Dark Horse from Diamond Distributors for June 29 2011

DARK HORSE COMICS

SEP108093 BLADE O/T IMMORTAL TP VOL 04 ON SILENT WINGS $14.99

MAR110037 ANGEL OMNIBUS (DH ED) TP VOL 01 $24.99

MAR110039 CREEPY ARCHIVES HC VOL 10 $49.99

APR110036 CREEPY COMICS #6 $4.99

APR110028 GOON #34 $3.50

FEB110039 OH MY GODDESS RTL TP VOL 18 $11.99

APR110037 STRANGE CASE OF MR HYDE #3 (OF 4) $3.50

FEB110019 SUPERNATURAL NOIR $19.99

APR110020 USAGI YOJIMBO #138 $3.50

SEP108185 USAGI YOJIMBO TP VOL 19 FATHERS & SONS NEW PTG $15.99

SEP108186 USAGI YOJIMBO TP VOL 21 MOTHER OF MOUNTAINS NEW PTG $15.99

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 29 2011

IMAGE COMICS

JAN110650 ARTIFACTS #8 (OF 13) CVR A CANETE $3.99

JAN110651 ARTIFACTS #8 (OF 13) CVR B CHRISTOPHER $3.99

APR118218 BUTCHER BAKER RIGHTEOUS MAKER #3 VAR CVR 2ND PTG (MR) $2.99

APR110497 BUTCHER BAKER RIGHTEOUS MAKER #4 (MR) $2.99

APR110498 DAOMU #5 (MR) $2.99

APR110501 DRUMS #2 (OF 4) $2.99

APR110509 LAST MORTAL #2 (OF 4) $3.99

DEC100512 MAGDALENA #7 CVR A CHA $3.99

DEC100513 MAGDALENA #7 CVR B BLAKE II $3.99

APR110520 SKULLKICKERS #8 $2.99

APR118191 SUPER DINOSAUR #2 VAR CVR 2ND PTG $2.99

APR110522 SUPER DINOSAUR #3 $2.99

APR110524 WALKING DEAD #86 (MR) $2.99

APR110529 WALKING DEAD WEEKLY #26 (MR) $2.99

APR110397 WITCH DOCTOR #1 (OF 4) $2.99

Comics and Magazines from Diamond Distributors for June 29 2011

PREVIEWS PUBLICATIONS
MAY110001 PREVIEWS #274 JULY 2011 PI

COMICS
APR111081 AIR GEAR GN VOL 18 (MR) $10.99

APR110862 AMORY WARS KEEPING SECRETS OF SILENT EARTH 3 #12 (OF 12) $3.99

APR111242 BETRAYAL KNOWS MY NAME GN VOL 01 (MR) $18.99

APR110790 BETTY & VERONICA #254 $2.99

MAY111111 CIVIL WAR ADVENTURE GN COMPLETE $14.95

FEB111311 CONFESSIONS OF 100 HOTTEST PORN STARS SC (MR) $19.99

MAY110864 CROSSED PSYCHOPATH #1 (OF 7) EMERALD CITY (MR) $5.99

MAY110865 CROSSED PSYCHOPATH #3 (OF 7) AUXILIARY (MR) $3.99

MAR111041 DANGER GIRL ARMY OF DARKNESS #2 $3.99

FEB111154 DEADMAN WONDERLAND GN VOL 05 (OF 8) (MR) $10.99

MAY111015 DEATH OF ZORRO #5 $3.99

APR111021 DF GRIMM MYTHS & LEGENDS #5 EXC CVR $16.99

MAR111118 DF TRUE BLOOD #4 EXC CVR (MR) $9.99

MAR110961 DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP #24 (OF 24) $3.99

