Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 2, 2019

IMAGE COMICS
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Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 2, 2019

MARVEL COMICS

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Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for January 2, 2019

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

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BOOKS
SEP181991    STAR WARS ARCHIVES EPISODES IV VI 1977 1983 HC    $200.00
NOV181678    SWEET DREAMS SUPERGIRL BOARD BOOK    $7.99
SEP181992    WALT DISNEY MICKEY MOUSE COMP HISTORY HC    $200.00

Review: THE JETSONS #1

THE JETSONS No. 1 (OF 6)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Jimmy Palmiotti
ART: Pier Brito
COLORS: Alex Sinclair
LETTERS: Dave Sharpe
COVER: Amanda Conner with Paul Mounts
VARIANT COVER: Dave Johnson
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2018)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

“Meet the Jetsons”

“The Jetsons” was an animated situation comedy produced by Hanna-Barbera.  It originally aired during prime time from September 1962, to March 1963 for 24 episodes on ABC.  “The Jetsons” titular family was Hanna-Barbera's Space Age counterpart to “The Flintstones,” a TV series in which the family lives in a Stone Age-like world.  The Jetsons live in the futurist Orbit City, where the buildings hover far above the surface of Earth.

The family was George Jetson (the main character), a loving family man; Jane Jetson, George's wife, mother of their two children, and a homemaker; Judy Angela Jetson, their 16-year-old daughter and a high school student; Elroy Jetson, their highly-intelligent six and a half year old son.  The lead cast also included Rosie, the Jetsons' household robot, whom the family loves and will not replace although she is an outdated model.  Astro is the Jetsons' family dog and is Elroy's best buddy and one of George's best pals.

DC Comics has been reinventing and re-imagining classic Hanna-Barbera Saturday morning cartoons in new comic book series since early 2016, the best example being Scooby Apocalypse, which is “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?” with a sci-fi, monster apocalyptic twist.  “The Jetsons” are re-imagined in the new six-issue miniseries, The Jetsons.  It is written by Jimmy Palmiotti; drawn by Pier Brito; colored by Alex Sinclair; and lettered by Dave Sharpe.

The Jetsons #1 opens in a post-apocalyptic world.  The family is still comprised of George Jetson; his boy, Elroy; daughter, Judy; and Jane, his wife.  And their home is still located in a city that floats above the surface, but in this alternate Jetsons scenario, the surface of the Earth is entirely water.  Jane is no longer a homemaker, she is a scientist and she has bad news about the fate of the planet for her fellow scientists at the International Space Station.  This scenario also presents Elroy as older, and he and his friend, Lake Cogswell, are about to start something big.

Although this version of “The Jetsons,” is set in a darker, apocalyptic world, writer Jimmy Palmiotti and artist Pier Brito present a bright and colorful future that is closer to the future scenarios presented in DC Comics titles in the 1960s and 1970s.  Alex Sinclair's colors accentuate this hopeful future of helpful technology that makes that aftermath of “extinction level events” and apocalypse quite livable.

The Jetsons is similar in tone to the settings of the happy 1950s to early 1960s family sitcoms that are now a staple of digital sub-channels like MeTV and AntennaTV.  Apparently, the nuclear family can survive decades (and centuries) of social change, societal upheaval, and the end-of-the-world.  In the end, the nuclear family rocks the casbah and the apocalypse.  And, if the first issue is any indication, those pesky brown people and darkies still barely register (although there are hints of things ominous beneath the waves and in the past).

Still, The Jetsons is an enjoyable read.  I have learned not to expect much from DC's Hanna-Barbera reboots/re-imaginations, and that makes it easier to separate the good, the bad, and the ugly and to also appreciate the really good.  So far, The Jetsons are good enough to earn a second look.

6 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

------------------------

I Reads You Juniors December 2018 - Update #92

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Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

From ANN:  Hayao Miyazaki's manga, "Saihin Zensen," is inspiring a stage play adaptation. The play will run at six theaters including Art Tower Mito ACM Theatre in Ibaraki and Setagaya Public Theatre in Tokyo from the end of August to October 2019.

