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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

B+

Itsuwaribito: The Kokonotsu

I read Itsuwaribito , Vol. 5

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

Review: MORIARTY VOLUME 2: The Lazarus Tree

MORIARTY VOLUME 2: THE LAZARUS TREE
IMAGE COMICS

WRITER: Daniel Corey
ARTISTS: Anthony Diecidue (pp. 5-55, 76-126), Mike Vosburg (pp. 56-75)
LAYOUTS: Mike Vosburg (pp. 31-52)
COLORS: Anthony Diecidue (pp. 55-76, 103-126), Perry Freeze (pp. 5-52, 79-100)
LETTERS: Dave Lanphear
COVER: Anthony Diecidue
ISBN: 978-1-60706-490-9; paperback
140pp, Color, $14.99 U.S.

I occasionally read articles in which the writers describe Professor James Moriarty as the first super-villain. Moriarty is Sherlock Holmes’ archenemy, although he only appeared in one story written by Holmes’ creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. He was a background player in another.

Published by Image Comics, Moriarty is a comic book series that stars Professor Moriarty as its central character. This alternate take on Moriarty is brought to readers by writer Daniel Corey and artist Anthony Diecidue.

The trade paperback, Moriarty Volume 2: The Lazarus Tree, collects Moriarty #5-9. The story picks up in the wake of The Dark Chamber (Moriarty #1-4) and finds Professor Moriarty trying to decipher the unsettling dreams that plague his sleep. Holmes and Watson are the featured players in these dreams, but other figures include a faceless man and a young boy being birthed from a stranger flower of the banyan tree.

Moriarty adopts the guise of Latimore of East India Company and sets sail for Burma in search of Eustis Morley, a missing friend and employee (or sorts). Arriving in the city of Kyauktada, Moriarty lands in the middle of unrest that varied interests are trying to turn into a full-fledged revolution. With Blair, a troublesome Imperial Policeman, as an ally, Moriarty searches for Morley, an investigation that takes Moriarty back to the beginning of his career and the early days in which he built a secret business empire. Waiting for him is a tree hidden deep in the Burmese jungles – a legendary tree that offers resurrection and the secret of Moriarty’s destiny.

When I received a copy of Moriarty Volume 1: The Dark Chamber for review last year, I admitted that I was not happy. I simply was not interested in another Holmes pastiche, but feeling obligated to review the damn thing, I eventually started reading and then, couldn’t stop. I also wrote that I found The Dark Chamber to be every bit as fun as the first Guy Ritche/Robert Downey, Jr. Sherlock Holmes film, with a Moriarty that was every bit as interesting and as fun to follow as Downey’s Holmes.

I enjoyed reading The Lazarus Tree, but not as much as I did The Dark Chamber. The reason is simple. In The Dark Chamber, Moriarty is a brilliant man, but he is destitute and desperate. The entire graphic novel has the sense that Moriarty might not survive. He has a lot to lose; he has everything to lose, and there is conflict and dilemmas galore.

In The Lazarus Tree, Moriarty is a man in full. There is conflict and cliffhangers, but writer Daniel Corey plays Moriarty as something like a superman who is simply rebuilding his empire. The Lazarus Tree has some interesting philosophical and scientific ideas, and it does show an interesting side of Moriarty (friendships). However, the threats that Moriarty faces in The Lazarus Tree don’t come across as having a sense of impending doom.

The art by Anthony Diecidue retains its woodblock sensibilities and expressionistic inking. Not only is Diecidue a good storyteller, but he is also good at giving this story grit and darkness so that it doesn’t come across as some kind of over-dressed Victorian fantasia. Mike Vosburg does a good job drawing the flashback story.

B+

Cross Game : Ko and Akane on a Date

I read Cross Game, Vol. 6

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which has free comics).

Marvel Comics' "Daredevil" Leads 2012 Eisner Award Nominations

Nominees Announced for 2012 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards

Selections Reflect Wide Diversity in Industry

SAN DIEGO - Comic-Con International (Comic-Con) is proud to announce the nominations for the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards 2012. The nominees, chosen by a blue-ribbon panel of judges, reflect the wide range of material being published in comics and graphic novel form today, from nursery rhymes and World War II battles to high school angst and pulp fiction.

Topping the 2012 list with 6 nominations is Marvel’s Daredevil, with nods for Best Continuing Series, Best Single Issue, Best Writer (Mark Waid), Best Cover Artist (Marcos Martin), and Best Penciller/Inker Team (two nominations: Marcos Martin, and Paolo Rivera/Joe Rivera). Close behind with 5 nominations is Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand, an original graphic novel of an unproduced, feature-length screenplay written by Jim Henson and Jerry Juhl, adapted by artist Ramón K. Pérez, published by Archaia. The book is up for Best Graphic Album-New, Best Penciller/Inker, Best Coloring, Best Lettering, and Best Publication Design.

Three titles have 3 nominations: Vertigo/DC’s iZombie (Best Penciller/Inker and Best Cover Artist for Michael Allred, Best Coloring for Laura Allred) and The Unwritten (Best Single Issue, Best Writer for Mike Carey, Best Cover Artist for Yuko Shimizu), and IDW’s Richard Stark’s Parker: The Martini Edition, by Darwyn Cooke (Best Short Story, Best Graphic Album-Reprint, Best Publication Design). Sixteen titles had 2 nominations, and the remaining nominations were spread among nearly 100 books and comics in 27 categories.

Joining Tale of Sand in the Graphic Album-New category are Bubbles & Gondola by French cartoonist Renaud Dillies (NBM), the animation-industry-based Freeway by Mark Kalesniko (Fantagraphics), the critically acclaimed Habibi by Craig Thompson (Pantheon), Ivy by newcomer Sarah Oleksyk (Oni), and the experimental One Soul by Ray Fawkes (Oni).

DC and Marvel tied for the most nominations for a publisher, each having 11 nominations plus 2 shared. For DC, Vertigo had the lion’s share of nominations, led by iZombie and The Unwritten. In addition to the Daredevil nods, Marvel had 2 nominations for Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips’ Criminal: The Last of the Innocents under the Icon imprint. IDW also had 11 nominations, dominating the Best Archival Collection, Comics-Related Book, and Publication Design categories. Close behind with 10 nominations (plus 1 shared) is Dark Horse, including 2 each for Dark Horse Presents, Jeff Jensen’s Green River Killer, and Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo. Next, with 9 (plus 1 shared) is Fantagraphics, including 3 nominations each in the Archival and International categories.

Other publishers with multiple nominations include First Second and NBM (6); Abrams ComicArts, Archaia, Drawn & Quarterly, and Oni (5); Image (4 plus 2 shared); Candlewick (4); and Pantheon (3). Eleven publishers had 2 nominations: Abstract Studio, Action Lab, Archie, Atheneum, Bongo, BOOM!, Chronicle, Top Shelf, the University of Mississippi Press, VIZ Media, and Yen Press. Another 15 publishers have 1 nomination each.

Although the judges have honored the superhero series Daredevil with the largest single number of nominations, they have selected a wide range of works from other genres and smaller presses, including nominations for several non-American creators within non-international categories. These creators include French cartoonists Dilles, Émile Bravo, Philippe Coudray, Nix, and Sylvain Savoia; Japanese creators Naoki Urasawa and Shiguru Mizuki; Croatian artist Tonci Zonjic; Argentinian artist Eduardo Risso; Spanish artist Marcos Martin; Italian artists Francesco Frankavilla and Sara Picelli; Polish author Marzena Sowa; Iranians Amir and Khalil; and over a dozen Canadian and British creators.

Named for acclaimed comics creator the Will Eisner, the awards are in their 24th year of highlighting the best publications and creators in comics and graphic novels. The 2012 Eisner Awards judging panel consists of reviewer Brigid Alverson (Graphic Novel Reporter, CBR, Robot 6), retailer Calum Johnston (Strange Adventures, Halifax, Nova Scotia), librarian Jesse Karp (LREI, New York), cartoonist Larry Marder (Beanworld), comics historian Benjamin Saunders (University of Oregon), and Comic-Con board of director Mary Sturhann.

This year’s judges added two new categories: Best Publication for Early Readers, and Best Educational/Academic Work. They also dropped four categories from the previous year: Best New Series, Best Adaptation from Another Medium, Best Writer/Artist-Nonfiction, and Best Painter/Multimedia Artist. According to Eisner Awards Administrator Jackie Estrada, "The judges chose to not have the New Series and Painter categories this year because they didn’t find enough contenders that reached the level of quality they were looking for." However, Estrada says, "the extent and quality of the material submitted in the Kids and Teen categories was so high that the judges felt dividing these books into three categories was warranted."

Ballots with this year’s nominees will be going out in mid-April to comics creators, editors, publishers, and retailers. A downloadable pdf of the ballot is available online, and a special website has been set up for online voting: www.eisnervote.com. The results in all categories will be announced in a gala awards ceremony on the evening of Friday, July 13 at Comic-Con International.

Voting in one Eisner Awards category, the Hall of Fame, is already completed. The judges chose the nominees earlier this year, and voting was conducted solely online.

The Eisner Awards are part of Comic-Con International, a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to creating awareness of and appreciation for comics and related popular artforms, primarily through the presentation of conventions and events that celebrate the historic and ongoing contributions of comics to art and culture. Jackie Estrada has been administrator of the Awards since 1990. She can be reached at jackie@comic-con.org.

More information about the Eisner Awards can be found at http://www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_eisners_main.shtml.

2012 Eisner Award Nominees - The Complete List

EISNER AWARD NOMINEES 2012

Winners to be announced, Friday, July 13, 2012 at Comic-Con International in San Diego:

Best Short Story
"A Brief History of the Art Form Known as Hortisculpture," by Adrian Tomine, in Optic Nerve #12 (Drawn & Quarterly)

"Harvest of Fear," by Jim Woodring, in The Simpsons’ Treehouse of Horror #17 (Bongo)

"The Seventh," by Darwyn Cooke, in Richard Stark’s Parker: The Martini Edition (IDW)

"The Speaker," by Brandon Graham, in Dark Horse Presents #7 (Dark Horse)

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

Ganges #4, by Kevin Huizenga (Fantagraphics)

Locke & Key: Guide to the Known Keys, by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez (IDW)

Princeless #3, by Jeremy Whitley and M. Goodwin (Action Lab)

The Unwritten #24: "Stairway to Heaven" by Mike Carey, Peter Gross, and Al Davison (Vertigo/DC)

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

Naoki Urasawa’s 20th Century Boys, by Naoki Urasawa (VIZ Media)

Rachel Rising, by Terry Moore (Abstract Studio)

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man, by Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli (Marvel)

Usagi Yojimbo, by Stan Sakai (Dark Horse)

Best Limited Series
Atomic Robo and the Ghost of Station X, by Brian Clevinger and Scott Wegener (Red 5)

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

Flashpoint: Batman - Knight of Vengeance, by Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso (Vertigo/DC)

The New York Five, by Brian Wood and Ryan Kelly (Vertigo/DC)

Who Is Jake Ellis? by Nathan Edmondson & Tonci Zonjic (Image)

Best Publication for Early Readers (up to age 7)
Beauty and the Squat Bears, by Émile Bravo (Yen Press)

Benjamin Bear in Fuzzy Thinking, by Philippe Coudray (Candlewick/Toon Books)

Dragon Puncher Island, by James Kochalka (Top Shelf)

Nursery Rhyme Comics, edited by Chris Duffy (First Second)

Patrick in a Teddy Bear’s Picnic, by Geoffrey Hayes (Candlewick/Toon Books)

Best Publication for Kids (ages 8-12)
The All-New Batman: The Brave and the Bold, by Sholly Fisch, Rick Burchett, and Dan Davis (DC)

Amelia Rules: The Meaning of Life ... And Other Stuff, by Jimmy Gownley (Atheneum)

The Ferret’s a Foot, by Colleen AF Venable and Stephanie Yue (Graphic Universe/Lerner)

Princeless, by Jeremy Whitley and M. Goodwin (Action Lab)

Snarked, by Roger Langridge (kaboom!)