APR111127 EARP SAINTS FOR SINNERS #4 (OF 4) (MR) $3.50

MAR111148 FARM 54 HC $25.00

FEB111155 FATE STAY NIGHT GN VOL 11 (OF 12) $10.99

APR111143 FORGOTTEN FANTASY SUNDAY COMICS 1900-1915 HC $125.00

MAY110785 FUBAR GN VAR CVR NEW PTG (MR) $11.99

MAR111358 GFT WONDERLAND ANNUAL 2011 A CVR CHEN $5.99

MAR111359 GFT WONDERLAND ANNUAL 2011 B CVR DEBALFO $5.99

FEB111152 GHOSTFACE GN VOL 01 $17.99

APR110763 GOBS #1 (OF 4) $3.99

MAR110839 GOLD DIGGER TP VOL 06 GOLD BRICK COLL $59.95

JAN111133 GREEN HORNET STRIKES #8 $3.99

APR110966 HACK SLASH EVA MONSTERS BALL #2 (MR) $3.99

FEB111163 HANAKO & TERROR OF ALLEGORY GN VOL 04 (OF 4) (MR) $10.99

FEB111160 HAPPY CAFE GN VOL 08 (OF 15) $10.99

APR111243 HIGURASHI WHEN THEY CRY GN VOL 13 EYE OPENING ARC PT 3 (MR) $11.99

MAR111195 HONEY WEST ANNE FRANCIS COMM GOLD ED $5.99

MAR111196 HONEY WEST ANNE FRANCIS COMM RED ACS CHARITY ED $6.99

MAR111169 I AM LEGION SC (MR) $19.95

MAR111170 INCAL CLASSIC COLLECTION HC (HUMANOIDS ED) (MR) $44.95

APR110873 INCORRUPTIBLE #19 $3.99

MAR111172 KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #175 $4.99

APR110772 KUNG FU PANDA #2 (OF 4) $3.95

MAY110957 LADY DEATH (ONGOING) #2 GRAVEYARD $9.99

MAY110958 LADY DEATH (ONGOING) #3 AUXILIARY $3.99

FEB110714 LITTLE GREEN MEN ITS A BIG WORLD AFTER ALL GN $6.95

FEB111168 LUCILLE GN (MR) $29.95

FEB111158 MAID SHOKUN GN VOL 01 (MR) $10.99

MAR111095 MOON & BLOOD GN VOL 01 $6.95

MAY111076 MORE THAN COMPLETE ACTION PHILOSOPHERS TP (SEP090822) $24.95

MAR111332 MTG PATH OF THE PLANESWALKER GN VOL 02 $17.95

MAR111338 MY GIRLFRIENDS A GEEK GN VOL 03 $11.99

APR111083 NEGIMA NEO GN VOL 07 (OF 7) (MR) $10.99

APR111255 NEVERLAND GFT DREAM EATER ONE SHOT (PT 5) GARZA CVR B (MR) $2.99

APR111254 NEVERLAND GFT DREAM EATER ONE SHOT (PT 5) RHANDOLPH CVR A $2.99

MAY110866 NIGHT O/T LIVING DEAD DEATH VALLEY #1 (OF 5) C2E2 (MR) $5.99

FEB111153 PRIEST PURGATORY GN VOL 02 (MR) $19.99

APR110982 PROJECT SUPERPOWERS BLACK TERROR TP VOL 03 INHUMAN REMAINS $16.99

APR111135 RICHELLE MEAD DARK SWAN #2 STORM BORN (MR) $3.99

APR110771 RICHIE RICH #2 (OF 4) $3.95

APR111244 SASAMEKE GN VOL 02 $20.99

FEB111157 SGT FROG GN VOL 21 $10.99

APR110858 SIMPSONS SUPER SPECTACULAR #13 $2.99

APR111124 SIXTH GUN #12 $3.99

APR110798 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #226 $2.99

APR111245 SOUL EATER TP VOL 06 $11.99

MAR111342 SUNSHINE SKETCH TP VOL 05 $11.99

APR111246 TALE OF WANING MOON GN VOL 02 (MR) $12.99

APR110921 TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE TP VOL 09 (MR) $24.99

APR110943 VAMPIRELLA SCARLET LEGION #2 $3.99

APR111252 WONDERLAND GFT DREAM EATER ONE SHOT (PT 4) CHA CVR A (MR) $3.99

APR111253 WONDERLAND GFT DREAM EATER ONE SHOT (PT 4) PATTERSON CVR B $3.99

APR110801 WORLD OF ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #8 $3.99

APR111078 YAKUZA MOON TRUE STORY OF GANGSTERS DAUGHTER GN $15.95

MAGAZINES
MAR111435 CINEMA RETRO #20 $11.99
FEB111267 DC BLACKEST NIGHT FIG COLL MAG #8 WHITE LANTERN $14.00
FEB111270 DC SUPERHERO FIG COLL MAG #82 DR MID NITE $14.00
MAY111377 DOC SAVAGE DOUBLE NOVEL VOL 45 BAMA CVR $14.95
APR111320 FANGORIA #306 $8.99
MAR111164 HEAVY METAL SUMMER 2011 (MR) $6.95
MAY111350 SCARY MONSTERS 2011 YEARBOOK MONSTER MEMORIES #19 $8.95
APR111324 SCARY MONSTERS MAGAZINE #79 $8.95
MAY111379 SHADOW DOUBLE NOVEL VOL 50 $14.95
APR111326 UNDYING MONSTERS MAGAZINE #0 SPECIAL COLL ISSUE $9.95

Nura Rise of the Yokai Clan: The Nura Clan Assembly

I read Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan, Vol. 3

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which has FREE smart phone apps).

I Reads You Review: DENGEKI DAISY, VOL. 04

Creators: Kyousuke Motomi with JN Productions (translation)
Publishing Information: VIZ Media, B&W, paperback, 192 pages, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN
Ordering Numbers: ISBN: 978-1-4215-3730-6

Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”

Not only is she an orphan, but Teru Kurebayshi also lost her brother, Soichiro. She isn’t alone, however. Teru exchanges text messages with DAISY, a mysterious figure who can only be reached through a cell phone Soichiro left her. Meanwhile, another mysterious figure comes into Teru’s life, Tasuku Kurosaki, a janitor who is always around when she needs him.

As Dengeki Daisy, Vol. 4 opens, Teru is still reeling from her discover that Kurosaki is really DAISY. What should she do? Should she tell Kurosaki that she knows his secret? Meanwhile, someone else is pretending to be DAISY and is sending viruses to Teru’s classmates, who blame her for the problems the DAISY virus causes them. But this is more than just a prank, and someone may be out to hurt Teru.

The creator of Dengeki Daisy, Kyousuke Motomi, is also the creator of Beast Master. Both series are shojo manga high school romances that match a lovelorn girl with a wild boy type. Talk about star-crossed lovers; sometimes you can’t help but think that the girl is in danger because of her beastly male love interest.

Dengeki Daisy is an edgy romantic drama, sometimes frivolous and sometimes surprisingly dark. For my tastes, this series is too moody and the narrative is drought-condition dry. However, the fake DAISY hacker storyline is fun to read, full of intrigue, classroom squabbles, teen angst, and incidents of bullying. This is a good storyline because there is mystery, conflict, and danger, and it is enough to get me back for a fifth volume – something I thought not possible.

