Savage Dragon #166 Promises Big Things

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

Image Comics has a secret... and that secret is the cover and contents of SAVAGE DRAGON #166

It's an event so unexpected -- so shocking -- that nothing will ever be the same. And we can't tell you a thing about it!

Prepare to have your senses shattered this Wednesday with the release of SAVAGE DRAGON #166 from Image Comics -- it's unlike anything you have ever read or imagined! Savage Dragon has reverted to his original identity, the evil Emperor Kurr, and...

...and...

...but that would be telling.

"There was a time when readers didn't know what to expect from the next issue of their favorite comic book," says Savage Dragon creator Erik Larsen, "There were no sneak peeks, no previews or online news sources spelling out, in excruciating detail, what was going to happen in the comic books that were going to be released -- and I think that's taken away a lot of the excitement of going to the comic book store. I want to bring that excitement back!"

Make no mistake: SAVAGE DRAGON #166 and #167 contain huge, cataclysmic Earth-altering events. Your mind will be blown! Your senses will be shattered! But just this once, we'd prefer not to spell out the how, when and why -- we'd prefer you find out about it in the pages of the comics themselves.

"Since stepping down from his roll as Publisher a couple years back, Erik has quietly been producing one of the most uncompromising comics on the market," adds Image Comics Publisher Eric Stephenson. "Where a lot of comics offer the illusion of change, SAVAGE DRAGON has continued to push boundaries and the events of these two issues take Erik's forward-looking approach to its ultimate conclusion. If you've ever been interested in this title, you definitely do not want to miss these two issues."

SAVAGE DRAGON #166 (SEPT100496), a 32-page full-color comic book for $3.50, will be in stores November 24, 2010. SAVAGE DRAGON #167 (OCT100515) continues the shattering finale on December 22, 2010.


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 http://www.imagecomics.com/.

Papillon Butterfly Needs Bullet Wings

I read Papillon 5/6

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

Leroy Douresseaux on Radical Premiere's" Damaged/Hollow Point"

DAMAGED/HOLLOW POINT FLIPBOOK

RADICAL PUBLISHING

DAMAGED
CREATORS: Michael Schwarz and John Schwarz
WRITER: David Lapham
ARTIST: Denis Calero
COVER: Alex Maleev

HOLLOW POINT
CREATOR: Ron L. Brinkerhoff
WRITER: David Hine
ARTIST: Elia Bonetti
PAINTS: Ong Chew Peng
COVER: Tamas Gaspar
28pp, Color, $1.00

Radical Publishing has published a preview of two upcoming series as a “flipbook” under the Radical Premiere imprint. Damaged is a crime comic created by Michael Schwarz and John Schwarz of Full Clip Productions, a venture with actor Sam Worthington (Avatar).

According to Radical, Damaged focuses on “two brothers committed to justice in different ways – one inside the law, one violently beyond it.” The 12-page preview of Damaged introduces Capt. Frank Lincoln, who, while investigating a slaughter of Russian mobsters, discovers that a ghost from his past may be behind the massacre.

The second preview is of Hollow Point, a crime comic created by screenwriter Ron L. Brinkerhoff (the Kevin Costner-Ashton Kutcher film, The Guardian). Hollow Point focuses on an assassin who survives a near fatal gunshot and according to Radical, “…begins to experience disturbing visions from beyond the grave. He soon realizes the bullet meant to kill him has opened a third eye into the spirit realm.” None of that happens in this 12-page preview.

Both series are intriguing, which I think is the whole point of these “Radical Premiere” comic books – pique the interest of as many readers as possible. At the cover price of $1, readers can discover a title they might like, especially if they are fans of a previewed title’s genre, for little financial risk. Radical Publishing is certainly good at genre, for instance, matching a quality crime writer with an artist whose graphic style and storytelling is ideal for crime comics.

Honestly, I will probably read Hollow Point… because I’ll probably get a review copy. I wouldn’t seek it out otherwise, although I am intrigued by what I read. Damaged, however, I am ready to read now (although it isn’t due until next summer). It looks like a gritty, brutal, violent tale with some elements similar to The Punisher. I like how the dialogue colors some of the characters as cruel and cynical. The art by Dennis Calero is solid, but I like how Calero twists and distorts the faces and figures to embellish mood and character.