Zita the Space Girl, by Ben Hatke (First Second)

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

Around the World, by Matt Phelan (Candlewick)

Level Up, by Gene Yang and Thien Pham (First Second)

Life with Archie, by Paul Kupperberg, Fernando Ruiz, Pat & Tim Kennedy, Norm Breyfogle et al. (Archie)

Mystic, by G. Willow Wilson and David Lopez (Marvel)

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

Nelson, edited by Rob Davis and Woodrow Phoenix (Blank Slate)

Nursery Rhyme Comics, edited by Chris Duffy (First Second)

The Someday Funnies, edited by Michel Choquette (Abrams ComicArts)

Yiddishkeit: Jewish Vernacular and the New Land, edited by Harvey Pekar and Paul Buhle (Abrams ComicArts)

Best Humor Publication
The Art of Doug Sneyd: A Collection of Playboy Cartoons (Dark Horse Books)

Chimichanga, by Eric Powell (Dark Horse)

Coffee: It’s What’s for Dinner, by Dave Kellett (Small Fish)

Kinky & Cosy, by Nix (NBM)

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

Best Digital Comic
Bahrain, by Josh Neufeld, www.cartoonmovement.com/comic/24

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

Delilah Dirk and the Turkish Lieutenant, by Tony Cliff, http://www.delilahdirk.com/

Outfoxed, by Dylan Meconis, www.dylanmeconis.com/outfoxed

Sarah and the Seed, by Ryan Andrews, www.ryan-a.com/comics/sarahandtheseed01.htm

Best Reality-Based Work
Around the World, by Matt Phelan (Candlewick)

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

Marzi: A Memoir, by Marzena Sowa and Sylvain Savoia (Vertigo/DC)

Onward Towards Our Noble Deaths, by Shigeru Mizuki (Drawn & Quarterly)

Vietnamerica, by GB Tran (Villard)

Best Graphic Album - New
Bubbles & Gondola, by Renaud Dillies (NBM)

Freeway, by Mark Kalesniko (Fantagraphics)

Habibi, by Craig Thompson (Pantheon)

Ivy, by Sarah Olekysk (Oni)

Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand, adapted by Ramón K. Pérez (Archaia)

One Soul, by Ray Fawkes (Oni)

Best Graphic Album - Reprint
Big Questions, by Anders Nilsen (Drawn & Quarterly)

The Death Ray, by Dan Clowes (Drawn & Quarterly)

Richard Stark’s Parker: The Martini Edition, by Darwyn Cooke (IDW)

WE3: The Deluxe Edition, by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely (Vertigo/DC)

Zahra’s Paradise, by Amir and Khalil (First Second)

Best Archival Collection/Project - Strips
Flash Gordon and Jungle Jim, by Alex Raymond and Don Moore, edited by Dean Mullaney (IDW/Library of American Comics)

Forgotten Fantasy: Sunday Comics 1900-1915, edited by Peter Maresca (Sunday Press)

Prince Valiant vols. 3-4, by Hal Foster, edited by Kim Thompson (Fantagraphics)

Tarpé Mills’s Miss Fury Sensational Sundays, 1944-1949, edited by Trina Robbins (IDW/Library of American Comics)

Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse vols. 1-2, by Floyd Gottfredson, edited by David Gerstein and Gary Groth (Fantagraphics)

Best Archival Collection/Project - Comic Books
Government Issue: Comics for the People: 1940s-2000s, edited by Richard L. Graham (Abrams ComicArts)

The MAD Fold-In Collection, by Al Jaffee (Chronicle)

PS Magazine: The Best of Preventive Maintenance Monthly, by Will Eisner (Abrams ComicArts)

The Sugar and Spike Archives, vol. 1, by Sheldon Mayer (DC)

Walt Simonson’s The Mighty Thor Artist’s Edition (IDW)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material
Bubbles & Gondola, by Renaud Dillies (NBM)

Isle of 100,000 Graves, by Fabien Vehlmann and Jason (Fantagraphics)

Like a Sniper Lining Up His Shot, by Jacques Tardi and Jean-Patrick Manchette (Fantagraphics)

The Manara Library, vol. 1: Indian Summer and Other Stories, by Milo Manara with Hugo Pratt (Dark Horse Books)

Night Animals: A Diptych About What Rushes Through the Bushes, by Brecht Evens (Top Shelf)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material - Asia
A Bride’s Story, by Kaoru Mori (Yen Press)

Drops of God, by Tadashi Agi and Shu Okimoto (Vertical)

Onward Towards Our Noble Deaths, by Shigeru Mizuki (Drawn & Quarterly)

Saturn Apartments, vols. 3-4, by Hisae Iwaoka (VIZ Media)

Stargazing Dog, by Takashi Murakami (NBM)

Wandering Son, vol. 1, by Shimura Takako (Fantagraphics)

Best Writer
Cullen Bunn, The Sixth Gun (Oni)

Mike Carey, The Unwritten (Vertigo/DC)

Jeff Jensen, Green River Killer: A True Detective Story (Dark Horse Books)

Jeff Lemire, Animal Man, Flashpoint: Frankenstein and the Creatures of the Unknown, Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E. (DC); Sweet Tooth (Vertigo/DC)

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

Best Writer/Artist
Rick Geary, The Lives of Sacco and Vanzetti (NBM)

Terry Moore, Rachel Rising (Abstract Studio)

Sarah Oleksyk, Ivy (Oni)

Craig Thompson, Habibi (Pantheon)

Jim Woodring, Congress of the Animals (Fantagraphics), "Harvest of Fear," in The Simpsons’ Treehouse of Horror #17 (Bongo)

Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team
Michael Allred, iZombie (Vertigo/DC); Madman All-New Giant-Size Super-Ginchy Special (Image)

Ramón K. Pérez, Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand (Archaia)

Chris Samnee, Captain America and Bucky, Ultimate Spider-Man #155 (Marvel)

Marcos Martin, Daredevil (Marvel)

Paolo Rivera/Joe Rivera, Daredevil (Marvel)

Best Cover Artist
Michael Allred, iZombie (Vertigo/DC)

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

Victor Kalvachev, Blue Estate (Image)

Marcos Martin, Daredevil, Amazing Spider-Man (Marvel)

Sean Phillips, Criminal: The Last of the Innocent (Marvel Icon)

Yuko Shimizu, The Unwritten (Vertigo/DC)

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

Bill Crabtree, The Sixth Gun (Oni)

Ian Herring and Ramón K. Pérez, Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand (Archaia)

Victor Kalvachev, Blue Estate (Image)

Cris Peter, Casanova: Avaritia, Casanova: Gula (Marvel Icon)

Best Lettering
Deron Bennett, Billy Fog, Jim Henson’s Dark Crystal, Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand, Mr. Murder Is Dead (Archaia); Helldorado, Puss N Boots, Richie Rich (APE Entertainment)

Jimmy Gownley, Amelia Rules! The Meaning of Life ... And Other Stuff (Atheneum)

Laura Lee Gulledge, Page by Paige (Amulet Books/Abrams)

Tom Orzechowski, Manara Library, with L. Lois Buholis(Dark Horse); Manga Man (Houghton Mifflin); Savage Dragon (Image)

Stan Sakai, Usagi Yojimbo (Dark Horse)

Best Comics-Related Journalism
The AV Club Comics Panel, by Noel Murray, Oliver Sava et al., www.avclub.com/features/comics-panel/

The Beat, produced by Heidi MacDonald et al., www.comicsbeat.com

The Comics Journal, edited by Gary Groth, and The Comics Journal website, www.tcj.com, edited by Timothy Hodler and Dan Nadel (Fantagraphics)

The Comics Reporter, produced by Tom Spurgeon, www.comicsreporter.com

TwoMorrows Publications: Alter Ego edited by Roy Thomas, Back Issue edited by Michael Eury, Draw edited by Mike Manley, and Jack Kirby Collector edited by John Morrow

Best Educational/Academic Work
Alan Moore: Conversations, ed. by Eric Berlatsky (University Press of Mississippi)

Cartooning: Philosophy & Practice, by Ivan Brunetti (Yale University Press)

Critical Approaches to Comics: Theories and Methods, edited by Matthew J. Smith and Randy Duncan (Routledge)

Hand of Fire: The Comics Art of Jack Kirby, by Charles Hatfield (University Press of Mississippi)

Projections: Comics and the History of 21st Century Storytelling, by Jared Gardner (Stanford University Press)

Best Comics-Related Book
Archie: A Celebration of America’s Favorite Teenagers, edited by Craig Yoe (IDW/Yoe Books)

Caniff: A Visual Biography, edited by Dean Mullaney (IDW/Library of American Comics)

Drawing Power: A Compendium of Cartoon Advertising, edited by Rick Marschall and Warren Bernard (Fantagraphics/Marschall Books)

Genius Isolated: The Life and Art of Alex Toth, designed by Dean Mullaney (IDW/Library of American Comics)

MetaMaus, by Art Spiegelman (Pantheon)

Best Publication Design
Genius Isolated: The Life and Art of Alex Toth, designed by Dean Mullaney (IDW/Library of American Comics)

Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand, designed by Eric Skillman (Archaia)

Kinky & Cosy, designed by Nix (NBM)

The MAD Fold-In Collection, designed by Michael Morris (Chronicle)

Richard Stark’s Parker: The Martini Edition, designed by Darwyn Cooke (IDW)

I Reads You Review: AVENGERS VS. X-MEN #1

"Come back to the Five-and-Dime, Secret Wars, Secret Wars"
AVENGERS VS. X-MEN #1
MARVEL COMICS

STORY: Jason Aaron, Brian Michael Bendis, Ed Brubaker, Jonathan Hickman, and Matt Fraction
SCRIPT: Brian Michael Bendis
PENCILS: John Romita, Jr.
INKS: Scott Hanna
COLORS: Laura Martin
LETTERS: Chris Eliopoulos
COVERS: Jim Cheung and Justin Ponsor
40pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.