B

Disney Comics App Launches and It's FREE

Disney Publishing Worldwide Launches Disney Comics App for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch

Over 80 Years of Disney Comics Are Now Available to Readers Digitally, Including Mickey Mouse, Cinderella, Cars 2 and More

Fans can Tweet the Release Using the #DisneyComics Hashtag

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Disney Publishing Worldwide announced today its new Disney Comics App for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch is now available on the App Store. Disney Comics gives readers instant access to one of the most extensive collections of comics, short stories and graphic novels ever created, ranging from classic adventures starring Mickey Mouse to brand new comics from Toy Story and Cars 2.

The launch collection includes more than 50 comics for readers of all ages and features Disney classic characters like Donald Duck; Disney-Pixar comics featuring Toy Story’s Buzz and Woody; Disney Channel-inspired content including High School Musical; and feature film-based comics based on Tron: Legacy and Tangled. Disney Publishing will release two new titles each week following the launch.

The Disney Comics App will launch in the U.S. and will also be available on the App Store in over 80 countries across the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Additional markets will launch Disney Comics later this year.

“Comics are a tremendous part of our heritage and we see great potential and interest in bringing our extensive catalog of Disney Comics to mobile devices,” said Russell Hampton, President, Disney Publishing Worldwide. “We create over 25,000 original comic pages each year and it’s critical that we deliver this content to our readers around the world. We have over 1 billion Disney comic readers today, and our Disney Comics App will further broaden that audience.”

The Disney Comics App offers a new, director-style reading experience; readers can choose portrait or landscape mode, automatic or manual smart paneling, and can view double spreads. Disney Comics also enables readers to preview comics before making a purchase, share their stories with Facebook friends, and save all content to their iPad, iPhone or iPod touch for offline reading. An added feature lets readers receive automatic updates when stories relating to a favorite Disney character become available.

The Disney Comics App is available for free from the App Store on iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch, or at www.itunes.com/appstore. Individual stories are $.99 and themed bundles are available for $3.99 through In-App Purchase.

For more information, visit www.disney.com/disneycomics and www.facebook.com/DisneyDigitalBooks, or follow @DisneyDigiBooks on Twitter.

Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW) is the world’s largest publisher of children’s books and magazines, with over 250 million children’s books and over 400 million children’s magazines sold each year. Disney Publishing Worldwide consists of an extensive worldwide licensing structure as well as vertically integrated publishing imprints including Disney Book Group in the U.S., Disney Libri in Italy and Disney Libros in Spain. DPW publishes a range of children’s magazines globally including Topolino, Le Journal de Mickey, and Donald Duck, as well as family titles in the U.S. which include Disney FamilyFun and Phineas and Ferb. Disney English is DPW’s English language learning business which includes Disney English schools in China and a worldwide retail licensing program. DPW’s digital products include bestselling eBook titles as well as original apps. Headquartered in White Plains, NY, Disney Publishing Worldwide publishes books, magazines, and digital products in 85 countries in 75 languages. For more information visit http://www.disneypublishing.com/.

Dark Horse Announces "Scary Godmother" for Halloween

DARK HORSE PARTNERS WITH DIAMOND TO OFFER RETAILERS A SPECIAL SCARY GODMOTHER HALLOWEEN ASHCAN!

JUNE 22, MILWAUKIE, OR—Dark Horse offers comics fans of all ages something special this Halloween that won’t rot your teeth! Sized perfectly for just about any trick-or-treat bag, this Halloween ashcan of Jill Thompson’s Scary Godmother is a perfect alternative to Halloween candy.

This special giveaway features the story “Tea for Orson,” from the Scary Godmother hardcover collection, released by Dark Horse last fall. Follow Harry and Orson on a fun eleven-page quest to sneak into a tea party, hosted by none other than Scary Godmother herself! As an added bonus, this Halloween treat features a two-page short, “Wild about Harry.”

Jill Thompson is a New York Times best-selling graphic novelist, as well as the winner of multiple Eisner Awards for her work on Scary Godmother (2001), The Dark Horse Book of Hauntings (2004), The Dark Horse Book of Witchcraft (2005), and The Dark Horse Book of Monsters (2007). Recently, she became the first female artist to win the highly coveted National Cartoonists Society Award, for her work on the Dark Horse series Beasts of Burden.

Retailers can order these special ashcans in packs of twenty-five, as a great giveaway item on the spookiest holiday of the year!

Dark Horse Provides Retailer Incentives for Eric Powell's Chimichanga

GET YOUR CHIMICHANGA!

FRESH RETAIL INCENTIVE FROM DARK HORSE COMICS!

June 21, MILWAUKIE, OR—Eric Powell, the Eisner Award–winning creator of The Goon, takes readers on the road with a traveling show populated by a bizarre and endearing cast of characters in Chimichanga ($14.99), his first-ever tale for audiences of all ages!

In celebration of this release, Dark Horse and creator Eric Powell have extended their initial order incentive. Now through July 6, for every three copies of the hardcover that you order, you will receive one free copy of the original issue #1—signed by Eric Powell!

Originally a three-issue limited series, Chimichanga was hailed by Broken Frontier as “full of that youthful vigor that makes The Goon such a delight,” and it’s just one event in what assistant editor Daniel Chabon described to consumers as “the return of Eric Powell”:

“His hit series The Goon comes back in its bimonthly schedule, a new Billy the Kid series is on the horizon, and on September 28, get ready for his first all-ages book, Chimichanga—a story about an adorable little bearded girl who must save her ailing sideshow with the help of a large, green, googly-eyed behemoth she gets from a witch’s magic egg.



