Devil Meet Cicada

I read Maoh: Juvenile Remix, Vol. 2

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

Howard Chaykin, Klaus Janson Workshop at Baltimore Comic-Con

Klaus Janson & Howard Chaykin Offer Artist's Workshop at the 2010 Baltimore Comic-Con

With over seventy five years of cumulative experience in the comic book industry, Klaus Janson and Howard Chaykin are all-too-well-versed in the ins and outs of making a career in our inkstained - and now, with all that digital stuff, carpal tunneled - business.

For the past few years, Klaus and Howard have been conducting an Artist's Workshop for Marvel, offering invaluable insights, gleaned from those decades of experience, on narrative, storytelling, page design, and career management.

They've developed a fluid and comprehensive take on the inside game played by successful cartoonists - and a series of direct and vital techniques intended to drag newer talents out of a hobby and into a profession - without ever losing the joy all of us experience when we ply our craft.

Klaus and Howard have taken their seminar on the road to the renowned Savannah College of Art & Design, to great acclaim from students and faculty alike, and now they're bringing a customized version of the workshop to the 2010 Baltimore Comic-Con.

On Saturday, August 28th, from 1 PM to 4 PM, Messrs. Janson and Chaykin will entertain and enlighten with a lively, spirited, and very likely prickly and opinionated dissertation, followed, from 4 PM to 5 PM, by an hour of honest dissection of the work of several lucky attendees. All class registrants will be eligible for the dissesction lottery, so bring some of your work if you want to hear from these two very honest men!

You'll come away informed, enthusiastic, or downright annoyed-but we guarantee you won't be bored, and that you'll never look at comics the same way again.

To register for this very special class, please call our host store Cards, Comics, & Collectibles @ 410-526-7410. The cost for this professional seminar is $75. Major credit cards will be accepted for payment. The hour of honest dissection from 4-5pm will be exciting programming available to all ticketed attendees of the Baltimore Comic-Con. Register now while space is still available!

Publishers exhibiting in 2010 include Archaia Comics, Adhouse Books Boom! Studios, Dark Horse Comics, IDW, Image Comics, Top Cow Productions, and Top Shelf Comix.

Our guests include: Dave Aikins (SpongeBob Squarepants), Mike and Laura Allred (Madman), Sergio Aragones (Groo), Ivan Brandon (Nemesis: The Imposters), Tom Brevoort (Executive Editor, Marvel Comics), Michael Broussard (The Darkness), Jim Calafiore (Secret Six), Eric Canete (New Avengers: Luke Cage), Bernard Chang (Prince of Persia), Howard Chaykin (Black Kiss), Sean Chen (Nova), Cliff Chiang (Greendale), Mark Chiarello (Editor, DC Comics), Frank Cho (Ultimate Comics New Ultimates), Mike Choi (X-Force), Steve Conley (Star Trek Omnibus: The Original Series), Amanda Conner (Power Girl), Shane Davis (Superman: Earth One), Francesco Francavilla (The Green Hornet: Year One), Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (Wednesday Comics), Ron Garney (Wolverine: Weapon X), Sterling Gates (Supergirl), Bryan J.L. Glass (Mice Templar), Michael Golden (Marvel 1602: Spider-Man), Cully Hamner (Detective Comics), Dean Haspiel (ACT-I-VATE), Jonathan Hickman (Fantastic Four), Greg Horn (Green Lantern), Adam Hughes (Wonder Woman), Jamal Igle (Supergirl), Georges Jeanty (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Van Jensen (Pinocchio: Vampire Slayer), Geoff Johns - Sunday only (Blackest Night, Chief Creative Officer, DC Comics), J.G. Jones (DC Universe Legacies), Denis Kitchen (Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen), Barry Kitson (Iron Man 2 Prequel), Rich Koslowski (BB Wolf and the 3 LPs), Greg LaRocque (The Exiled), Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon), Norman Lee (New Mutants), Steve Lieber (Underground), Joe Linsner (Dawn: Not To Touch The Earth), Luna Brothers (The Sword), David Mack (Kabuki), Clay Mann (X-Men Legacy), Laura Martin (Girl Comics), Ron Marz (Witchblade), Todd McFarlane - Saturday only (Spawn), Mark McKenna (Banana Tail), Mike McKone (Avengers Academy), Bob McLeod (New Mutants Forever), Pop Mhan (Ender's Game: Mazer In Prison), Terry Moore (Echo, SiP), Mark Morales (Siege), Chris Moreno (Toy Story), Sean Murphy (Joe the Barbarian), Steve Niles (30 Days of Night), Phil Noto (Avengers: The Origin), Ryan Ottley (Invincible), Jimmy Palmiotti (Jonah Hex), Jeff Parker (Thunderbolts), Lauren Perry (Blank-ees), David Petersen (Mouse Guard), Brandon Peterson (Ultimate Extinction), Chris Pitzer (Publisher, Adhouse Books), Paul Pope (Wednesday Comics), Eric Powell (The Goon), Jack Purcell (Gotham City Sirens), Mike Raicht (The Stuff of Legend), Tom Raney (Black Widow: Deadly Origin), Chris Roberson (I, Zombi), James Robinson (Justice League of America), Kenneth Rocafort (Velocity), Budd Root (Cavewoman), Don Rosa (Uncle Scrooge), Craig Rousseau (Marvel Her-Oes), Stephane Roux (Zatanna), Jim Rugg (Afrodisiac), Filip Sablik (The Asset, Top Cow Pubisher), Tim Sale courtesy of Hero Initiative (Captain America White), Ian Sattler (Editor, DC Comics), Stuart Sayger (Bram Stoker's Death Ship), Bob Schreck (Jurassic Park), Jim Shooter (Magnus, Robot Fighter), Louise Simonson (X-Factor Forever), Walter Simonson (Thor), Andy Smith (WildC.A.T.S.), John K. Snyder III (The A-Team: Shotgun Wedding), Allison Sohn (Star Wars sketchcard artist), Jim Starlin (Dreadstar), Brian Stelfreeze (The Authority: The Lost Year), Paul D. Storrie (Twilight Crusade: Gabriel), Karl Story (Zatanna), Billy Tan (Shadowland), Ben Templesmith sponsored by Laughing Ogre Comics (Choker), Mark Texeira (X-Men: Origins), Herb Trimpe (Incredible Hulk), Timothy Truman (Conan the Cimmerian), Billy Tucci (Shi), Dexter Vines (Ultimate Avengers), Neil Vokes (Superman Adventures), Doug Wagner (World of Warcraft: Horde), Matt Wagner (The Green Hornet: Year One), Mark Waid (Irredeemable, Chief Creative Officer, Boom! Studios), Marv Wolfman (New Teen Titans), John Workman (Heavy Metal), Bernie Wrightson (Swamp Thing), Kelly Yates (Doctor Who: 2010 Annual), and Chrissie Zullo (Cinderella: From Fabletown With Love).