Rated: T+

Marvel Comics’ latest big, event series is Avengers vs. X-Men. This planned 12-issue miniseries pits the Avengers and the X-Men against each other over the return of The Phoenix and its likely host, the Mutant Messiah, Hope Summers.

As Avengers vs. X-Men #1 begins, The Phoenix force makes itself known. Meanwhile, the Avengers deal with a crisis over New York City that threatens both civilians and landmarks. This crisis, however, is merely a harbinger of things to come concerning The Phoenix, a threat that both the Avengers and the White House take seriously. What they decide to do about it leads straight to the X-Men. When Captain America approaches Cyclops, will the mutant leader want to hear what the Avenger has to say?

I found the prologue to this event, Avengers vs. X-Men #0, to be surprisingly blasé. Avengers vs. X-Men #1 is a bit more exciting, mainly because its focus is conflict, whereas #0 offered character vignettes (and not very interesting ones, at that). From the destruction depicted early in this issue to the New York City disaster scene to the designation of the X-Men as a nexus point, this first issue clearly presages a superhero “pay-per-view” wrestling match.

One thing that certainly surprises me is how simply told this comic book is. None of that sophisticated, faux-Mamet drama here: this is Secret Wars-like in its punch-to-settle-differences ethos. Even John Romita, Jr.’s pencil art is retro-cool, lacking photo-realism and exaggerated detail in the figure drawing (especially on the musculature).

There is no telling where this narrative will go when new writers and artists take over in the later issues, but for now, I find this straight-forward superhero battle to be quaint, but fun to read. I won’t lie and say that it is great, but Avengers vs. X-Men #1 is nice.

B

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 11 2012

DC COMICS

DEC110322 100 BULLETS HC BOOK 02 (MR) $49.99

FEB120200 BATGIRL #8 $2.99

FEB120196 BATMAN AND ROBIN #8 $2.99

FEB120238 BATMAN ARKHAM UNHINGED #1 $2.99

DEC110334 BATMAN BUST (RES) $70.00

DEC110291 BATMAN INCORPORATED DELUXE HC VOL 01 (RES) $29.99

JAN120304 BATMAN NO MANS LAND TP VOL 02 NEW EDITION $29.99

FEB120198 BATWOMAN #8 $2.99

FEB120224 DEATHSTROKE #8 $2.99

FEB120219 DEMON KNIGHTS #8 $2.99

FEB120216 FRANKENSTEIN AGENT OF SHADE #8 $2.99

FEB120204 GREEN LANTERN #8 $2.99

FEB120207 GREEN LANTERN #8 COMBO PACK $3.99

FEB120274 GREEN LANTERN THE ANIMATED SERIES #1 $2.99

FEB120223 GRIFTER #8 $2.99

JAN120309 HITMAN TP VOL 06 FOR TOMORROW $29.99

NOV110204 I VAMPIRE TP $29.99

FEB120235 LEGION LOST #8 $2.99

JAN120311 LEGION OF SUPER HEROES WHEN EVIL CALLS TP $29.99

FEB120176 MISTER TERRIFIC #8 $2.99

FEB120291 NORTHLANDERS #50 (MR) $2.99

FEB120218 RESURRECTION MAN #8 $2.99

FEB120282 SAUCER COUNTRY #2 (MR) $2.99

FEB120243 SHADE #7 (OF 12) $2.99

DEC110296 SHOWCASE PRESENTS THE LOSERS TP VOL 01 $19.99

FEB120225 SUICIDE SQUAD #8 $2.99

FEB120184 SUPERBOY #8 $2.99

JAN120314 TEEN TITANS PRIME OF LIFE TP $19.99

FEB120297 UNWRITTEN #36 (MR) $2.99

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 11 2012

MARVEL COMICS

FEB120572 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN HOOKY #1 $4.99

FEB120554 AVENGERS ASSEMBLE #2 WITH DIG CDE $3.99

FEB120550 AVENGERS COMING OF AVENGERS #1 $3.99

FEB120697 AVENGERS VS X-MEN BY JIM CHEUNG B POSTER $8.99

FEB120698 AVENGERS VS X-MEN BY RYAN STEGMAN POSTER $8.99

FEB120650 AVENGERS VS X-MEN ITS COMING TP $19.99

FEB120575 AVENGING SPIDER-MAN #6 WITH DIG CDE OMEGA $3.99

FEB120680 BLACK PANTHER MDMA KINGPIN OF WAKANDA TP $16.99

FEB120571 CARNAGE USA #5 (OF 5) $3.99

JAN120730 DAREDEVIL SEASON ONE PREM HC WITH DIG CDE $24.99

FEB120637 DEADPOOL #53 $2.99

FEB120696 ESSENTIAL AVENGERS TP VOL 08 $19.99

FEB120592 FANTASTIC FOUR #605 $2.99

FEB120562 FORMIC WARS SILENT STRIKE #5 (OF 5) $3.99

JAN128259 FREE MARVELS AVENGERS MOVIE ROLLED POSTER PI

FEB120642 GOLDFISH GN HC (MR) $24.99

JAN120652 HALO FALL OF REACH INVASION #3 (OF 4) $3.99

FEB120591 JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #636 $2.99

FEB120603 MARVEL UNIVERSE AVENGERS EARTHS MIGHTIEST HEROES #1 $2.99

FEB120588 MIGHTY THOR #12.1 $2.99

NOV110599 MMW CAPTAIN AMERICA HC VOL 06 $59.99

NOV110600 MMW CAPTAIN AMERICA HC VOL 06 DM VAR ED 178 $59.99

FEB120538 NEW AVENGERS #24 AVX $3.99

FEB120682 NEW MUTANTS TP UNFINISHED BUSINESS VOL 04 $16.99

FEB120699 OMEGA EFFECT BY ADI GRANOV POSTER $8.99

FEB120686 PUNISHERMAX FRANK TP $19.99

FEB120669 PUNISHERMAX HOMELESS PREM HC $19.99

FEB120564 SCARLET SPIDER #4 $2.99

FEB120556 SECRET AVENGERS #25 $3.99

FEB120640 SECRET SERVICE #1 (OF 7) (MR) $2.99

FEB120692 SPIDER-MAN COMPLETE BEN REILLY EPIC TP BOOK 04 $39.99

FEB120559 ULTIMATE COMICS X-MEN #10 WITH DIG CDE $3.99

FEB120618 UNCANNY X-MEN #10 $3.99

OCT110699 UNTOLD TALES OF SPIDER-MAN OMNIBUS HC $99.99

OCT110700 UNTOLD TALES OF SPIDER-MAN OMNIBUS HC DM VAR ED $99.99

FEB120586 WINTER SOLDIER #4 $2.99

FEB120627 WOLVERINE #304 $3.99

FEB120693 X-MEN DARK PHOENIX SAGA TP NEW PTG $24.99

FEB120688 X-MEN LEGACY LOST LEGIONS TP $16.99

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for April 11 2012

IDW PUBLISHING

FEB120363 COBRA ONGOING #12 $3.99
JAN120436 DANGER GIRL REVOLVER #3 (OF 4) $3.99
FEB120317 DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS FORGOTTEN REALMS 100 PG $7.99
FEB120329 INFESTATION 2 #2 (OF 2) $3.99
FEB120399 OZ TREASURY ED $9.99
FEB120384 SMOKE AND MIRRORS #2 (OF 5) $3.99
JAN120482 ZOMBIES VS ROBOTS ASHLEY WOOD PORTFOLIO SET $20.00

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 11 2012

DARK HORSE COMICS

FEB120028 ALABASTER WOLVES #1 (OF 5) RUTH CVR $3.50
JAN118120 BERSERK TP VOL 21 (MR) $14.99
DEC110073 BRODYS GHOST BOOK 03 $6.99
FEB120034 BTVS SEASON 9 FREEFALL #8 JEANTY VAR CVR $2.99
FEB120033 BTVS SEASON 9 FREEFALL #8 NOTO CVR $2.99
NOV110056 CLASSIC MARVEL CHARACTERS FF #3 HUMAN TORCH $49.95
FEB120022 CONAN THE BARBARIAN #3 CARNEVALE CVR $3.50
FEB120017 DARK MATTER #4 (OF 4) $3.50
DEC110074 DOLLHOUSE EPITAPHS TP VOL 01 $18.99
JAN120124 DOMO DRESS MAGNET SET $8.99
FEB120036 LOBSTER JOHNSON THE BURNING HAND #4 (OF 5) JOHNSON CVR $3.50
DEC110081 MAGIC KNIGHT RAYEARTH DARK HORSE OMNIBUS ED VOL 02 (RES) $19.99
FEB120021 ORCHID #6 (MR) $3.50
FEB120011 STAR WARS AGENT O/T EMPIRE IRON ECLIPSE #5 (OF 5) $3.50
FEB120013 STAR WARS KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC WAR #4 (OF 5) $3.50

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 11 2012

IMAGE COMICS

FEB128166 SAGA #1 VAR CVR 2ND PTG (MR) $2.99
FEB120414 68 SCARS #1 (OF 4) CVR A JONES (MR) $3.99
FEB120416 68 SCARS #1 (OF 4) CVR C JONES (MR) $3.99
FEB120402 AMERICAS GOT POWERS #1 (OF 6) $2.99
DEC110544 ARTIFACTS #16 $3.99
OCT110543 EPOCH #5 (OF 5) $3.99
JAN128160 GLORY #24 VAR CVR 2ND PTG $2.99
FEB120503 GLORY #25 $2.99
DEC110555 HAUNT #23 $2.99
FEB120448 INFINITE HORIZON TP $17.99
JAN128290 PETER PANZERFAUST #2 2ND PTG (MR) $3.50
FEB120514 PETER PANZERFAUST #3 (MR) $3.50
FEB120519 SAGA #2 (MR) $2.99
FEB120405 SECRET #1 $3.50
FEB120457 SEVERED HC (MR) $24.99
FEB120467 STRANGE TALENT OF LUTHER STRODE TP VOL 01 (MR) $14.99
JAN128162 THIEF OF THIEVES #2 VAR CVR 2ND PTG $2.99
FEB120525 THIEF OF THIEVES #3 $2.99

