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Saturday, December 10, 2011
I Reads You Review: 20TH CENTURY BOYS, VOL. 16
Publishing Information: VIZ Media, paperback, B&W, 208 pages, $12.99 (US), $14.99 CAN, £8.99 UK
Ordering Numbers: ISBN: 978-1-4215-3534-0
Rating: “T+ for Older Teens”
20th Century Boys is a science fiction adventure series from famed manga creator, Naoki Urasawa. The story begins with Kenji Endo, a hardworking and honorable young man who runs his family’s small business (a convenience store). In 1997, Kenji discovers a series of ominous incidents that follow “The Book of Prophecy,” a ridiculous scenario Kenji and his friend made up as children in the early 1970s.
A bizarre religious cult called the Friends and their leader, the “Friend,” are behind a plot that leads to December 31, 2000. Called “Bloody New Year’s Eve,” this day sees the world brought to the brink of destruction. Fourteen years later, Neo Tokyo is a thriving multiethnic metropolis until the Friends ruin it and the world.
Naoki Urasawa’s 20th Century Boys, Vol. 16 (entitled Beyond the Looking Glass) opens on a flashback as we see pivotal moments from Kenji and his pals’ childhood. However, they are seen from the point of view of the boy who would become the Friend.
Then, the narrative moves forward to the third year of the Friendship Era. A killer virus has decimated the world’s population. Tokyo has been quarantined behind a giant wall patrolled by the Friend’s secret police and the Global Defense Forces. The story focuses on Tokyo teens, Sanae and her brother, Katsuo. They have given shelter to an injured man who hides in a shack near their home, and his name is Otcho AKA Shogun.
I’ve long since run out of words to praise manga creator Naoki Urasawa. I love his intricate plots, and 20th Century Boys is like a warehouse of intricate plots and is a veritable subplot-o-rama. I assume that there are many ideas about why Urasawa’s storytelling is so successfully spellbinding I tend to think (cause I’ve changed my mind a few times about this) that 20th Century Boys, like his other comics, is successful because of Urasawa’s ability to make every character with a speaking role – from smallest to largest – relevant in the reader’s eyes. Not every character contributes something that is momentous, but that contribution is relatively important to the time in which he or she contributes it or perhaps, to a past or future moment. And this manga still jumps off the page like a summer potboiler.
A+
Friday, December 9, 2011
I Reads You Review: AVENGING SPIDER-MAN #1
AVENGING SPIDER-MAN #1
MARVEL COMICS
WRITER: Zeb Wells
ARTIST: Joe Madureira
COLORS: Ferran Daniel
LETTERS: VC’s Joe Caramagna
COVER: Joe Madureira and Aron Lusen (Variant coves by Humberto Ramos and Edgar Delgado; J. Scott Campbell and Edgar Delgado; and Joe Quesada, Danny Miki, and Richard Isanove)
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.
Rated T+
The new Spider-Man comic book series, Avenging Spider-Man, acts as the latest Spider-Man team-up title. The most famous is Marvel Team-Up, which first ran from the 1972 to 1985 (Vol. 1). There is an “afterword” in the back of Avenging Spider-Man, in which editor Stephen Wacker writes that this new title is going to be a star creator-oriented comic book that will feature oddball comic book characters, as well as popular characters as guest stars.
The star creators to start this are writer Zeb Wells (a star?) and artist Joe Madureira (still a star, but likely not as bright as he was back in the 90s). The team-up joins Spider-Man and the Red Hulk.
As Avenging Spider-Man #1 opens, Spider-Man and his Avenger teammates are battling A.I.M. and a giant A.I.M.Bot. Meanwhile, New York City Mayor J. Jonah Jameson has just shot the starter pistol to begin the New York City Marathon. The marathoners, however, immediately find their progress impeded by an invasion of diminutive yellow monsters. Hopping a ride to NYC on the back of the Red Hulk, Spider-Man finds himself arriving just in time to lose to the invaders – even with the Hulk’s help?!
Back in the mid-1990s, penciller Joe Madureira (also known as Joe Mad) and inker Tim Townsend formed one of the best (if not the best) art teams working in superhero comics. Maduriera’s anime and manga influenced style were transformed into solid comic book art by Townsend, an inker with a master illustrator’s touch. Madureira’s art did not suffer much when he left Marvel for Wildstorm Productions and Image Comics to produce his creator-owned title, Battle Chasers (published under Wildstorm’s Cliffhanger imprint). By the beginning of the 21st century, however, Madureira had left comics to work in the video game industry.
Joe Mad returned to comics in 2007 for The Ultimates 3 from Marvel Comics, but his art was no longer inked by Townsend or inked at all for that matter. Now, Madureira’s art was colored directly from the pencils. For me, it left much to be desired. As best as I can tell, Madureira’s is producing the art for Avenging Spider-Man the same as he did for The Ultimates.
It is not that I think Mad’s art here isn’t good. I do think that compared to the work he did on Uncanny X-Men with Townsend inking, this Avenging Spider-Man art is inferior, at least in terms of style and draftsmanship. However, I still admire Mad’s compositional and design skills. Some other artists may stretch out stories with splash pages or pages composed of big panels simply because those pages are more attractive to sell as original art. Mad uses splash pages and big panels to create a heightened sense of the dramatic or convey the power of action, force, movement, etc. The way Mad positions characters and objects in panels and the “camera” angles he uses reflect what Stan Lee preached in his How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way (co-authored with John Buscema).
As for the story: it’s mediocre. I’m amazed that Marvel and DC Comics can still get away with producing remarkably mediocre material, the kind of toad burger product that would spell doom for a publisher not financed by a multi-national media corporation. I’m surprised at the mediocrity because I remember when Zeb Wells first showed up on the comics scene; he was supposed to be some kind of golden boy. Is that golden as in piss gold?
My grade reflects my still-alive love of Joe Mad, but the grade should be lower because of the story.
C
[This comic book includes a preview of Avengers: X-Sanction #1 by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness.]
P.S. I’m going to buy a copy of Avengers: X-Sanction #1 just to rag on it. The five pages that are previewed here are just lousy. I’d really be disappointed if it turned out to be good, thus denying me some fun.
"One Piece" in Shonen Jump Digital Warp
Latest Update For VIZManga.com And The VIZ Manga App For iPad, iPhone And iPod Touch Includes Limited Time Volume 1 20% Off Promotion Starting December 7th
VIZ Media delivers a festive dose of digital sparkle as the 2011 Holiday Season begins with the latest update of manga (graphic novels) titles available on VIZManga.com and for digital download on the VIZ MANGA App for the Apple iPad®, iPhone® and iPod® touch.
The SHONEN JUMP DIGITAL WARP started for ONE PIECE, with the release of Vol. 59, available the same day the print version debuted, along with the digital first of ONE PIECE Vol. 60. This will be quickly followed by the digital first debut of ONE PIECE Vols. 61-62 on December 12th. The SHONEN JUMP DIGITAL WARP is a ‘speed-up’ of selected titles to bring U.S. readers up-to-date with Japanese releases and prepare for the January 2012 launch of VIZ Media’s WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA, North America’s only near-simultaneous digital manga magazine.
The SHONEN JUMP DIGITAL WARP also continues for Masashi Kishimoto’s hit ninja series NARUTO, with Volume 56 now available, and for Tite Kubo’s supernatural action saga, BLEACH, with Volume 52 debuting on December 12th. NARUTO Vols. 54-55 and BLEACH Vols. 49-51, are also available now, ahead of the print editions.
December 7th also saw the kick-off of a special limited time promotion that makes all Volume 1 manga titles available for up to 20% off (regular prices range from $4.99 to $9.99). This offer will run until midnight PST on December 12th.
Other notable December digital manga highlights include the release on December 12th of fifth and final volume of Kaori Yuki’s GRAND GUIGNOL ORCHESTRA, as well as Vol. 4 of Shunju Aono‘s I’LL GIVE IT MY ALL TOMORROW. Both editions hit one day ahead of their print counterparts’ release.
Eiichiro Oda’s high seas pirate adventure, ONE PIECE (rated ‘T’ for Teens), is one of the best selling manga series of all time. As a child, Monkey D. Luffy dreamed of becoming King of the Pirates. But his life changed when he accidentally gained the power to stretch like rubber…at the cost of never being able to swim again! Years, later, Luffy sets off in search of the "One Piece," said to be the greatest treasure in the world...
ONE PIECE Vol. 59
After risking everything he had to save his brother, Luffy faces his biggest tragedy. Whitebeard will make one last stand against the Navy forces, but when the epic pirate war finally comes to an end, the entire world will be shaken!
ONE PIECE Vol. 60
With the epic Paramount War now over, the scene shifts back to when a young Luffy first met Ace. Luffy, Ace and their friend Sabo get into all types of trouble as they grow up in a tumultuous time.
ONE PIECE Vol. 61
Determined to become stronger and challenge the toughest seas in the world, Luffy and his crew decide to go into training. When they finally reunite years later, they will meet brand new enemies and adventures!
ONE PIECE Vol. 62
Luffy and the Straw Hat crew board their trusted ship and head under the sea towards Fish-man island. However, getting in their way will be fierce pirates, underwater volcanoes, and a humongous sea creature!
Additional manga volumes launching the first part of December include:
Available Now:
BLEACH Vols. 36-37
DENGEKI DAISY Vol. 7
NARUTO Vol. 56 – Digital first!
NEON GENESIS EVANGELION Chapter 18
NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN Vol. 6
OISHINBO Vol. 5
ONE PIECE Vols. 59-60 – Digital first for Vol. 60!
OURAN HIGH SCHOOL HOST CLUB Vol. 13
TORIKO Vol. 7
December 12th:
BAKUMAN Vol. 8
BLEACH Vol. 52 – Digital first!
BLUE EXORCIST Vol. 5
FUSHIGI YUGI: GENBU KAIDEN Vol. 9
GRAND GUIGNOL ORCHESTRA Vol. 5 – Final volume!
I’LL GIVE IT MY ALL TOMORROW Vol. 4
KEKKAISHI Vol. 19
NEON GENESIS EVANGELION Chapter 19
ONE PIECE Vols. 61 & 62 – Digital first!
