#IReadsYou Review: ONE-PUNCH MAN Volume 17

ONE-PUNCH MAN, VOL. 17
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: ONE
ART: Yusuke Murata
TRANSLATION: John Werry
LETTERS: James Gaubatz
EDITORS: Jennifer LeBlanc; John Bae
ISBN: 978-1-9745-0461-4; paperback (August 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
216pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

One-Punch Man is a Japanese superhero franchise that began as a webcomic created by the writer-artist ONE.  Later, ONE joined artist Yusuke Murata to create a digital manga remake of One-Punch Man, and it began publication on Shueisha's Tonari no Young Jump website in 2012.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the digital manga as a paperback graphic novel series under its “Shonen Jump” imprint, beginning in 2015.

One-Punch Man focuses on Saitama, who wants to be a hero.  Beginning his superhero training when he is 22-years-old, he becomes a hero when he is 25.  He really does not look like a superhero, with his lifeless facial expression, bald head, and unimpressive physique.  But he beats the snot out of super-villains with one punch, and he even has his own disciple, the young cyborg, Genos (who really does not need any training).

As One-Punch Man, Vol. 17 (Chapters 88 to 88; entitled “Because I'm the Bald Cape?”) opens, Gara, the so-called “Hero Hunter,” has recovered from the beating he got from the heroes, “Bang” and “Bomb.”  Still, Gara's wounds are life-threatening, so he is in need of a rescue.  Enter the centipede mega-monster, “Centichoro!”  Bang and Bomb are powerless against this kaiju, and even Genos struggles against the creature.  Enter the legendary hero, “King,” with his pal, Saitama.  Which one will stop Centichoro's unstoppable rampage?

Meanwhile, at Hero Association headquarters, Mr. Nakiri rages that his son, Waganma, the child kidnapped by the Monster Association, remains a captive.  But can his “Nakiri Private Force” do more to free his son than the heroes have done?

[This volume includes a bonus manga chapter, “Confidence,” and also bonus illustrations and bonus comics.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The One-Punch Man manga remains my favorite superhero comic book.  Like the shonen manga, My Hero Academia, it is a Japanese take on the American superhero comic book.  As much as I like My Hero Academia, I am crazy in love with One-Punch Man.

One-Punch Man Graphic Novel Volume 17, like Vol. 16, is pure battle manga.  However, Vol. 17 contains one of the most exhilarating sequences featuring Saitama in action that this series has ever had.  The ten-page “Se-Ri-Ous Punch!” sequence exemplifies artist Yusuke Murata's impressive skill.  I'm not sure anyone is as good at drawing fight comics as he is right now.

John Werry's translation for the chapters contained in Vol. 17 reveal the complicated nature of the relationships on both sides of this hero-monster battle.  No one is pure to his cause, and many cannot be trusted.  Some characters may be more neutral than anything, and Werry brings out the increasingly gray nature of this group of flawed characters.  So, yes, this is a joy to read, as both a superhero comic and as a shonen character melodrama.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of shonen battle manga and of superhero comic books will love the “Shonen Jump” title, One-Punch Man.

A
9.5 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.



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#IReadsYou Review: SCOOBY-DOO, Where Are You? #104

SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? #104 (2010)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

STORY: Sholly Fisch; Scott Cunningham; John Rozum
PENCILS: Scott Jeralds; Karen Matchette; Matt I. Jenkins
INKS: Scott Jeralds; Karen Matchette; Matt I. Jenkins
COLORS: Rock Candy; Heroic Age
LETTERS: Saida Temofonte; Mike Sellers; Rob Clark Jr.
EDITORS: Courtney Jordan; Michael Siglain (reprint); Harvey Richards (reprint)
COVER: Walter Carzon and Horacio Ottolini with Silvana Brys
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (July 2020)

Rated “E” for “Everyone”

“Get on Board”

Welcome, dear readers, to my continuing journey through the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? comic book series, which began publication in 2010.  I renewed my subscription (for a second time), and this is the sixth issue of my third subscription run that I have received.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #104 opens with “Get on Board,” which is written by Sholly Fisch and drawn by Scott Jeralds.  Mystery Inc.:  Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma have responded to a call from Toni, a young woman who is running the skateboarding event,  the “Z Games” (a stand in for the real-world extreme sports event, “The X-Games”).  It seems the games are being haunted by a gremlin with the power to destroy the competitors' skateboards.  Can Mystery Inc. put an end to this gremlin and save the games?