“Has that piqued your interest yet? Our deluxe hardcover edition will feature all the previously published Chimichanga comics; a brand-new ten-page story made especially for this edition and colored by Eisner Award winner Dave Stewart, and some early concept designs and sketches. Be sure to grab a copy of this book, because you’re in for a treat!”



About Dark Horse Comics
Since 1986, 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 like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way, and comics legend Will Eisner, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as the Mask, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Additionally, its highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Emily the Strange, Tim Burton, Trigun, Serenity, 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 licensed comics material.

Leroy Douresseaux on CONAN ROAD OF KINGS #6

CONAN: ROAD OF KINGS #6
DARK HORSE COMICS

WRITER: Roy Thomas
PENCILS: Mike Hawthorne
INKS: John Lucas
COLORS: Dan Jackson
LETTERS: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
COVER: Doug Wheatley
32pp, Color, $3.50

Conan: Road of Kings is the third ongoing Conan series from Dark Horse Comics, following Conan (50 issues, 2004-2008) and Conan the Cimmerian (25 issues, 2008-2010). Scheduled to run 12 issues, Conan: Road of Kings is written by Conan storytelling legend, Roy Thomas.

Road of Kings follows Conan as he travels from the easternmost edge to the westernmost shores of the map of the Hyborian age (drawn by Robert E. Howard, the creator of Conan). To reach his destination, Conan must trek the fabled Road of Kings that winds its way through the civilized kingdoms. Along the way, he helps people fight against monsters, malevolent magic, and the power-mad, while also protecting his own skin.

As Conan: Road of Kings #6 begins, our favorite sullen-eyed, dark-haired barbarian is in the capitol of Ophir, specifically in the palace of King Kennak. There, he prepares to rescue the king’s daughter, Olivia, from a death sentence pronounced by her own father! The real culprit, however, is Olivia’s stepmother, Queen Sophonesba, whom Olivia believes killed her birth mother. Conan may have met his match, as Sophonesba has a mystic ring and the powerful astrologer, Necrodemus, on her side. Meanwhile, the sword-handed assassin, Gamesh, awaits Conan.

Roy Thomas is the most famous and prolific writer of Conan’s comic book adventures. One issue of a Roy Thomas Conan comic book is like three of another writer’s, because there are multiple subplots. This sixth issue of Road of Kings seems to be three tales: the rescue of Olivia, the guard Captain Jemal, and Olivia’s kidnapper Fharos; the royal family drama; and Conan’s battle against Gamesh. Honestly, while these stories are entertaining, they’re not slam dunk-exciting like Conan: Island of No Return, although the Gamesh battle offers a hot finish.

The art by penciller Mike Hawthorne and inker John Lucas is dynamic and clean, with excellent coloring by Dan Jackson. The art, however, looks like a better fit for an adventure comedy set in the sword and sorcery genre. The art is more slick than dramatic, although it does give the bloodletting an edge and also seems to work for the Gamesh battle at the end of this issue.

B+

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

Bluewater's Stephen King Biocomic Now in Stores

STEPHEN KING'S NEW COMIC BOOK BIOGRAPHY ” IN STORES JUNE 22nd.

Author Stephen King, the best-selling master of horror who has terrified a generation with his nightmarish imagination, helps give voice to his own tale in a special edition of Bluewater Productions' latest biography comic title “Orbit; Stephen King”. The comic book will will hit comic shops and online retailers on June 22nd. The 32-page comic retails for $3.99.

The book, which is by Michael Lent and Brian McCarthy and penciled by Kent Hurlburt and an amazing cover by Micha_ Szyksznian. To find a comic book store near you go to http://www.comicshoplocator.com/. The comic book will also be available at Barnes & Noble as well as Amazon.

Co-author Michael Lent says: “One story we confirmed concerned a young King witnessing a friend's accident involving a train (long thought to be a source of his macabre inspirations). Until now, the story was largely apocryphal and wasn't mentioned in King's autobiography. It's a great feeling when you can resolve something once and for all.”

“Orbit: Stephen King,” follows King's career from a struggling writer to prolific best-selling author. It includes insight on his legacy as a writer, his love of the Boston Red Sox, forays into film, drug and alcohol issues, and the accident that nearly cost him his life.

In writing about his near-death in 1999, the authors used King's own account along with police reports that differed from accounts given by some of the media, according to Lent.

“What really enlightened us were the similarities we found between Stephen King and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones. Both came from dirt-poor families. Both had talents that were shepherded by strong, supportive mothers. Both had absent fathers. Each practiced doggedly every day -- their talents weren't hobbies, but their salvation. It brought them fame and fortune, it sustained them during their darkest hours of drug addiction and it, literally, gave them both a road to recovery when their lives were nearly cut short in tragic accidents,” added co-author Brian McCarthy.

“Orbit” was launched in April 2011 with a focused skew towards a more male demographic. “When we weighed the possibilities of featuring personalities like King, Howard Stern, LeBron James, Gary Gygax and JRR Tolkien into our existing titles, the tone and tenor didn't match. Their enduring popularity and contributions to popular culture are worthy of coverage, but they needed a different voice in which to present the material. 'Orbit' fits that bill”. The biographies have been featured on CNN, The Tonight Show, Entertainment Tonight, FOX News and more.