RUROUNI KENSHIN Vol. 28 – Final volume!
VIZ Media’s multiple digital manga platforms allow for universal access to read manga from an iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, and now, on VIZManga.com for desktop/laptop computers as well as Android-powered devices with built-in web browsers. With one account, registered users may access their purchases across even more devices than ever.
The free VIZ Manga App continues to be the top app for reading manga and features a rapidly growing library of the most popular manga series in the world. Over 45 series and 500+ volumes are currently available, with new additions and free Chapter 1 previews added weekly.
For more information, please visit VIZManga.com or www.VIZ.com/apps.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Maoh Juvenile Remix: Testing Powers
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which has FREE comics).
Pogo to Help Celebrate Fantagraphics Bookstore Anniversary
“Playing Possum: The Pogo Art of Walt Kelly” opens December 10
In 1970, Walt Kelly’s playful possum Pogo looked upon his polluted Okefenokee Swamp and uttered in despair, “We have met the enemy and he is us.” This line quickly became part of our cultural lexicon and cemented Pogo’s place in American popular culture. Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery celebrates the publication of Pogo: Through the Wild Blue Wonder with “Playing Possum: The Pogo Art of Walt Kelly.” This exhibition of original Walt Kelly strips opens Saturday, December 10 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM on the occasion of the bookstore’s 5th anniversary gala.
The long-anticipated Pogo: Through the Wild Blue Wonder, Volume 1 of the Complete Comic Strips collects early Sunday and daily Pogo comics from 1949 – 1950. Kelly introduces his huge cast of irreverent swamp dwellers and their singular dialect known as “swamp talk.” Politics soon became a central topic in the swamp. While Kelly claimed to oppose “the extreme right, the extreme left, and the extreme middle,” political figures cynically cloaking themselves in patriotic garb were clearly disdained. Kelly boldly caricatured red baiting Senator Joseph R. McCarthy as Simple J. Malarkey. An obvious parody of J. Edgar Hoover seemingly drove the FBI director to distraction. He reportedly assigned cryptographers to decipher the secret swamp talk “code.” (A strip from 1971 referencing this will be on display.) Kelly’s characters also embraced the burgeoning environmental movement and other progressive causes. “Playing Possum: The Pogo Art of Walt Kelly” includes 12 memorable dailies and 4 Sunday strips. These original works reveal the artist’s concern for composition, delicate line quality, and detailed dialogue.
The opening on Saturday, December 10 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM promises to be a festive affair. Musical entertainment will be provided by Sawsome, a female saw and banjo duet. The evening commemorates the 5th anniversary of Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery and coincides with the holiday edition of the colorful Georgetown Art Attack featuring art exhibitions, special events and wandering carolers from Choir of the Sound throughout the historic neighborhood.
PLAYING POSSUM: The Pogo Art of Walt Kelly
Opening reception Saturday, December 10, 6:00 – 9:00 PM
5th Anniversary Holiday Gala with musical entertainment by SAWSOME
Exhibition continues through January 4, 2012
www.fantagraphics.com/news/playingpossum
Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery
1201 S. Vale Street (at Airport Way S.) Seattle. 206.658.0110
Open daily 11:30 to 8:00 PM, Sundays until 5:00 PM
http://www.fantagraphics.com/
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
I Reads You Review: ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #4
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #4
MARVEL COMICS
WRITER: Brian Michael Bendis
ARTIST: Sara Pichelli
COLORS: Justin Ponsor
LETTERS: VC’s Cory Petit
COVER: Kaare Andrews
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.
Rated T+
As it was revealed previously, the new Ultimate Spider-Man series takes place before the “Death of Spider-Man” storyline that took place in Marvel Comics’ Ultimate line a few months ago. With Ultimate Spider-Man #4 (AKA Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man #4), the new series finally catches up with events as Miles Morales witnesses Peter Parker’s final moments.
Like Parker, Miles was bitten (just recently) by a spider and the result is arachnid-like powers. After witnessing the death of hero, Miles can no longer ignore his strange new powers. With the help of his best friend, Ganke, Miles is ready to suit up, even if everyone else isn’t ready for the new (Spider) kid in town.
This fourth issue of the new Ultimate Spider-Man series is a nice change of pace as writer Brian Michael Bendis has Miles deal with things new to him – the responsibility that having powers brings, the how-to of being a superhero, and the difficulty of replacing a legend. So far, Bendis is gradually revealing Miles to us, but he is also delving into the African-American teen, as if Miles were also new to him.
The art by Sara Pichelli features a clean, almost classical line work. It’s the wonky coloring that sometimes distorts that cleanness. Colorist Justin Ponsor over does it on the gradation when he doesn’t have to. There are times when Ponsor wants to suggest light reflected off Miles’ face, and it instead resembles an albino-like skin condition.
A
[This comic book includes a preview of Avengers: X-Sanction #1 by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness.]
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 7 2011
OCT110178 ACTION COMICS #4 $3.99
OCT110212 ANIMAL MAN #4 $2.99
JUL110285 BAD DOINGS BIG IDEAS A BILL WILLINGHAM DLX HC (MR) $49.99
AUG110242 BATMAN NO MANS LAND TP VOL 01 NEW EDITION $29.99
OCT110191 BATWING #4 $2.99
MAY110309 BLACKEST NIGHT POWER RING SPECTRUM SET $65.00
SEP110177 BRIGHTEST DAY TP VOL 01 $19.99
OCT110238 DC COMICS PRESENTS CAPTAIN ATOM #1 $7.99
APR110283 DC UNIVERSE ONLINE STATUE THE JOKER $90.00
OCT110188 DETECTIVE COMICS #4 $2.99
OCT110171 GREEN ARROW #4 $2.99
OCT110231 HAWK AND DOVE #4 $2.99
OCT110286 HELLBLAZER ANNUAL #1 (MR) $4.99
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AUG110250 JACK KIRBYS FOURTH WORLD OMNIBUS TP VOL 01 $39.99
OCT110164 JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #4 $2.99
OCT110274 LOONEY TUNES #204 $2.99
OCT110225 MEN OF WAR #4 $3.99
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SEP110189 SUPERBOY SMALLVILLE ATTACKS TP $24.99
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SEP118159 SWAMP THING #2 2ND PTG $2.99
OCT110211 SWAMP THING #4 $2.99
OCT110297 SWEET TOOTH #28 (MR) $2.99
MAY110258 WATCHMEN THE ABSOLUTE EDITION HC NEW PTG $99.99
Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 7 2011
OCT110630 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #675 $3.99
JUL110710 ART OF SPIDER-MAN CLASSIC HC $49.99
JUL110721 AVENGERS WEST COAST AVENGERS PREM HC SINS PAST $34.99
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SEP110675 X-MEN WITH GREAT POWER TP $19.99
JUN110719 X-STATIX OMNIBUS HC $125.00
IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for December 7 2011
OCT110422 ANGEL AFTER THE FALL TP VOL 04 $19.99
SEP110356 CAPTAIN CANUCK COMPLETE ED TP $29.99
OCT110368 COLD WAR #3 $3.99
OCT110416 ETERNAL DESCENT VOL 2 #2 (OF 6) $3.99
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OCT110323 TRANSFORMERS ONGOING #31 $3.99
SEP110263 TRUE BLOOD FRENCH QUARTER #4 (OF 6) $3.99
Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 7 2011
AUG110060 CLASSIC MARVEL CHARACTERS #3 IRON MAN $49.95
JUL110061 DRINKY CROW DOOK DOOK T/S BLUE MENS LG $22.99
JUL110060 DRINKY CROW DOOK DOOK T/S BLUE MENS MED $22.99
JUL110062 DRINKY CROW DOOK DOOK T/S BLUE MENS XL $22.99
JUL110063 DRINKY CROW DOOK DOOK T/S BLUE MENS XXL $24.99
JUL110074 DRINKY CROW DOOK DOOK T/S BLUE WOMENS LG $24.99
JUL110073 DRINKY CROW DOOK DOOK T/S BLUE WOMENS MED $24.99
JUL110072 DRINKY CROW DOOK DOOK T/S BLUE WOMENS SM $24.99
JUL110075 DRINKY CROW DOOK DOOK T/S BLUE WOMENS XL $24.99
JUL110065 DRINKY CROW DOOK DOOK T/S GRAY MENS LG $22.99
JUL110064 DRINKY CROW DOOK DOOK T/S GRAY MENS MED $22.99
JUL110066 DRINKY CROW DOOK DOOK T/S GRAY MENS XL $22.99
JUL110067 DRINKY CROW DOOK DOOK T/S GRAY MENS XXL $24.99
JUL110078 DRINKY CROW DOOK DOOK T/S GRAY WOMENS LG $24.99
JUL110077 DRINKY CROW DOOK DOOK T/S GRAY WOMENS MED $24.99
JUL110076 DRINKY CROW DOOK DOOK T/S GRAY WOMENS SM $24.99
JUL110069 DRINKY CROW DOOK DOOK T/S YELLOW MENS LG $22.99
JUL110068 DRINKY CROW DOOK DOOK T/S YELLOW MENS MED $22.99