The second story, “The Creature from the Rainbow Waterpark,” is, as usual, a reprint and is written by Scott Cunningham and drawn by Karen Matchette.  [This story was originally published in Scooby-Doo #121 (cover date: August 2007).]  On the road and looking for a chance to get away from the heat of the summer, the gang stops at “Rainbow Waterpark,” and immediately discover that some kind of fish-monster is plaguing the park.  The park's owners, “the Rainbow Twins,” brothers Allen and Alfred, blame a rival park.  But is there more to this monster attack sabotage?

The third story, “Car-Tastrophe,” is also a reprint story and is written by John Rozum and drawn by Matt I. Jenkins.  [This story was originally published in Scooby-Doo #153 (cover date: April 2010).]  When Mystery Inc. is on the road and the Mystery Machine blows a gasket, the gang calls into the talk show, “Car Chat,” on the National People's Radio network.  Brothers Tim “Cling” Thunk-It and Roy “Clang” Thunk-It dispense the automobile repair advice, and lately, Fred has had to call them quite often.  However, when a mysterious caller, naming himself “The Phantom of the Air,” starts haunting them over the air, the Thunk-It brothers turn to Mystery Inc.  Can the gang solve this radio mystery and catch a wily phantom?

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #104 is probably the best issue of this series that I have read in at least a year.  “Get on Board” is not a standout story, although I like the skateboarding competition setting and having the “monster” be a gremlin that dresses like... a “skater boy.”  The solution to “The Creature from the Rainbow Waterpark” involves one of those “mazes for kids” puzzles that are includes in some comics and magazines aimed at young readers.

“Car-Tastrophe” is what makes Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #104 an exceptional entry in this series.  The “Car Chat” radio show is a spoof of the real-life “Car Talk” radio show that aired on National Public Radio (NPR) from 1977 to 2012.  This story also spoofs NPR with National Peoples Radio, and the “Thunk-It Brothers” spoof Car Talk's “Click and Clack, the Tappet Brothers” (who were really brothers, Tom and Ray Magliozzi).  If you, dear readers, remember “Car Talk,” this story will work for you and come across as funny.  If you are not familiar with the show, I am not sure that this story will really work for you.

I recommend Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #104 to fans of Scooby-Doo comic books with a heartier-than-usual recommendation.  So, until next time, Scooby-Dooby-Doo!

B+
7 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: KILLADELPHIA #3

KILLADELPHIA #3
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Rodney Barnes
ART: Jason Shawn Alexander
COLORS: Luis Nct
LETTERS: Marshal1 Dillon
LOGO/GRAPHIC DESIGN: Brent Ashe
EDITOR: Greg Tumbarello
COVER: Jason Shawn Alexander
VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Matteo Scalera
28pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S.(January 2020)

Rated “M/ Mature”

“Sins of the Father” Part III: “Abaddon”

Killadelphia is a new comic book series from writer Rodney Barnes and artist Jason Shawn Alexander (Empty Zone).  The series focuses on a police officer who falls into a lurid mystery, one which reveals that the corrupt, but historical city of Philadelphia is vampire-ridden.  Colorist Luis Nct and letterer Marshall Dillon complete Killadelphia's creative team.

James “Jim” Sangster, Jr. is a Baltimore Police Department beat cop who comes home to deal with the final affairs of his recently murdered father, revered Philadelphia homicide detective, James Sangster, Sr.  Jimmy hated his father, who is not dead, but is of the undead.  Now, they're working together to stop an apocalypse – son and vampire dad!

Killadelphia #3 (“Abaddon”) finds the Sangster boys and Jose Padilla, the chief medical examiner, cleansing the city morgue of its cadavers-turned-vampires.  This team-up, however, does not hide the estrangement between Jim, Sr. and Jim, Jr., and Padilla's honeyed words of peace and calmness may not change that.

Meanwhile, John Adams... the second President of the United States and the “Vampire King,” ruminates on his history.  He remembers how he came to be what he is and thinks on the evolution of his plans to build a society not defined by money, race, and class.  But what happens when you use the same old flawed ideas to build something new... or when your partners decide to go their own way?

Killadelphia #3 remains a thrilling, ass-kicking vampire comic book series, but I like that writer Rodney Barnes turns the narrative inward, as the two fathers, Jim, Sr. and John Adams, are forced to reap what they sow – at least, mentally and philosophically.  I like the haves/have-nots dynamic that plays itself out in who gets turned into a vampire and who does the turning.  However, I like what I see as Barnes' consideration of the costs people pay because of the hubris and the narcissism of powerful men.

