Bomb Queen VI Returns in November

ALL HAIL THE QUEEN

Bomb Queen makes her irreverent return to Image Comics this fall

Just when you thought the streets were safe, Bomb Queen is back to make them dark and dangerous! Bomb Queen takes on the forces of good, confronting the president of the United States himself in BOMB QUEEN VI #2, in stores on November 24, 2010.

"Who better to take on the leader of the free world than Bomb Queen?" asks creator Jimmie Robinson. "She's the antithesis of Barack Obama. Bomb Queen will be the worst adversary the Obama administration ever faces!"

In BOMB QUEEN VI, Bomb Queen returns with new twists and mayhem when President Obama attempts to shut down her city of crime. Can Washington D.C. put the evil Queen back in the bottle, or will this be Obama's first comic book defeat? Don't miss the shocking reveal at the end of this issue!

BOMB QUEEN VI #2 (of 4), a 32-page full color comic book, will be in stores November 24, 2010. Catch up with the nefarious adventures of Bomb Queen with BOMB QUEEN OMNIBUST HC (MAY090313), BOMB QUEEN TP VOL 1: WOMAN OF MASS DESTRUCTION MAY061724, BOMB QUEEN TP VOL 02: QUEEN OF HEARTS (MAY071859), BOMB QUEEN TP VOL 03: BOMBSHELL (NOV072023), BOMB QUEEN TP VOL 04: SUICIDE BOMBER (FEB082126), and BOMB QUEEN TP VOL 05 BOMBASTIC (JAN092414).


Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.

Emitown Coming in October

DAILY WHIMSY

In October, Image Comics publishes the first collected work of fresh new talent Emi Lenox

Emi Lenox has taken diary comics to a whole new level with EMITOWN, a breathtaking series of vignettes that document the travails of daily life, from the mundane to the miraculous. Image Comics is proud to present the first EMITOWN collection, which will be available this October.

"EMITOWN was my challenge to draw everyday and also my way to record all the little moments that made me laugh, cry, or downright frustrated," says Portland, Oregon-based Lenox. "I never thought it would one day be a book, and I am so excited to work with Image to make it happen! EMITOWN feels right with Image."

"One of the things we pride ourselves on here at Image is seeking out new voices and giving them a chance to shine," adds Image Comics Publisher Eric Stephenson. "Writer Jamie S. Rich turned me on to Emi's work earlier this year, and I'm really pleased that we're able to expose her work to a wider audience. This is just the beginning for an extremely talented young cartoonist!"

In EMITOWN, Lenox brings you into her world with superb cartooning, a brilliant cast of characters, and an innocent perspective often left on the cutting room floor of other diary comics. With a broad range of styles, every day is an adventure, from a morning breakfast burrito to metaphoric tales of superheroes and battlefields of love. Emi proves that life is never dull in her first annual collection of EMITOWN!

EMITOWN, a 400-page two-color graphic novel for $19.99, will be available on October 27, 2010. For an advance look at Lenox's work, check out http://emitown.blogspot.com.

Some early praise for EMITOWN:

"EMITOWN is one of my favorite places to visit...I simply love the fresh energized pop that comes from Emi's work" - Mike Allred (Madman, IZombie)

"EMITOWN is the rare and charming comic that doesn't resort to nudity and misanthropy for its entertainment. It's just adorable" - David Hahn (Murderland, Bite Club, Fables)

"Emi can draw like nobody's business. Her style is fabulous!" - Jamie S. Rich (You Have Killed Me, Spell Checkers)

"Some of the nicest cartooning I've discovered in a long time" - Jeff Lemire (Sweet Tooth, Essex County)

"Emi Lenox misrepresented herself to me as someone who doesn't draw, when in fact she does. Really well, too. Good narcissism!" - Jeff Parker (Underground, Agents of Atlas, X-Men: First Class)


Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound, and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.