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JUL110082 DRINKY CROW DOOK DOOK T/S YELLOW WOMENS LG $24.99
JUL110081 DRINKY CROW DOOK DOOK T/S YELLOW WOMENS MED $24.99
JUL110080 DRINKY CROW DOOK DOOK T/S YELLOW WOMENS SM $24.99
Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 7 2011
OCT110538 BLOOD RED DRAGON #2 $3.99
SEP110453 BREED III #7 (OF 7) (MR) $2.99
JUL110516 CHEW #22 $2.99
OCT110450 CHEW OMNIVORE ED HC VOL 02 (MR) $34.99
SEP110401 GIRLS COMPLETE COLLECTION TP (MR) $49.99
SEP110464 HACK SLASH #10 CVR A SEELEY & ENGLERT (MR) $3.50
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SEP110377 HACK SLASH ANNUAL 2011 HATCHET SLASH #1 CVR A (MR) $5.99
SEP110378 HACK SLASH ANNUAL 2011 HATCHET SLASH #1 CVR B (MR) $5.99
OCT110552 HEART #2 (OF 4) (MR) $2.99
OCT110555 LAST OF THE GREATS #3 CVR A PEEPLES $2.99
OCT110556 LAST OF THE GREATS #3 CVR B PLATI $2.99
OCT110560 MORIARTY #7 $2.99
OCT110568 REED GUNTHER #6 $2.99
OCT110570 SPAWN #214 $2.99
SEP118142 STRANGE TALENT OF LUTHER STRODE #2 (OF 6) VAR CVR 2ND PTG (M $2.99
OCT110572 STRANGE TALENT OF LUTHER STRODE #3 (OF 6) (MR) $2.99
SEP110389 THOUGHT BUBBLE ANTHOLOGY #1 $2.99
OCT110575 WALKING DEAD WEEKLY #49 (MR) $2.99
Comics and Magazines from Diamond Distributors for December 7 2011
SEP110757 ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #224 $3.99
OCT110829 ARSENIC LULLABY DEVILS DECADE TP (O/A) (MR) $29.99
SEP111133 AT FULL MOON GN VOL 01 $10.99
SEP111271 BAKUMAN TP VOL 08 $9.99
OCT110928 BETRAYAL O/T PLANET O/T APES #2 (OF 4) $3.99
SEP111272 BLEACH TP VOL 37 $9.99
SEP111274 BLUE EXORCIST GN VOL 05 $9.99
AUG111214 BOONDOCK SAINTS TP VOL 01 $19.99
OCT110985 BOYS #61 (MR) $3.99
OCT110860 CHOPPER #2 (OF 5) (MR) $2.99
OCT110841 CROSSED PSYCHOPATH #6 (OF 7) (RES) (MR) $3.99
OCT110842 CROSSED PSYCHOPATH #6 (OF 7) TORTURE CVR (RES) (MR) $3.99
OCT110843 CROSSED PSYCHOPATH #6 (OF 7) WRAP CVR (RES) (MR) $3.99
SEP111223 DAMAGED #4 (OF 6) (MR) $3.50
SEP111265 DAWN OF THE ARCANA TP VOL 01 $9.99
SEP111219 DEAD OR ALIVE #1 (OF 4) $2.99
SEP111135 DELTORA QUEST GN VOL 03 $10.99
SEP111077 DF FF #1 HAESER REMARK ED $89.99
SEP111076 DF KIRBY GENESIS SILVER STAR #1 EX VIRGIN CVR $5.00
MAY111059 DF X-MEN #1 HAESER REMARK CVR CGC GRADED $129.99
OCT110908 ELRIC THE BALANCE LOST #6 $3.99
OCT110910 ELRIC THE BALANCE LOST TP VOL 01 $14.99
SEP111129 EYES OF THE CAT DLX HC (MR) $69.95
SEP111308 FLY TP VOL 01 (MR) $15.99
JUN111005 GARTH ENNIS JENNIFER BLOOD #7 (MR) $3.99
AUG111285 GFT DREAM EATER SAGA TP VOL 01 $15.99
AUG111286 GFT MYTHS & LEGENDS #10 A CVR QUALANO (MR) $2.99
AUG111287 GFT MYTHS & LEGENDS #10 B CVR MOLENAAR (MR) $2.99
AUG111281 GFT SINBAD SPECIAL A CVR REYES $5.99
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SEP111137 GHOST IN SHELL STAND ALONE COMPLEX GN VOL 02 (MR) $10.99
SEP110691 GLAMOURPUSS #22 $3.00
SEP111268 GRAND GUIGNOL ORCHESTRA TP VOL 05 (OF 5) $9.99
AUG111279 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #66 A CVR QUALANO (MR) $2.99
AUG111280 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #66 B CVR YANG (MR) $2.99
AUG110903 HELLRAISER #8 (MR) $3.99
OCT110914 HELLRAISER MASTERPIECES #3 (MR) $3.99
AUG110922 I THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE FUNNIER HC (MR) $17.99
SEP111287 ILL GIVE IT MY ALL TOMORROW TP VOL 04 $12.99
OCT110751 INDIE COMICS MAGAZINE #4 (MR) $6.49
OCT110916 IRREDEEMABLE #32 $3.99
JUN111145 JOHNNY HAZARD DAILIES HC VOL 01 1944-1946 $49.99
SEP111315 JURASSIC STRIKE FORCE 5 #0 $0.99
SEP111266 KAMISAMA KISS TP VOL 06 $9.99
OCT110951 LADY DEATH (ONGOING) #12 (MR) $3.99
OCT110952 LADY DEATH (ONGOING) #12 WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99
SEP110764 MEGA MAN #8 $2.99
AUG110746 MEN OF MYSTERY #86 $29.95
SEP111276 NARUTO TP VOL 53 $9.99
SEP111278 NURA RISE O/T YOKAI CLAN GN VOL 06 $9.99
SEP111273 ONE PIECE TP VOL 59 $9.99
SEP111267 OURAN HIGH SCHOOL HOST CLUB TP VOL 17 $9.99
SEP111179 P CRAIG RUSSELL LIBRARY OF OPERA BOX SET VOL 1-3 $44.99
JUN111146 PHANTOM COMP SERIES HC VOL 01 GOLD KEY YEARS $49.99
OCT110929 PLANET OF THE APES #4 SDCC PHOTO VAR CVR $9.99
SEP110698 PRINCELESS #2 $3.99
APR111001 PS238 TP VOL 09 SAVING ALTERNATE OMAHA $15.99
SEP111195 RASCAL RACCOONS RAGING REVENGE HC VOL 01 $24.99
AUG111426 RED RASCALS WAR DOONESBURY COLL TP $19.99
OCT110930 RINSE #4 $3.99
SEP111270 SAKURA HIME LEGEND OF PRINCESS SAKURA GN VOL 05 $9.99
SEP111280 SHONEN JUMP JANUARY 2012 $4.99
SEP111141 SHUGO CHARA CHAN GN VOL 01 $10.99
OCT110760 SKYSCRAPERS O/T MIDWEST HC (O/A) (MR) $19.95
SEP110765 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG SELECT TP VOL 04 ZONE WARS $11.95
SEP110887 STAN LEE STARBORN TP VOL 02 $14.99
SEP111264 TEZUKAS BLACK JACK TP VOL 17 (RES) $16.95
AUG111129 THE SPIDER IRON MAN WAR GN (RES) $7.99
JUN111038 TOTAL RECALL #4 $3.99
OCT110899 VALEN OUTCAST #1 MAIN CVRS $1.00
OCT111014 VAMPIRELLA ANNUAL #1 $4.99
OCT110972 VOLTRON #1 $3.99
SEP111222 WAYWARD SONS TP VOL 01 $19.95
MAGAZINES
SEP111377 DIABOLIQUE #7 $9.98
OCT111341 FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND #259 TWILIGHT ZONE WRAP CVR $9.99
OCT111342 FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND #259 WOLFMAN RICK BAKER CVR $9.99
OCT111343 FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND SDCC CVR #257 $12.99
JUL111406 NEWTYPE OCT 2011 #53 $16.00
SEP111382 SCREEM #23 NEWSSTAND ED $7.95
SEP111383 SCREEM #23 PX ED $7.95
AUG111434 STAR TREK MAGAZINE #38 NEWSSTAND ED $6.99
AUG111435 STAR TREK MAGAZINE #38 PX ED $6.99
OCT111369 STAR WARS FIG COLL MAG #41 GAMORREAN GUARD $14.00
OCT111370 STAR WARS FIG COLL MAG #42 QUI-GON JINN $14.00
OCT110754 TERRY MOORE HOW TO DRAW #1 WOMEN CURR PTG $4.99
SEP111895 WHITE DWARF #383 PI
Bleach: Beauty is So Solitary
Monday, December 5, 2011
I'll Give It My All... Tomorrow: Set Back
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Grand Guignol Orchestra: Troubadour's Love Song
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which has FREE smart phone apps and comics).
Saturday, December 3, 2011
"Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha" #1 Gets a Cover
New Weekly Manga Anthology Launches In January 2012 And Offers Unprecedented Near Simultaneous U.S./Japanese Release Of Some Of The World’s Most Popular Manga Titles
VIZ Media gives fans and readers a taste of what’s to come from the new WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA (WEEKLY SJ ALPHA), a serial digital manga anthology launching on January 30th, 2012 that will feature some of the most popular manga series in the world and offer near simultaneous release of these titles in the U.S. and Japan. The company has revealed the cover for the first issue, which will be available initially through VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga apps for iPhone®, iPod® touch, and iPad®.
The first cover for the new brand features the main characters from all six series featured in WEEKLY SJ ALPHA, including Naruto from NARUTO, Ichigo from BLEACH, Luffy of ONE PIECE, Rikuo of NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN, Moritaka Mashiro and Akito Takagi of BAKUMAN。, and gourmet hunter Toriko of TORIKO.
Each new digital issue of WEEKLY SJ ALPHA will bring manga fans in North America the latest chapters of their favorite series only two weeks after they debut in Japan’s massively popular WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP magazine. WEEKLY SJ ALPHA will be made available through an annual membership that provides 52 weeks of access to 48 weekly issues for just $25.99. Single issues of WEEKLY SJ ALPHA can be read for a four weeks for only $0.99. Each issue, once received on one device, can be read on all other enabled devices through the easy-to-use integrated VIZ Manga platform which includes the VIZ Manga Apps for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch as well as VIZManga.com.
To prepare fans for the debut of WEEKLY SJ ALPHA, VIZ Media is also offering the SHONEN JUMP DIGITAL WARP, a limited collection of digital graphic novel speed-ups that will bring North American readers up-to-date with Japanese releases, in some cases jumping ahead of the print releases in North America. The SHONEN JUMP DIGITAL WARP has already begun on VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga Apps with NARUTO Volume 53-55 (Vol. 53 print edition debuting December) and BLEACH Volumes 49-51 available now (print editions forthcoming).
For more information on WEEKLY SJ ALPHA and exclusive subscriber offers, please visit ShonenJump.viz.com or VIZManga.com.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Leroy Douresseaux Reviews: INFINITE KUNG FU
TOP SHELF PRODUCTIONS
CARTOONIST: Kagan McLeod
INTRODUCTION: Gordon Liu
FOREWORD: Colin Geddes
ISBN: 978-1-891830-83-9; paperback
464pp, B&W, $24.95 U.S.