Back in the 1980s, the peak work of comic book artist and illustrator, Bill Sienkiewicz, was some of the best, if not the best painted comic book art.  Many of Sienkiewicz's individual pages looked like individual paintings, while still propelling the narrative and also being graphical storytelling.

Jason Shawn Alexander, especially in Killadelphia #3, presents some pages that are like stand-along paintings, each with its own message, while being part of the larger narrative.  That would be story-pages 14-15, 19, and 22.  Luis Nct's coloring remains electric and alive – like something bad come alive.  Marshall Dillon letters rhythmically, creating a melody of blood and history and of sex and death.

In my review of Killadelphia #2, I wrote that if Killadelphia #3 was as good as the first two issues, I would begin to suspect that there was something supernatural about this comic book's creative team.  So...

10 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.


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#IReadsYou Review: MY HERO ACADEMIA Volume 20

MY HERO ACADEMIA, VOL. 20
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Kohei Horikoshi
TRANSLATION/ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Caleb Cook
LETTERS: John Hunt
EDITORS: Mike Montesa; Jon Bae
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0773-7; paperback (August 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
200pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 U.K.

My Hero Academia is a Japanese superhero manga series written and illustrated by Kohei Horikoshi.  It has been serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump since July 2014.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of My Hero Academia as a paperback graphic novels since 2015 under its “Shonen Jump” imprint.

In My Hero Academia, there comes a day when people start manifesting superpowers called “Quirks.”  Some use their powers to commit crime, which creates the need for heroes.  If someone wants to be a superhero, he or she enrolls in the Hero Academy.  What would a person do, however, if he were one of the 20 percent born Quirkless?  Middle school student Izuku Midoriya has no chance of ever getting into the prestigious U.A. High School for budding heroes.  Then, Midoriya meets the greatest hero of them all, All Might, who gives him a chance to change his destiny…

As My Hero Academia, Vol. 20 (Chapters 178 to 188; entitled “School Festival Start!!”) opens, Midoriya struggles mightily to stop the “Gentle Criminal” and his partner, “La Brava,” from ruining the U.A. school festival.  No matter how hard he fights, Midoriya can't seem to crack an attack against him that is based on his adversaries' peculiar relationship.  But is it really peculiar, or is it just strong?  And what is the nature of that relationship?  Plus, the origin stories of both “Gentle Criminal” and “La Brava” reveal two humans searching...

After the surprising conclusion of the school festival, it's time for the twice-yearly “Japanese Billboard Hero Chart.”  Everyone knows that Endeavor (Shoto Todoroki's dad) is the new “No. 1” hero since All-Might retired.  But is Endeavor, who has long coveted this spot, up to taking on its responsibilities?  He will soon get the chance to prove his worth when a fellow top ten member, Hawks, tells him about the return of the “Nomu.”

[This volume includes bonus art – sketches and chapter headings.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The My Hero Academia manga is Japan's answer to superhero comic books.  Being quite similar to American comics in the way that it depicts superheroes and super-powers, the series is popular on both sides of the Pacific.

My Hero Academia Graphic Novel Volume 20 finds creator Kohei Horikoshi offering a grand battle featuring the series star, Midoriya.  Horikoshi presents dastardly villains with poignant stories, and then, he moves us to the uproarious fun of the school festival and the fantastic show Class 1-A's puts on.  Then, readers are right back into the next big conspiracy, and the the ending to Vol. 20 is another of the most excellent cliffhangers readers have come to expect from this series.

Caleb Cook's translation and English adaptation deftly captures the many shifting moods of Vol. 20, and John Hunt's lettering is up to the task of setting one tone after another.  I always wonder if I will grow tired of My Hero Academia, but an entry like Vol. 20 comes along and keeps me and you, dear readers, coming back.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of superhero comics and of shonen battle manga will want to enroll at the “Shonen Jump” school, My Hero Academia.

A
9 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.



