkiewicz, Stan Sakai
COLORS: Jeromy Cox, Bill Sienkiewicz, Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Robbie Robbins, Bill Sienkiewicz, Stan Sakai
PIN-UP: Arthur Adams with John Rauch
EDITOR: Scott Dunbier
COVER: Darwyn Cooke (alternate cover by Dave Stevens)
28pp, Color, $3.50 U.S.

First appearing in 1982, The Rocketeer is a superhero created by the late writer/illustrator Dave Stevens and inspired by the Saturday matinee movie heroes of the 1930s and 1940s. Set mainly in Los Angeles in and after the year 1938, the series follows Cliff Secord, a stunt pilot who discovers a mysterious jet pack that allows him to fly, leading to the birth of The Rocketeer.

After a long absence from comics, The Rocketeer returned last year in Rocketeer Adventures. This four-issue miniseries was an anthology comic book edited by Scott Dunbier and published by IDW Publishing. Rocketeer Adventures features Rocketeer short stories (about 7 to 8 pages in length) from some of the premiere creators in American comic books. Now, the fun is back in Rocketeer Adventures Vol. 2.

Rocketeer Adventures Vol. 2 #1 opens with “The Good Guys,” story by Marc Guggenheim and art by Sandy Plunkett. While the wounded Rocketeer slumbers in a bed on the second floor of a farmhouse, the locals discuss his fate: turn him over to the law or not. But a child shall lead them. Peter David gives the Rocketeer a Looney Tunes spin in “The Ducketeer,” with art by Bill Sienkiewicz, who executes a graphic riff on Chuck Jones and Maurice Noble. Stan Sakai takes the Rocketeer to a small-ville and the Rocketeer takes a kid up, up, and away in “A Dream of Flying.”

Rocketeer Adventures Vol. 2 starts off nostalgic and quaint with this first issue. The stories are sweet and sentimental, with in-jokes for comic book and cartoon fans. These pop culture references and riffs will make even the most jaded pop culture buff smile.

Marc Guggenheim’s tale (“The Good Guys”) treads on familiar territory. Are there enough good people to fight evil and what is the nature of vigilantism are two real-world questions with which this story grapples. Guggenheim’s story is timely in light of a FOX News affiliate in Orlando, Florida referring to Neo-Nazi group, the National Socialist Movement, as a civil rights group, something the FOX News website later repeated.

This story is also a welcomed return of seldom-seen comic book artist, Sandy Plunkett, whose style is ideal for this old-timey, rural pastoral story. Like Rocketeer creator, Dave Stevens, Plunkett is apparently also influenced by the American book and magazine illustrators of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

That aside, these new Rocketeer comic books are rapidly becoming showcases for artists that don’t regularly produce comic book art. These stories are also too sentimental, and, as much as I enjoy a dose of “Disneyana” with my comics, The Rocketeer’s origin comes out of adventure movie serials. This character needs to bust out in a miniseries – one complete with cliffhanger endings at the end of each issue. New Rocketeer comics should not be treated as if they are part of a eulogy to Stevens. All this pretty art and quaintness makes Rocketeer Adventures seem like a funerary item.

I appreciate the new Rocketeer comics, but they can be more than what they are. I must admit, of course, that I think the Art Adams pin-up is awesome.

B+