Rating: Young Adult (13+)
Kagan McLeod is a Canadian artist whose work has appeared in The New York Times, Newsweek, Time, and Mad Magazine, to name a few. Infinite Kung Fu was a comic book created and published by the Toronto-based cartoonist, his first major comics work in fact.
McLeod published seven issues of the series before moving it to Top Shelf Productions. A few months ago, Top Shelf published Infinite Kung Fu, a paperback omnibus edition (with a flex-cover) that collects the series in its entirety. This collection has an introduction by Chinese martial arts actor, Gordon Liu (who played the white-browed Pai Mei in Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill: Volume 2), and a foreword by martial arts film historian, Colin Geddes.
Infinite Kung Fu is set in the Martial World, a version of Earth that has regressed from civilization. The lack of civilization is not enough, however, because the Emperor wants to destroy the world. Because of some powerful kung fu, the Emperor cannot return to his body and exists as a ghost. He needs to recover his armor, which was separated into five pieces by his enemies, which they hid in secret spots around the Martial World.
The Emperor has sent his five great generals on a quest to retrieve the armor. His newest general is Yang Lei Kung, an ex-soldier who has infiltrated the Emperor’s forces. Will Lei Kung fight the emperor or do his bidding, and what are the plans of the Emperor’s most diabolical and conniving general, Li Zhao? An eclectic cast includes the Eight Immortals, a legion of zombies, and various students of the Immortals, including the corn-rowed Black man, Moog Joogular.
As a linear narrative, Infinite Kung Fu has some structural problems. Scene shifts sometime come with jarring breaks. Subplots come and go and change, sometimes from one chapter to the next or disappear and return a few chapters later as something new. But fuck all that! Infinite Kung Fu is a damn good comic book.
Although it is steeped in martial arts and kung fu culture, Infinite Kung Fu is an epic masterpiece of comic book fun. Yes, I said fun. This comic book is drawn in black and white (with lots of ink wash), but you’d swear it was in color. The characters are such gaudy oddballs, so vividly conceived and drawn, with the eccentric motivations, ardent emotions, and passionate conflicts. The story is set in a weird world of kung fu and bizarre magic with an exotic landscape as the backdrop. The plot involves long-running feuds and salty conflicts, but everything rests on an interesting philosophical disagreement that surprisingly may make sense to some readers.
Infinite Kung Fu is deranged and sometimes nonsensical, but that is a good thing. Too many comic books have vague literary aspirations and need to give it up, cause few of them are worthy of being literature. They need to be what they are – glorious outsider trash. Infinite Kung Fu takes kung fu films, Westerns, horror, and even a touch of sci-fi and mysticism and turns it into good comic book gumbo. Kagan McLeod is wild and free and his imagination is on fire. By not trying to make something important, McLeod made a great comic book.
D.Gray-Man Art Book Due Next Week
VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES THE RELEASE OF D.GRAY-MAN ILLUSTRATIONS: NOCHE
New Full-Color Art Book Features The Memorable Work Of Series Creator Katsura Hoshino And Includes A Double-Sided Poster, Artist Interviews And More!
VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, will delight manga (graphic novel) art fans with the release of D.GRAY-MAN ILLUSTRATIONS: NOCHE on December 6th. The new art book arrives just in time for the holidays and will carry an MSRP of $21.99 U.S. / $25.99 CAN.
Enter the lavish fictional 19th century world of D.GRAY-MAN in this new collection featuring nearly 100 pages of full-color character art, magazine covers, and other original compositions by series creator Katsura Hoshino. Also featured are insightful Q&A’s between Hoshino and two manga creators that inspire her: Takeshi Obata, the artist behind HIKARU NO GO, BAKUMAN。, and the smash hit DEATH NOTE (all published in North America by VIZ Media); and Osamu Akimoto, whose manga series, Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen Mae Hashutsujo, has been serialized in the best-selling boy's manga magazine in the world, Weekly Shonen Jump, for 35 years and remains the magazine’s longest-running manga series. D.GRAY-MAN ILLUSTRATIONS: NOCHE also includes an exclusive, double-sided full-color poster.
Set in a fictional version of 19th century England, D.GRAY-MAN (published by VIZ Media’s SHONEN JUMP ADVANCED imprint; rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens) is the story of Allen Walker, a 15-year-old boy who roams the earth in search of Innocence. Washed away to unknown parts of the world after The Great Flood, Innocence is the mysterious substance used to create weapons that obliterate demons known as akuma.
“D.GRAY-MAN ILLUSTRATIONS: NOCHE is an ideal collection of the work of Katsura Hoshino, and shows off many of her most memorable characters from the hit series,” says Andy Nakatani, Editorial Director. “Fans can savor lush renderings of Allen Walker, Lenalee Lee, and the evil Millennium Earl and learn more about Hoshino’s background, influences and the evolution of D.GRAY-MAN in an enlightening interview conducted by two of the biggest names in the manga world! This new release also makes a thoughtful gift for that special fan this holiday season.”
Born in 1980 in Japan’s Shiga Prefecture, Katsura Hoshino's hit manga series D.GRAY-MAN has been serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump since 2004. Her first series, Continue, debuted in Weekly Shonen Jump in 2003.
For more information on D. GRAY-MAN, or others SHONEN JUMP titles from VIZ Media, please visit ShonenJump.viz.com.
Bakuman: Panty Shot and Savior
Thursday, December 1, 2011
I Reads You Review: PORTRAIT OF M&N, VOL. 2
Publishing Information: TOKYOPOP, B&W, paperback, 192 pages, $10.99 (US), $13.99 CAN
Ordering Numbers: ISBN: 978-1-4278-1725-9 (ISBN-13)
Romance/Comedy; Rated “T” for “Teen Age 13+”
Portrait of M&N is a shojo manga focusing on two high school students with embarrassing, even debilitating secrets that cannot be shared with people outside their homes. First, 15-year-old Mitsuru Abe is an extreme masochist who delights in receiving brutal beatings. Mitsuru meets fellow student, 15-year-old Natsuhiko Amakusa, an extreme narcissist who is mesmerized by his reflection.
They keep each other’s secrets. Then, another student, 17-year-old Eiichi Hijiri, inserts himself into their relationship, claiming to be in love with Abe. Is he really, and does Natsuhiko even care if another guy is in love with Abe?
It’s meet the parents in Portrait of M&N, Vol. 2. Mitsuru meets Natsuhiko’s parents, but she is deathly afraid that they will learn her secret life as a masochist. However, the Amakusa clan has its own secrets, including Natsuhiko’s mother. Natsuhiko makes things worse by inviting the inquisitive Hijiri.
Next, the school’s Ball Games Tournament reveals the jealousies that the other female students have against Mitsuru because they believe she stands between them and Natsuhiko. And they plan to give her hell for it. After he is hurt in an accident, Hijiri plays on Mitsuru’s guilt and turns her into his nursemaid, which is probably making Natsuhiko jealous. So why won’t he admit it?
I didn’t enjoy this second volume of Portrait of M&N as much as I did the first. In Vol. 1, the art by creator Tachibana Higuchi (Gakuen Alice) reminded me of the work of famed New Yorker cartoonist, Charles Addams. This time around, Higuchi’s work lacks the macabre flourishes, and the wicked sense of humor is now more slapstick. The stories are more like traditional high school shojo (comics for teen girls) romance, and the secrets that made the leads seem weird now seem more like debilitations than dirty secrets. I enjoyed reading this volume of Portrait of M&N, but now it is quaint rather than edgy and comic.
B-
Digital Art Book, "Art for Hope" Benefits Japan Disaster Recovery
Innovative Art Book Created In Partnership With Autodesk To Benefit Japanese Disaster Recovery; Exhibit Of Artwork Also Takes Place In Las Vegas At Autodesk University
VIZ Media has announced the upcoming debut of ART FOR HOPE, a limited edition digital art book anthology created in partnership with Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) to benefit Architecture for Humanity. The anthology will be available for a limited time, from December 1, 2011 to May 31, 2012, for $4.99 through VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga App for iPad™, iPhone™ and iPod™ touch. 100% of VIZ Media’s net proceeds will support Architecture for Humanity’s ongoing disaster reconstruction efforts in Japan. To learn more about these rebuilding projects, please visit: http://www.architectureforhumanity.org/.
Each of the 40 artists participating in the ART FOR HOPE anthology used Autodesk® SketchBook® digital paint and drawing software applications in some way to create original pieces for the anthology. The artists, both professional and amateur, hail from around the world and from diverse fields, and range in style from the realistic to the fantastic, each illustrating the theme of “Hope.” Notable contributors include Eisner Award and Harvey Award winner Rob Guillory, Harvey Award Winner Lark Pien, muralist Sirron Norris, and MAMESHIBA artists Jorge Monlongo and Gemma Corell.
Selections from ART FOR HOPE will also be exhibited at the Autodesk annual user conference, Autodesk University, taking place at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, NV from November 29th to December 1st. Access to the exhibit is free to the public within the Creative Studio a unique hands-on space to celebrate the creative spirit and showcasing a variety of Autodesk software and products. More information on the exhibit and conference is available at:
http://www.sketchbooknews.com/news/creative-studio-art-exhibit.html.
VIZ Media and Autodesk are very proud of and grateful to the following artists for their contributions to the ART FOR HOPE digital art anthology:
Janet Alvarado-Don’t Lose Hope
Asuka 111 (Patipat Asavasena-Hope
Azure-Untitled
Greg Baldwin of CreatureBox-Sheltered
Alan Bay-A Little Piece of Hope
Drew Blom-Calvin Hedge and the Iron Golem
Steve Boura-Bright Future
Carsten Bradley-A Wish for You
Matthew Britton-Regrowth
Veronica Casson-The Guest Room
Geikou Chen-Rainbow Bridge to Tomorrow
Gemma Correll-Pierre, le Chat Français
Kalii Delarosa-The Rainbow in the Rain
Conrado Hernan Villa Gil-Untitled
Dave Guertin-First Flight
Rob Guillory-Hope
Rodolpho Langhi-A New Sunrise
C. Lijewski-Light Side of Dark
Chris Lui-Birds of a Feather
Holly Mongi-Good Morning, Friend
Jorge Monlongo-The Sprout and the Bean
Brian Muelhaupt-Ojizo-sama
Shaun Mullen-Kodama (Tree Spirits)
Susan Murtaugh-Enduring Beauty
Ray N.-Deliverance
Joe Ng-Rise Above the Storm
Sirron Norris-Kibou
Jacques Pena-Love
Luis Peso-Gathering Hope
Lark Pien-Wishes, Dreams
Kyle Runciman-Ready to Roll
Francesco Salvati-DEAR HOPE
Janet Shaw-The Hope of Japan
Brad Silverman-Dancing Dragon
Joseph Strachan-Flight of the Phoenix
James Turner-Never Give Up
Colie Wertz-Sea Turtle
Pinar Yalcin-Beam of Light
John Yandall-One Little Sign
Jim Zub-Seed Starter
For more information on the ART FOR HOPE project, please visit www.VIZ.com/artforhope.
