Bluewater Comics for May 2010

Press release from Bluewater Comics:

Bluewater Solicitations May 2010


FAME: Robert Pattinson
Author(s): Kim Sherman
Artist(s) : Nathaniel Ooten
Cover Artist(s): 2 cover by: A: JUANMAR STUDIOS B: Paul Andrew Manton

Though his star meter skyrocketed with the global sensation, “Twilight”, Robert Pattinson's ability and dedication to acting has him poised for lasting success beyond the series of vampire flicks. Unlike a simple chronological biography, this FAME book uses an ambrosial, sensory approach to deconstruct each of Robert Pattinson's roles.

Rock & Roll Comics: Pink Floyd
Writer: Spike Steffenhagen, Jay Allen Sanford
Pencils Ken Landgraf
Cover Artist(s): cover: Steve Byrant

As showcased in Pink Floyd's own official CD box set Shine On, the Pink Floyd Experience comics chronicle rock's most enigmatic psychedelic warriors, from their early dayz with stoner icon Syd Barrett, through their split and later reformation. Art and story by Ken Landgraf (Wolverine, Hawkman, Nightwing & Flamebird, etc.), Spike Steffenhagen (Children of the Grave), Jay Allen Sanford (Overheard in San Diego), and more, the collection also includes update material, bringing the saga up to 2010.

Judo Girl: The Beginning: graphic novel
Author(s): Terrance Griep
Artist(s): Nadir Balan
Cover Artist(s): Nadir Balan

The hot selling title from Bluewater is coming back next month, so get caught up in this groovy graphic novel. Judo Girl is a woman on a mission: after having spent 40-years in suspended animation, she searches for her missing brother. And Captain Steel hasn't exactly spent the last four decades collecting rust either. Indeed, his awful plans are about to solidify on a worldwide scale. On the flip side is a retro story set during the era of go-go boots and slot cars revealing the secret origin of the original Steel Ray! Martial art meets pop art; both the modern story and the retro story tie in together for one fantastic adventure.

Atlas the graphic novel
Writer: Dan Rafter
Pencils: Erik Thompson
Cover Artist(s): cover: Erik Thompson

After commanding the Titans in their war against the Olympians, Atlas was forced to hold up the heavens on his shoulders. His life was a tragic story of a lone God fighting boredom on Mount Olympus. However, monitoring the earth from above, Atlas watched Earth change and the emergence of super powered beings donning capes and tights. Growing restless and craving adventure, Atlas decided to take the world in his hands and becomes one of the Earth's newest heroes. Learning the superhero game is not going to be easy for him as Atlas fights against one of the oldest superpowers in history.

Twilight Unbound: The Stephenie Meyer Story: graphic novel
Author(s): Ryan Burton and Darren G. Davis
Artist(s) David McNeil
Cover Artist(s): cover by: Vinnie Tartamella

From a dream to a string of best sellers to a successful movie franchise, Stephenie Meyer has captured the imagination of millions with her stories about a young girl and her vampire lover. Now the tables are turned as Stephenie Meyer becomes the featured protagonist in a special biography graphic novel. Twilight Unbound: Stephenie Meyer, released just in time for the upcoming movie sequel based on her book "Eclipse," examines her rise to popularity, her Twilight saga novels and her future plans. This book will also include the history of Forks; the Washington peninsula town where her stories take place as well as other bonus material not found anywhere else. Updated version from the Female Force series.

Roger Corman Presents: Battle Amongst The Stars #3
Writer: Martin Fisher
Pencils: Ben Hansen
Cover Artist(s): Ben Hansen

After escaping from the Malmori warship, Zed and Nell must now cross the deadly Lambda Zone, and pirates called The Jackers who reside there. Meanwhile at the Oztem planet, preparations begin for the final battle for possession of the Oztems replication technology. Some will live. And some will die.

The Claw and the Fang #2
Author(s): Mike Kutcher
Artist(s) Matias Basla
Cover Artist(s): 2 covers - all equal: A: Matias Basla B. Steven Babb

A warrior king will be reborn! Hunted to extinction by a renegade Demon, the Firewoman is the last of her kind. She survives driven only by the hope she can bestow her power upon the one person able to restore balance, but the one she seeks has given up on life in the real world preferring a virtual one.