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#IReadsYou Review: NIGHTSCHOOL: The Weirn Books Collector's Edition 1

NIGHTSCHOOL: THE WEIRN BOOKS – COLLECTOR'S EDITION 1
YEN PRESS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

CARTOONIST:  Svetlana Chmakova
TONES: Dee DuPuy
LETTERS: JuYoun Lee
ISBN: 978-1-9753-1289-3; paperback (May 2020); Rated “T” for “Teen”
396pp, B&W with some color, $24.00 U.S., $31.50 CAN

Nightschool: The Weirn Books is an American or original English-language (OEL) manga written and illustrated by Svetlana Chmakova.  A supernatural fantasy, Nightschool first appeared as a 24-chapter serial in the monthly manga magazine, Yen Plus, from 2008 to 2010.  Yen Press later collected the manga in a four-volume graphic novel series.

In anticipation of the impending release of Chmakova's new graphic novel, The Weirn Books, Vol. 1: Be Wary of the Silent Woods, Yen Press is collecting the four Nightschool: The Weirn Books as two mini-omnibus paperback graphic novels.  Nightschool: The Weirn Books Collector's Edition 1 collects Nightschool: The Weirn Books, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 6) and Nightschool: The Weirn Books, Vol. 2 (Chapters 7 to 12) in one book.  Collector's Edition 2 will collect Nightschool: The Weirn Books, Vol. 3 and Nightschool: The Weirn Books, Vol. 4 in one book.

Nightschool: The Weirn Books Collector's Edition 1 is the subject of this review.  Nightschool focuses on Alexius “Alex” Treveney, a 13-year-old “weirn” (a particular breed of witch).  Talented, Alex has always been home-schooled, but she is about to have a reason to go to a public school.

Alex's older sister, Sarah Treveney, works at PS 13W, where there is a “Dayschool” and a “Nightschool.”  Sarah is the new “Nightkeeper” at “Nightschool,” the place where vampires, werewolves, and weirns learn the fundamentals of everything from calculus and spell-casting.  When Sarah vanishes and all memory and evidence of her existence is erased, Alex is determined to get to the bottom of it.

What better place to start than Sarah's place of employment, Benjamin Theron Nightschool a.k.a. PS 13W.  Sneaking into Nightschool is difficult, however, so Alex must enroll at the school.  Is she prepared for what she mind find, which includes conspiracies, broken seals, and a secret conflict between the city's supernatural communities?

[This volume includes the “Afterwords” for Volumes 1 and 2]

I requested a copy for review of The Weirn Books, Vol. 1: Be Wary of the Silent Woods shortly after I received a press release announcing it.  Later, I received a box of review copies and a copy of Nightschool: The Weirn Books Collector's Edition 1 was among them.  Initially I thought Nightschool was the new Weirn Books title.  But the cover images did not match, and Nightschool seemed, to me, bigger than it should be if it were new release.

Several minutes of Internet research later, I discovered Nightschool: The Weirn Books, of which I had never heard, although I had heard of Svetlana Chmakova.  I did not know what to make of it upon first glance, but after reading Collector's Edition 1, I now know what to make of it.  Nightschool is a fantastic young readers graphic novel, and I am confident that it is a comic book that I would have read if such comics existed when I was a middle-grade, YA, and teen reader (which they didn't).

One of the first things that surprised me was that, although Alex is the story's main character, her aunt, Sarah Treveney, seems to be the dominate player for much of the story's first six chapters.  Chmakova reveals more of her personality than she does of Alex's.  Sarah is a peacemaker, and although she often seems meek, she is clearly open to new ideas (such as creating school activity clubs for the Nightschool students).  When she disappears, I genuinely regretted seeing her go.

Alex dominates the remainder of the first six chapters and of Chapters 7 to 12.  Although she has bouts of fear, Alex is a strong and forceful character; she is bold and takes initiative.  That boldness is what allows us to discover the other characters and subplots as well follow Alex.

Besides Alex or perhaps connected to her, Chmakova has a lot going on in these first 12 chapters, which are breezy, enthralling reads.  However, she offers enough characters, settings, and plot lines stuffed in 12 chapters for 24 chapters.  If Nightschool were not such a good read, that would be a problem.  A lot of the elements in these first 12 chapters:  names, groups, connects, relationships, obligations, conflicts, etc. are needlessly oblique and mysterious.  You know, there is nothing wrong with using a caption box in which to indicate the name of a character or group.

Still, I love Nightschool: The Weirn Books Collector's Edition 1.  I could read the second collection right this minute.

8 out of 10

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


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The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and  syndication rights and fees.