From BleedingCool:  Top 500 comics and graphic novel ordered in November 2018.

From Newsarama:  Two Captain Marvels, but why is one of them called "Shazam?"  Here, is the twice told tale.

TRAILER: From BleedingCool:  Here is the first trailer for streaming service, DC Universe's "Doom Patrol" series, which premieres Feb. 15th, 2019.

From Newsarama:   [Sexy] Stuntman-turned-actor, Alain Moussi, has confirmed (via Instagram) that he played Batman in streaming service, DC Universe's "Titans" season finale.

From Newsarama:  Apparently, writer Eric M. Esquivel was going to co-write DC Comics' "Nightwing," but DC has siad that is no more.  Esquivel's comic book writing career continues to evaporate in the wake of sexual abuse allegations made by a former female friend.

From Variety:  Netflix has renewed its series, "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina," based on the [fantastic] Archie Comics' series.

From Newsarama:  The landmark 1000th issue of DC Comics' will include variant covers.  Among the recently announced cover artists include Bruce Timm, Steve Rude, and the late Bernie Wrightson.

From HuffingtonPost: and IndependentUK:  Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alice Walker is causing meltdown after supporting the work of British conspiracy theorist, David Icke.

From Newsarama:  Newsarama contributor, Kat Calamia, review the new "Aquaman" film and says that it is "all spectacle and no substance."

From BleedingCool:   The new "Hellboy" film has a new poster and will have a trailer debut Thursday, December 20th.

From BoxOfficeMojo:  "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" leads the 12/14 to 12/16/2018 weekend box office.  For the 13th time in 2018, a Marvel Comics property wins the weekend box office.

From Newsarama:  Cartoonist Jason Lutes talks about the end of his massive graphic novel, "Berlin," which first saw publication in 1996.

From ComicBook:  Brian Stapf joins DC Universe Streaming's "Stargirl" series as "Wildcat."

From THR:  Legendary Entertainment signs Matt Fraction and Kelly Sue DeConnick to overall deals to adapt their comics and develop new projects.

From BleedingCool:  In April 2019, IDW is planning a weekly Ghostbusters comic book event with the help of 4 creative teams.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse:
From io9:  Excited for Into the Spider-Verse? Read These Comics!

From Forbes:  Review: 'Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse' Successfully Reinvents Spider-Mythology (Again)

From THR:  "Into the Spider-Verse" and the Importance of a Biracial Spider-Man.

From ComicBook:  Todd McFarlane did not like Venom's small size in his appearance in the 2007 film, "Spider-Man 3."
------------------------------------

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics has cancelled the remaining issues of its new Vertigo series, "Border Town," after a woman made abuse allegations against the series writer and co-creator, Eric M. Esquivel.

From EntertainmentWeekly:  Ms. Marvel will get a new comic book series and creative team.

From BleedingCool:  Todd McFarlane says that his character, Spawn, could appear in the video game, "Mortal Kombat 11."

From BleedingCool:  Word is that Jeff Lemire will write a crossover between his Black Hammer universe, which he created by Dean Ormston (and published by Dark Horse Comics), with the DC Comics universe.

From BleedingCool:  The fourth issue of "Batman: Creature of the Night" has been cancelled and will be resolicited, possibly for May 2019.

From THR:  Todd McCarthy of "The Hollywood Reporter" reviews the "Aquaman" film.

From BleedingCool:  There is a new comic book publisher, TKO Studios, and it has already lined up top talent in writing, drawing, coloring, and lettering.  Creators joining include writes Garth Ennis, Jeff Lemire, Roxane Gay; artists Ming Doyle, Steve Epting; colorists Jordan Boyd and Ruth Redmond; and letterers Jared K. Fletcher and Steve Wands, to name a few.  Some of TKO's titles are already available in their entirety in digital, individual print issues, and trade paperbacks.