Comics and Magazines from Diamond Distributors for April 11 2012

COMICS

FEB120869 ADVENTURE TIME #3 $3.99

JAN121168 ARISA GN VOL 07 $10.99

NOV111070 AVALON CHRONICLES HC VOL 01 $19.99

JAN121282 BAKUMAN TP VOL 10 $9.99

FEB121001 BASIC INSTRUCTIONS CURSE O/T MASKING TAPE MUMMY GN $14.95

JAN121259 BETTIE PAGE IN DANGER #3 (MR) $9.95

JAN120835 BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #200 $3.99

DEC110786 BILLY TUCCI A CHILD IS BORN ONE SHOT ARTIST ED $4.99

JAN121011 BIONIC WOMAN #1 $3.99

DEC110767 BIZZARE THRILLS PARAGON PUBLICATIONS STORY TP (MR) $29.95

JAN121283 BLEACH TP VOL 39 $9.99

JAN121256 BLOOD ALONE GN VOL 06 $11.99

JAN121281 BLUE EXORCIST GN VOL 07 $9.99

SEP111121 BODYSNATCHERS #4 (OF 6) $2.99

DEC110779 CAVEWOMAN FEEDING GROUNDS #2 (MR) $3.75

NOV110688 CAVEWOMAN MUTATION #1 $3.75

DEC110780 CAVEWOMAN MUTATION #1 BUDD ROOT SP ED PI

NOV110689 CAVEWOMAN MUTATION #1 DEVON MASSEY SP ED PI

JAN121333 CHARMED TP VOL 03 $15.99

JAN121262 CLINT #15 (MR) $6.99

DEC110896 COMICS SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE ONE SHOT $3.99

JAN121088 COUNTDOWN 7 DAYS GN VOL 02 $12.95

FEB121115 COURTNEY CRUMRIN ONGOING #1 $3.99

DEC111155 COURTNEY CRUMRIN SPEC ED HC VOL 01 $19.99

FEB120783 CROSSED BADLANDS #3 (MR) $3.99

FEB120784 CROSSED BADLANDS #3 TORTURE CVR (MR) $3.99

FEB120785 CROSSED BADLANDS #3 WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99

FEB121294 DARK SHADOWS NOVEL ANGELIQUES DESCENT SC $14.99

FEB121295 DARK SHADOWS NOVEL SALEM BRANCH SC $12.99

JAN121299 DAWN OF THE ARCANA TP VOL 03 $9.99

NOV111086 DEAD OR ALIVE #3 (OF 4) $3.50

JAN120798 DEAD POOH ONE SHOT $3.99

JAN121298 DEVIL & HER LOVE SONG GN VOL 02 $9.99

FEB121018 DF KIRBY GENESIS #1 ACETATE ROSS SGN CVR $50.00

DEC111063 DF TRUE BLOOD EX SIX BOOK SET $19.99

OCT111125 EXTINCTION SEED #2 (OF 6) CVR A & B $2.99

JAN121326 GFT ALICE IN WONDERLAND #4 A CVR CHEN (MR) $2.99

JAN121327 GFT ALICE IN WONDERLAND #4 B CVR SEJIC (MR) $2.99

FEB121035 GIANTS BEWARE GN $14.99

DEC110787 GOLD DIGGER #137 $3.99

SEP111122 GORE #5 (OF 12) (MR) $2.99

JAN121144 GUILDED AGE TP VOL 01 $19.99

JAN120939 HELLRAISER ANNUAL #1 (MR) $4.99

JAN121081 ITAZURA NA KISS GN VOL 08 $16.95

JAN121264 JAMES BOND OMNIBUS TP VOL 03 $19.95

FEB120755 JINX HC (RES) $16.99

FEB120756 JINX SC (RES) $9.99

JAN121300 KAMISAMA KISS TP VOL 08 $9.99

JAN120838 KEVIN KELLER #2 $2.99

JAN121014 KEVIN SMITH BIONIC MAN #8 $3.99

JAN121238 KINGDOM CALL O/T WILD TP $24.99

JAN120969 KITCHEN SINK PRESS FIRST 25 YEARS $15.00

DEC118185 LADY MECHANIKA #1 CVR G 3RD PTG (PP #1009) $3.99

DEC110986 LORD OF THE JUNGLE #3 (MR) $3.99

JAN120842 MEGA MAN #12 $2.99

JAN121090 MOON & BLOOD GN VOL 03 $6.95

JAN121285 NURA RISE O/T YOKAI CLAN GN VOL 08 $9.99

OCT111128 ONE #7 (OF 10) $2.99

FEB120891 OZ WONDERLAND CHRONICLES JACK & CAT TALES #3 (OF 3) $3.99

JAN120970 PETE AND MIRIAM GN (MR) $14.99

FEB121002 PIRANHA PANCAKES GN $9.95

JAN121087 REPLICA GN VOL 02 $12.95

FEB120849 RICH JOHNSTONS IRON MUSLIM #1 $3.99

NOV110707 RICHIE RICH GEMS #46 $3.99

JAN121284 ROSARIO VAMPIRE SEASON II TP VOL 08 $9.99

SEP111123 ROUTE DES MAISONS ROUGES #7 (OF 7) (MR) $2.99

JAN121301 SAKURA HIME LEGEND OF PRINCESS SAKURA GN VOL 07 $9.99

JAN121174 SAYONARA ZETSUBOU SENSEI GN VOL 14 $10.99

DEC111221 SENGOKU BASARA SAMURAI LEGENDS GN VOL 01 (OF 2) $19.99

JAN121302 SKIP BEAT TP VOL 27 $9.99

JAN121289 SLAM DUNK GN VOL 21 $9.99

FEB120821 SPONGEBOB COMICS #8 $2.99

DEC110962 STAN LEE STRIPPERELLA GN (MR) $14.99

JAN120960 STAN LEE TRAVELER TP VOL 03 $14.99

JAN120796 STEAMPUNK SKETCHBOOK ONE SHOT $3.50

NOV110708 SUBCULTURE WEBSTRIPS VOL 02 DIE HARDER $9.95

JAN121334 TALES FROM NEVERLAND TP (MR) $12.99

DEC110971 TERMINATOR ROBOCOP KILL HUMAN TP $16.99

JAN121335 THEATER #5 A CVR CHEN (MR) $3.99

JAN121336 THEATER #5 B CVR GARZA (MR) $3.99

FEB121091 TINTIN YOUNG READER ED CRAB & GOLDEN CLAW $8.99

FEB121092 TINTIN YOUNG READER ED SHOOTING STAR $8.99

JAN121257 TORADORA GN VOL 04 $11.99

JAN121290 TORIKO GN VOL 09 $9.99

JAN121253 UNTERZAKHN GN $24.95

FEB120936 VAMPIRELLA MASTERS SERIES TP VOL 07 $19.99

JAN121006 VAMPIRELLA VS DRACULA #3 $3.99

DEC110790 VICTORIAN SECRET AGENTS STEAMPUNK ANGELS ONE SHOT $3.99

JAN121280 VOLTRON FORCE GN VOL 01 $7.99

FEB121114 WASTELAND #36 (MR) $3.99

MAGAZINES

JAN121759 BRICKJOURNAL #18 $8.95
DEC111283 CLASSIC MARVEL FIG COLL MAG #169 FORGE $14.00
DEC111284 CLASSIC MARVEL FIG COLL MAG #170 WIZARD $14.00
JAN121363 COMICS BUYERS GUIDE #1689 $5.99
OCT111321 DC SUPERHERO CHESS FIG COLL MAG #2 JOKER BLACK KING $16.00
DEC111288 DC SUPERHERO FIG COLL MAG #103 MIRROR MASTER $14.00
DEC111289 DC SUPERHERO FIG COLL MAG #104 JERVIS TETCH $14.00
FEB121314 DOC SAVAGE DOUBLE NOVEL VOL 57 $14.95
JAN121395 FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND RETRO #192 $8.99
DEC111340 HOBBY JAPAN MAR 2012 $16.60
JAN121403 RUE MORGUE MAGAZINE #121 $9.95
FEB121281 SCARY MONSTERS MAGAZINE #82 $8.95
FEB121316 SHADOW DOUBLE NOVEL VOL 59 $14.95
JAN122069 WHITE DWARF #387 PI

I Reads You Review: AVENGERS VS. X-MEN #0

"Without a bang"

AVENGERS VS. X-MEN #0
MARVEL COMICS

WRITERS: Brian Michael Bendis, Jason Aaron
ARTIST: Frank Cho
COLORS: Jason Keith
LETTERS: Chris Eliopoulos
COVERS: Frank Cho with Jason Keith; Stephanie Hans (alternate cover)
40pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.

Rated: T+

Avengers vs. X-Men is Marvel Comics’ current giant, crossover, event series. I’ve read comments on the old Interweb that suggest Avengers vs. X-Men will be Marvel’s biggest publishing event in over a decade, at least from the point of view of sales.

I am sure that it will be a big thing. This planned 12-issue miniseries pits the Avengers and the X-Men against each other, apparently over The Phoenix. The X-Men are a sales and merchandising juggernaut for Marvel, and the franchise has produced five successful films for 20th Century Fox. The Avengers are a little less than a month away from their debut on the big screen, when the film, Marvel’s The Avengers, arrives. Two Iron Man movies have a combined gross of over one billion dollars in worldwide box office. In 2011, two other Avengers films, Thor and Captain America, each made more than 170 million dollars in domestic box office.

Avengers vs. X-Men #0 is a prologue to the main event and focuses on Avenger, Scarlet Witch, and X-Man, Hope Summers, and blends two separate stories starring each character. In the Scarlet Witch story (written by Brian Michael Bendis), the reality-warping mutant and long-time member of the Avengers hopes to get back into the superhero business. She takes on M.O.D.O.K., but ends up needing help from Spider-Woman and Ms. Marvel. This reunion leads to a bigger reunion, but perhaps, the Scarlet Witch can’t go home again.

In the Hope Summers story (written by Jason Aaron), the young woman called the “mutant messiah,” feels confined by others’ expectations of her. Hope spends her time ruthlessly punishing non-super-powered criminals, but now, she faces the Serpent Society.

For a prologue to a big, big event, Avengers vs. X-Men #0 is surprisingly blasé. The Avengers come across as stock figures in their appearance here, except for The Vision and the Scarlet Witch. This duo is where the fire is in this story, but the constraints forced upon the story smother the fire. The Hope Summers story is only a tad bit better – if it is actually appropriate for me to use the word “better” to describe this comic book. The other characters are wooden, and Hope is petulant, but in a totally boring king of way.

The art by Frank Cho is technically well-drawn, but looks like a mechanical exercise that at least 20 other robo-artists-for-hire could have done in the same drawing style and with the same lack of panache.

I hope issue #1 is better, and I’ll find out soon.