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#IReadsYou Review: FOOD WARS: Shokugeki No Soma Volume 31

FOOD WARS!: SHOKUGEKI NO SOMA, VOL. 31
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Yuto Tsukuda
ART: Shun Saeki
TRANSLATION: Adrienne Beck
CONTRIBUTOR: Yuki Morisaki
LETTERS: James Gaubatz; Mara Coman
EDITOR: Jennifer LeBlanc
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0774-4; paperback (August 2019); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
208pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma is a shonen manga series written by Yuto Tsukuda and illustrated by Shun Saeki.  Yuki Morisaki also works as a contributor, providing the recipes for the series.  Food Wars! was serialized in the Japanese manga magazine, Weekly Shonen Jump, from November 2012 to June 2019.  VIZ Media published an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series from August 2014 to June 2020 under two imprints:  first, “Shonen Jump Advanced” and then, “Shonen Jump.”

Food Wars! focuses on teenager Soma Yukihira.  He grows up cooking in his father's Yukihira Family Restaurant.  The 15-year-old wants to be a better chef than his father, Joshiro Yukihira (Saiba), so he hones his skills day in and day out.  His father decides to enroll him in a classy culinary school, Totsuki Saryo Culinary Institute, a place that prides itself on a 10 percent graduation rate.  If Soma Yukihira really does not want to attend Totsuki, how can he succeed?

As Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma, Vol. 31 (Chapters 263 to 271; entitled “The New Totsuki Institute”) opens, the fifth and final bout of “the Régiment de Cuisine Shokugeki” has ended.  The Régiment pitted three members of Soma and his allies' group, known as “the Resistance,” against Totsuki's “Council of Ten.”  If the Resistance won the Régiment, they would reinstate their expelled classmates and gain seats on the council.  If they lost, all students connected to the Resistance would be expelled and Soma's father, Joshiro, would become a slave... of sorts.

Well, the Resistance won, and Soma and his friends are now second-year students.  The administration of Azami Nakiri, Erina's father, has ended.  Erina is the new dean of Totsuki, and Soma is the Council of Ten “First Seat.”  As the boss, Erina eventually has a mission for Soma, one that includes Council of Ten “Tenth Seat,” Megumi Tadokoro.  Erina sends the two on a “business trip” to a resort town with ties to Totsuki.  The business is the mission to discover why a traditional inn, Kazami Baths Inn & Bathhouse, suddenly closed without warning.  Even the owner can't be found.

This mystery will turn weird and dark as Soma and Megumi discover an “underground” connection.  And Soma will be shocked to find a connection to himself!

[The volume includes bonus manga, “Special Short: An Elegant Evening Banquet,” and also recipes and miscellaneous illustrations.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Food Wars! manga finally reached the end of the great shokugeki – a battle of chefs – that decides many fates of many students.  While the winner was declared in Vol. 30, there is some moping up to do.

Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma Graphic Novel Volume 31 finds the creative team of writer Yuto Tsukuda and artist Shun Saeki establishing what I call the “NTO,” the new Totsuki order.  They don't dwell on that, however, as they jump right into the next great story arc.  Considering that Vol. 31 is the first of the series' final six volumes, they waste no time delivering one of those ultimate shockers.  Adrienne Beck's translation is right there with us to deliver this volume's reveals and surprises with sparkling dialogue.  It is enough to make me race to the next volume.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Readers hungry for good manga will want the “Shonen Jump” title, Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma.

A+
10 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.



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I Reads You Juniors August 2020 - Update #100

"Support Leroy on Patreon.

Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

IN MEMORIAM - From Variety:  The actor Chadwick Boseman has died at the age of 43, Friday, August 27, 2020, after a four-year battle with cancel.  Boseman was best known for playing T'Challa/Black Panther in Marvel Studios' 2018, Oscar-winning, recording-setting film, "Black Panther."  Boseman also appeared in a number of biopics:  Jackie Robinson in "42" (2013); James Brown in "Get on Up" (2014), and Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall in "Marshall" (2017).

From TheStar:  "We lost our own superhero." How Chadwick Boseman — as a Black superhero on the big screen — made families feel seen.
---------------------------

AWARDS - From TheBeat:  2020 Harvey Awards nominations have been announced.  The winners will be announced at New York Comic-Con Metaverse vitrual event in October.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Kieron Gillen talks about 10 months of his life writing Marvel Comics' new "Eternals" comic book series.

MILLARWORLD - From BleedingCool:  Superstar comic book writer and Netflix executive, Mark Millar, talks about his upcoming comic books, including "Jupiter's Legacy 3," "The Magic Order 2," and "Prodigy 2."

DC FANDOME - From DCFanDome:  "DC FanDome is live.