-------------------------------------
From BleedingCool:   "Spider-Man No More," Marvel history is destroyed.

From BleedingCool:   In March 2019, Marvel history is destroyed... for the Fantastic Four.
-------------------------------------

From ComicBook:  Is the Naruto manga sequel, "Boruto," canon in the context of its connection to Naruto?

From ANN:  Takako Shimura, the creator of "Wandering Star" (published in the U.S. by Fantagraphics Books), will launch a new manga in Kodansha's "Kiss" magazines.

From CBR:  In an exclusive article, we learn that the Fantastic Four's "Future Foundation" has a new mission and a new leader.

From Newsarama:  Conan the Barbarian/Cimmerian will enter the Marvel Universe in the comic book series, "Avengers: No Road Home."

From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its landmark miniseries, "Marvels," written by Alex Ross and Kurt Busiek and drawn by Alex Ross.  Beginning next year, Marvel will re-publish the series in an annotated edition, "Marvel Annotated."

From BleedingCool:   Chinese media ain't feeling a "Shang-Chi, Master of Kung-Fu" movie.

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing has cancelled "Rocketeer Reborn," the planned "Rocketeer" revival with a female lead.

From BleedingCool:  Frank Miller will provide a variant cover for "Batman #62."

From Deadline:  Warner Bros./DC Entertainment's "Aquaman" movie opened in China today (Fri., Dec. 7th) with an estimated box office of $24.6 million.

From Newsarama:  Disney/Marvel Studios' smash hit "Black Panther" film was nominated in the category of "Best Motion Picture - Drama" at the 2019 Golden Globe Awards, one of the film's three nominations.  This is Marvel Studios' first "best picture" nomination from a major film awards organization.

From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics will show a new side of Darth Vader in "Star Wars: Vader - Dark Vision."

From ICv2:  Comic-based media is blue chip ammunition in the coming streaming wars.

From CBR:  Tom King offers details about the remainder of his run on the flagship title, "Batman," which he said would run to issue #100.

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics will publish "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns" in three editions in 2019.  There will be a trade paperback published under the "Black Label" imprint, a hardcover with a slipcase, and an "absolute edition.

From BleedingCool:  In Image Comics-Netflix-Mark Millar press releases, there is a claim that Millar wrote the best-selling Superman graphic novel of all time, "Superman: Red Son."  The real top Superman graphic novel/trade collection is likely "The Death of Superman."

From CBR:  The venerable New York Film Critics Circle announced their 2018 film awards on Nov. 29th and named "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" the "Best Animated Film."

From AwardsWatch:  Detroit Film Critics Society names "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" 2018's Best Animated Film."
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From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics announces "Meet the Skrulls" about a Skrull family living in the Marvel Universe as a human family.

From Newsarama: Marvel Comics is partnering with Japanese pop (J-Pop) band, Sekai No Owari (translated as "End of the World"), on a new one-shot comic book.  Drawn by Takeshi Miyazawa, this comic book will imagine the band's members as superheroes.

From Newsarama:  January 8 to 16, 2018, Marvel is going to livestream "Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Week."

From Newsweek:  Newsweek has a short question-and-answer with the current god-emperor of horror comics, Junji Ito.

From Variety:  Noted comic book writer, Warren Ellis (The Authority"), is a writer-producer on Netflix's "Castlevania," and is the subject of a "Variety" article about the show.

From BleedingCool:  The Louisiana of Department Corrections has banned a number of comic books and graphic novels from its plantation-like prison system, including "Ghost World," "Saga," and "Sin City," to name a few.

From ANN:  "Attack on Titan" manga creator, Hajime Isayama, says that he is struggling to draw the end of the manga.

From ANN:  How manga magazines are there in Japan?

From Variety:  Osamu Tezuka's erotic manga, "Barbara," will be adapted as a live-action film by a German, Japanese, and British joint venture.

From ComicBook:  A new novel, "The Walking Dead: Typhoon," will be set in China.  It is due for 2020.