In the final analysis, Damage/Hollow Point successfully previews two new crime series that intrigue.

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CLiNT #1 Goes Back to Press with New Cover

MARK MILLAR’S CLiNT #1 SELLS OUT, SECOND PRINTING ANNOUNCED BY TITAN!

 

The first issue of Mark Millar's brand new comic anthology, CLiNT, has sold out! To meet retailer demand, Titan publishing has announced a second printing with a fabulous new Kick-Ass cover, that is sure to become a collector’s item.

CLiNT is the brand new 100-page monthly magazine from Kick-Ass creator Mark Millar and leading entertainment publisher Titan, showcasing brand new comics alongside news, features and interviews, with a mix of celebrity contributors and hot new talent.

CLiNT #1, which launched early September, boasting the first-look at Mark Millar and John Romita Jr.'s Kick-Ass 2, has flown off shelves. This first hit issue also includes the start of Nemesis, by Millar and Steve McNiven, and sees two of the UK’s most outspoken TV personalities present their comic debuts.

Turf, by Jonathan Ross and acclaimed artist Tommy Lee Edwards, mixes vampires, aliens and gangsters in a slick period thriller. While Rex Royd, by comedian Frankie Boyle, introduces “The Renaissance Man of Madness” in a spectacular supervillain strip.

Retailers will be able to order copies of the second printing of CLiNT #1 with this fabulous new Kick-Ass cover from this weeks PREVIEWS Plus and December’s Diamond PREVIEWS. For more information visit www.previewsworld.com.

Orders for CLiNT issue #6, which includes the latest installment of Kick-Ass 2 is also listed in December’s Diamond PREVIEWS and retailers are advised to increase their orders to meet the anticipated demand.

For more information on CLiNT, visit: http://www.clintmag.com/

CLiNT #1 trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCRL5PLM7Yo

Connect with CLiNT: http://www.twitter.com/CLiNTmag and http://www.facebook.com/CLiNTmag

Li'l Depressed Boy Begins in February from Image Comics

BETWEEN A (LI'L DEPRESSED) BOY AND A GIRL

 

Image Comics collects cult favorite web series this February

 

He found a home first on the Internet. Now, Li'l Depressed Boy comes to print with LI'L DEPRESSED BOY #1, out this February from Image Comics.

LI'L DEPRESSED BOY follows the adventures of a ragdoll as he goes about his ordinary life. In the first issue, Li'l Depressed Boy meets girl, with all the romantic and stylish lovelorn charm that characterizes movies such as (500) Days of Summer.

The cult favorite web series was created in 2005 by S. Steven Struble, a comic colorist (CHEW, Kick Drum Comix) and nationally competing slam poet, who continues to write the series. Early Li'l Depressed Boy strips were drawn by comics luminaries such as Sam Keith (THE MAXX), Jamie McKelvie (PHONOGRAM), Jim Mahfood (MIXTAPE), and more. Sina Grace took over art duties on the acclaimed web comic in 2008. His illustrations can be seen in various publications, most recently in Among the Ghosts, a young adult novel written by Amber Benson (Tara on Buffy the Vampire Slayer).

"The Li'l Depressed Boy comes from so many personal experiences, which I think correlates to why people relate to the story," says Struble. "We've all been that quiet person who can barely muster a smile. With Sina as the regular artist and our first story arc together under the Image 'I,' it's a dream come true."

Adds Grace, "When I started drawing the Li'l Depressed Boy, I was so excited to be collaborating with someone who wanted to tackle comics the same way I did: with earnestness, fun, and a touch of self-deprecation. After all these years, I'm happy to say that the work we are presenting with Image Comics maintains those core values."

LI'L DEPRESSED BOY #1 (diamond code), a 32-page full-color comic book for $2.99, will be in stores February 9, 2011. Meet the Li'l Depressed Boy by visiting www.lildepressedboy.com.