C+

Appearances:
HEROES: Scarlet Witch, Hope Summers; The Avengers: Beast, Iron Man, Ms. Marvel, Spider-Woman, Thor, The Vision, Wolverine; The X-Men: Cyclops, Emma Frost

VILLAINS: M.O.D.O.K.; The Serpent Society: Anaconda, Asp, Bushmaster, Cottonmouth, Puff Adder

Bakuman: Visualization and Imagination

I read Bakuman., Vol. 10

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

Bleach: El Verdugo

I read Bleach, Vol. 39 (Bleach (Graphic Novels))

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which has free comics).

A Column On How Not to End Up Like Trayvon Martin

I wrote a piece that is part spoof of Geraldo Rivera and part satire for my Black Astronaut page at the Comic Book Bin.  Please, go here and enjoy.

Slam Dunk: Win/Loss

I read Slam Dunk, Vol. 21

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which has free comics).

I Reads You Review: THE STRANGE CASE OF MR. HYDE #4

THE STRANGE CASE OF MR. HYDE #4 (OF 4)
DARK HORSE COMICS

WRITER: Cole Haddon
ART: M.S. Corley
COLORS: Jim Campbell
LETTERS: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
32pp, Color, $3.50 U.S.

The Victorian suspense thriller, The Strange Case of Mr. Hyde, unites the real-life Whitechapel Murders and this event’s most famous player, Jack the Ripper, with characters from the novella, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, by author Robert Louis Stevenson. This comic book miniseries from writer Cole Haddon and artist M.S. Corley comes to an end with the fourth issue.

The narrator and central character of The Strange Case of Mr. Hyde is Inspector Thomas Adye of Scotland Yard. Assigned to discover the identity of the Whitechapel Murderer, Jack the Ripper, Adye seeks the help of Dr. Henry Jekyll, who is also Mr. Edward Hyde. Apparently, Jack the Ripper is using the same formula Jekyll created and subsequently used to turn himself into Hyde. The formula makes the Ripper a physical marvel and a nearly-unstoppable monster – perhaps stronger than even Hyde.

As The Strange Case of Mr. Hyde #4 begins, Adye and Jekyll race to Whitechapel to apprehend the man who has been revealed as Jack the Ripper, Dr. John Utterson, Jekyll’s old friend and confidant. Adye hopes they are in time to save ginger-haired prostitute, Mary Jane Kelly, from becoming the Ripper’s next victim and ghastly art piece. But to stop the Ripper, Adye may have to allow Jekyll to ingest his serum, and that would mean the return of Hyde. Soon, Adye will find himself caught in the middle of a battle between two horrible monsters, and he will have to be the most cunning if he is to survive.

The final issue of The Strange Case of Mr. Hyde gave me the slam-band ending I was expecting from what has been one of the best comic books I’ve read in the last year. Part Guy Ritchie/Robert Downey, Jr. Sherlock Holmes and part Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill’s The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, The Strange Case of Mr. Hyde is a high concept Victorian thriller with a lively narrative.

Writer Cole Haddon is inventive in the way he executes this series because every scene offers a surprise. At least as I read it, Haddon usually does the opposite of what is expected, and the resolution is filled with surprises and promises of more good things to come. As far as I’m concerned, Hyde’s fate is a happy ending.

Artist M.S. Corley is Haddon’s equal. His woodcut-like drawing style offers quirky graphics and solid storytelling. This gives the story the visual appearance of being from the past, as if this comic once existed in a 19th century magazine. Style aside, however, the art brings to life this pop confection of murder investigation most foul and Victorian fiction and culture. Corley can take pride in the fact that his work stands out in a way that much comic book art does not.

A

"Shelter from the Storm" Begins Voltron Force Graphic Novel Series

LET’S GO VOLTRON FORCE®!

VIZ MEDIA DELIVERS ACTION-PACKED ADVENTURES FOR ALL AGES WITH NEW VOLTRON FORCE GRAPHIC NOVEL SERIES

VOLTRON FORCE® Updates the Classic ‘80s Sci-fi Epic For A Whole New Generation of Fans

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, debuts today the riveting outer space action of VOLTRON FORCE®, in a new graphic novel series that complements the animated series currently airing on Nicktoons. VOLTRON FORCE Volume 1: SHELTER FROM THE STORM, under the VIZ Kids imprint, is rated ‘A’ for All Ages and will carry an MSRP of $7.99 U.S. / $9.99 CAN.

VOLTRON® is a hugely successful brand that is recognized globally ever since it was introduced in the early 1980’s. Season one of VOLTRON FORCE debuted on Nicktoons in 2011 and was the highest rated premiere ever for the network. The new series is a continuation of the classic ‘80s cartoon, Voltron: Defender of the Universe, with updated storylines and characters for a whole new generation.

VIZ Media’s graphic novels are all-new, original adventures featuring Larmina, Daniel and Vince, the Voltron Force cadets. In the first volume of the series, SHELTER FROM THE STORM, the evil King Lotor and his villainous minion Maahox unleash a horrifying storm, churning with evil energy. When Daniel, Larmina and Vince are sucked into the vortex, their worst nightmares come true!

“Many of us at VIZ—myself included—were huge Voltron fans as kids, so being part of the reimagining of this iconic series is a real thrill,” says Traci Todd, Senior Editor, Children’s Publishing. “The best part? Everyone creating these books is a fan too! From the action-packed adventures by series writer Brian Smith, to the stunning art of Jacob Chabot, Dario Brizuela and Alfa Robbi--these books are truly labors of love.”

VOLTRON FORCE writer Brian Smith is a former Marvel Comics editor whose past credits include The Ultimates, Ultimate Spider-Man, Iron Man, Captain America, The Incredible Hulk, and dozens of other comics. Smith is also the co-creator/writer behind the New York Times best-selling graphic novel The Stuff of Legend, and the writer/artist of all-ages comic The Intrepid Escape Goat.

Smith is also the illustrator of The Adventures of Daniel Boom AKA LOUDBOY!, named one of The Top 10 Graphic Novels for Youths 2009 by Booklist Online. His illustration clients include Time Out New York Magazine, Nickelodeon, MAD Kids Magazine, Harper Collins, Bongo Comics, Grosset & Dunlap, and American Greetings.

For more information on VOLTRON FORCE or other VIZ Kids properties, please visit: http://www.vizkids.com/.


About Voltron®
In a galaxy plagued with chaos and evil, five robotic lions, piloted by a team of brave space explorers, combine to form the mighty robot hero, Voltron®. After blazing onto TV screens in 1984, Voltron: Defender of the Universe quickly became a top-rated animated series. The hit series inspired a best-selling toy line and made Voltron a pop-culture icon. An all-new 2D/CGI animated series, Voltron Force®, is currently airing in the U.S. on Nicktoons. Follow Voltron on Twitter @Voltron or join the official Voltron Facebook page at Facebook.com/VoltronOfficial for all the latest news.

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/.

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 4 2012

DC COMICS

FEB120178 ACTION COMICS #8 $3.99

FEB120181 ACTION COMICS #8 COMBO PACK $4.99

JAN120336 AMERICAN VAMPIRE #25 (MR) $2.99

FEB120217 ANIMAL MAN #8 $2.99

JAN128245 BATMAN #5 3RD PTG $2.99

JAN128244 BATMAN BEYOND UNLIMITED #1 2ND PTG $3.99

JAN120306 BATMAN GOTHAM SHALL BE JUDGED TP $19.99

FEB120195 BATWING #8 $2.99

FEB120190 DETECTIVE COMICS #8 $3.99

FEB120192 DETECTIVE COMICS #8 COMBO PACK $4.99

DEC118177 EPIC MAD TP $12.99

FEB120283 FAIREST #2 (MR) $2.99

NOV110197 FLASH OMNIBUS BY GEOFF JOHNS HC VOL 02 $75.00

OCT110285 FLEX MENTALLO MAN OF MUSCLE MYSTERY DLX HC (MR) $22.99

FEB120174 GREEN ARROW #8 $2.99

FEB120232 HAWK AND DOVE #8 $2.99

FEB120293 IZOMBIE #24 (MR) $2.99

JAN120310 JACK KIRBYS FOURTH WORLD OMNIBUS TP VOL 02 $29.99

JAN128243 JUSTICE LEAGUE #5 2ND PTG $3.99

FEB120164 JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #8 $2.99

DEC110283 LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT JIM APARO HC $49.99

FEB120275 LOONEY TUNES #206 $2.99

FEB120228 MEN OF WAR #8 $3.99

FEB120241 NIGHT FORCE #2 (OF 6) $2.99

FEB120222 OMAC #8 $2.99

FEB120211 RED LANTERNS #8 $2.99

JAN120343 SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING TP BOOK 01 (MR) $19.99

FEB120276 SCOOBY DOO WHERE ARE YOU #20 $2.99

FEB120234 STATIC SHOCK #8 $2.99

FEB120220 STORMWATCH #8 $2.99

FEB120212 SWAMP THING #8 $2.99

FEB120299 SWEET TOOTH #32 (MR) $2.99

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 4 2012

MARVEL COMICS

FEB120633 AGE OF APOCALYPSE #2 $2.99

FEB120566 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #683 ENDS $3.99

FEB120551 AVENGERS ACADEMY #28 $2.99

JAN120721 AVENGERS HAWKEYE SOLO TP $16.99

JAN120720 AVENGERS LEGION OF UNLIVING TP $29.99

JAN120723 AVENGERS MYTHOS HC $24.99

JAN120722 AVENGERS WEST COAST AVENGERS ASSEMBLE TP $24.99

SEP110627 BRILLIANT #3 (MR) $3.95

SEP110630 CASANOVA AVARITIA #3 (OF 4) (MR) $4.99

FEB120608 DAREDEVIL #10.1 $2.99

FEB120607 FEAR ITSELF FEARLESS #12 (OF 12) $2.99

FEB120598 HULK #50 $3.99

FEB120552 MARVELS AVENGERS PRELUDE FURYS BIG WEEK #3 (OF 4) $2.99

FEB120673 MU AVENGERS EARTHS HEROES COMIC READER TP #1 $3.99

FEB120674 MU AVENGERS EARTHS HEROES COMIC READER TP #2 $3.99

FEB120631 NEW MUTANTS #40 $2.99

JAN120645 SECRET AVENGERS #24 $3.99

JAN120753 SPIDER-MAN RETURN OF ANTI-VENOM TP $15.99

FEB120616 THUNDERBOLTS #172 $2.99

FEB120605 TOY STORY #2 (OF 4) $2.99

FEB120557 ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #9 $3.99

FEB120573 VENOM #15 $2.99

FEB120622 WOLVERINE AND X-MEN #8 $3.99

FEB120620 WOLVERINE AND X-MEN ALPHA AND OMEGA #4 (OF 5) $3.99

FEB120636 X-CLUB #5 (OF 5) $2.99

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for April 4 2012

IDW PUBLISHING

FEB120333 30 DAYS OF NIGHT ONGOING #6 $3.99
FEB120335 30 DAYS OF NIGHT ONGOING TP VOL 01 $17.99
FEB120350 COLD WAR TP VOL 01 $19.99
FEB120369 GI JOE COBRA ONGOING TP VOL 02 COBRA CIVIL WAR $17.99
FEB120359 GI JOE VOL 2 ONGOING #12 $3.99
JAN120456 HOW TO DRAW TRANSFORMERS SC $4.99
FEB120331 INFESTATION 2 30 DAYS OF NIGHT ONE SHOT $3.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 4 2012