For more information on VIZ Media digital initiatives, please visit VIZManga.com or www.VIZ.com/apps/.
I Reads December
I’m Leroy Douresseaux, and I have another blog: http://www.negromancer.com/. I also write for the Comic Book Bin (which has smart phones apps and comics).
All images and text appearing on this blog are copyright © and/or trademark their respective owners.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
I Reads You Review: ANGEL AND FAITH #1
DARK HORSE COMICS
WRITER: Christos Gage
ART: Rebekah Isaacs
COLORS: Dan Jackson
LETTERS: Jimmy Betancourt
COVER: Steve Morris (alternative cover by Jo Chen and 25th anniversary cover by Georges Jeanty, Dexter Vines, and JD Mettler)
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S.
Angel & Faith is a new comic book series that ties into Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine, and both reportedly will run for 25 issues. Angel and Faith are characters from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the television series created by Joss Whedon. Angel (portrayed by actor David Boreanaz) is a vampire whose soul was restored as punishment for his crimes. Faith Lehane (played by Eliza Dishku) is a Slayer, a girl endowed with supernatural abilities who battles evil creatures like vampires and demons.
Angel & Faith #1 (“Live Through This” Part One) opens after the events of Twilight, which saw Angel kill the Watcher, Rupert Giles. Now, with access to the Watcher files, Angel is picking up Giles’ old cases with rebel Slayer, Faith, along for the fun. Meanwhile, two figures from Angel’s Twilight past, Nash and Pearl, are looking for some serious payback.
You don’t have to be familiar with the recent Buffy or Angel spin-off comic book series to enjoy or understand Angel & Faith, although knowing even a little about the two characters helps. First, I should say that I enjoyed reading this… for the most part. The art by Rebekah Isaacs is well-drawn and the storytelling is good. The writing by Christos Gage is technically good. Why technically?
Like most comic books published over the last decade (and longer for some publishers), Angel & Faith #1 is the first chapter in a serialized “graphic novel” or story arc that will eventually be published in a trade paperback edition. This first issue hops around from one subplot to the next, and there are multiple points of view or narrators. There is so much exposition and dialogue that one could see this as an illustrated short story or chapter of an illustrated novel more so than it is a comic book. Still, I must emphasis that this is a good comic book, but it’s like reading a part of a story instead of being a story.
B
One Piece: The Death of Portgaz D. Ace
I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which has FREE smart phone apps and comics).
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 30 2011
MAY110256 ABSOLUTE BATMAN HUSH HC NEW PTG $99.99
SEP110129 BATMAN ODYSSEY VOL 2 #2 (OF 7) $3.99
SEP110207 CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK #65 $2.99
SEP110171 DC COMICS PRESENTS BATMAN DONT BLINK #1 $7.99
SEP110170 DC COMICS PRESENTS SUPERMAN SECRET IDENTITY #2 $7.99
SEP110110 DC UNIVERSE ONLINE LEGENDS #18 $2.99
SEP110222 FABLES #111 (MR) $2.99
APR110275 GREEN LANTERN SER 4 CHUMMUK AF PI
APR110278 GREEN LANTERN SER 4 GREEN LANTERN STEL AF PI
APR110276 GREEN LANTERN SER 4 POWER GLOW HAL JORDAN AF PI
APR110277 GREEN LANTERN SER 4 RED LANTERN GUY GARDNER AF PI
SEP110201 GREEN LANTERN THE ANIMATED SERIES #0 $2.99
APR110268 HEROES OF THE DCU BLACKEST NIGHT ARKILLO BUST $70.00
AUG110273 INFAMOUS TP $17.99
AUG110248 JONAH HEX BURY ME IN HELL TP $17.99
SEP110168 LEGION SECRET ORIGIN #2 (OF 6) $2.99
SEP110216 SPACEMAN #2 (OF 9) (MR) $2.99
AUG110252 THUNDER AGENTS TP VOL 01 $24.99
SEP110155 THUNDER AGENTS VOL 2 #1 (OF 6) $2.99
SEP110203 TINY TITANS #46 $2.99
SEP110213 UNCHARTED #1 (OF 6) $2.99
SEP110229 VERTIGO RESURRECTED SGT ROCK HELL HARD PLACE #1 (MR) $7.99
AUG110258 WONDER WOMAN CHRONICLES TP VOL 02 $17.99
Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 30 2011
SEP110650 ASTONISHING X-MEN MONSTROUS PREM HC $19.99
SEP110528 AVENGERS ORIGINS THOR #1 $3.99
SEP118074 BRILLIANT #1 2ND PTG BAGLEY VAR (MR) (PP #994) (OF 5) $3.95
SEP110682 CAPTAIN AMERICA MAN OUT OF TIME TP $16.99
SEP110560 DAREDEVIL #6 $2.99
SEP110661 DEADPOOL CORPS TP VOL 02 YOU SAY REVOLUTION $16.99
SEP110651 DEADPOOL MAX INVOLUNTARY ARMAGEDDON PREM HC (MR) $24.99
SEP110573 DISNEY PIXAR PRESENTS INCREDIBLES CITY OF INCREDIBLES $5.99
SEP110519 DOROTHY AND WIZARD IN OZ #3 (OF 8) $3.99
AUG110735 ESSENTIAL SPIDER-MAN TP VOL 05 NEW ED $19.99
SEP110556 FF #12 $2.99
SEP110569 GHOST RIDER #6 $2.99
SEP110652 HALO FALL OF REACH COVENANT PREM HC (MR) $19.99
SEP110576 HERC #10 $3.99
SEP110579 HISTORY OF MARVEL UNIVERSE #1 $3.99
SEP110678 OFF HANDBOOK OF MARVEL UNIVERSE A TO Z TP VOL 02 $19.99
SEP110548 RED SKULL #5 (OF 5) $2.99
SEP110677 SPIDER-MAN MARVEL TEAM UP BY CLAREMONT AND BYRNE TP $29.99
SEP110668 SUPREME POWER GODS AND SOLDIERS TP $14.99
SEP110671 THOR BY KIERON GILLEN ULTIMATE COLLECTION TP $34.99
SEP110583 THUNDERBOLTS #166 $2.99
SEP110522 ULTIMATE COMICS ULTIMATES #4 $3.99
SEP110595 UNCANNY X-MEN #2 XREGB $3.99
SEP118077 UNCANNY X-MEN #544 2ND PTG LAND VAR (PP #995) $3.99
SEP110599 WOLVERINE #19 XREGG $3.99
SEP110604 X-MEN LEGACY #259 XREGG $2.99
IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for November 30 2011
SEP110338 ANGEL THE END HC $49.99
SEP110297 COBRA ONGOING #7 $3.99
JUL110384 DEFINITIVE FLASH GORDON & JUNGLE JIM HC VOL 01 $75.00
AUG110377 DOCTOR WHO DAVE GIBBONS COLLECTION HC $50.00
SEP110261 JACK AVARICE IS THE COURIER #5 (OF 5) $3.99
SEP118079 STAR TREK ONGOING #2 2ND PTG (PP #994) $3.99
SEP110289 STAR TREK ONGOING #3 $3.99
SEP110276 TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES ONGOING #4 $3.99
SEP110347 X-9 SECRET AGENT CORRIGAN HC VOL 03 $49.99
Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 30 2011
SEP110014 ANGEL & FAITH #4 REBEKAH ISSACS VAR CVR $2.99
SEP110013 ANGEL & FAITH #4 STEVE MORRIS CVR $2.99
JUN110053 BETTIE PAGE CHERRY RED PILL BOX $15.99
JUN110061 BETTIE PAGE GOLDEN LEOPARD PILL BOX $15.99
AUG110037 BPRD BEING HUMAN TP $17.99
AUG110052 MIGHTY SAMSON ARCHIVES HC VOL 04 $49.99
JUL110052 MPD-PSYCHO TP VOL 10 $12.99
SEP110027 STAR WARS CRIMSON EMPIRE III EMPIRE LOST #2 (OF 6) $3.50
JUL110049 STAR WARS DARK TIMES OUT O/T WILDERNESS #3 (OF 5) $2.99
Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 30 2011
SEP110448 AVENGELYNE #5 CVR A LIEFELD $2.99
SEP110449 AVENGELYNE #5 CVR B GIENI $2.99
SEP110450 AVENGELYNE #5 CVR C STINSMAN $2.99
SEP118005 BOMB QUEEN TP VOL 02 QUEEN OF HEARTS (NEW PTG) (MR) $16.99
JUN110490 BOMB QUEEN VII #1 (OF 4) (MR) $3.50
SEP110410 COMPLETE INVINCIBLE LIBRARY HC VOL 03 $125.00
SEP110411 COMPLETE INVINCIBLE LIBRARY HC VOL 03 LTD S/N ED $175.00
JUN110536 DARKNESS #95 (MR) $2.99
AUG110435 DOC BIZARRE MD HC $17.99
SEP110463 GREEN WAKE #7 (MR) $3.50
JUL110423 HAUNT #19 $2.99
SEP110372 INFINITE HORIZON #6 (OF 6) (RES) $2.99
SEP110417 MORNING GLORIES HC VOL 01 $39.99
SEP110477 NEAR DEATH #3 $2.99
SEP110386 PILOT SEASON THEORY OF EVERYTHING #1 $3.99
JUL110542 SAVAGE DRAGON #176 $3.50
JUN110558 SHINKU #3 (MR) $2.99
AUG110542 SKULLKICKERS #12 $2.99
SEP110484 SUPER DINOSAUR #6 $2.99
AUG110495 WALKING DEAD LUNCHBOX $14.99
SEP110441 WALKING DEAD OMNIBUS HC VOL 01 NEW PTG (MR) $100.00
SEP110492 WALKING DEAD WEEKLY #48 (MR) $2.99