DC CINEMA - From Deadline:  "Justice League: Snyder Cut" will be released as four one-hour installments on HBO Max. This article includes a trailer.

DC CINEMA - From GameSpot:  The first trailer for director Matt Reeves "The Batman" has arrived. Actor Robert Pattinson stars as Batman/Bruce Wayne.

DC CINEMA - From THR:  "Official main trailer" for "Wonder Woman 1984." The film due October 2, 2020,

DC CINEMA - From ScreenGeek:  The first trailer for "Justice League Snyder Cut" is out there, but Warner's is doing its best to silence it.

DC CINEMA - From ScreenGeek:  Out of FanDome came a sneak peek at director James Gunn's "The Suicide Squad."

DC CINEMA - From Variety:  Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson previews his costume for the DC Extended Universe film, "Black Adam," which is still scheduled for a December 2021 debut.

DC FANDOME - From BleedingCool:  For "DC FanDome," Jim Lee created a superhero based on guest, professional tennis champion, "Venus Williams."
------------------------------------------------

DARK HORSE - From CBR:  Dark Horse Comics is publishing a comic book adaptation of Neil Gaiman's 2017 book, "Norse Mythology."  Due to start this Fall, "Neil Gaiman's Norse Mythology" will feature art by P. Craig Russell, Mike Mignola, and Jerry Ordway.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics is publishing a portfolio featuring the art of hot cover artist, Peach Momoko.  It will be entitled "Marvel Portfolio: Peach Momoko."

COMICS - From THR:  Vault Comics announces "I Walk With Monsters" from writer Paul Cornell.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics will release an omnibus collecting Dark Horse Comics' "Aliens" comic books published from 1988 to 1992.  Marvel recently obtained the license to publish comic books based on the film "Alien" (1979) and its sequels and spinoffs, which Dark Horse had since the late 1980s.

SONY MARVEL U - From Deadline:  Sony Pictures is eyeing director J.C. Chandor ("Margin Call") to direct its "Kraven the Hunter" movie based on the classic Spider-Man villain.

DC CINEMA - From ComicBook:  A few months ago, it was announced that the Batman played by Michael Keaton in two films ("Batman" and "Batman Returns") would appear in Warner Bros.' planned DC Comics movie, "The Flash."  Now, according to reports, the Batman played by Ben Affleck ("Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice," "Suicide Squad," and "Justice League") will also appear in "The Flash."

COMIC SHOPS - From BleedingCool:  Lashawn Colvin is opening a new comic book store, making her the first Black woman in U.S. south to own a comic book shop.  Comics & Geeks of Alabama will be opening in early October, and is located at 1264 Perry Hill Road, Montgomery, Alabama.

DC FANDOME - From GamesRadar:  The site has a schedule of events for DC Comics' "DC Fandome," which occurs Sat., Aug. 22nd.

SONY MARVEL U - From Variety:  Actress Olivia Wilde has signed a deal with Sony Pictures to develop and direct an untitled female-centric Marvel film project.

MARVEL - From Marvel:  The "Eternals" are coming back to comic books in November, and Marvel has released a trailer to announce it.

DC FANDOME - From CBR:  DC Comics has announced that its "DC Fandome" event will not be divided into two separate virtual events.  The first will be held on Sat., Aug. 22nd, 2020 as planned.  The second will be held Sat., Sept. 10th, 2020.

COMICS TO FILM - From THR:  The site remembers director Edgar Wright's 2010 film, "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World," on the tenth anniversary of its release.  The film is based on cartoonist Bryan Lee O'Malley's "Scott Pilgrim" graphic novels.

IMAGE COMICS - From CBR:  Superstar comic book writer, Scott Snyder, has a new creator-owned imprint at Image Comics, "Best Jackett Press."  But he isn't moving his own creator-owned titles, "Wytches" and "Undiscovered Country" to that label.

DC CINEMA - From CBR:  Producer Charles Roven speaks to home the upcoming sequel, "Wonder Woman 1984," does and doesn't tie into the "DC Extended Universe" (DCEU).

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  "Chex Mix" cereal is sending a free comic book anthology to comic book stories (via Diamond Comics Distributors) next week.

DC TV-FANDOME - From BleedingCool:  Did Jim Lee just draw the first look at actress Javicia Leslie's "Ryan Wilder/Batwoman," who will take over The CW's "Batwoman" from actress Ruby Rose's "Kate Kane/Batwoman?"