About Bluewater Productions
Bluewater Productions Inc. is one of the top independent production studios of comic books, young adult books and graphic novels. Its extensive catalog of titles includes the bestsellers “10th Muse” and “The Legend of Isis” ”Bluewater publishes comic books in partnership with entertainment icon William Shatner (“TekWar Chronicles”), legendary filmmaker Ray Harryhausen (“Wrath of the Titans,” “Sinbad: Rogue of Mars,” “Jason and the Argonauts,” et al) and celebrated actor Vincent Price (“Vincent Price Presents”), Additionally, Bluewater publishes a highly successful line of biographical comics under the titles “Female Force” and “Political Power.”

Bluewater aims to unite cutting-edge art and engaging stories produced by its stable of the publishing industry's top artists and writers.

For more information, visit http://www.bluewaterprod.com/.

Leroy Douresseaux on RAGE #1

RAGE #1 (OF 3)
DARK HORSE BOOKS

SCRIPT: Arvid Nelson
PENCILS: Andrea Mutti
INKS: Pierluigi Baldassini
COLORS: Michael Atiyeh
LETTERS: Michael Heisler
COVER: Glenn Fabry (alternate cover by Stephan Martiniere)
32pp, Color, $3.50

Dark Horse Comics is publishing a comic book based upon Rage, the upcoming first-person shooter game from developer, id Software, creators of Doom and Quake, and publisher, Bethesda Softworks. The three-issue comic book miniseries is written by Arvid Nelson (the creator of Rex Mundi) and drawn by Andrea Mutti, and the story, entitled “After the Impact,” is an original tale and an introduction to the world of Rage.

In the back story of Rage, Asteroid 99942 – codename: Apophis – strikes Earth on April 13, 2037. Five billion people die within 24 hours. A tiny fraction of the population survives the attack by living in burrowing cryo arks, but they emerge to find Earth a wasteland controlled by a global military dictatorship called the Authority.

In Rage #1, Dr. Elizabeth Cadence emerges from her life-sustaining ark and is immediately confronted by murderous marauders. She is rescued by Authority forces and taken to their home base, The Dead City. Cadence is also familiar with an Authority officer, Casey. As a scientist, Dr. Cadence helps the Authority, but discovers that what she has learned is not the truth.

Between the title page synopsis and this first issue, comic book readers will have a nice introduction to the world of Rage, and they will certainly have an entertaining read in this comic book.

The script by Arvid Nelson is clean and streamlined, and Nelson manages to introduce the personalities of and the conflict between the two characters that are the focus (at least at this point), Dr. Cadence and Casey. The only problem here is that this first issue seems like a prologue to the real action, which, in the context of a three-issue miniseries, suggests that there may not be a lot of story in the series. [Of course, I could be wrong.]

Artist Andrea Mutti’s graphic style is perfect for this science fiction tale. Mutti’s clean compositions make for good storytelling, and Mutti has a knack for drawing faces that convey personality traits and complex emotions. Cover artist Glenn Fabry may be the big name here, but Mutti’s interior art is the star.