Political Power: Al Franken
Author(s): Jerome Maida
Artist(s) Beniamino Bradi
Cover Artist(s): Deborah Max

Bluewater Productions spotlights one of the rising stars of American politics, Al Franken, in the latest edition of their increasingly popular line of biography comics. taught the importance of politics at a young age by his parents, this bio details Franken's journey from a comedian to political satirist to controversial author and radio host and ultimately to his current position as one of the most powerful people in Washington, D.C., where he is quickly gaining a reputation as the "new Lion of the Senate" and voice of a new generation and their issues in the U.S. Senate.

Vincent Price Presents: The Sacrifice #19
Writer: Mark Simon
Pencils: Ferran Sellares
Cover Artist(s): Ferran Sellares

The hit horror series, featured in Fangoria Magazine and Rue Morgue sets Vincent Price in a far off fantasy world. Danior has been convicted of a crime in which he must be tortured for his crimes while giving the ultimate sacrifice.

Logan's Run #5
Author(s): Paul Salamoff
Artist(s) Daniel Gete
Cover Artist(s): 2 covers: Daniel Gete & Greg Hiatt

A prisoner of his ex-partner Francis, Logan and Jessica are taken to Sanctuary to meet Ballard, but things aren't exactly what Logan anticipated and soon his quest for the destruction of the runner's haven comes in question as many of his beliefs are turned upside down. But is it too late for Logan to change his worldview especially when his past catches up to him?

Legend of Isis #13
Writer: Aaron Stueve
Pencils: ALESSANDRO CECCARELLI
Cover Artist(s): from famed manga artist Michael Shelfer

Optioned by Paramount Studios, Legend of Isis started at IMAGE COMICS and still going strong at Bluewater. When last we saw Isis she was flying away from Scott and her life in L.A. Don't expect to see her this issue! The ramifications from Isis' disappearance mount as Artemis, Valkyrie, and the others search not only for her, but Dr. Nefarious Love as well.

Tom Corbett: Space Cadet: Grpahic Novel
Writer: Bill Spangler
Pencils: John DaCosta
Cover Artist(s): cover: Chris Colhbert

The classic space heroes from the 1950s are back, with a new look but the same sense of high-spirited adventure. Tom, Roger and Astro, cadets at the 23rd-century Space Academy, uncover the threat of the One State, a robotic horde with a strange origin and an even stranger mission. Script by Bill Spangler (Alien Nation and Robotech); art by John DaCosta and an introduction by Jan Merlin, who played Roger in the original Tom Corbett, Space Cadet television series. If you missed the limited series last fall, don't miss this paperback collection.

FAME: Lady Gaga
Author(s): Dan Rafter
Artist(s) : Kristopher Smith
Cover Artist(s): cover by: 2 covers by: Paul Andrew Manton
1) Incentive cover by: JUANMAR STUDIOS

This new comic series has been featured in “Rolling Stone”, “E! Entertainment Television”, “Elle Magazine” and thousands more sites. Is it the costumes? The music? The voice? Maybe it's all that stage blood. Whatever the reason, Lady GaGa has become one of pop music's biggest stars. Bluewater Comics examines the impact Lady GaGa has on her growing legion of fans. Is there room for everyone in the Haus of GaGa?

William Shatner Presents: Man O' War #4
Writer: CJ Henderson
Pencils: Pat Broderick
Cover Artist(s): Pat Broderick

The final issue in this mini series. Benton Hawkes, barely escapes two more attempts on his life, only to discover that one of few people he has come to trust since leaving Earth is the main assassin assigned to kill him! Check out the new title from the mind of William Shatner.

Female Force: Charlaine Harris, author of the HBO cult series "TRUE BLOOD"
Author(s): Kim Sherman
Artist(s) Nathaniel Ooten
Cover Artist(s): cover by: Patricio Carbajal

The inspiration for the hit tv show “TRUE BLOOD” and with a writing career spanning nearly 30 years, the popularity of cozy mystery “with teeth” author Charlaine Harris soared when her popular Sookie Stackhouse novels spawned a new life as HBO's popular series, True Blood. This Female Force book showcases the personal obstacles through which Harris has triumphed, making her an ideal role model for teenage girls and women. Harris as interviewed for this special edition of Female Force. [END]