MANGA - From ANN:  Inia Asano has put his crazy manga, "Dead Dead Demon's Dededededestruction," on hiatus until the winter.

MANGA - From CBR:  A look at ONE, the writer-artist who created the manga, "One-Punch Man."

MARVEL - From Truthout:  Marvel Comics’ “The Punisher” was a hate symbol long before police co-opted his character.

FRANK MILLER - From CBR:  Yes, Zack Snyder's film, "300," is still problematic and racist, as was its source material, Frank Miller's comic book miniseries, "300."

JIM LEE - From THR:   Jim Lee, DC Comics' Publisher, gives a wide ranging interview to "The Hollywood Reporter" about the recent changes at the comics publisher.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Marie Javins and Michele Wells are interim Editor-in-Chiefs at DC Comics after former EiC Bob Harras was "laid off."

MARVEL TV - From TheWrap:  With each passing season, ABC's "Marvel's Agents of SHIELD" experienced a steep drop in ratings.  The series recently ended after sevens seasons and 136 episodes.

ALAN MOORE - From BleedingCool:  DC Comics will publish Alan Moore's "Twilight of the Superheroes" proposal, which was meant to be a big post-"Crisis on Infinite Earths" event, in a collection of DC comics stories from the 1980s.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  According to the site, with DC Comics' November 2020 solicitations, five more titles have been cancelled, including "John Constantine Hellblazer," "Teen Titans," and "Young Justice."

IMAGE - From BleedingCool:  Rodney Barnes and Jason Shawn Alexander's vampire comic book, "Killadelphia," has seen a 40 percent increase in sales from issue #6 to #7.

DC CINEMA - From IndieWire:  Actor Ray Fisher, who played "Cyborg" in the "Justice League" movie, says that former DC Comics executive, Geoff Johns, threatened his career after he (Fisher) complained about director Joss Whedon's on-set behavior during reshoots for "Justice League."

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DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  There was a DC Comics "townhall" meeting involving remaining executives and staff.  The publisher will issue press releases afterwards.

From BleedingCool:  Is DC Comics going into a new two-year plan?

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics' next big think, "Generations," has apparently been cancelled.

From THR:  The WarnerMedia layoffs that have been roiling Hollywood hit DC Comics and the DC Universe streaming service today (Mon., Aug. 10th), with Bob Harras and Hank Kanalz among the laid off.  DC Direct, the in-house merchandise and collectibles manufacturer, has also been shuttered.

From BleedingCool:  The site has something to say about the DC Comics layoffs.

From BleedingCool:  There are rumors of a new DC Comics "implosion," as the number of titles may be cancelled.
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COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Writer-artist Johnnie Christmas has just sold at auction three middle-grade graphic novels to HarperAlley, the graphic novel imprint of HarperCollins Childrens.

DC CINEMA - From THR:  The voice cast has been revealed for the 42nd DC Universe animated film (straight to DVD), "Batman: Soul of the Dragon."  Executive produced by Bruce Timm, the film is due in early 2021.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Oscar-winning screenwriter John Ridley's oft-delayed "The Other History of the DC Universe" is apparently happening now.  First issue is due Nov. 2020.

BATMAN - From BleedingCool:  Legendary X-Men writer, Chris Claremont, shares with his Facebook followers his pitch for a Young Adult Batman story.

DC COMICS - From Deadline:  "DC Fandome" announces it impressive line-up of stars.

MARVEL STUDIOS - From WeGotThisCovered:  The hot rumor is that Marvel Studios is considering actor Shia LaBeouf for the character "Iceman" in its "X-Men" reboot.

DC CINEMA - From YahooTotalFilm:  New image from Zack Snyder's "Justice League" film reveals original design for the villain, Steppenwolf.

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:  John Walker the "U.S. Agent," the character that once replaced Steve Rogers as Captain America, will be back in a new miniseries written by Christopher Priest and drawn by Stefano Landini.

COMICS - From TheBeat:  Former Disney Channel child star, Dylan Sprouse ("The Suite Life" series), talks about his new comic book, Sun Eater, from Heavy Metal... and also about making mead.

ANIME - From Variety:  Japan's leading anime content providers have banded together to start a YouTube channel, "Animelog."  The goal is to have 30 companies provide 3000 anime titles by 2022.

LEGAL - From BleedingCool:  Updates on the Richards Meyers vs. Mark Waid legal case.

MANGA - From BleedingCool:  Kodansha and comiXology will publishing a complete English-language edition of the entire run of the "Shaman King" manga for the first time.