B+

http://www.rage.com/

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 22 2011

DC COMICS

APR110148 ACTION COMICS #902 (DOOMSDAY) $2.99

MAR110307 BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #40 $2.99

APR110157 BATMAN GATES OF GOTHAM #2 (OF 5) $2.99

MAR110343 BATMAN RED HOOD THE LOST DAYS TP $14.99

APR118163 BOOSTER GOLD 2ND PTG #44 (FLASHPOINT) $2.99

APR110142 BRIGHTEST DAY AFTERMATH THE SEARCH #1 (OF 3) $2.99

APR110240 DMZ #66 (MR) $2.99

APR110243 FABLES #106 (MR) $2.99

FEB110199 FIRST WAVE HC $29.99

APR110132 FLASHPOINT KID FLASH LOST #1 (OF 3) $2.99

APR110128 FLASHPOINT LOIS LANE AND THE RESISTANCE #1 (OF 3) $2.99

APR110130 FLASHPOINT THE OUTSIDER #1 (OF 3) $2.99

APR110139 FLASHPOINT THE REVERSE FLASH #1 $2.99

APR110179 GREEN ARROW #13 $2.99

MAR110406 GREEN LANTERN MOVIE 1:4 SCALE HAL JORDAN BUST $125.00

MAR110408 GREEN LANTERN MOVIE 1:4 SCALE SINESTRO BUST $125.00

MAR110398 GREEN LANTERN MOVIE HAL JORDAN MAQUETTE $195.00

APR110146 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #58 $2.99

MAR110376 KANE AND LYNCH TP (MR) $17.99

MAR110356 POWER GIRL BOMB SQUAD TP $14.99

APR110175 SPIRIT #15 $2.99

APR110165 SUPERMAN #712 $2.99

OCT100347 ULTIMATE SHOWDOWN SUPERMAN VS BIZARRO STATUE SET $175.00

APR110253 VERTIGO RESURRECTED SANDMAN PRESENTS PETREFAX #1 (MR) $7.99

APR110223 YOUNG JUSTICE #5 $2.99

APR110188 ZATANNA #14 $2.99

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 22 2011

MARVEL COMICS

APR110720 AVENGERS VS PET AVENGERS GN TP $14.99

APR110611 BLACK PANTHER MAN WITHOUT FEAR #520 $2.99

APR110728 BLACK WIDOW TP NAME OF ROSE $16.99

APR110577 CAPTAIN AMERICA #619 $3.99

APR110744 CAPTAIN AMERICA BY STEVE MCNIVEN POSTER $8.99

APR110594 CARNAGE #5 (OF 5) $3.99

APR110560 CARS 2 #1 (OF 2) $3.99

APR110634 DEADPOOL #39 $2.99

JAN110820 DEADPOOL HC VOL 01 $39.99

APR110561 DISNEY PIXAR PRESENTS CARS 2 $5.99

JAN110824 DR STRANGE PREM HC INTO DARK DIMENSION $24.99

APR110614 FANTASTIC FOUR LAST STAND #1 $4.99

APR118056 FEAR ITSELF #2 (OF 7) 2ND PTG MCNIVEN VAR FEAR (PP #972) $3.99

APR118057 FREE X-MEN SCHISM SPIDER-ISLAND POSTER PI

APR110709 IMPOSSIBLE MAN TP $34.99

APR110591 INCREDIBLE HULKS #631 $2.99

APR110551 IRON MAN 2.0 #6 FEAR $2.99

APR118012 JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #622 2ND PTG VAR FEAR (PP #972) $3.99

APR118063 JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #623 2ND PTG VAR FEAR (PP #972) $2.99

MAR110696 MARVEL ZOMBIE CHRISTMAS CAROL #2 (OF 5) $3.99

APR118013 MIGHTY THOR #1 2ND PTG VAR (PP #972) $3.99

APR110584 MIGHTY THOR #3 $3.99

APR118062 MOON KNIGHT #1 2ND PTG MALEEV VAR (PP #972) $3.99

APR110621 MYSTERY MEN #2 (OF 5) $2.99

APR110699 MYSTIQUE BY SEAN MCKEEVER ULTIMATE COLLECTION TP $24.99

APR110656 NAMOR FIRST MUTANT #11 $2.99

APR110661 NEW MUTANTS #26 $2.99

APR110730 NYX TP VOL 01 WANNABE TP NEW PTG $19.99

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IDW from Diamond Distributors for June 22 2011

IDW PUBLISHING

APR110341 COBRA ONGOING #2 $3.99

APR110296 INFESTATION OUTBREAK #1 (OF 4) $3.99

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Dark Horse from Diamond Distributors for June 22 2011

DARK HORSE COMICS

NOV100060 365 SAMURAI BOOK AND FIGURE SET $75.00

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APR110022 DARK HORSE PRESENTS #2 NEAL ADAMS CVR $7.99

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MAR110042 DETHKLOK HC $19.99

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MAR110031 JANET EVANOVICH TROUBLEMAKER TP $16.99

NOV100056 LAST KISS STICKY NOTE BOOK $8.95

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APR110015 RAGE #1 (OF 3) FABRY CVR $3.50

MAR110041 SCARY GODMOTHER COMIC BOOK STORIES TP $24.99

APR110010 STAR WARS JEDI DARK SIDE #2 $2.99

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 22 2011

IMAGE COMICS

APR110398 ALL NIGHTER #1 (OF 5) $2.99

JAN110665 DARKNESS ORIGINS TP VOL 03 $19.99

APR110419 DREAMS OF DARKCHYLDE TP VOL 01 (MR) $16.99

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APR110506 HACK SLASH #5 CVR B ESQUEJO (MR) $3.50

FEB110495 MAGDALENA ORIGINS TP VOL 02 (OF 2) (NOTE PRICE) $16.99

APR110513 MISSION #5 $2.99

APR110460 WALKING DEAD T/S MICHONNE LG $24.99

APR110459 WALKING DEAD T/S MICHONNE MED $24.99

APR110458 WALKING DEAD T/S MICHONNE SM $24.99

APR110461 WALKING DEAD T/S MICHONNE XL $24.99

APR110462 WALKING DEAD T/S MICHONNE XXL $27.99

APR110528 WALKING DEAD WEEKLY #25 (MR) $2.99

Comics and Magazines from Diamond Distributors for June 22 2011

COMICS


MAR111312 AFTERSCHOOL CHARISMA TP VOL 03 $12.99

OCT100758 ANYWHERE TP (MR) $19.95

MAR111313 ARATA THE LEGEND TP VOL 06 $9.99

APR110784 ARCHIE #622 $2.99

APR110788 ARCHIE BABIES OGN $9.95

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APR110856 BART SIMPSON COMICS #60 $2.99

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APR110991 BLACKBEARD LEGEND OF THE PYRATE KING TP $19.99

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DEC101128 CARLOS DIEZ SKETCHBOOK DEVIL IN DETAILS SC (MR) $9.95

FEB111232 CHARMED #11 A CVR CHARMED ONES $3.50

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FEB111147 CLINT #8 NEWSSTAND ED (MR) $6.99

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APR110750 GIRL GENIUS TP VOL 10 AGATHA H & GUARDIAN MUSE $22.95

FEB111068 HOUNDS OF HELL GN (MR) $19.95

APR110925 IN DEFENSE OF THE REALM CAMPFIRE GN $12.99

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MAR110937 PAPARAZZI #3 (OF 4) $3.99

AUG100754 PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR #4 (OF 4) $3.95

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OCT101046 ROY ROGERS COLL DAILY & SUNDAY NEWSPAPER STRIPS HC $49.99

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APR110890 STAN LEE TRAVELER #8 $3.99

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MAR110996 UNCLE SCROOGE MYSTERIOUS STONE RAY & CASH FLOW $6.99

MAR111025 VAMPIRELLA #7 $3.99

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APR110909 WALT DISNEYS COMICS & STORIES #720 $3.99

MAR110945 WRATH OF THE TITANS REVENGE OF MEDUSA #2 $3.99

MAGAZINES
APR111343 CINEFEX #126 MAY 2011 $12.50
FEB111258 COMIC HEROES MAGAZINE #6 $18.99
APR111289 COMICS REVUE PRESENTS JUNE 2011 $19.95
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MAR111983 WHITE DWARF #377 PI

Leroy Douresseaux on STAR WARS: JEDI - THE DARK SIDE #2

STAR WARS: JEDI – THE DARK SIDE #2
DARK HORSE BOOKS

[Visit the "Star Wars Central" review page here.]