Comics and Magazines from Diamond Distributors for November 30 2011
OCT110001 PREVIEWS #279 DECEMBER 2011 PI
COMICS
AUG111175 2000 AD #1757 $5.00
SEP111209 2000 AD #1758 $5.00
OCT110870 ANDIE AND THE ALIEN GN (NOTE PRICE) $20.00
OCT110805 ARCHIE #627 (ARCHIE MEETS KISS PT 1) $2.99
AUG111186 ARON WARNER PARIAH #4 (OF 4) $3.99
OCT111190 ASTERIX OMNIBUS SC VOL 10 NEW PTG $19.95
OCT110864 BAD KIDS GO TO HELL TP (NEW PTG) (O/A) (MR) $14.99
SEP110758 BETTY #195 $2.99
SEP110760 BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #196 $3.99
OCT111136 BLUE DRAGON GN $19.95
SEP111318 CHARMED #16 $3.50
JUN110815 CHIP PKT MANGA TP VOL 01 $14.95
AUG110950 CISCO KID JOSE LUIS SALINAS & ROD REED TP VOL 01 1951-1953 $24.95
AUG111177 COMP ALAN MOORE FUTURE SHOCKS TP $19.99
SEP110902 DECISION 2012 SARAH PALIN #1 $3.99
AUG111179 DEFOE QUEEN O/T ZOMBIES GN $24.99
AUG110762 DIARY OF A WIMPY KID HC VOL 06 CABIN FEVER $13.95
SEP110931 DONALD DUCK & FRIENDS FEATHERS OF FURY TP $9.99
SEP111157 ELSEWHERE CHRONICLES GN VOL 05 $6.95
SEP111185 ERNEST AND REBECCA HC VOL 01 MY BEST FRIEND IS A GERM $11.99
SEP111191 FIRST LAW OF MAD SCIENCE #1 $3.99
SEP110966 FLASH GORDON ZEITGEIST #1 $1.00
SEP110845 FUTURAMA COMICS #58 $2.99
SEP110998 GAME OF THRONES #3 (MR) $3.99
SEP111114 GI JOE VS COBRA SPECIAL #4 MISSION BRAZIL II $4.95
AUG110764 GOBS #3 (OF 4) $3.99
AUG110763 GOLD DIGGER #133 $3.99
SEP111124 GUMBY SPRING SPECIALS COLL TP (RES) $12.99
AUG110952 JEFF GN $17.99
JUL111032 KEVIN SMITH KATO TP VOL 02 LIVING IN AMERICA $19.99
JUN110816 LAST ZOMBIE INFERNO #5 (OF 5) $3.99
AUG110951 LEONARD STARRS MARY PERKINS ON STAGE TP VOL 09 $24.95
AUG110817 MAGIC OF SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH TP $9.95
SEP110697 MEN OF MYSTERY #80 $29.95
OCT111139 MONKEY KING GN VOL 01 BIRTH O/T STONE MONKEY $9.99
DEC100735 MOUSE GUARD BLACK AXE #3 (OF 6) $3.50
SEP111138 NEGIMA GN VOL 32 (MR) $10.99
SEP111183 NINJAGO GN VOL 01 CHALLENGE OF SAMUKAI $6.99
SEP111184 NINJAGO HC VOL 01 CHALLENGE OF SAMUKAI $10.99
AUG111007 PATRICIA BRIGGS ALPHA & OMEGA CRY WOLF VOL 01 #3 $3.99
OCT111264 POKEMON ZOROARK MASTER OF ILLUSIONS GN $7.99
JUL111026 PURGATORY TP $7.99
SEP111041 QUEEN SONJA #25 $3.99
SEP110962 RASL TP VOL 03 $15.00
AUG110946 RAVANA ROAR O/T DEMON KING GN $12.99
JUL111038 RED SONJA REVENGE OF THE GODS TP $19.99
JUL110829 RUST HC VOL 01 $24.95
AUG111134 SALVATORE GN VOL 02 AN EVENTFUL CROSSING $14.99
SEP110848 SIMPSONS WINTER WINGDING #6 $4.99
SEP110766 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #231 $2.99
SEP111186 SYBIL THE BACKPACK FAIRY HC VOL 01 NINA $11.99
SEP110950 TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #71 (MR) $2.95
AUG111000 THE LONE RANGER TP VOL 04 RESOLVE $19.99
APR111089 TINTIN YOUNG READERS ED GN TINTIN IN AMERICA $8.99
JUN111134 WALDOS HAWAIIAN HOLIDAY GN REPO MAN SEQUEL NEW PTG (MR) $14.95
SEP111142 WALLFLOWER GN VOL 27 (MR) $10.99
AUG118055 WARLORD OF MARS #9 WAGNER REIS RISQUE RED REORDER CVR $3.99
AUG110971 WARLORD OF MARS FALL OF BARSOOM #4 $3.99
SEP111194 WASTELAND #32 (MR) (NOTE PRICE) $3.99
AUG118057 WOM DEJAH THORIS #5 ADAMS MARTIAN GREEN RISQUE REORDER CVR $3.99
AUG118059 WOM DEJAH THORIS #6 GARZA EARTH BLUE RISQUE REORDER CVR $3.99
AUG118060 WOM DEJAH THORIS #6 GARZA MARTIAN RED RISQUE REORDER CVR $3.99
MAGAZINES
OCT111656 CLUTTER MAGAZINE #15 $9.99
AUG111328 COMIC HEROES MAGAZINE #9 $18.99
OCT111364 DOC SAVAGE DOUBLE NOVEL #53 $14.95
OCT111361 GIRLS AND CORPSES MAGAZINE WINTER 2011 (MR) $8.95
SEP111125 HEAVY METAL JANUARY 2012 (MR) $6.95
SEP111347 NON SPORT UPDATE VOL 22 #6 $5.99
AUG111381 SCI FI & FANTASY MODELLER VOL 23 $27.99
AUG111414 SFX #215 $10.99
OCT111367 SHADOW DOUBLE NOVEL #55 $14.95
AUG111418 VIDEO WATCHDOG #165 (MR) $8.95
Monday, November 28, 2011
Ryu Mitsuse's "Ten Billion Days" Available for Kindle and Nook
New Novel From VIZ Media’s Haikasoru Imprint Called The Greatest Japanese Science Fiction Novel Of All Time
VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, has announced the availability of the acclaimed novel, TEN BILLION DAYS AND ONE HUNDRED BILLION NIGHTS, by author Ryu Mitsuse. The hardcover book is published by the company’s Haikasoru imprint and carries an MSRP of $25.99 U.S. / $29.99 CAN. The eBook edition is also available on the Amazon Kindle, the Nook, and Apple’s iBooks Store for $9.99.
Haikasoru publishes some of the most compelling contemporary Japanese science fiction and fantasy stories for English-speaking audiences, and is the first imprint based in the U.S. dedicated to Japanese science fiction and fantasy in translation.
In TEN BILLION DAYS AND ONE HUNDRED BILLION NIGHTS, the philosopher Plato, in his exploration of the ruins of the fabled city of Atlantis, travels through time and space to determine the secret history of the human race, encountering Christ, the Buddha, and other iconic religious figures on the way. This celebrated novel of philosophy and the future has been named the greatest Japanese science fiction novel of all time.
“TEN BILLION DAYS AND ONE HUNDRED BILLION NIGHTS won the title of the greatest Japanese science fiction title ever written in a 2006 poll by Science Fiction magazine,” says Nick Mamatas, Haikasoru’s Editor. “The novel, which comes with a striking glow-in-the-dark dust jacket, delivers a cosmic adventure in the style of Arthur C. Clarke, covering the evolution of humanity, the lives of some of history’s most iconic religious figures, a future techno-dystopia, and the very death of the universe itself. Originally published in 1967, author Ryu Mitsuse revised the novel in later years and republished it in 1973. We’re truly honored to finally release this masterpiece to North American readers.”
Born in Tokyo in 1928, Ryu Mitsuse graduated from Tokyo University of Education with a degree in the sciences, after which he took up the study of philosophy. He debuted with “Sunny Sea 1979” in 1962, and his work—which often combines Eastern philosophy and hard science fiction—includes Tasogare ni kaeru (Returns in the Twilight) and Ushinawareta toshi no kiroku (The Chronicle of a Lost City). Mitsuse made SF history when his short story “The Sunset, 2217 A.D.” was translated into English for inclusion in Best Science Fiction for 1972. With artist Keiko Takemiya, he created the manga Andromeda Stories. Ryu Mitsuse died in 1999.
For more information on TEN BILLION DAYS AND ONE HUNDRED BILLION NIGHTS and the Haikasoru imprint, please visit http://www.haikasoru.com/.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
The New 52 Review: JUSTICE LEAGUE #3
JUSTICE LEAGUE #3
DC COMICS
WRITER: Geoff Johns
PENCILS: Jim Lee
INKS: Scott Williams
COLORS: Alex Sinclair
LETTERS: Patrick Brosseau
COVER: Jim Lee, Scott Williams, and Alex Sinclair
VARIANT COVER: Greg Capullo and Jonathan Glapion with FCO Plascencia
40pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.
November is the third month of “The New 52,” DC Comics’ re-launch of its superhero comic book line. I want to offer thanksgiving for the re-launch’s most popular title, Justice League #3, written by Geoff Johns, penciled by Jim Lee, inked by Scott Williams, and colored by Alex Sinclair. Yes, I am still loving this new Justice League. What can I say? I am an easy mark for anything drawn by Jim Lee – even if the overall comic book is lousy, which this Justice League is not.
Maybe, it is mediocre for all I know, but I would still love it.