DARK HORSE COMICS

DEC110092 CLASSIC MARVEL CHARACTERS #5 DR. STRANGE $49.95
OCT110066 CLASSIC MARVEL CHARACTERS FF #2 INVISIBLE GIRL $49.95
JAN120141 CLASSIC MARVEL CHARACTERS SPIDER MAN NYCC EXC $49.95
JAN120140 CLASSIC MARVEL CHARACTERS SPIDER MAN SDCC EXC $49.95
FEB120042 CREEPY COMICS #8 $4.99
FEB120026 CRIMINAL MACABRE DIE DIE MY DARLING $3.50
FEB120050 JEREMIAH OMNIBUS HC VOL 01 $24.99
NOV110057 MASS EFFECT N7 LOGO EMBROIDERED PATCH $4.99
NOV110058 MASS EFFECT PARAGON EMBROIDERED PATCH $4.99
NOV110059 MASS EFFECT RENEGADE EMBROIDERED PATCH $4.99
NOV110060 MASS EFFECT SYSTEM ALLIANCE EMBROIDERED PATCH $4.99

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 4 2012

IMAGE COMICS

FEB128156 MANHATTAN PROJECTS #1 VAR CVR 2ND PTG $3.50
SEP110455 CARBON GREY ORIGINS #2 (OF 2) CVR B EVANS & LOH (MR) $3.99
NOV110446 CHEW #25 (MR) $2.99
FEB120420 DANGER CLUB #1 $2.99
JAN128124 FATALE #3 VAR CVR 2ND PTG (MR) $3.50
FEB120502 FATALE #4 (MR) $3.50
JAN128123 HELL YEAH #1 VAR CVR 2ND PTG $2.99
FEB120507 HELL YEAH #2 $2.99
DEC110557 INVINCIBLE #90 $2.99
NOV110463 MUDMAN #3 $3.50
DEC110568 SAVAGE DRAGON #179 $3.50
FEB120522 SKULLKICKERS #13 $3.50
FEB120458 SKULLKICKERS TREASURE TROVE HC VOL 01 (MR) $34.99
FEB120523 SPAWN #218 $2.99
FEB120410 SUPREME #63 HAMSCHER VAR CVR $2.99
FEB120409 SUPREME #63 LARSEN CVR $2.99
FEB120411 SUPREME #63 LIEFELD VAR CVR $2.99
JAN120609 WHISPERS #2 $2.99

Comics and Magazines from Diamond Distributors for April 4 2012

COMICS

DEC111179 2000 AD #1770 $5.25

DEC111213 ADVANCE TEAM GN $15.99

JAN128240 ADVENTURE TIME #2 2ND PTG (PP #1014) $3.99

DEC111112 ANNIE SULLIVAN & THE TRIALS OF HELEN KELLER $17.99

JAN120831 ARCHIE MEETS KISS COLLECTORS ED HC $29.99

JAN120832 ARCHIE MEETS KISS TP $12.99

FEB120905 BOYS #65 (MR) (NOTE PRICE) $4.99

DEC111111 CELESTIAL BIBENDUM DLX HC (MR) $69.95

FEB121085 CHICAGOLAND DETECTIVE AGENCY GN VOL 03 NIGHT O/T LIVING DOGS $6.95

JUL110863 CODE GEASS KNIGHT GN VOL 05 $10.99

SEP110819 CODE GEASS QUEEN GN VOL 05 $11.99

DEC118226 DCD SUMMIT 2012 HULK #50 INKED VAR PI

FEB120925 DEJAH THORIS & WHITE APES OF MARS #1 (MR) $3.99

FEB120794 DICKS COLOR ED #3 (MR) $4.99

FEB120795 DICKS COLOR ED #3 OFFENSIVE CVR (MR) $4.99

JAN121178 DREAM QUEST OF UNKNOWN KADATH & OTHER STORIES HC $24.99

JAN121307 DROPS OF GOD GN VOL 03 $14.95

FEB120828 FANBOYS VS ZOMBIES #1 MAIN CVRS $1.00

DEC110908 FARSCAPE TP VOL 07 WAR UNCHARTED TERRITORIES PT ONE $12.99

FEB120798 FERALS #4 (MR) $3.99

FEB120799 FERALS #4 GORE CVR (MR) $3.99

FEB120800 FERALS #4 WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99

FEB121132 FREEDOM #1 $7.00

NOV110934 GARTH ENNIS JENNIFER BLOOD #11 (MR) $3.99

FEB121218 GFT APRIL FOOLS SPECIAL 2012 (MR) $3.99

FEB121086 GIRL WHO OWNED A CITY GN $9.95

JAN120775 GLAMOURPUSS #24 $3.00

JAN121328 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #71 A CVR BONK (MR) $2.99

JAN121329 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #71 B CVR SPAY (MR) $2.99

SEP111306 GRIMM FAIRY TALES THE LIBRARY #5 A CVR MYCHAELS $2.99

SEP111307 GRIMM FAIRY TALES THE LIBRARY #5 B CVR PEKAR $2.99

JAN121308 GTO 14 DAYS IN SHONAN GN VOL 02 $10.95

FEB120835 HELLRAISER MASTERPIECES #11 (MR) $3.99

DEC111130 HONEY WEST #5 (RES) $3.99

FEB121065 HULK 100 PROJECT TP (O/A) $10.00

JAN120943 INCORRUPTIBLE #28 $3.99

SEP110990 KIRBY GENESIS #6 $3.99

OCT111141 KODT BUNDLE OF TROUBLE TP VOL 35 $14.99

DEC111133 KOLCHAK NIGHT STALKER FILES #3 (RES) $3.50

FEB120880 LADY DEATH (ONGOING) #16 (MR) $3.99

FEB120881 LADY DEATH (ONGOING) #16 SULTRY CVR (MR) $3.99

FEB120882 LADY DEATH (ONGOING) #16 WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99

FEB120876 LADY DEATH ORIGINS CURSED #1 (OF 3) (MR) $4.99

FEB120877 LADY DEATH ORIGINS CURSED #1 (OF 3) SULTRY CVR (MR) $4.99

FEB120878 LADY DEATH ORIGINS CURSED #1 (OF 3) WRAP CVR (MR) $4.99

DEC110880 LEGEND OF OZ THE WICKED WEST #3 $3.50

DEC111202 LENORE VOLUME II #5 $3.99

FEB121087 LOU GN VOL 01 SECRET DIARY $8.95

FEB121088 MISS ANNIE BOOK 01 FREEDOM $6.95

FEB121089 MY BOYFRIEND IS MONSTER GN VOL 05 $9.95

DEC111119 NEGIMA OMNIBUS GN VOL 04 (MR) $19.99

DEC111110 PANDEMONIUM GN (HUMANOIDS) (MR) $19.95

DEC110879 PENNY FOR YOUR SOUL FALSE PROPHET #4 (OF 7) (MR) $3.50

FEB121189 POKEMON BLACK & WHITE GN VOL 06 $4.99

FEB121188 POKEMON MOVIE WHITE VICTINI & ZEKROM GN $7.99

FEB120714 PUNK ROCK & TRAILER PARKS GN (O/A) $15.95

DEC111011 QUEEN SONJA #28 $3.99

FEB120734 RAMIEL WRATH OF GOD #1 (MR) $3.99

JAN121070 RED SONJA WITCHBLADE #2 $3.99

OCT110790 RICHIE RICH GEMS #45 $3.99

JAN121076 ROBERT JORDAN WHEEL OF TIME EYE O/T WORLD #23 $3.99

FEB121007 SHENZHEN A TRAVELOGUE FROM CHINA SC (MR) $14.95

JAN120843 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #235 $2.99

DEC110929 STAN LEE SOLDIER ZERO TP VOL 03 $14.99

DEC110805 STERLING GN $14.95

FEB121090 SUMMER CAMP SCIENCE MYSTERIES VOL 01 SEARCH O/T FOG ZOMBIE $6.95

JAN128225 SUPURBIA #1 (OF 4) 2ND PTG (PP #1013) $3.99

FEB120858 SUPURBIA #2 (OF 4) $3.99

FEB120988 THE LONE RANGER #4 $3.99

OCT111218 THE PACK #3 (OF 3) (MR) $4.50

FEB120859 VALEN OUTCAST #5 MAIN CVRS $3.99

FEB120956 VOLTRON YEAR ONE #1 $3.99

FEB121056 VS ALIENS GN $9.95

FEB121220 WAKING DREAM END #1 A CVR GARZA (MR) $3.99

FEB121221 WAKING DREAM END #1 B CVR BASALDUA (MR) $3.99

OCT111055 WAREHOUSE 13 #5 $3.99

JAN120847 WORLD OF ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #16 $3.99

DEC110766 YANKEE GIRL STARS & STRIPES FOREVER #1 $19.95

NOV111047 ZOMBIES VS CHEERLEADERS #6 $3.99

MAGAZINES
FEB121275 FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND #261 DARK SHADOWS CVR $9.99
FEB121276 FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND #261 OUTER LIMITS CVR $9.99
FEB121232 HI FRUCTOSE MAGAZINE QUARTERLY #23 $6.95
OCT111351 MEGAMI JAN 2012 #69 $16.60
OCT111352 NEWTYPE JAN 2012 #56 $16.00
DEC111347 SFX #219 $10.99
JAN121263 STAR WARS CLONE WARS MAGAZINE #11 $4.99
JAN120779 TERRY MOORE HOW TO DRAW #3 BEAUTIFUL $4.99
DEC111351 VIDEO WATCHDOG #167 (MR) $8.95

Blue Exorcist: Fight Hellfire with Hellfire!

I read Blue Exorcist, Vol. 7

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which as free comics).

Even April Fools Reads You

It's April 2012! Welcome to I Reads You, my blog about the things I read: mostly comic books, comics, and related books. Sometimes, I’ll write about or link to other topics: typically books, politics, and entertainment.

I’m Leroy Douresseaux, and I have another blog: http://www.negromancer.com/. I also write for the Comic Book Bin (which also has smart phones apps and comics).

All images and text appearing on this blog are copyright © and/or trademark their respective owners.