The Walking Dead "No Way Out" Teaser

I Reads You Review: AKIRA, VOL. 3

Creator: Katsuhiro Otomo; Yoko Umezawa, Linda M. York, Jo Duffy (translation and adaptation)
Publishing Information: Kodansha Comics, paperback, 288 pages, $24.99 (US), $28.99 CAN
Ordering Numbers: ISBN: 978-1-935-42904-3 (ISBN-13)

Kodansha Comics (through Del Rey Manga, apparently) recently released the third volume in their current English-language republication of Katsuhiro Otomo’s legendary manga, Akira. Just as the first two volumes did, Vol. 3 had me racing through nearly 300 pages of comics as if my life depended on it.

Originally published in the Japanese manga periodical, Young Magazine (from December 1982 to June 1990), Akira takes place in the year 2030 A.D. and is set Neo-Tokyo, the new city built upon the ashes of Tokyo. 38 years earlier, Tokyo was destroyed by a monstrous psychokinetic power known as Akira in a nuclear-like blast that also started World War III. Tetsuo Shima, a juvenile delinquent, begins to exhibit paranormal abilities, which brings him to the attention of The Colonel, the head of a covert government program that studies children with telekinetic powers. Tetsuo’s kidnapping thrusts his friend Shotaro Kaneda into this conspiracy.

As Akira, Vol. 3 opens, Akira, who actually a boy, is awake and is now the pawn in a deadly game of take-away. Kaneda, Rei the young resistance member and her associate, Chiyoko, rescue the boy from the clutches of Tetsuo, who awakened Akira in hopes of challenging his powers. Soon, however, other competing forces attain, lose, and regain the boy in a chase that culminates in a quite neighborhood, where a small war breaks out.

On the back cover of this third volume of Akira, there is a quote from comic book writer Warren Ellis (Red) that says, “Utterly unlike anything you’ve experience before.” A short sentence that speaks volumes of truth, that’s what it is. Praise Ellis! Testify!

There have been science fiction comic books with majestic art (like the works of French cartoonist/illustrator Moebius). There have been dystopian comics that are both great reads, highly acclaimed, and hugely influential (like American Flagg!, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, and Watchmen). They live in Akira’s shadow. The entirety of Vol. 3 is fantastic, but the last 60 pages have a visual power unparalleled in comic books. I think we would have to reference motion pictures in order to quantify Akira’s visual power. Right now, I’m thinking that this is the greatest comic book ever.

A+

Kristen Stewart Sells Out

"FAME: KRISTEN STEWART" BIOGRAPHY COMIC BOOK ALSO SELLS OUT IN ONE DAY

After yesterday¹s announcement of Bluewater Productions’ biography comic book on pop diva Lady Gaga selling out one day after its release, Fame: Kristen Stewart does the same even with an aggressive overprinting of the title.

As for a new printing, next month comes a giant sized flipbook with FAME: Kristen Stewart and FAME: Robert Pattinson. Both books will be printed in a 48-page comic book and have new material not seen before. The book can be ordered at comic book stores and Amazon by using the ISBN code 978-1-4507-0884-5.

Writer Kim Sherman, who has also penned Bluewaters' Robert Pattinson entry in the series, said that Stewart's versatility and talent might surprise readers who only know her as Bella.

"For Twilight fans, Kristen Stewart is a woman whom fans long to be and love to hate," Sherman said. "But Kristen has been in the public eye for years, and her career as a serious actor spans dozens of films over a 10-year period of time. My goal with this biography was to show readers the depth residing in this young woman and the roles she's beautifully tackled through a series of spot shots, pinups and word art."

Sherman added that the art on this book, provided by renowned DC/Wildstorm artist Warren Martineck, perfectly brings Stewart's story to life.

According to the distributor the Fame Taylor Swift should be sold out by the end of the week.

