Friday, December 17, 2010

I Reads You Review: KUROZAKURO, VOL. 1



Creators: Yoshinori Natsume with Camellia Nieh (translation)
Publishing Information: VIZ Media, B&W, paperback, 200 pages, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN
Ordering Numbers: ISBN: 978-1-4215-3659-0 (ISBN-13)
Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”

Kurozakuro is a shonen manga from Yoshinori Natsume, the creator of the manga, Togari, and the writer/artist of Batman: Death Mask. Kurozakuro is about a boy who is bullied in school until fate brings him strange, new, and even dangerous powers.

In Kurozakuro, Vol. 1, readers meet Mikito Sakurai, the school punching bag for all the delinquents on campus, who also manage to enrich themselves with Mikito’s allowance. The gentle and easygoing high school student does not feel like a victim, but soon, his tormentors will be his victim. After swallowing a mysterious orb, Mikito meets Zakuro, a strange kid who offers to grant Mikito’s most heartfelt desire. When he chooses being stronger, Mikito inadvertently changes his life, but he also endangers his own life and the lives of all those around him.

This will sound strange, but the whole time I read Kurozakuro I kept thinking about Steve Ditko. It is as if Natsume borrowed from Ditko comics or were inspired by them. The trials and tribulations of Mikito as a bullied kid are reminiscent of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko’s Peter Parker of The Amazing Spider-Man, especially the early issues. The swallowing of the orb to gain powers is similar to Ditko’s DC Comics’ character, The Creeper, as is the design of the ogre child, Zakuro. The parts of the story that take place in Mikito’s dreams and the design of the ogres recall the visuals and graphics Ditko used in his Doctor Strange comics.

Beyond that, this is an excellent monster and quasi-superhero comic. It’s fun to read, and it has this dark, urban fantasy vibe this is quite attractive. Right now, it seems like a shonen manga to watch.

A-


Image to Release Comic Based on Metal Band, The Kill Corps



THE KILL CORPS SENT TO HELL IN 2011

Metal Band Debuts Comic Book And Album

SoCal metal band The Kill Corps is set to unleash its powerful debut album on Virgin Records in the summer of 2011. In bloody juxtaposition, they will bring their incendiary music to comics with the release of THE KILL CORPS, a one-shot from Image Comics that will hit shelves in March 2011.

Inspired by the music of The Kill Corps, a seasoned team of comic pros is behind the book: Award-winning comics scribe JIM KRUEGER (Earth X, X-Men) pens the enthralling tale, while Eisner Award winner BEN TEMPLESMITH (CHOKER, 30 Days of Night) and Society of Illustrator Award winner DENNIS CALERO (Cowboys & Aliens, Legion of Superheroes) provide the art and cover.

Marking the first time a band and music will be unveiled within a comic, the book will see release in two formats. The 32-page version includes a download code for the band's first single, "Save Me." The expanded 48-page version includes a download code for the four-track self-titled EP ("Save Me," "Sticks and Stones," "Crash Burn Die," and "Cannibal Romance"), concept art, and bonus images from Templesmith and Calero.

The band's ferocious debut from Virgin/EMI delivers brain-crushing drumming and mind-numbing guitar riffage, providing the soundtrack to The Kill Corps' blood-soaked tales. The vicious story behind the comic is born from The Kill Corps' notorious live show experience and gut-punishing debut album. Calero adds, "The Kill Corps' music is a demon straight from hell, snuggling up against you, wanting to tell you a secret, then screaming in your ear."

THE KILL CORPS follows a team of mercenaries who unwillingly become the instruments of destruction in an evil deity's plot to dominate mankind. Transported to a war-torn Hell dimension, the team must fight their way through every brutal era in human history to gain their freedom and save humanity.

"I rarely get the opportunity to go as dark and crazy as I did on Kill Corps," explains Krueger. "If I were you, I would check this out with an extra pair of pants handy, ‘cause it'll scare the $#!+ out of you!"

THE KILL CORPS, a full-color one-shot from Image Comics, will be on shelves March 16, 2011, in two formats: a 32-page version for $2.99 that features a download code for the band's first single and a 48-page version for $5.99 that features a download code for the band's four-song EP.

The Kill Corps' single and self-titled four-song EP will also be available for purchase separately from the comic book beginning March 15, 2011, on iTunes, Amazon and all other DSPs.