I Reads You Review: TACTICS, VOL. 8

Creators: Kazuko Higashiyama (story) and Sakura Kinoshita (art)
Publishing Information: TOKYOPOP; B&W, paperback, 190pp; $10.99 (US), $13.99 CAN, £7.99 UK
Ordering Numbers: ISBN-13: 978-1-4278-0200-2

Set during Japan’s Taisho period (1912-1926), the manga, Tactics, is the story of Kantarou Ichinomiya, a young folklorist who moonlights as an exorcist. Ever since he was a child, Kantarou has been able to see and talk to various youkai (spirits). As an exorcist, he should kill youkai, but he chooses to reason with them and even sometimes tricks them into doing his bidding.

Kantarou’s ultimate prize is Haruka, one of the legendary demon-eating tengu (winged men from Japanese folklore who are the strongest youkai). Haruka is a tall, beautiful male with large, angelic wings. Once Ichinomiya knew Haruka’s name, he had control over him. Now, Haruka is Ichinomiya’s somewhat reluctant sidekick, and the two debunk charlatans, aid troubled youths, and rescue enslaved spirits.

Tactics, Vol. 8 sees the “Chimera” story arc (Part III of the series) come to a conclusion. Raikou Minamoto, Kantarou’s main opponent, continues his plot to get Kantarou to break his contract with Haruka. That would free Haruko, making him a real demon-eating tengu, and worthy of being defeated by Minamoto, the head of the Japanese government’s Demon Extermination Squad. It’s Kantarou and Haruka versus Minamoto and his sidekick, Sakata, and Minamoto has plenty of tricks up his sleeve.

The main storyline is somewhat entertaining, if you can believe the various characters’ motivations. To me, the characters aren’t written and drawn as to convince readers that they’re that really interested in defending and fighting for the things they supposedly want. The best material in this volume is Record of One Hundred Goblins – Bedtime Stories. This is a series of short piece and short stories built around folktales: telling folktales, confronting creatures from folktales, or situations involving the supernatural. These are very entertaining and make this book worth having. Some of the stories remind me of Neil Gaiman’s stories in The Sandman. Fantasy readers looking for fairy tales, folktales, ghost stories, etc. will probably enjoy the second half of Tactics Volume 8.


Buy tactics Volume 8

Phantom Dream the Final Volume

I read Phantom Dream Volume 5

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin.  This is the final volume of the series.

Sonia Leong Talks "Aya Takeo"

Getting to know award-winning artist Sonia Leong of Aya Takeo Volume I


Aya Takeo Volume I artist Sonia Leong is a professional comic artist and illustrator specializing in the Anime/Manga style. Her first graphic novel was Manga Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet (SelfMadeHero).

Sonia's awards include Young Adult Library Services Association “2008 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers” and “Best Books for Young Adults 2008” for Romeo and Juliet; Winner in Tokyopop’s first UK Rising Stars of Manga competition (2005/06) and Winner in NEO Magazine's 2005 Manga Competition.

She contributed Siren to Comic Book Tattoo: Tales inspired by Tori Amos (Image Comics). She illustrates the Manga Life series of self-help comic books (Infinite Ideas), the first two titles being Find True Love and Be Creative. Her work also appears in the Domo: The Manga (Tokyopop/Big Tent).

Sonia has been involved in many instructional art books - she was the Lead Artist for the book Draw Manga (New Holland) by Sweatdrop Studios, a leading UK comic collaborative. Sonia is a core member of the group and her most recent works with Sweatdrop include Once Upon a Time..., and Love Stuffing vol.1.

She has exhibited artwork in venues such as the Kyoto International Manga Museum, London County Hall, London Cartoon Museum, Japanese Embassy, Manchester URBIS Centre and provided product demonstrations on behalf of Copic, Letraset and Wacom.

Sonia lives with her husband in Cambridge, U.K. and recently talked about Aya Takeo and her work:

Ques: What can you tell us about Aya Takeo?

SONIA: It's great fun -- a rollicking tongue-in-cheek sci-fi/fantasy love story in a period Japanese setting. Aya is a young maiden, a noblewoman and guardian of her city. Takeo is a warrior from lowlier beginnings. Takeo is deeply in love with Aya and wishes to protect her always. But fate forces them apart when an army of SpiderBot mechas descend on their planet, harvesting humans. When it looks like all is lost, Takeo forces Aya into a shelter, sacrificing himself, leaving Aya to horror and grief. Thus begins an epic of star-crossed love.