Justice League #3 (“Part Three”) brings Wonder Woman into the story. Feeling imprisoned at the Pentagon, she goes out into the public, which fears her. Her outing puts her right square in the middle of an invasion of otherworldly monsters that is plaguing the planet. Is she enough to help the overwhelmed team of Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, and Flash turn the tide? And a new hero enters the story.
Meanwhile, at S.T.A.R. Labs in Detroit, Silas Stone injects his son, Victor, with alien technology to save his life. Whatever else it may do to him, this technology is giving Victor a unique perspective of the invasion.
I’d normally be pissed off that this story is being stretched out over several issues (probably six), but Geoff Johns is packing so much action fudge into each page that I hardly notice that, so far, $11.97 plus tax gets me only half a story. Of course, Lee, Williams, and Sinclair continue to turn out pretty pictures that make excellent comics. For extras, there are two pages of Green Lantern sketches by Cully Hammer.
A
Friday, November 25, 2011
VIZ Media Offers New Releases for Holiday Season
New Releases For BAKUMAN。, BLUE EXORCIST, DEATH NOTE, D. GRAY MAN, NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN, VAMPIRE KNIGHT And More Among The Best-Loved Series That Are Sure To Top Holiday Wish Lists
VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, offers a wide variety of unique art books and manga (graphic) releases – several of them brand new series – that make ideal gift selections for even the most discriminating fan this holiday season.
From the debut of Natsume Ono’s TESORO and the brand new shojo series, DAWN OF ARCANA, by Rei Toma, to a box set of the recently concluded FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST, to the latest editions of popular ongoing titles including BAKUMAN。, BLUE EXORCIST, DEATH NOTE BLACK EDITION, NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN, and the recently launched PSYREN, there will be plenty of aspiring young manga artists, spirit bending exorcists, royal romantic intrigue, charming stories of bonds between friends & family, tales of alchemy and more to complement everyone’s holiday season this year. And for the fan that has been especially good all year, don’t miss two gorgeously illustrated art books for D.GRAY-MAN and VAMPIRE KNIGHT. Each is filled with vivid character art, concept drawings, and insightful artist commentaries and also includes a full-color poster.
BAKUMAN。,Vol. 8 · Rated “T” for Teens · MSRP: $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN· Available December 6th
Average student Moritaka Mashiro enjoys drawing for fun. When his classmate and aspiring writer Akito Takagi discovers his talent, he begs Moritaka to team up with him as a manga-creating duo. But what exactly does it take to make it in the manga-publishing world?
BLUE EXORCIST, Vol. 5 · Rated “T+” for Older Teens · MSRP: $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN · Available December 6th
Raised by Father Fujimoto, a famous exorcist, Rin Okumura never knew his real father. One day a fateful argument with Father Fujimoto forces Rin to face a terrible truth – the blood of the demon lord Satan runs in Rin’s veins! Rin swears to defeat Satan, but doing that means entering the mysterious True Cross Academy and becoming an exorcist himself. Can Rin fight demons and keep his infernal bloodline a secret? It won't be easy, especially when drawing his father’s sword releases the demonic power within him!
D.GRAY-MAN ILLUSTRATIONS · MSRP: $21.99 U.S. / $25.99 CAN · Available December 6th
Enter the fictional 19th-century world of D. GRAY MAN with lavish color artwork from its creator, Katsura Hoshino, showcasing her graphic novel and magazine covers and more! Additionally, this book features insightful Q&As between Hoshino and two manga creators who inspire her: Takeshi Obata, the artist behind HIKARU NO GO and BAKUMAN and the smash hit DEATH NOTE; and Osamu Akimoto, the creator of Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen Mae Hashutsujo. Kochira has been serialized in the best-selling boy's manga magazine in the world, Weekly Shonen Jump, for 35 years and is the magazine’s longest-running manga series. Edition also includes an exclusive, double-sided, full-color poster.
DAWN of the Arcana, Vol. 1 · Rated “T” for Teens MSRP: $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN· Available December 6th
Princess Nakaba of Senan is forced to marry Prince Caesar of the enemy country Belquat, tantamount to becoming a hostage. While Caesar is pleasing to the eye, he is also selfish and possessive, telling Nakaba outright: “You are my property.” With only her attendant Loki at her side, Nakaba must find a way to cope with her hostile surroundings, her fake marriage...and a mysterious power!
DEATH NOTE BLACK EDITION, Vol. 6 · Rated “T+” for Older Teens · MSRP: $14.99 U.S. / $16.99 CAN· Available Now!
Don’t miss the final omnibus volume of the Black Edition series collecting DEATH NOTE Volumes 11 and 12. Light Yagami is an ace student with great prospects – and he’s bored out of his mind. But all that changes when he finds the Death Note, a notebook dropped by rogue Shinigami death god. Any human whose name is written in the notebook dies, and now Light has vowed to use the power of the Death Note to rid the world of evil. But when criminals begin dropping dead, the authorities send the legendary detective L to track down the killer. With L hot on his heels, will Light lose sight of his noble goal…or his life?
FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST MANGA BOX SET · Rated “T” for Teens · MSRP: $219.99 U.S. / CAN · Available Now!
This best-selling action series is now available in a complete manga box set! Includes volumes 1-27, plus extras such as Fullmetal Alchemist Novel: The Ties That Bind and a full-color, two-sided poster. Over a 20% savings over buying the individual volumes!
In an alchemical ritual gone wrong, Edward Elric lost his arm and his leg, and his brother Alphonse became nothing but a soul in a suit of armor. Equipped with mechanical ""auto-mail"" limbs, Edward becomes a state alchemist, seeking the one thing that can restore his and his brother's bodies...the legendary Philosopher's Stone.
NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN, Vol. 6 · Rated “T” for Teens · MSRP: $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN · Available December 6th
While the day belongs to humans, the night belongs to yokai, supernatural creatures that thrive on human fear. Caught between these worlds is Rikuo Nura. He's three-quarters human, but his grandfather is none other than Nurarihyon, the supreme commander of the Nura clan, a powerful yokai consortium. So, Rikuo is an ordinary teenager three quarters of the time, until his yokai blood awakens. Then Rikuo transforms into the future leader of the Nura clan, leading a hundred demons.
PSYREN, Vol. 1 · Rated “T+” for Older Teens · MSRP: $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN · Available Now!
Ageha Yoshina just got transported to a warped alternate dimension where you've got to fight your way back to our world – or die trying. "Save me!" Those were Sakurako Amamiya's last words to her friend Ageha Yoshina before she mysteriously went missing. Now Ageha's on a quest to find her. He's convinced that the mythical Psyren Secret Society has something to do with the recent rash of disappearances. And now he seems to be caught up as a player in their very deadly game...
TESORO · Rated “T” for Teens · MSRP: $12.99 U.S. / $14.99 CAN · Available November 15th
TESORO is a treasure of 14 charming stories about family, friends, couples and unexpected bonds. Written by Natsume Ono over ten years, this is the long-awaited collection of her early work, including numerous illustrations and previously unpublished stories!
THE ART OF VAMPIRE KNIGHT · MSRP: $24.99 U.S. / $28.99 CAN · Available Now!
Cross over into the mysterious and deadly world of VAMPIRE KNIGHT with the lush, full-color artwork of Matsuri Hino. This hard cover edition includes an extensive gallery with author comments, a how-to tutorial, and an exclusive poster.
Cross Academy is attended by two groups of students: the Day Class and the Night Class. At twilight, when the students of the Day Class return to their dorm, they cross paths with the Night Class on their way to school. Yuki Cross and Zero Kiryu are the Guardians of the school, protecting the Day Class from the Academy's dark secret: the Night Class is full of vampires!
X 3-In-1 DELUXE Collectors Edition, Vol. 1 · Rated “T+” for Older Teens · MSRP: $19.99 U.S. / $22.99 CAN · Available Now!
X, the epic series from CLAMP, is now available in this deluxe collector’s edition. The pages have been recomposed in the original right-to-left reading order and restored to the highest quality. Each volume contains three of the original graphic novels, along with gorgeous, full-color illustrations never before published outside Japan!
Kamui Shiro is a young man followed by mystery. Taken from Tokyo by his mother when only a child, Kamui left behind his dearest friends—the gentle Kotori and her brother Fuma—in the aftermath of a terrible incident that claimed their mother's life. Returning to Tokyo following his mother's death, Kamui is a changed young man – moody and distant to his old friends, yet determined to protect them from the dark forces that swirl around him. It turns out that he is the nexus of a great cataclysm to come, and the inheritor to a strange destiny that could decide the fate of the entire world.
For more information on VIZ Media manga titles, please visit: http://www.viz.com/.
About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan. Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular monthly manga anthology SHONEN JUMP magazine and blockbuster properties like Naruto, Bleach and InuYasha, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages. VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products. Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at http://www.viz.com/
#IReadsYou Review: DAWN OF THE ARCANA Volume 1
DAWN OF THE ARCANA, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA
CARTOONIST: Rei Toma
TRANSLATION/ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Alexander O. Smith
LETTERS: Freeman Wong
ISBN: 978-1-4215-4104-4; paperback, Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S. $12.99 CAN
On a small island, there are two kingdoms: fertile and prosperous Belquat on the south side and poorer Senan on the north side. Princess Nakaba of Senan is forced into an arranged marriage with Prince Caesar of Belquat in order to bring peace between the two countries. Will it work? Will this even be a real marriage?
In Dawn of the Arcana, Vol. 1, Nakaba arrives at the royal palace in Belquat and discovers that everyone is entranced by her red hair, which is not found amongst royalty in either Belquat or Senan. Also, accompanying her is her attendant, Loki, who is an Ajin. A race of demi-humans that have the ears and tails of beasts, Ajin are slaves and soldiers in both countries. Loki’s presence causes more consternation, and Nakaba is soon a prisoner in the palace, and her new husband insists that she is his property.
THE LOWDOWN: Although she includes a few subplots, creator Rei Toma is as straightforward as she can be in telling Dawn of the Arcana. If he or she had the time, an adult reader could quickly read this entire graphic novel in one sitting. Except for some mild innuendo, Dawn of the Arcana is really a comic book for preteens and younger teen readers. It does not have the dramatic heft to really grab the attention or imagination, for that matter, of adult readers. It’s not bad at all, but it is for younger readers, after all.