MANGA - From ComicBook:  Fans online are asking that a number of manga published in the 1980s be adapted into anime, including "Fist of the North Star" and "Slam Dunk."

IDW - From BleedingCool:  The publisher has reportedly fired its recently promoted publishers, Jud Meyers.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Some Mark Waid, Alex Ross, DC Comics gossip.

DC COMICS - From YahooEntertainment:  DC Comics gets in social media hot water over the term, "blerd" (black nerd).

MANGA - From BleedingCool:  Yen Press announces 10 new manga and light novel titles for August 2020.

DARK HORSE - From BleedingCool:  The three best-selling comic books on Amazon right now are the three volumes of "The Umbrella Academy" from Dark Horse Comics.  Netflix's adaptation of the comic book just made its second season debut.

DC CINEMA - From BleedingCool:  Director James Gunn has revealed a new logo for his upcoming film, "The Suicide Squad."  Details about the film will be revealed Aug. 22nd at "DCFandome."

From YahooEntertainment:  In a birthday video, some of "The Suicide Squad" actors may reveal the characters they are playing in the film.
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MARVEL COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics has cancelled its current "Doctor Strange" comic book series with today's (8/5) release of "Doctor Strange #6."

NEWSPAPER COMICS - From YahooEntertainment:  A black cartoonist, Bianca Xunise, is one of the six female cartoonists who create the collaborative comic comic strip, "Six Chix."  A recent episode of "Six Chix," produced by Xunise got "Six Chix" cancelled by some of its more than 120 clients.

DC COMICS - From TheBeat:   The first three issues of DC Comics' digital-first series, "Injustice: Year Zero," debuted today.  Each issues costs .99 cents or $2.49 for a bundle of three.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  The site has details on writer Ridley Pearson and artist Berat Pekmezci's original graphic novel trilogy, "The Indestructibles," the first volume of which is due in March 2021.

MANGA - From OtakuStudy:  Square Enix Manga & Books new manga acquisitions for 2021.

eREADERS - From GoodEReads:  The site recommends the "The Pocketbook Color" e-reader for reading manga and comics.

DIGITAL - From MediaPost:  "Batman" comic book writer, James Tynion IV, has launched a digital horror anthology, "Razorblades: The Horror Magazine."

MANGA TO ANIME - From CBR:  There is an English-dub trailer for anime film, "Demon Slayer-Kimetsu no Yaiba-The Movie: Mugen Train," an anime adaptation of the manga, "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba."  The film may be released in the U.S. in 2021.

SCANDAL - From THR:  This article says that the "comic book industry reckons with abuse claims."  [As far as I'm concerned, at least they are pretending to reckon. - Leroy]

MANGA - From CBR:  A guide to three manga that won awards at the 2020 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards.

EASTERN COMICS - From CBR:  The difference between manga (Japan), manhwa (Korea), and manhua (China).

COMICS - From Rappler:  Why adults still read comic books  [Well, I just love the medium. - Leroy]

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  The "RunDMC" comic book from Rob Guillory, Amy Chu, and Larry Hama has debuted on Playbo.com.

SCANDAL - From BleedingCool:  Comic book writer Warren Ellis has been the subject of numerous sexual abuse allegations.  He is also creator, writer, and producer of Netflix's hit animated series, "Castlevania."  Ellis has finished his work on the upcoming fourth season of the series, but "word" is that he will not be back for any potential future seasons after the fourth.

FOX MARVEL U - From THR:  How the success of the first X-Men (2000) film made Bryan Singer into a monster.

MANGA - From ScreenRant:  Horror manga master, Junji Ito, says that he would like to collaborate with master of horror, Stephen King...

MANGA - From Epicstream:  Toonami co-founder, Jason Demarco, talks about what separates manga from Western comic books.

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AUGUST 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  AWA for August 2020
From CBR:  DC Comics for August 2020
From FirstComicsNews:  IDW Publishing for August 2020
From Seibertron:  IDW Publishing's "Transformers" solicitations for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for August 2020
From CBR:  Marvel Comics for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  PS Artbooks for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for August 2020

SEPTEMBER 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Red 5 Comics for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for September 2020

OCTOBER 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Albatross Funnybooks for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for October 2020

NOVEMBER 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Abaze for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press/Lion Forge for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Entertainment for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for November 2020

DECEMBER 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool: VIZ Media for December 2020



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