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Entertainment Chairman and Skrull, Ike Perlmutter, is reportedly part of a "shadow cabinet" that is secretly running the Department of Veteran Affairs.  This group in cludes Perlmutter and other wealthy residents of President Trump's Mar-A-Lago resort.  Apparently, Perlmutter's role will be investigated next year when the Democrats take control of the House of Representatives.

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BEST COMICS OF 2018 Lists:

From NPR:  Best books of 2018 (with a comic books and graphic novels section)

From PasteMagazine:  The 15 best sci-fi and fantasy comics of 2018

From TheVerge:   The 10 bests comics of 2018

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DECEMBER 2018 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From ComicList:  Action Lab for December 2018
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for December 2018
From Newsarama: Aspen Entertainment for December 2018
From TheOuthousers:  Black Mask for December 2018
From BleedingCool: BOOM! Studios for December 2018
From ComicList:  Dark Horse for December 2018
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for December 2018
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for December 2018
From ComicList:  IDW Publishing for December 2018
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for December 2018
From Newsarama:  Lion Forge for December 2018
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for December 2018
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for December 2018

JANUARY 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Action Lab for Jan. 2019 
From BleedingCool:  Aspen Comics for Jan. 2019
From BleedingCool:  Black Mask for Jan. 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM Studios for Jan. 2019
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for 2019
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for Jan. 2019
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for Jan. 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for Jan. 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for Jan. 2019
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for Jan. 2019
From BleedingCool:  Papercutz for Jan. 2019
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for Jan. 2019

FEBRUARY 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Full DC Comics catalog
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock for Feb. 2019
From Newsarama:   BOOM! Studios for Feb. 2019
From AdventuresinPoorTaste:  Dark Horse Comics for February 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics solicitations for Feb. 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for Feb. 2019
From BleedingCool:  First Second for Feb. 2019

MARCH 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama: Adhouse Books for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Alterna Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Aspen Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for March 2019
From BleedingCool:  Cave Pictures Publishing for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertaiment for March 2019
From BleedingCool:  First Second for March 2019
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama: Oni Press for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Rebellion for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for March 2019
From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for March 2019

Review: DEADMAN #1

DEADMAN No. 1 (OF 6)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY/ART/COLORS: Neal Adams
LETTERS: Clem Robins
COVER: Neal Adams
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S./$4.99 U.S. for Glow-in-the-Dark cover (January 2018)

Rated “T+” for “Teen Plus”

Deadman created by Arnold Drake and Carmine Infantino

“Journey into Death” Part One: “Still Dead... After All These Years!”

Deadman is a DC Comics superhero.  The character first appeared in Strange Adventures #205 (cover dated: October 1967) and was created by writer Arnold Drake and artist Carmine Infantino.  Deadman is a ghost, but he was once Boston Brand, a circus trapeze artist.

Brand performed under the name “Deadman,” his stage persona which included him wearing a red costume and white corpse makeup.  Brand was murdered during a trapeze performance by a mysterious assailant known only as “the Hook.”  A Hindu god named “Rama Kushna” gave Brand's spirit the power to possess any living being, so that Brand could search for his murderer and obtain justice.  Brand's spirit takes the moniker “Deadman,” and he becomes a superhero of sorts.

The original Deadman comic books are most associated with legendary artist, Neal Adams, and writer Jack Miller, the creative team that took over the Deadman serial after Arnold Drake and Carmine Infantino created the initial story.  Neal Adams returns to the character in the new six-issue miniseries, Deadman, which he writes, draws, and colors.  Clem Robins letters the series.

Deadman #1 (“Still Dead... After All These Years!”) opens where readers last left Deadman – discovering that the true story had barely begun!  Deadman’s death was unsolved, and even Batman could unravel the fantastic mysteries surrounding Boston Brand.