POSSIBLE AUDIENCE: Young readers looking for shojo fantasy will want to try Dawn of the Arcana.
B
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
EDITED: Wednesday, January13, 2021
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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Thursday, November 24, 2011
I Reads You Review: ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #3
MARVEL COMICS
WRITER: Brian Michael Bendis
ARTIST: Sara Pichelli
COLORS: Justin Ponsor
LETTERS: VC’s Cory Petit
COVER: Kaare Andrews
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.
Rated T+
In Ultimate Spider-Man #3 (AKA Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man #3), Miles Morales has decided to ignore the powers he got after the strange spider bit him, but his best friend Ganke won’t let him. Even after a heroic act, Miles chooses normal because he is happy to let Spider-Man (who is still alive at this point) be Spider-Man. As Miles settles into his new school, Brooklyn Visions Academy, fate deals him a blow.
At this point in the new Ultimate Spider-Man series, writer Brian Michael Bendis is telling a story driven by characters not living or doing the superhero thing. This is a recognizable story: a teen boy wants to go to school and be normal. Circumstances exist, however, which means that regardless of how hard he tries or works, normalcy simply is not. This issue reminds me of the early issues of The Amazing Spider-Man which featured scenes of Peter Parker finding his way in the world in which his powers placed him, but wanting to be just one of the guys.
The clean drawing style of artist Sara Pichelli deftly visualizes Bendis’ character drama-style story in a way that makes it as exciting as a depiction of super powers. Perhaps, that is why the scenes in which Miles uses his powers seem so fresh, new, and exciting. It’s as if both Miles and the readers were seeing superhero supernatural for the first time.
A
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Leroy Douresseaux Reviews: CLiNT #12
TITAN MAGAZINES
WRITERS: Mark Millar, Frankie Boyle, Nathan Edmondson, and Mark Sable
PENCILS: John Romita, Jr., Mike Dowling, Tonci Zonjic, Leinil Yu, and Paul Azaceta
INKS: Tom Palmer, Mike Dowling, Tonci Zonjic, Gerry Alanguilan, and Paul Azaceta
COLORS: Dean White, Jamie Grant and Jim Devlin, Sunny Gho, and Matt Wilson
LETTERS: Chris Eliopolous, Clayton Cowles, and Thomas Maur
98pp, Color, $6.99 U.S., £4.25 UK
In 1987, a young Mark Millar wrote to comic book artist (and sometime writer) Dave Gibbons, who was ascendant with the attention of the legendary comic book series, Watchmen. In his letter, Millar suggested that he and Gibbons collaborate, and Gibbons was gracious in his reply. Both letters are reprinted in CLiNT #12 as part of an interview of both men as they tease their upcoming project, “The Secret Service.”
CLiNT is a comics and comics culture magazine edited by superstar comic book writer Mark Millar and published by Titan Magazines. Every issue of CLiNT contains actual comics and interviews related to comics, as well as the occasional piece on movies and pop culture. It is a newsstand British comic or “boys comic” magazine in the tradition of 2000AD (among others) that serializes multiple comics. However, most of the comics in CLiNT have been published in comic book form prior to their CLiNT appearance.
CLiNT #12 comes with some big news from the publisher. The magazine will now be released in the United States at the same time as it is in the United Kingdom, in this instance, November 23rd in the U.S. and November 24th in the U.K.
As with previous issues, CLiNT #12 includes a chapter of Millar and John Romita, Jr.’s Kick-Ass 2 (Chapter 12). It is deranged as ever, but Millar manages to create a poignant moment or two, basically by dropping some consequence-of-actions on the characters. The second Millar offering is Chapter 7 of Superior, which is penciled by Leinil Yu. It is a superhero fantasy drama/comedy about a crippled boy who gets to be the comic book superhero he loves. It is strange and is darker in tone than its brightly colored art would suggest.
Thanks to a summary page, I have a better idea of what is going on in Rex Royd from stand-up comic and writer Frankie Boyle. But it still seems to me like a masala of Alan Moore, Warren Ellis, and Brian Bendis post-modern superhero ideas. There is also the conclusion of writer Nathan Edmondson and artist Tonci Zonjic’s Who is Jake Ellis?, which was recently published as a comic book miniseries by Image Comics. I read it and had no idea what was going on because I had not read the earlier issues. I like Zonjic’s art, though.
My favorite comic in this issue is Graveyard of Empires from writer Mark Sable and artist Paul Azaceta, which is being published as a miniseries by Image Comics. A war comic, Graveyard of Empires is set in Afghanistan at a small American base, F.A.C. Alamo, and focuses on the servicemen, their boredom, fear, and pastimes. It’s very good, and reminds me of the Oscar-winning film, The Hurt Locker. I don’t know how I will feel about it later because it is apparently a zombie comic, although zombies don’t appear in this installment.
The issue ends with a “Badass Cinema” article by Vern (http://www.outlawvern.com/) gives readers an overview of “Arthouse Badass.”
A-
http://www.clintmag.com/
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 23 2011
SEP110161 ALL STAR WESTERN #3 $3.99
SEP118094 ANIMAL MAN #1 3RD PTG $2.99
SEP110100 AQUAMAN #3 $2.99
AUG110245 BATGIRL TP VOL 03 THE LESSON $19.99
JUL110249 BATMAN THE BLACK MIRROR HC $29.99
SEP110125 BATMAN THE DARK KNIGHT #3 $2.99
JUL110307 BATMAN YEAR ONE DVD BATMAN MAQUETTE $125.00
APR110270 BLACKEST NIGHT ACTION FIGURE BOX SET PI
SEP110159 BLACKHAWKS #3 $2.99
SEP110173 DC COMICS PRESENTS LIFE STORY OF THE FLASH #1 $7.99
SEP110211 DIABLO #1 (OF 5) $2.99
SEP110220 DMZ #71 (MR) $2.99
SEP110102 FLASH #3 $2.99
SEP110107 FURY OF FIRESTORM THE NUCLEAR MEN #3 $2.99
AUG110247 GOTHAM CITY SIRENS TP VOL 02 SONG OF THE SIRENS $17.99
SEP110141 GREEN LANTERN NEW GUARDIANS #3 $2.99
JUL110254 GREEN LANTERN OMNIBUS HC VOL 02 $75.00
SEP110219 HELLBLAZER #285 (MR) $2.99
SEP110149 I VAMPIRE #3 $2.99
SEP110145 JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #3 $2.99
JUL110292 PREACHER HC BOOK 05 (MR) $39.99
SEP110111 SAVAGE HAWKMAN #3 $2.99
AUG110287 SCALPED #54 (MR) $2.99
SEP110143 SHADE #2 (OF 12) $2.99
JUL110264 SHOWCASE PRESENTS GHOSTS TP VOL 01 $19.99
SEP110117 SUPERMAN #3 $2.99
SEP110162 TEEN TITANS #3 $2.99
SEP110232 UNWRITTEN #31.5 (MR) $2.99
SEP110156 VOODOO #3 $2.99
FEB110284 WORLD OF WARCRAFT ALLIANCE COLLECTIBLE COIN SET (RES) $69.99
FEB110283 WORLD OF WARCRAFT HORDE COLLECTIBLE COIN SET (RES) $69.99
APR110269 YELLOW LANTERN 1/4 SCALE POWER BATTERY & RING PROP $35.00
Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 23 2011
SEP110660 5 RONIN TP $16.99
SEP110688 AGE OF APOCALYPSE BY BILLY TAN POSTER $8.99
SEP110563 ALPHA FLIGHT #6 $2.99
SEP110565 ANNIHILATORS EARTHFALL #3 (OF 4) $3.99
SEP110612 ASTONISHING X-MEN #44 $3.99
SEP110527 AVENGERS ORIGINS SCARLET WITCH AND QUICKSILVER #1 $3.99
SEP110531 AVENGERS SOLO #2 (OF 5) $3.99
SEP110550 CAPTAIN AMERICA AND BUCKY #624 $2.99
SEP110619 DAKEN DARK WOLVERINE #17 $2.99
SEP110551 FANTASTIC FOUR #600 $7.99
SEP110509 INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #510 $3.99
AUG110637 IRON MAN 2.0 #10 $2.99
SEP110632 KAPOW GUINNESS WORLD RECORD SPECIAL #1 (MR) $2.99
AUG118087 KICK-ASS 2 #5 (MR) (PP #990) $2.99
SEP110515 MIGHTY THOR #8 $3.99
SEP110654 MIGHTY THOR BY FRACTION PREM HC COIPEL DM VAR ED VOL 01 $24.99
SEP110653 MIGHTY THOR BY FRACTION PREM MOVIE HC VOL 01 $24.99
SEP110641 MMW X-MEN TP VOL 04 $24.99
SEP110642 MMW X-MEN TP VOL 04 DM VAR ED 35 $24.99
SEP110534 SECRET AVENGERS #19 $3.99
SEP110679 SKAAR KING OF SAVAGE LAND TP $15.99
SEP110571 SPIDER-MAN #20 $2.99
SEP110680 SPIDER-MAN ORIGIN OF HOBGOBLIN TP $29.99
SEP110659 THOR HEAVEN AND EARTH HC $19.99
SEP110673 ULTIMATE COMICS CAPTAIN AMERICA TP $14.99
SEP110521 ULTIMATE COMICS HAWKEYE #4 (OF 4) $3.99
SEP118072 ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #2 3RD PTG ANDREWS VAR (PP #994) $3.99
SEP110655 ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN DOSM FALLOUT PREM HC $24.99
SEP110656 ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN DOSM FALLOUT PREM HC DM VAR ED $24.99
SEP118073 ULTIMATE COMICS ULTIMATES #2 3RD PTG ANDREWS VAR (PP #994) $3.99
SEP110657 UNCANNY X-FORCE DARK ANGEL SAGA PREM HC BOOK 01 $24.99
SEP110585 VENGEANCE #5 (OF 6) $3.99
SEP110589 WOLVERINE AND X-MEN #2 XREGG $3.99
AUG118171 X-MEN SCHISM #2 (OF 5) X PTG VAR (PP #992) $3.99
AUG118172 X-MEN SCHISM #3 (OF 5) X PTG VAR (PP #992) $3.99
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