Rosario+Vampire: Season II: The Dark Lords

I read Rosario+Vampire: Season II, Vol. 8: The Secret of the Rosario

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

X-Men and Iron Man Anime Series on DVD in April 2012

IRON MAN ANIME & X-MEN ANIME Explode onto DVD April 24th

Each Set Includes 12 Episodes From Each Series and New Bonus Features!

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and Marvel Animation release the IRON MAN ANIME and X-MEN ANIME on DVD April 24th. With 12 episodes and bonus features in each DVD, bring home the action and adventures of Iron Man and the X-Men in the classic anime style. Guided by New York Times best-selling author Warren Ellis (Iron Man: Extremis, Astonishing X-Men: Xenogenesis) and produced by Madhouse for Marvel Television and Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan (SPEJ). Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the distributor.

The IRON MAN ANIME stars Adrian Pasdar (Heroes, Castle, Profit) as the voice of Tony Stark. The set contains special bonus features:

· Re-Imagining Iron Man explores the plot and themes of the anime series.

· 21st Century Hero: The Technology of Iron Man introduces fans to Tony Stark’s high-tech suits and gadgets.

· Special Cross Talk round table discussion with the creators of the Iron Man and Wolverine anime series.

· Voicing Tony Stark, an interview with Japanese actor, Keiji Fujiwara.

The X-MEN ANIME features the voice of actor Scott Porter as Cyclops (The Good Wife, Friday Night Lights, Caprica). The set includes:

· Re-Examining The X-Men takes viewers behind-the-scenes of creating X-Men’s mutant tales.

· X-Men: A Team of Outsiders provides an in-depth exploration of Marvel’s most heroic and infamous mutants.

· Special Talk Session round table discussion with the creators of Marvel anime's X-Men and Blade.

IRON MAN ANIME: Tony Stark arrives in Japan to help implement hisgoal of world peace by building the Arc Reactor, a carbon-neutral power plant, that once operational will be able to provide limitless (thus free) energy to the world. Set to retire his Iron Man persona, and about to mass-produce a line of Iron Man armor known as “Iron Man Dio,” Stark’s plans are derailed by a series of high tech Mech monsters. Zodiac, a top secret organization funded by theterrorist group A.I.M. is out to disrupt the Arc Station, steal the Dio armor and put an end to Iron Man. The Armored Avenger’s fight is only just beginning.

X-MEN ANIME: The X-MEN are reunited following the death of a teammate and are summoned by Charles Xavier to Japan following the abduction of Hisako Ichiki. There, they confront the U-MEN, a lunatic cult that steals and transplants mutant organs to further strengthen its own army, and the battle for justice is on. Discovering a series of bizarre occurrences in the area they X-Men investigate only to be confronted with a terrible truththat will force them to confront long buried secrets.

Broadcast Year: 2011 (G4)

IRON MAN ANIME and X-MEN ANIME are rated NOT RATED. The DVD sets each have a total run time of approximately 288 minutes. Artwork and digital clips are available for download at www.sphepublicity.com. Visit Sony Pictures Home Entertainment on the Web at www.SonyPictures.com.


ABOUT SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is a Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) company. Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based SonyCorporation. SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition and distribution; television production, acquisition and distribution; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; worldwide television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of entertainment in more than 142 countries.Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com/.

ABOUT MARVEL
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media overseventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information visit http://www.marvel.com/.

Sakura Hime: A Woman Without Nails

I read Sakura Hime: The Legend of Princess Sakura , Vol. 7

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which has free comics).

Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan: Echoes of the Past

I read Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan, Vol. 8

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

Leroy Douresseaux Reviews: A GAME OF THRONES: The Graphic Novel: Volume 1

A GAME OF THRONES: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL, VOL. 1
BANTAM BOOKS/RANDOM HOUSE

WRITER: George R.R. Martin
ADAPTATION: Daniel Abraham
ART: Tommy Patterson
COLORS: Ivan Nunes
LETTERS: Marshall Dillon
ORIGINAL SERIES COVERS: Alex Ross, Mike S. Miller
ADDITONAL ART: Michael Komark
COVER: Tommy Patterson with design by Charles Brock, Faceout Studio
ISBN: 978-0-440-42321-8; hardcover
238pp, Color, $25.00 U.S., $29.95 CAN

Born in 1948, George Raymond Richard Martin is best known as George R. R. Martin, the bestselling science fiction, fantasy, and horror novelist. Martin was also a writer and story editor on the mid-1980s revival of The Twilight Zone and was a writer on the 1980s CBS television series, Beauty and the Beast.

Martin is currently a hot commodity because of the HBO television series, “Game of Thrones,” which is adapted from his A Song of Ice and Fire series of high fantasy novels. The first novel in that series was published in 1996 and is entitled, A Game of Thrones.

Last year, Dynamite Entertainment began producing A Game of Thrones, an original comic book adaptation of the novel (not the TV series). The adaptation is expected to run over 24 issues of about 29 pages per issue. The writer responsible for adapting George R.R. Martin’s prose into comics form is science fiction and fantasy novelist, Daniel Abraham, who sometimes collaborates with Martin on fiction. The pencil artist for A Game of Thrones is Tommy Patterson, who has drawn comic books for Boom! Studios and Zenescope Entertainment. Alex Ross and Mike S. Miller are among the artists drawing covers for the series.

Bantam Books has collected the first six issues of the comic book as A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel: Volume 1. This initial story arc focuses on the House Stark, the northernmost of the fiefdoms that owe allegiance to King Robert Baratheon, who resides in King’s Landing. Located in Winterfell, House Stark is headed by Eddard Stark and his wife Catelyn with their sons: Robb, Brandon, and Rickon; two daughters: Sansa and Arya; and Eddard’s bastard son, Jon Snow.

King Robert is coming to Winterfell to bestow an honor upon Eddard, one he cannot refuse. Meanwhile, Robert’s conniving wife, Queen Cersei, Jamie (her slutty brother), Tyrion (her other brother who is a devious dwarf), and Robert and Cersei’s vainglorious son, Prince Joffrey, begin causing chaos in the House Stark – everything from murder and attempted murder to crass manipulation and conspiracy.

Meanwhile, there is another vainglorious royal, Prince Viserys, heir to the fallen House Targaryen, which once ruled all of Westeros. Viserys sets in motion a plot to reclaim the throne, and the first move in this plot is to make his sister, Princess Daenerys, a prize to win the army of a swarthy barbarian chief.

Not being familiar with anything related to A Game of Thrones, I didn’t expect much of this graphic novel/hardback collection, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Unlike many mainstream comic books, A Game of Thrones is not a colorful, kinetic adventure filled with superheroes, large fight scenes, and a slavish devotion to continuity. Although this is fantasy and has an involved internal mythology, the character drama drives the story, more so than genre trappings and elements.

This comic book is basically a soap opera with a large-scale cast, but is set in the world of medieval fantasy. I have not read the original novel, and I am still impressed that Daniel Abraham is able to make so many characters interesting and intriguing. Normally, my eyes would cross from trying to keep up with all the machinations and the numerous subplots, but Abraham makes it clear and straightforward.

I think that Tommy Patterson is a good artist; he can certainly draw, but his storytelling is inconsistent. He draws some scenes with an awkwardness that is inappropriate for those scenes – such as the fight scene between the children in issue #5. Considering that this fight leads to recrimination and execution, Patterson’s composition of the fight lacks dramatic impact. For the most part, however, compositionally, stylistically, and graphically, his art creates an attractive world for A Game of Thrones. Although I mostly avoid anything with his name on it, I really liked Mike S. Miller’s cover art for issue #4, with its fine art quality drawing on Jon Snow and his direwolf.

For years, I always hoped that some publisher would take the opportunity to adapt a novel to comics, but also have the patience to produce the adaptation over a long-running series. Over the past few years, Marvel and Del Rey have ventured to do so. I consider A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel: Volume 1 to be the reward for my patience.

As a bonus, The Making of A Game of Thrones is a large section at the back of the book that offers a generous selection of art and text explaining the production of A Game of Thrones the comic book series. Readers that like to see comic book pencil art will find themselves quite satisfied.

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 28 2012

DC COMICS

JAN128146 ACTION COMICS #1 5TH PTG $3.99

JAN120277 ALL STAR WESTERN #7 $3.99

JAN120215 AQUAMAN #7 $2.99

JAN128140 BATMAN #1 4TH PTG $2.99

JAN128165 BATMAN #4 3RD PTG $2.99

JAN120394 BATMAN BLACK & WHITE STATUE BY SAM KIETH (RES) $80.00

JAN128148 BATMAN THE DARK KNIGHT #1 3RD PTG $2.99

JAN128159 BATMAN THE DARK KNIGHT #6 2ND PTG $2.99

JAN120242 BATMAN THE DARK KNIGHT #7 $2.99

JAN120275 BLACKHAWKS #7 $2.99

JAN128147 DETECTIVE COMICS #1 6TH PTG $2.99

DEC110321 DMZ TP VOL 11 FREE STATES RISING (MR) $19.99

JAN120219 FLASH #7 $2.99

JAN120223 FURY OF FIRESTORM THE NUCLEAR MEN #7 $2.99

NOV110226 GONE TO AMERIKAY HC (MR) $24.99

DEC110336 GREEN LANTERN HAL JORDAN VS PARALLAX STATUE (RES) $295.00

JAN120257 GREEN LANTERN NEW GUARDIANS #7 $2.99

JAN120263 I VAMPIRE #7 $2.99

JAN120262 JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #7 $2.99

DEC110289 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA DARK THINGS TP $17.99