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/.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

House of Five Leaves History

I read House of Five Leaves, Vol. 2

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


I Reads You Review: TONOHARU: PART TWO



Creator: Lars Martinson
Publishing Information: Pliant Press, hardcover, 2-color, 160pp, $19.95 (US)
Ordering Numbers: ISBN: 978-9801023-3-8 (ISBN-13)

Tōnoharu is a graphic novel series written and illustrated by Lars Martinson. The series follows the adventures of Daniel “Dan” Wells, a young American college graduate who moves to rural Japan to work as an assistant English teacher. Although there are other “foreigners” in the village of Tōnoharu, where Dan lives and works at the local school, he has a difficult time connecting with this expatriate community. Dan eventually meets Constance, a young American woman he likes very much, but she teaches in another town and seems to already have a boyfriend.

As Tōnoharu: Part Two opens, Dan has settled into his life as an assistant junior high school teacher. However, language and cultural barriers have isolated Dan from those around him, and his hopes for a relationship with Constance are dashed when he meets her boyfriend (of sorts), John Darley. Dan’s social life gets a big shakeup when he befriends Steven, an American working in Japan as an accountant. Steven is something of a Casanova, but with his encouragement, Dan does begin a relationship with another woman. Are these new relationships beneficial or detrimental?

While his narrative seems, on the surface, to be a quiet, sedate drama, Martinson makes sure that Tōnoharu burns on the fuel of relationship drama. Scenes that begin quietly suddenly pop with conflict and confrontation or even the exaltations of lovemaking. Martin finds energy simply in the humanity of his characters.

Martinson tells this story in graphics that he composes with tight crosshatching, art that can be compared to woodblock prints. It creates a texture that accentuates this narrative’s subdued emotional power. Tōnoharu’s unabashed love of human drama and relations, however, isn’t subdued, which is why Tōnoharu: Part Two, like the first book, is both a unique and engaging read.

A-


Eva Ink Publishing Announces New Book from the Wonderful Nick Cardy



Press release:

Available for Ordering: "Nick Cardy: The Artist at War"

I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am about this new book from Eva Ink Publishing--"Nick Cardy: The Artist at War."

Not only do I consider this book a wonderful tribute to legendary DC artist, Nick Cardy, but the historical significance is what I love as well. It's a part of all of our histories....

I've always been a World War II buff.

I was that weird kid in Jr. High and High School, who spent most of her time in the library, reading books about the African Campaign and the military strategy in Europe. Why, at Westlawn Jr. High, my 9th grade history project was editing, directing and compiling a 2 hour slide show on the "war to end all wars." I particularly enjoyed writing the script. A lovely lady -- a death camp survivor, whom I'm sure is long gone now.... provided some wonderful narration. I think my teacher, Coach McGregor, was blown away, and ended up keeping the project to show to later classes. I won the History Award that year. LOL

As you can see, I REALLY am, and have always been, fascinated by history.

So, it was no wonder that on a recent visit with Nick, when he brought out a little binder, about 3 inches thick, and invited me to take a look, I was blown away by what I saw--- original sketch after original sketch, chronicling Nick's time in the army during World War II-- from the time he was drafted, through basic, to being dropped, perhaps woefully unprepared, into out and out conflict and mayham!

And this was the original book!

I understood the significance of that... This was Nick's outlet during the war, to take himself out of whatever was going on around him. To chronicle his life with art, in lieu of a camera. His artist's eye WAS the camera. This was the book that was in his pocket during quiet times around a mess tent. This was the book that was in his pocket when buildings were exploding around him...This was the book that was with him when he watched friends die.

And it's all here...

It was a foregone conclusion. I HAD to do this book.

What I love about this project, as I'm sitting here holding the original binder, is how it unfolds like a movie... slowly... the day to day of basic training, the mundane acts of getting your hair cut, or washing your face to go to mass.... plopping down totally exhausted to sleep on a thin canvas cot--surrounded by people, but separated from those you love.... from there, the pages escalate to the young man being shipped overseas, and almost immediately being dropped into towns in Belgium enduring relentless shelling, enemy tanks approaching around the corner, buildings exploding like paper firecrackers, reduced to rubble....and finally, Nick's own exit from the war.

Long before Nick Cardy became lauded as one of the best cover designers to ever work in the comics industry, this was part of his story...

It is one man's journey....

I am so pleased to present this sketchbook in it's entirety, complete with Nick's own commentary, in a hardcover 6x9, 128 page book. Also included in the deluxe edition will be a 30 minute DVD interview with Nick talking about his experience.

In these pages, you can see the same attention to movement of the human body and knack for page design so apparent in all of Nick later illustration work.

So, I invite you to come on this journey--because again, that is surely what it is--one man's journey...during a horrible war...echoing perhaps the experience of millions.

