I Reads You Review: BLADE #12

BLADE (2006) #12
MARVEL COMICS

WRITER: Marc Guggenheim
ARTIST: Howard Chaykin with Gene Colan
COLORIST: Edgar Delgado
LETTERS: VC’s Rus Wooton
COVER: Marko Djurdjevic
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S., $3.75 CAN

“A Stake Through the Heart”

Back in 2006, Marvel Comics launched a new comic book series starring Blade, their vampire hunter who first appeared in the 1970s horror comic book series, The Tomb of Dracula (#10, July 1973). The character would go on to be the star in a trio of films, beginning with Blade (1998) and starring Wesley Snipes as Blade.

This Blade comic book series, which ran for 12 issues, was written by screenwriter and television writer-producer, Marc Guggenheim. It was drawn by Howard Chaykin, an industry legend and veteran writer/artist best known for the highly influential 1980s comic book, American Flagg! Guggenheim’s take on Blade was closer to the character in the comic books than the one in the movies, and much of this series focused on the early years of Blade’s mission as a vampire hunter extraordinaire.

Blade #12 finds Blade at Castle Dracula in a face off with his biological father, Lucas Cross, a vampire. Lucas, the head of the mysterious Order of Tyrana, intends to force Blade to fulfill a prophecy that would restore the souls of all living vampires. Blade knows, however, that not having a soul is the only weakness that vampires have. Blade’s colleague and friend, vampire detective Hannibal King, is desperate to have his soul back and has sided with Lucas. Everything is against Blade, and it gets worse. His greatest adversary has returned. Also, the story goes back in time to the most crucial mission of Blade’s young career, the one that made him the vamp-killing man he is today.

This Blade series ended by seemingly giving Blade a new future. Since its publication, Blade would go on to be a supporting character and team member in the short-lived Captain Britain and MI: 13 (a series that I absolutely did not like). He’s even a black sheep-like character in the recently launched Ultimate Avengers.

I do miss this series, primarily because I am a huge fan of the character. I also liked the fact that each issue offered a self-contained story, except for the final two issues, which are apparently connected in order to close out the series. As much I liked this series, however, I think that it barely scratched the surface of Blade’s potential. Comic book publishers are currently quite impressed with the idea of hiring television scribes to write comic books, and have been for most of this past decade – especially those who have worked on serial dramas or on genre series (particularly crime or weird/fantasy series).

There are probably advantages to hiring screenwriters (mastery of story structure? reputation? name recognition?), but I wonder if imagination is one of those advantages. Do Hollywood types bring the kind of creativity and unique vision to comics that dedicated comic book writers do? Once again, as much as I enjoyed this Blade series, Guggenheim’s work was not nearly as imaginative and as fun to read as the work Chris Claremont and Marv Wolfman did on this series four decades ago.

It is too bad that Claremont and Wolfman are not now writing a Blade comic book. Speaking of classic Blade creators: Blade #12 has art by Blade’s co-creator, artist Gene Colan.

Dark Horse Comics News: Baltimore Collection Sells Out

BALTIMORE: VOLUME 1 - THE PLAGUE SHIPS SELLS OUT

June 8, MILWAUKIE, OR: In another amazing show of demand for Dark Horse Comics, Baltimore: The Plague Ships has completely sold out of its entire first printing!

A second printing is fast on its way! This phenomenal hardcover collects issues #1-#5 of the miniseries and features an extensive sketchbook section.

Written by masters of macabre Mike Mignola & Christopher Golden, this is a book not to be missed!


About The Plague Ships:
After a devastating plague ends World War I, Europe is suddenly flooded with vampires. Lord Henry Baltimore, a soldier determined to wipe out the monsters, fights his way through bloody battlefields, ruined plague ships, exploding zeppelins, and submarine graveyards, on the hunt for the creature who’s become his obsession.

Hurry now to your local comics retailer and grab a 1st edition before they’re gone for good! Also, Baltimore: The Curse Bells #1 will be released August 10th, keep a look out!

About Dark Horse Comics
Since 1986, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way, and comics legend Will Eisner, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as the Mask, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Additionally, its highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Emily the Strange, Tim Burton, Trigun, Serenity, and Domo. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic-book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading publishers of licensed comics material.