Ques: What makes the Aya Takeo manga unique?

SONIA: Above all, I think it is the focus on the love between Aya and Takeo that sets it apart from other anime/manga with a similar setting. There's plenty of adventure and some serious themes. But it's all wrapped up in good fun.

Ques: What are the major influences in your artwork?

SONIA: Aiming for a sense of grace and beauty, the group of artists called CLAMP really captured this and made a big impact on me when I was a child. Their series Magic Knights Rayearth was still being serialized in the magazine Nakayoshi, their chapter always stood out by a mile compared to the other contributions.

Since then, I've picked up a lot of other manga over the years - Rurouni Kenshin, Lament of the Lamb, Battle Vixens, MARS, Air Gear, IWGP. As you can see, a good mix of both shounen and shoujo titles!

Ques: Have you had formal training or did you learn illustration on your own?

SONIA: Quit Art and chose Drama and Music in 8th grade (is that right for Americans? When I was 13?) - I got sick of designing shoes and imitating Picasso for the whole year. I regret not sticking with it though, as I've had to self teach myself a lot of things, particularly stuff like anatomy, perspective and natural media techniques.

Ques: How did you develop your unique style?

SONIA: I think almost every artist feels their style ISN'T unique, or looks generic - it's a constant worry!

Because I'm a freelancer, I often adapt my style to suit whatever the client wants, so looking through my work throws up a real mix. However, most people have commented that my characters are known for their shoujo feel, with beautiful women and lots of long wispy hair. I have also been told that my page layout and panel flow is intuitive and smooth. How this occurred I'm not sure. Um, I like long hair, had it most my life? Page layout takes a huge priority for me and I do work hard on it. My style has pretty much developed over absorbing lots of info from many manga.

Ques: How did you happen to become a manga artist?

SONIA: Art was always a hobby for me, so I doodled a lot in my spare time. When I was younger, it was horses, wolves, dragons and sci-fi/fantasy stuff, then it became humans and manga as I got older. I always did a mix of both pin-up art and comic strips. In 2003 I started my first non-epic manga series (because EVERYONE starts off with an epic series that they're never going to finish, so they need to put that one to rest, then concentrate on something more smaller and achievable!) Once Upon a Time, a story of life's lessons for a group of schoolgirls in London suburbs.

With this comic, I joined Sweatdrop Studios, a UK manga collaborative. I improved my art over a couple of years and as Sweatdro gradually started becoming more well known, I was soon working with Sweatdrop on larger projects. In 2005, we were asked to write a how-to-draw Manga book, where I agreed to be the editor. My website was also bringing in lots of inquiries, so I decided to quit my job (I was working for an educational charity) and take the freelance plunge.

Ques: What can your Aya Takeo fans look forward to in the future?

SONIA: The web manga, ayatakeo.com, is coming to an exciting conclusion. As to print: Aya Takeo Volumes II and III are in the works.

Ques: What advice would you give an aspiring manga artist?

SONIA: Be prepared to work harder and longer than you have ever worked before. Market yourself. No one will hire you if they don't know you exist. Enter competitions, make tentative pitches, go to comic events with your portfolio and business cards. Showcase a range of different styles and subjects. DRAW BACKGROUNDS. Finish a comic, nothing speaks better to a publisher if you can give them a completed, printed comic to take home. Work with friends, join an on line community - having peers support you and give constructive criticism on your work can speed up your development greatly.

Ques: When you're not drawing, how do you spend your spare time?

SONIA: Spare time? Well... if I had more spare time I'd spend it reading manga, watching anime, playing video games, singing classical opera and j-pop. I love home baking and oriental cooking (Chinese, Thai and Japanese). Gothic, Lolita, Punk, Victorian fashions, and collecting weapons. [END]

I Reads You Review: GREEK STREET #2

DC COMICS/VERTIGO

WRITER: Peter Milligan
ARTIST: Davide Gianfelice
COLORS: Patricia Mulvihill
LETTERS: Clem Robins
COVER: Kako
32pp, Color, $2.99

Book One: Blood Calls for Blood, Part Two “Where Two Roads Meet Together”

Greek Street is a contemporary fantasy series from DC Comics’ Vertigo imprint, created by writer Peter Milligan and artist Davide Gianfelice. This ongoing series re-imagines the ancient Greek Tragedies, setting them on the streets of modern London, such as the real the Greek Street, in particular.