Fame offers a broad examination of strong and influential personalities who are influencing culture. In a review of the Gaga comic, the New York Times commented. "If you¹re going to start a line of biographical comic books devoted to "culturally relevant celebrities and pop-culture icons," Lady Gaga is probably a good choice to inaugurate the series."

Also next months are comic book biographies of Taylor Lautner, Justin Bieber and David Beckham. All of them are available for pre-order.


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

Bluewater aims to unite cutting-edge art and engaging stories produced by its stable of the publishing industry¹s top artists and writers.

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

"Brimstone and The Borderhounds" Arrive in October

Introducing “Brimstone and The Borderhounds” comic book launching this October

Is Brimstone and The Borderhounds yet another comic book to hit the stands? No. What actually makes this comic different than the others? Just about everything! For starters, co-creator William Kucmierowski better known by his professional wrestling stage name “Brimstone,” has been hands on with this project since day one. “We started moving on this project in 2005 and I refused to launch the title until it was nothing but perfect!” says Brimstone. “With more line-up changes than Spinal Tap; we have finally secured our dedicated team and are full steam ahead” says co-creator and lead writer, Marcello Carnevali.

Unlike many other brands today, the creative team behind “Brimstone and the Borderhounds” is a family. Brimstone is dedicated to giving opportunity to bright young undiscovered and up and coming talent. Just like in professional wrestling, music, film, radio etc. – there are millions of hopefuls who need that chance to shine. Well, the Borderhounds team does just that. “We have been working with penciler, Sajad Shah, since the conception of the title. He has got to be one of the most talented untapped resources in the entire industry!” says Brimstone. “Shah is the definition of the phrase, ‘Diamond in the Rough.’ Today, the internet is filled with so much media that it is hard to distinguish the good stuff from the junk.” says Carnevali. Inker Allen ‘Vandal’ Chickering is certainly no newcomer to the comic book industry and has become a serious asset to the creative team. The team recently welcomed their newest addition, Thiago Castro, who has taken the reigns of colorist and lettering duties. “Castro’s take on the ‘Hounds color scheme is like a dark twisted carnival for the eyes! The entire team is excited to have him working with us!” says Brimstone. “Brimstone and The Borderhounds” offers a refreshing independent feel with a professional edge which helps this title stand out. Plans for special guest appearances are already under way kicking off with Robb Demarest of the Syfy Channel’s, “Ghost Hunter’s International.” “Considering we share a similar audience, we feel that utilizing Robb in our story arc will garner interest with fans who are interested in life after death” says Brimstone.

With an Xbox LIVE video game already in production via SGN Games, discussions for a potential animated series and plans to expand into Television and Film in the future; the “Brimstone and The Borderhounds” brand is well on its way to making serious waves and seeking out their rightful place amongst the iconic super-hero elite!

Series Synopsis:
To many, Hell is a place of demons and fire. The place where all evil souls go to be tortured for the rest of eternity; and Heaven is the place where good people go to eat ice cream and float on clouds. Unfortunately, it's all a load of crap. Hell is just a place in another reality, like Long Island but not as annoying. A floating hunk of existence filled with barren wastelands and a single major metropolis spanning 1,000 times the size of New York City. When you die, good or bad, you might come here. It turns out that the natural cycle of existence is to just bounce around realities after the physical vessel dies. Physics dictates that energy cannot be destroyed just changed, so we are born, we live, we die and we go to another reality. Whether Hell, Heaven, Nirvana, Hades, Elysium or any other; everyone that has ever died, ever, in any world in our universe goes somewhere. Those unlucky enough to surf the inter-dimensional nexus and end up in "Hell" are brought to a city where the gate reaches over a mile height, not to keep anyone out, but to keep everyone in. The powers that are have bought into the myth of Hell, and have created a large corporate empire for the sole purpose of obtaining the most precious commodity known, Souls. Souls that arrive (the ones that don't get plucked by other competing corporate realities) are processed and sent to their containment facilities to be put into the Slave labor force. Just like any third world country on the closed border of better places, where there is only the rich elite and the extremely destitute (i.e. souls that end up there), there is a considerable black market operation for smuggling souls out of "Hell" and back to respective points of origin or to a higher paying competitor. Because of this, "Satan"(One of the original inhabitants of Hell, a former janitor, who has taken his position WAY too seriously), has created The Department for Retrieval and Prevention; a police unit to capture "Weepers" (named because most souls just moan and cry that they don't belong there) and "Kittens" (natives of "Hell" who rebel and leave illegally because it's "not cool", "phony", or "full of bad people"). Serving the offices of the DRP, are small independent units of free-lancers, known as Borderhounds. They patrol the borders, sit in their trucks and drink beer, occasional shoot something, and are tasked with picking up targets in the Wasteland or even our reality if they have escaped that far.