"Hellboy: The Fury" Comes with Retailer Incentive

DARK HORSE ANNOUNCES ANOTHER BIG RETAILER INCENTIVE FOR HELLBOY: THE FURY

JUNE 8, MILWAUKIE, OR—Following the first issue of the game-changing arc in the Hellboy series, Dark Horse wants to prepare retailers for the full run of a series they won’t want to miss! Bringing an epic conclusion to the story line that began in Darkness Calls back in 2008, Hellboy: The Fury will change the Hellboy universe forever!

Dark Horse will offer up an ultra-rare, exclusive variant cover of the third issue for any retailer whose order numbers for issue #3 match their order for issue #1. These are guaranteed to be one of the most sought-after covers in the history of the series!

“Dark Horse is proud of the long-standing relationships we’ve built with our partners in the comics market,” said Dark Horse’s VP of Marketing, Micha Hershman. “We’re proud to have worked with so many of those retailers to establish incentives with low thresholds for participation, that are easy to understand, that are gimmick free, and that focus on titles that matter.”

Detroit Metal City vs. God

I read Detroit Metal City, Vol. 9

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

More DWI Hijinks

OK.  Abbeville, Louisiana - last weekend (around June 4th).  52-year-old Gregory Menard attempts to pass several vehicles in a curve "clearly marked as a no passing zone."  Menard's vehicle slammed head on into a car driven by 23-year-old Emily Landry of Lafayette.

Menard sustained moderate injuries in the crash, but a passenger in his vehicle, Gregory's brother, 55-year-old Kenneth Menard of Abbeville, was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle.  Kenneth was pronounced dead at the scene.

From The Advertiser:  Trooper Stephen Hammons, a public affairs officer for the Louisiana State Police, said in a news release Menard was suspected of being impaired and was placed under arrest for DWI 4th offense, passing in a no-passing zone, vehicular homicide and vehicular negligent injury.

4th offensive DWI.  Hmmm.  I wonder if Gregory Menard had to inform his neighbors of his presence in the neighborhood?

Warner Bros. Wants You to Join the Green Lantern Corps

Secret Locales Illuminated by “Green Lantern” Symbol Will Recruit Fans in 11 North American Cities to Join the Corps

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In celebration of the June 17th theatrical release and big-screen debut of the popular superhero “Green Lantern,” Warner Bros. Pictures will electrify 11 North American cities on Monday, June 13, encouraging people to Join the (Green Lantern) Corps. Markets include: Los Angeles, New York City, Vancouver, San Diego, Miami, Atlanta, Cleveland, Kansas City, Sacramento, St. Louis, and New Orleans, where the film was shot.

To Join the Corps, fans will be invited to decipher local clues leading them to a secret location where the “Green Lantern” symbol will be projected from dusk until midnight. Those attending the events, sponsored by Kodak, will have the chance to win fantastic prizes, including an opportunity to be among the first to see the film at local preview screenings, limited edition T-shirts, light-up “Green Lantern” rings, “Green Lantern: Emerald Knights” Blu-ray combo packs and more. And some people who are photographed with the projected symbol behind them will have their photos posted on the movie Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/greenlanternmovie. Select markets will also give people the chance to record the “Green Lantern” oath which will be added to the Infinite Oath app on the movie website: http://www.greenlantern.com/.

“Green Lantern” opens in theaters nationwide in 3D and 2D on Friday, June 17, 2011. The film has been rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action.


ABOUT “GREEN LANTERN”
In a universe as vast as it is mysterious, an elite, powerful force has existed for centuries. Protectors of peace and justice, they are called the Green Lantern Corps. Warriors sworn to keep intergalactic order, each Green Lantern wears a ring that grants him the ability to create anything his mind can imagine. But when a new enemy called Parallax threatens to destroy the balance of power in the Universe, their fate and the fate of Earth lie in the hands of their newest recruit, the first human ever selected: Hal Jordan.

Bringing the enduringly popular superhero to the big screen for the first time, “Green Lantern” stars Ryan Reynolds in the title role, under the direction of Martin Campbell. Campbell directed the film from a screenplay by Greg Berlanti & Michael Green & Marc Guggenheim and Michael Goldenberg, story by Greg Berlanti & Michael Green & Marc Guggenheim, based upon characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The film also stars Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard, Mark Strong, Angela Bassett and Tim Robbins. “Green Lantern” was produced by Donald De Line and Greg Berlanti. Herbert W. Gains and Andrew Haas served as executive producers, with Lucienne Papon and Geoff Johns co-producing.

One Piece Paramount War

I read One Piece, Vol. 57

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