In Greek Street #2, the hero, Eddie (Oedipus), remains in hiding because he had sex with his mother and then murdered her. Meanwhile, London homicide Detective Inspector Daedalus continues his murder investigation. Eddie gets a break, of sorts, when the House of Furey hires him to keep an eye on an influential aristocrat, Lord Menon.

[This comic book also includes a preview of the Vertigo series, Sweet Tooth.]

I still think it is too early in the series for me to say much about about the story other than that in terms of quality, it reads quite well. I think that Greek Street is a good concept, and so far, both issues have had some funny, even clever moments. Still, I wonder if this series would even exist if it weren’t written by Pete Milligan. Would a publisher risk money on a slow-moving story in which the author is still hiding or holding back much of the current storyline for later issues?

Reading Greek Street’s first storyline or story arc, Blood Calls for Blood, as a trade collection (or graphic novel) will probably allow a reader to make the judgment of if Greek Street is as good as it is supposed to be. I feel a wait-for-the-trade-feeling coming on.

An "Our Kingdom" Extra

I read Our Kingdom - Arabian Nights (Yaoi)

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin.  Pretty art, but the story is soft.

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors February 17 2010

DC COMICS


DEC090264 AIR #18 (MR) $2.99

DEC090240 AUTHORITY THE LOST YEAR #6 (OF 12) $2.99

DEC090161 AZRAEL #5 $2.99

NOV090248 BALLAD OF A SHINIGAMI VOL 03 $9.99

DEC090155 BATMAN #696 $2.99

JUL090312 BATMAN BLACK & WHITE STATUE MARSHALL ROGERS $80.00

DEC090157 BATMAN STREETS OF GOTHAM #9 $3.99

DEC090231 BATMAN THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #14 $2.50

AUG090264 BLACKEST NIGHT SER 3 BLACK LANTERN AQUAMAN AF PI

AUG090265 BLACKEST NIGHT SER 3 GREEN LANTERN ARISIA AF PI

AUG090266 BLACKEST NIGHT SER 3 ORANGE LANTERN LARFLEEZE AF PI

AUG090267 BLACKEST NIGHT SER 3 STAR SAPPHIRE AF PI

DEC090140 BLACKEST NIGHT THE FLASH #3 (OF 3) $2.99

DEC090248 DANTES INFERNO #3 (OF 6) (MR) $3.99

NOV090173 DC UNIVERSE ORIGINS TP $14.99

NOV090175 FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH DANCE TP $17.99

DEC090249 FREE REALMS #6 (OF 12) $3.99

DEC090136 GREEN LANTERN #51 (BLACKEST NIGHT) $2.99

DEC090138 GREEN LANTERN CORPS #45 (BLACKEST NIGHT) $2.99

DEC090271 HELLBLAZER #264 (MR) $2.99

DEC090274 JOE THE BARBARIAN #2 (OF 8) (MR) $2.99

DEC090195 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #42 $3.99

NOV090180 KOBRA RESURRECTION TP $19.99

DEC090190 MAGOG #6 $2.99

DEC090250 MODERN WARFARE 2 GHOST #3 (OF 6) (MR) $3.99

DEC090160 OUTSIDERS #27 $2.99

DEC090191 POWER GIRL #9 $2.99

OCT090253 STARMAN OMNIBUS HC VOL 04 $49.99

DEC090171 SUPERGIRL #50 (NOTE PRICE) $4.99

DEC090175 SUPERMAN BATMAN #69 $2.99

DEC090252 SUPERNATURAL BEGINNINGS END #2 (OF 6) $2.99

NOV090251 TALE OF AN UNKNOWN COUNTRY VOL 02 $9.99

DEC090233 TINY TITANS #25 $2.50

NOV090250 VENUS IN LOVE VOL 08 $9.99

JUL090328 WOMEN OF THE DCU SERIES 3 HIPPOLYTA BUST $60.00