JAN120295 LEGION SECRET ORIGIN #6 (OF 6) $2.99

JAN120332 NEW DEADWARDIANS #1 (OF 8) (MR) $2.99

JAN120227 SAVAGE HAWKMAN #7 $2.99

JAN120341 SCALPED #57 (MR) $2.99

DEC110306 SCOOBY DOO WHERE ARE YOU TP $12.99

JAN120342 SPACEMAN #5 (OF 9) (MR) $2.99

JAN120232 SUPERMAN #7 $2.99

JAN120278 TEEN TITANS #7 $2.99

JAN120324 UNCHARTED #5 (OF 6) $2.99

JAN120346 UNWRITTEN #35.5 (MR) $2.99

JAN120274 VOODOO #7 $2.99

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 28 2012

MARVEL COMICS

DEC110729 ANITA BLAKE VH CIRCUS DAMNED SCOUNDREL PREM HC BOOK 03 (MR) $19.99

JAN120764 ANITA BLAKE VH TP BOOK 02 CIRCUS OF DAMNED INGENUE (MR) $16.99

JAN120693 ASTONISHING X-MEN #48 $3.99

JAN120643 AVENGERS #24.1 $2.99

JAN120622 AVENGERS VS X-MEN #0 (OF 12) AVX $3.99

JAN120656 AVENGING SPIDER-MAN #5 WITH DIG CDE $3.99

JAN120673 CAPTAIN AMERICA AND BUCKY #628 $2.99

JAN120760 CAPTAIN AMERICA DEATH OF RED SKULL TP $29.99

JAN120706 DAKEN DARK WOLVERINE #23 $2.99

JAN120672 DAREDEVIL #10 $2.99

JAN120651 DARK TOWER GUNSLINGER WAY STATION #4 (OF 5) $3.99

JAN120713 DEADPOOL MAX 2 #6 (MR) $3.99

JAN120746 DEADPOOL PREM HC VOL 10 EVIL DEADPOOL $19.99

JAN120755 DEADPOOL TP VOL 08 OPERATION ANNIHILATION $15.99

JAN120740 FEAR ITSELF YOUTH IN REVOLT PREM HC $19.99

JAN120670 FF #16 $2.99

JAN120686 GHOST RIDER #9 $2.99

JAN128170 KICK-ASS 2 #7 (OF 7) BLANK COMIC OASIS VAR (MR) $4.99

JAN120752 LEGION OF MONSTERS TP $15.99

JAN120667 MIGHTY THOR #12 $3.99

JAN120727 MMW AVENGERS TP VOL 04 $24.99

JAN120728 MMW AVENGERS TP VOL 04 DM VAR ED 38 $24.99

OCT110703 MMW GOLDEN AGE YOUNG ALLIES HC VOL 02 $64.99

OCT110704 MMW GOLDEN AGE YOUNG ALLIES HC VOL 02 DM VAR ED 177 $64.99

JAN120676 MOON KNIGHT #11 $3.99

JAN120644 NEW AVENGERS #23 $3.99

JAN120761 OFF HANDBOOK OF MARVEL UNIVERSE A TO Z TP VOL 04 $19.99

DEC110695 POWERS PREM HC VOL 05 ANARCHY (MR) $19.99

JAN120744 SECRET AVENGERS RUN MISSION DONT GET SEEN SAVE WORLD $24.99

JAN120750 SECRET WARRIORS TP VOL 06 WHEELS WITHIN WHEELS $14.99

JAN120733 SHATTERED HEROES HC $19.99

JAN120679 SPIDER-MAN #24 $2.99

JAN120751 THUNDERBOLTS GREAT ESCAPE TP $19.99

JAN120689 TWELVE #11 (OF 12) $2.99

JAN120649 ULTIMATE COMICS ULTIMATES #8 WITH DIG CDE $3.99

JAN120701 UNCANNY X-FORCE #23 $3.99

JAN120688 WOLVERINE PUNISHER GHOST RIDER OFF INDEX MU #8 (OF 8) $3.99

JAN120704 X-MEN LEGACY #264 $2.99

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for March 28 2012

IDW PUBLISHING

JAN120448 COBRA ONGOING #11 $3.99
JAN120438 DOROTHY OF OZ PREQUEL #1 (OF 4) $3.99
DEC100416 GEORGE PEREZ ART OF S&N LTD ED HC $79.99
JAN120453 GI JOE 2 RETALIATION MOVIE PREQUEL #3 $3.99
NOV110333 HAWKEN #3 (OF 6) $3.99
JAN120398 INFESTATION 2 GI JOE #2 (OF 2) $3.99
DEC110422 MAGIC THE GATHERING #3 $3.99
JAN120467 STAR TREK ONGOING #7 $3.99
JAN120421 TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES ONGOING #8 $3.99
DEC110436 TORPEDO HC VOL 05 $24.99
JAN120459 TRANSFORMERS ROBOTS IN DISGUISE ONGOING #3 $3.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 28 2012

DARK HORSE COMICS

JAN120080 ANGEL & FAITH #8 REBEKAH ISAACS VAR CVR $2.99
JAN120079 ANGEL & FAITH #8 STEVE MORRIS CVR $2.99
JAN120072 BPRD HELL ON EARTH PICKENS COUNTY HORROR #1 (OF 2) CLOONAN $3.50
JAN120130 GAME OF THRONES CHARACTER MAGNET SET $8.99
JAN120090 IMMORTAL DEMON I/T BLOOD #4 $3.50
JAN120103 KING CONAN PHOENIX ON THE SWORD #3 (OF 4) $3.50
NOV110055 KUROSAGI CORPSE DELIVERY SERVICE TP VOL 12 (RES) (MR) $11.99
JAN128224 STAR WARS DAWN O/T JEDI FORCE STORM #1 2ND PTG $3.50

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 28 2012

IMAGE COMICS

JAN120575 ALPHA GIRL #2 (MR) $2.99
JAN120491 BLOODSTRIKE #26 CVR A BADILLA & SEELEY $2.99
JAN120492 BLOODSTRIKE #26 CVR B LIEFELD $2.99
JAN120582 BULLETPROOF COFFIN DISINTERRED #3 (OF 6) (MR) $3.99
SEP110454 CARBON GREY ORIGINS #2 (OF 2) CVR A NGUYEN (MR) $3.99
MAY100472 CHOKER #6 (OF 6) (MR) $3.99
NOV110373 COVER GIRLS HC (MR) $24.99
JAN120512 DARKNESS ACCURSED TP VOL 07 $19.99
OCT110542 ELEPHANTMEN #38 (MR) $3.99
DEC118207 FATALE #1 VAR CVR 4TH PTG (MR) $3.50
JAN128085 INVINCIBLE #89 VAR CVR 2ND PTG $2.99
NOV110462 MORNING GLORIES #17 (MR) $2.99
JAN120608 WALKING DEAD #95 (MR) $2.99

Comics and Magazines from Diamond Distributors for March 28 2012

PREVIEWS PUBLICATIONS
FEB120001 PREVIEWS #283 APRIL 2012 PI

COMICS
DEC111178 2000 AD #1769 $5.25

DEC111180 2000 AD #1771 SPECIAL $5.50

JAN121095 ABANDON THE OLD IN TOKYO TP (MR) $16.95

DEC111116 ANIMAL LAND GN VOL 04 $10.99

JAN120829 ARCHIE #631 $2.99

JAN121213 ASTERIX OMNIBUS HC VOL 04 $27.95

JAN121240 ATOMIC ROBO REAL SCIENCE ADV #1 $2.75

JAN120834 B & V FRIENDS DOUBLE DIGEST #223 $3.99

JAN121312 BAMBOO BLADE TP VOL 12 $11.99

AUG110803 BLACK CHARITY HC (MR) $19.95

JAN121314 BUNNY DROP GN VOL 05 $12.99

JAN121339 CHARMED #20 (MR) $3.50

DEC111078 CINEMA PANOPTICUM GN $16.99

JAN120883 CROSSED BADLANDS #2 (MR) $3.99

JAN120884 CROSSED BADLANDS #2 TORTURE CVR (MR) $3.99

JAN120885 CROSSED BADLANDS #2 WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99

JAN121010 DARK SHADOWS TP VOL 01 $16.99

JAN121171 DELTORA QUEST GN VOL 05 $10.99

DEC111007 FLASH GORDON ZEITGEIST #4 $3.99

JAN121158 FUN HOME TP (APR073757) $13.95

JAN120924 FUTURAMA COMICS #60 $2.99

OCT111177 GERONIMO STILTON HC BOX SET VOL 1-3 $29.99

DEC111260 GFT MYTHS & LEGENDS #14 A CVR GARZA (MR) $2.99

DEC111261 GFT MYTHS & LEGENDS #14 B CVR QUALANO (MR) $2.99

JAN120778 GONZO A GRAPHIC BIOGRAPHY OF HUNTER S THOMPSON $17.95

JAN121096 GOOD BYE TP (MR) $16.95

OCT111034 GREEN HORNET #23 $3.99

DEC111258 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #70 A CVR YANG (MR) $2.99

DEC111259 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #70 B CVR GARZA (MR) $2.99

DEC110914 HELLRAISER #12 (MR) $3.99

DEC111044 HOUSE OF ODD GN $10.99

JAN121315 IS THIS A ZOMBIE VOL 01 (MR) $11.99

DEC111262 JURASSIC STRIKE FORCE 5 #3 A CVR CACAU $2.99

DEC111263 JURASSIC STRIKE FORCE 5 #3 B CVR QUALANO $2.99

FEB121075 KNOWBODYS GN (RES) $8.99

DEC118184 LADY MECHANIKA #0 CVR H 4TH PTG (PP #1009) $2.99

DEC110796 LAST ZOMBIE NEVERLAND #2 (OF 5) $3.99

JAN120841 LIFE WITH ARCHIE #18 $3.99

JAN121316 MELANCHOLY OF SUZUMIYA HARUHI CHAN GN VOL 05 $11.99

JAN121317 PANDORA HEARTS GN VOL 09 $11.99

JAN121202 PAPERCUTZ SLICES BOX SET VOL 1-3 $19.99

DEC111029 PATRICIA BRIGGS ALPHA & OMEGA CRY WOLF VOL 01 #6 $3.99

JAN121094 PUSH MAN AND OTHER STORIES TP (MR) $16.95

JAN120780 RACHEL RISING TP VOL 01 SHADOW OF DEATH $16.99

JAN120981 ROGER LANGRIDGES SNARKED #6 $3.99

DEC111139 ROHAN AT THE LOUVRE HC $19.99

DEC111157 SHARKNIFE GN VOL 01 STAGE FIRST $11.99

DEC111158 SHARKNIFE GN VOL 02 SHARKNIFE ZZ $11.99

DEC111123 SHUGO CHARA CHAN GN VOL 03 $10.99

NOV110989 SINCEREST FORM OF PARODY SATIRICAL COMICS TP $24.99

JAN121239 SLAINE BOOKS OF INVASIONS TP (S&S ED) VOL 01 $19.99

NOV110716 SPACE MN GN (MR) $14.95

JAN121318 SPICE AND WOLF GN VOL 06 (MR) $12.99

JAN120993 TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #73 (MR) $2.95

NOV111117 TEZUKA DORORO COMP TP ED $24.95

JAN121040 VOLTRON #4 $3.99

NOV110894 WARLORD OF MARS DEJAH THORIS #11 (MR) $3.99

JAN121053 WARRIORS OF MARS #2 (MR) $3.99

MAGAZINES
JAN121420 CINEFEX #129 MARCH 2012 $12.50
FEB121277 FANGORIA #312 $9.99
FEB121311 GIRLS AND CORPSES MAGAZINE SPRING 2012 (MR) $8.95
FEB121233 JUXTAPOZ #135 APR 2012 $5.99
JAN121429 LOCUS #614 $6.95
JAN121359 NON SPORT UPDATE VOL 23 #2 $5.99
DEC111335 SF&F MODELLER PRES 21ST CENTURY MODELLER VOL 04 $27.99
NOV111240 SFX SPECIAL #54 $17.99