SCRIPT: Scott Allie
ARTIST: Mahmud Asrar
COLORS: Paul Mounts
LETTERS: Michael Heisler
COVER: Stéphane Roux
32pp, Color, $2.99

Star Wars: Jedi – The Dark Side is a new Star Wars comic book recently launched by Dark Horse Comics. It is written by Scott Allie, who previously wrote Star Wars: Empire—Betrayal. The artist is Mahmud Asrar, who has worked on Brightest Day: The Atom Special and Avengers: The Initiative.

Star Wars: Jedi – The Dark Side is set during “The Rise of the Empire” era. This period takes place during the 1000 years before the Battle of Yavin (the climax of the original Star Wars film when Luke Skywalker destroys the Death Star). This particular story takes place approximately 53 years before the Battle of Yavin.

The lead character of this first story arc of Star Wars: Jedi – The Dark Side is Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn (ostensibly the lead in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace). The Jedi Council dispatches Qui-Gon, his headstrong Padawan Xanatos, the beautiful Jedi Master Tahl, and the Padawan Orykan Tamarik, whose master is deceased, to the planet Telos IV. Their assignment is to quell the unrest caused by the mysterious death and possible assassination of High Priestess Liora.

Star Wars: Jedi – The Dark Side #2 opens in the aftermath of the attack on their ship that occurred as the Jedi arrived on Telos IV. Matters are further complicated by the fact that this planet is Xanatos’ home world, and his father, Lord Crion, is its ruler. Father and son have a difficult relationship, made even more difficult by Crion’s pride and Xanatos’ stubborn ways. Meanwhile, Qui-Gon and Orykan make a shocking discovery – the presence of some kind of Jedi at the murder scene. Meanwhile, Tahl finds herself in the fight of her life.

Qui-Gon Jinn is my favorite character from The Phantom Menace, so I’m excited by this original comic book story featuring the Jedi Master who came to an untimely end. Star Wars: Jedi – The Dark Side doesn’t disappoint, but it is more than just another Star Wars comic book. It is a murder mystery with elements of palace intrigue and political conspiracy. There are themes of family discord, professional jealousy, personal dissatisfaction, and nationalism (or the planetary equivalent of it).

Writer Scott Allie presents this story as a detective tale – dropping suspects and motives all over the place. In fact, it seems as if everyone here is guilty of something, and Allie adds an air of suspense and intrigue to the story by giving every character something to hide or something with which to struggle. It makes for a great summer potboiler. Artist Mahmud Asrar brings Allie’s script to life in comics form – a gripping graphic novel read. Asrar’s clean style and dramatic chops guarantee that this will be both a good comic book and a good Star Wars tale.

A-

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

Tenge Tenjo: Enter Todo High

I read Tenjo Tenge, Vol. 1: Full Contact Edition 2-in-1

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which has FREE smart phone apps).

I Reads You Review: STATIC SHOCK SPECIAL 1

STATIC SHOCK SPECIAL 1
DC COMICS

WRITERS: Felicia D. Henderson; Matt Wayne
PENCILS: Denys Cowan; John Paul Leon
INKS: Rodney Ramos, Prentis Rollins, and John Stanisci; John Paul Leon
COLORIST: Lee Loughridge; Noelle Giddings
LETTERS: Dave Sharpe
PIN-UPS: Keron Grant, Jamal Igle with Guy Major, Eric Battle with John Kalisz, John Rozum, and Derec Donovan
TEXT: Michael Davis, Derek T. Dingle
COVER: J.H. Williams, III
44pp, Color, $2.99 U.S.

Released to comic book shops about two weeks ago, Static Shock Special 1 (cover dated August 2011) is more than just another comic book featuring the most popular Milestone Comics character, Static. Static Shock Special (hopefully the first of many Milestone specials) is also a memorial to Dwayne McDuffie.

McDuffie, a longtime comic book writer for DC Comics and Marvel Comics (where he was also an editor), died earlier this year in February. McDuffie’s death seems like a blow to diversity in comic books – meaning more African-American characters and creators, particularly writers. It was a heartrending loss to me, as I’d always hoped to one day work with McDuffie.

McDuffie, along with artist Denys Cowan, writers Michael Davis, and Derek T. Dingle, created Milestone Media and the Dakota Universe, a comics universe that included characters like Static, Hardware, Icon, and Blood Syndicate, among others. Milestone Media also created the Milestone comics imprint, which was published through DC Comics. Despite producing some good and, in some cases, brilliant comics, Milestone found the direct sales comics market hostile to it (for various reasons). Within four years, Milestone was no longer producing comic books. You can’t keep a great thing down, and Milestone Comics lives on with the Dakota Universe characters folded into the DC Universe proper.