Best,
Renee

Here is the Diamond Solicit for ordering:

"Nick Cardy: The Artist at War"
Hardcover
128 pages

Signed Edition with DVD:
978-1-4507-4725-7
$39.99

Sketch Edition with Original sketch by Nick Cardy and DVD:
978-1-4507-4726-4
$150

"Renowned cover artist and illustrator from DC Comic's golden years, Nick Cardy now in his 90's, has been drawing his whole life. And thank goodness for it, as he contributes now to not only our comics history, but to our history as a nation as well. Before beginning his career in comics post World War II, Nick was one of our young men shipped overseas to take part in the “war to end all wars.” Without benefit of a camera, Nick did what he did best-- carrying a sketchbook and documenting his time in the war from beginning to end. The humor and the horror. What we have at the end of the book, is a chronicle, one man's journey, that speaks for millions. Each sketch and painting accompanied by Nick Cardy's own commentary. A must have for fans of comic art and history as we hear it from the mouth of an industry legend, and see it with our own eyes."

This book can be ordered from Diamond directly or from Eva Ink Publishing: evaink@aol.com

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 15 2010

DC COMICS

SEP100247 BATGIRL THE GREATEST STORIES EVER TOLD TP $19.99

OCT100176 BATMAN #705 $2.99

OCT100180 BATMAN AND ROBIN #18 $2.99

OCT100184 BATMAN ORPHANS #2 (OF 2) $3.99

OCT100191 BIRDS OF PREY #7 $2.99

OCT100208 BRIGHTEST DAY #16 $2.99

OCT100259 DC COMICS PRESENTS BATMAN #3 $7.99

OCT100298 GEN 13 #39 $2.99

SEP100200 GREEN LANTERN #60 (BRIGHTEST DAY) $2.99

OCT100219 GREEN LANTERN EMERALD WARRIORS #5 (BRIGHTEST DAY) $3.99

OCT100221 GREEN LANTERN PLASTIC MAN WEAPON MASS DECEPTION #1 $4.99

DEC090324 HEAVENLY SWORD NARIKO AF PI

OCT100308 IDES OF BLOOD #5 (OF 6) $3.99

OCT100248 MIGHTY CRUSADERS #6 (OF 6) $3.99

SEP100253 REBELS TP VOL 03 THE SON AND THE STARS $17.99

SEP100255 SHOWCASE PRESENTS OUR ARMY AT WAR TP VOL 01 $19.99

OCT100243 SPIRIT #9 $3.99

OCT100202 SUPERGIRL #59 $2.99

OCT100198 SUPERMAN #706 $2.99

AUG100209 SUPERMAN SECRET ORIGIN DELUXE HC (RES) $29.99

SEP100259 TALES OF THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS TP VOL 03 $19.99

SEP100211 TIME MASTERS VANISHING POINT #5 (OF 6) $3.99

OCT100234 TITANS #30 $2.99

DEC090327 TWISTED METAL SWEET TOOTH AF PI

OCT100309 VICTORIAN UNDEAD II HOLMES VS DRACULA #2 (OF 5) $3.99

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 15 2010

MARVEL COMICS

OCT100566 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #650 BIG $3.99

OCT100574 AVENGERS ACADEMY #7 $2.99

OCT100578 AVENGERS VS PET AVENGERS #3 (OF 4) $2.99

OCT100586 BLACK PANTHER MAN WITHOUT FEAR #513 $2.99

OCT100582 CAPTAIN AMERICA MAN OUT OF TIME #2 (OF 5) $3.99

OCT100596 CHAOS WAR #4 (OF 5) $3.99

OCT100599 CHAOS WAR THOR #2 (OF 2) $3.99

OCT100712 EXILES ULTIMATE COLLECTION TP BOOK 06 $34.99

OCT100710 GENERATION X CLASSIC TP VOL 01 $24.99

OCT100615 IRON MAN LEGACY #9 $2.99

OCT100610 IRON MAN MAGAZINE #5 $6.99

SEP100642 LOKI #2 (OF 4) $3.99

OCT100666 NEW MUTANTS FOREVER #5 (OF 5) $3.99

OCT100580 OFF HANDBOOK MARVEL UNIVERSE A TO Z UPDATE #5 $3.99

OCT100701 RAWHIDE KID TP SENSATIONAL SEVEN $19.99

OCT100669 STRANGE TALES 2 #3 (OF 3) $4.99

OCT100631 THOR FIRST THUNDER #4 (OF 5) $3.99

OCT100619 THUNDERBOLTS #151 $2.99

OCT100632 TRON ORIGINAL MOVIE ADAPTATION #2 (OF 2) $3.99

OCT100658 UNCANNY X-FORCE #3 $3.99

OCT100694 UNCANNY X-MEN TP BIRTH OF GENERATION HOPE $16.99

OCT100638 WHAT IF SPIDER-MAN $3.99

OCT100648 WOLVERINE #4 $3.99

OCT100714 X-CAMPUS TP $19.99

OCT100660 X-FACTOR #212 $2.99

OCT100709 X-NECROSHA TP $34.99