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 http://www.imagecomics.com/.

Morning Glories #7 Begins New Story Arc

WORTH EVERY PENNY

 

Image Comics and Shadowline thank MORNING GLORIES fans with specially priced trade and price drop

 

The fans have spoken, making MORNING GLORIES a bestseller! Each issue of the series has been a sellout, and to thank fans, Shadowline and Image Comics are dropping the cover price from $3.50 to $2.99 with issue #7!

For those of you who may have missed an issue of the hit series -- written by Nick Spencer (FORGETLESS, EXISTENCE, SHUDDERTOWN) and drawn by Joe Eisma (EXISTENCE) with covers by Rodin Esquejo -- Image is also releasing the first trade for the special introductory price of $9.99! The trade collects the first six issues of the hottest series of the year and will be in stores February 16, 2011, one week before MORNING GLORIES #7.

"Issue 7 starts a new story arc, making it the perfect jumping-on point for new fans," says Spencer. "The combination of the specially priced trade and the lower price for issues is a boon, both for myself and the fans. I get to keep telling an electrifying story while fans get to enjoy all the thrills at a more affordable price!"

Adds Shadowline Publisher Jim Valentino, "We wanted to thank the dedicated fans of MORNING GLORIES for all their support. We wouldn't be able to drop the price of the comic if they hadn't embraced the series so whole-heartedly. So, thank you, and stay tuned for more twists as the Glories take on the Academy!"

Morning Glory Academy is one of the most prestigious prep schools in the country. But behind its hallowed doors, something sinister and deadly lurks. When six brilliant but troubled new students arrive, they find themselves trapped and desperately seeking answers in a place where nothing is what it seems to be!

MORNING GLORIES VOL. 1: FOR A BETTER FUTURE TP (DEC100470), a 192-page full-color graphic novel for the special introductory price of $9.99, will be in stores February 16, 2011. MORNING GLORIES #7 (DEC100486), a 32-page full-color comic for the new low price of $2.99, will be in stores February 23, 2011.


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 http://www.imagecomics.com/.

Leroy Douresseaux on After Dark #2

AFTER DARK #2

RADICAL PUBLISHING
CREATORS: Antoine Fuqua and Wesley Snipes
WRITER: Peter Milligan
ARTIST: Leonardo Manco
PAINTS: Kinsun Loh, Jerry Choo, Sansan Saw
LETTERS: Clayton Cowles
COVER: Francesco “Matt” Mattina
56pp, Color, $4.99

After Dark is a Radical Publishing comic book series created by director Antoine Fuqua (Training Day) and actor Wesley Snipes (Blade). This science fiction series is actually written by Peter Milligan (Hellblazer).

After Dark is set in the future on an Earth that exists in a state of near-perpetual darkness. Civilization is mostly confined to domed cities, with Solar City being the most populated. Some of the populace lives in a drug-addled stupor; others riot either because they have a cause or because they are bored. The rulers of Solar City decide that Angel, a messianic figure who hasn’t been seen in decades, can tame the populace. They enlist Omar, a Bedouin drifter, to guide a rag-tag team composed of specialists and known criminals into the wilds outside the city to find Angel.

After Dark #2 opens in the disastrous aftermath of Omar’s mission to save the ill Trooper Jones. Now, the Bedouin is left in the darkness with Ana, a femme fatale, and the gang brawler, “Monster” Monclare. The trio eventually rejoins the mission and the group resumes the trip to Angel’s last known location, Archipelago City, where they find more than they expected.

This second issue of After Dark is a much better read than the first. For one thing, Peter Milligan does something at which he is immensely good: write character drama for science fiction, fantasy, and horror, and After Dark is a blend of all three. Getting to know these characters makes the story a much better read, and, combined with the interesting plot twists and quirks, the characters make After Dark that much more attractive. As usual, anything drawn by Leonardo Manco is good graphical storytelling, and the paints by the team of Kinsun Loh, Jerry Choo, Sansan Saw bring out Manco’s best artistic traits.

Fans of post-apocalyptic science fiction comic books and Peter Milligan’s work will want to try After Dark.

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