Death and remembrance and legacy and legend are the prominent themes and ideas in Static Shock Special 1. The opening story is by Felicia D. Henderson (story) and Denys Cowan (pencil art). The issue begins with Virgil Ovid Hawkins AKA Static, waiting by the gates of River Green State Penitentiary. Virgil’s uncle, Teshomé Gabriel Hawkins (his father’s older brother), is being freed after spending a decade in prison for several murders that he did not commit.

As Teshomé tells his nephew, “A Black man’s never free,” so Static takes on an old prison rival who wants to kill Teshomé. His name is Blinder, a “bang baby” (someone who gained superpowers during the Big Bang event that gave Virgil his powers). It’s Static to the rescue, but even his powers can’t stop a tragic turn of events.

Also, Static and the young heroine, Rocket, join Dwayne McDuffie in a defiant memorial from writer Matt Wayne and artist John Paul Leon. It’s the best two-page comic I’ve read in a long time.

Felicia D. Henderson’s Static tale captures everything that made Static unique, fun to read, and socially relevant – from the social commentary (Teshomé’s plight and fate) to Static’s matchless superhero style. Denys Cowan remains a brilliant visual stylist and skillful comics storyteller. Here, Cowan captures the Kirbyesque energy of super-powered fights, the cool but simmering defiance of the hero, and the cold-bloodied injustice of the just-ice… I mean justice system. Henderson and Cowan left me wanting more.

You may find Michael Davis and Derek T. Dingle’s text pieces informative, and they are. They suggest, however, that the best parts of the stories of Milestone Media and Dwayne McDuffie are yet to be told.

A

[This comic book contains a bonus comic insert, a tie-in with the movie Super 8. It is written by Peter Tomasi, drawn and colored by Tommy Lee Edwards, and lettered by John Workman, with a cover by Alex Ross.]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

Dark Horse to Give Away Buffy and More at ALA in New Orleans

DARK HORSE TO GIVE AWAY A COMPLETE BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER GRAPHIC-NOVEL LIBRARY AT NEXT WEEK’S ALA CONFERENCE

JUNE 17, MILWAUKIE, OR—This past April at the Texas Library Association event in Austin, Texas, Dark Horse partnered with Graphic Novel Reporter and Brodart to give away a selection of titles to the Weslaco Public Library, facilitated by Diamond Book Distributors. In total, the library received over seven hundred hand-selected titles from fifteen different publishers.

Dark Horse is proud to again take part in a similar giveaway at the American Library Association conference in New Orleans next week. This special giveaway, open to all attending public and school librarians, will include every Buffy the Vampire Slayer graphic novel from Dark Horse’s successful line. The winning library will receive over seven hundred hand-selected graphic novels in total, as well as fixtures and furniture. The prizes, including shelving, spinner racks, and more, will be displayed in the Great Graphic Novel Library Giveaway booth, #1760. The sign-up period will be during ALA exhibit hours on Friday, June 24, through Sunday, June 26.

The entire display, worth over $20,000, will be awarded to the winning library with a drawing that will take place at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, June 27, in booth #1760. The contest is open to public, school, and academic librarians within the continental United States. ALA attendees must register in person at the Great Graphic Novel Library booth during the show. One hundred semifinalists will be notified on Sunday evening and the winner must be present to accept the prize.

All attending librarians are also encouraged to visit Dark Horse in booth #1740, part of the Diamond Book Distributors display, for an exciting look at our fall titles!

M.J. Butler and Mark Wheatley Present "Skultar"

DARK HORSE PRESENTS GETS BARBARIC WITH M. J. BUTLER AND MARK WHEATLEY’S SKULTAR!

JUNE 16, MILWAUKIE, OR —Sometimes the finest works in art and literature are those of parody. Such is the case with Skultar, a new comic from M. J. Butler and Eisner Award–winning artist Mark Wheatley (Black Hood, Lone Justice, Mars).

In an age before recorded history, in a brutal world ruled by myth, magic, and monsters, a hero rises to fight for the oppressed. His name is Skultar. Unfortunately, he dies shortly after our story begins . . .

In his place, another rises up to be mistaken for Skultar, to claim the riches and reputation his legend brings. Similar to Skultar in strength, and nothing else, he nevertheless must stumble his way through his adventures, aided by Skultar’s right-hand man. If Skultar’s enemies ever find out he’s an impostor, nothing would stop them from imposing their dark rule over all the lands.

Born into slavery, trained as a warrior, it is his destiny to rule a kingdom by his own hand.

It’s just a stolen destiny.

Now, this forlorn hero comes to the celebrated Dark Horse anthology in its seventh issue.

Mark Wheatley takes his parody seriously. “I think the best humor grows out of a true love for the source material—and I’ve been a fan of Robert E. Howard, Fritz Leiber, C. L. Moore, and sword-and-sorcery stories for half an epoch! That doesn’t mean I can’t see where it gets silly! And trust me, Skultar is where it gets silly!”

Look for Skultar: The Unconquered in Dark Horse Presents #7, on sale this December!

Green Lantern Film Reviewed

I saw Green Lantern and posted a review at Negromancer.  The movie has its moments, and it is visually striking, but way too noisy.  The visual effects are mostly good, but some of them are surprisingly bad for a big budget flick from a major studio.

The script is bad, although, by the end, Green Lantern becomes the hero he is supposed to be in a rousing finale.  Mark Strong is utterly wasted as Sinestro.  Most of the characters are extraneous, and once again, the very talented Angela Bassett is way under-utilized.

So far, the box office looks good, perhaps coming in at $55 to $60 million for the weekend.  This may be enough to get the studio to greenlight a sequel - hopefully with at least new writers.