Enter Brimstone, a Half-Demon/Half-Human son of a Janitor of Demonic Forces. Brimstone is married with two kids and spends his days patrolling the border, drinking, and trying to get his wife to put out. He hates coming into our reality for retrieval or shopping because he doesn't "get it". He just likes to hang out in the wastelands with his staff, which consists of two huge Mexican brothers Dawg (the beer guzzler) & Luscious (who enjoys wearing feather boas and Elton John Sunglasses) who both share his affinity for alcohol and hunting. Unfortunately for this squad of Borderhounds, they have a lot to contend with, as well as competing with other units constantly wanting to see them destroyed. New rival corporations are always trying to sabotage "Hell's" work, and now factions of Weepers and Kittens are trying to bring the worst of their ranks into common reality in order to lure poor and unsuspecting Retrievers into the open. A type of Cold War style corporate espionage has emerged in "Hell" as well as other realities (where the sun doesn't shine). Agents from all sides constantly war with each other trying to claim high-profile targets and destroy the others' ability to function. Brimstone's hybrid nature makes him a big target and a tough nut to crack, but he manages to kick ass with his "Taco Talent", Dawg & Luscious. But within the shadows, forces are conspiring to bring about the destruction of the fabric of reality. And soon, Brimstone and his squad of Borderhounds will find themselves knee-deep in a plot to unravel the very fabric of existence itself with Brimstone as the key to saving or damning us all.

The Borderhounds team is proud to announce that they are aiming to launch their initial four part series on October 31st, 2010. “We are yet to decide on any specific publisher considering we want to be sure that whomever we get into “bed” with is going to show us as much love as we are going to show them” says Brimstone.

Keeping with his stand on supporting independent talent; Brimstone has launched a contest calling for musicians from all genres to submit their tracks for WHELL. WHELL will be an online radio station (straight out of the pages of the comic) spinning hand chosen unsigned acts twenty-four hours a day. The top twenty semi-finalists will be voted on via The Borderhounds website and the finalists will find themselves on a “Borderhounds Soundtrack” that will be released on iTunes. Brimstone says, “We are looking to give as many young hopefuls the exposure they need to succeed in their profession. At least we think it’s a cool idea!”

For more information about the Borderhounds brand please visit the Official Website at http://www.theborderhounds.com/ or any of our homes on social media.

Brimstone Publicity Department
http://www.entrancetohell.com/
http://www.theborderhounds.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Borderhounds/150063445005221
http://www.myspace.com/theborderhounds
http://www.twitter.com/theBORDERHOUNDS
http://www.thebrimstoneroast.com/
http://www.myspace.com/entrancetohell
http://www.facebook.com/entrancetohell
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brimstone_(wrestler)
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2620244/
http://www.twitter.com/entrancetohell
http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/1622-brimstone

Welcome to "I Reads You" September 2010

Welcome to I Reads You, my blog about the things I read (mostly comic books, comics, and related books) and about the things I come across worth reading (mostly about comic books, politics, and entertainment). Sometimes I’ll comment on “real” books and the mass media.

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

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