The story opens in Japan where Commissioner James Gordon of the Gotham City Police Department has arrived as part of a nuclear safety inspection team.  However, Ra's al Ghul's League of Assassins is apparently plotting to kill Gordon, and Deadman has learned that Boston's murder may have been a test for Hook and members of the League.  Will Deadman gets any answers, even after Batman enters the drama and stirs chaos?

The last several years has seen Neal Adams produced a number of limited series comic books starring DC Comics' most popular superheroes, especially Batman and Superman.  I have totally ignored those comic books, but I could not ignore a Neal Adams Deadman comic book.

Deadman #1 is not a particularly good comic book.  Yes, the art displays Neal Adams' signature dynamic page layout and also some nice graphic design that is not as dynamic.  However, the story reads like something undisciplined or unfocused.  Let's be honest:  DC Comics would not allow a first time comic book writer to get away with the kind of clunky and awkward storytelling found in this first issue unless he or she were the child of someone powerful and influential at DC Comics' parent corporation, Time-Warner.

I tried to lie to myself, the first step in lying to you, dear readers, but Deadman #1 is not good.  I hope it gets better, but the first issue does not make a compelling argument that I keep reading.

2 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: THE RUFF AND REDDY SHOW #1

THE RUFF & REDDY SHOW No. 1 (OF 6)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Howard Chaykin
ART: Mac Rey
COLORS: Mac Rey
LETTERS: Ken Bruzenak
COVER: Howard Chaykin with Wil Quintana
VARIANT COVER: Mac Rey
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2017)

Rated “T+” for “Teen Plus”

Ruff and Reddy: A Cautionary Tale in Six Parts Part One

“The Ruff and Reddy Show” (also known as “Ruff and Reddy”) was an animated television series made by Hanna-Barbera Productions (H-B Productions) for NBC.  It was also the first animated series produced by Hanna-Barbera.  “The Ruff and Reddy Show” premiered in December 1957 and ran for fifty episodes until April 1960, comprising three seasons.  “Ruff and Reddy” followed the adventures of Ruff, a smart and steadfast cat, and Reddy, a friendly and brave (but not too bright) dog.

DC Comics has been reinventing and re-imagining classic Hanna-Barbera Saturday morning cartoons in new comic book series since early 2016, the best example being Scooby Apocalypse, which is “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?” with an apocalyptic twist.

“The Ruff and Reddy Show” is the latest classic H-B series to get a DC Comics re-imagining.  The Ruff & Reddy Show is a six-issue comic book miniseries.  It is written by Howard Chaykin; drawn and colored by Mac Rey; and lettered by Ken Bruzenak.

The Ruff & Reddy Show #1 opens in the 1950s and finds America caught between communist/Russia hysteria and the comfort of post-WWII economic prosperity (which white people who are of the Silent Generation or are Baby Boomers call “the good old days”).  On television, “The Ruff and Reddy Show” is a hit, but its stars are not necessarily in the best place.  Ruff and his comedy partner, Reddy, are “celimates,” and neither guy really likes the other.  When everything falls apart, are they ready to try something new to get back to the top of the entertainment mountain?

Considering that this is written by Howard Chaykin, it is surprisingly unimaginative.  The Ruff and Reddy Show also shares a setting that is similar to Satellite Sam (Image Comics), the series Chaykin produced with writer Matt Fraction.  I was somewhat interested in Satellite Sam, but not enough to really seek out the series past the first issue.  I am even less interested in The Ruff and Reddy Show; it just seems like DC Comics is really reaching in its (forced?) effort to re imagine the Hanna-Barbera library.  It seems as if Chaykin favors the lost potential or possibilities of the past (this series and his other work set post-WWII) while holding the actual potential and possibilities of the present in disdain?

Also, the story is lost in all the dark colors and black space created by artist Mac Rey.  Rey's art looks like the work of someone who misunderstands Maurice Noble and uses illustration software to make ugly Maurice Noble-inspired art.  I don't know if I will read the second issue, but I do know that The Ruff & Reddy Show #1 is not worth its $3.99 cover price.

3.5 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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