In coming weeks, look for more announcements from the Baltimore Comic-Con. We are looking forward to highlighting our guests, the Harvey Awards, industry exclusives, and programming. The latest developments can always be found at our website (http://www.baltimorecomiccon.com/), Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/baltimorecomics), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/baltimorecomiccon), MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/baltimorecomics), and ComicSpace (http://www.comicspace.com/baltimorecomicon) pages.

This year's Baltimore Comic-Con will be held August 28-29, 2010. Convention hours are Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM. The ceremony and banquet for the Harvey Awards will be held Saturday night, August 28th.


Contact Information
Please use the following e-mail addresses to contact the Baltimore Comic-Con:
press@baltimorecomiccon.com - for any general press inquiries or to be added to our PR distribution
promoter@baltimorecomiccon.com - for requesting exhibitor, publisher, and Artist Alley applications
registrar@baltimorecomiccon.com - for inquiries about submitted registrations
harveys@baltimorecomiccon.com - for communications regarding the Harvey Awards ceremony and banquet
general@baltimorecomiccon.com - for general Baltimore Comic-Con inquiries

About The Baltimore Comic-Con
The Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating its 11th year of bringing the comic book industry to the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area. With a guest list unequaled in the industry, the Baltimore Comic-Con will be held August 28-29, 2010. For more information, please visit http://www.baltimorecomiccon.com/.

About The Harvey Awards
The Harvey Awards are one of the comic book industry's oldest and most respected awards. With a history of over 20 years, the last 5 in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con, the Harveys recognize outstanding achievements in over 20 categories. They are the only industry awards nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals. For more information, please visit http://www.harveyawards.org/.

Eagle Awards Have New Home

AFTER two years of nomadic existence, the world’s most popular comicbook fan awards have found a new home.

This October the Eagle Awards will take up residency at London’s hugely popular MCM Expo at Excel, where the 2010 awards will be announced.

As of 2011 and going forward, the awards will become part of London MCM Expo's May event.

While details are still to be finalised Eagles administrator Cassandra Conroy announced, “I’m really pleased to have inked the deal with MCM's Paul Miley and Brian Cooney, considering that the London MCM Expo is viewed by fans and industry alike as London's Comic Con the nearest that the UK has to San Diego!"

”It’s been frustrating to have been homeless for the past couple of years and this new arrangement provides the Eagles with long-term stability. It also links us into a partnership with people who are as enthusiastic as I am to make them the industry’s premiere awards,” she added.

For his part, MCM Expo's Paul Miley said, “We are very happy to now be the new home to the Eagle Awards which we consider to be a great British institution and an important part of comic fandom recognised the world over. I am looking forward to working with Cassandra and the Eagle's to help take the awards to another level.

”London MCM Expo has a tremendous following from both comic fans and the public as a whole and is supported by many artists and writers which has helped the Comic Village section of the show to grow show on show,” added Miley. “We are likened to San Diego Comic Con in the US all the time by fans and industry pundits which we admit is a great accolade, may be not yet in size but most definitely in stature so bringing the Eagles to Expo helps to cement our position as London's Comic Con the Eagles are our Eisners.”

Biomega Enter General Narein

I read Biomega, Vol. 3

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which has apps for the iPhone and Palm smart phones and they're FREE).

I Reads You Review: BAKUMAN。 VOL. 1

Creators: Tsugumi Ohba (story) and Takeshi Obata (artist) with Tetsuichiro Miyaki (translation)
Publishing Information: VIZ Media, B&W, paperback, 206 pages, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN
Ordering Numbers: ISBN: 978-1-4215-3513-5 (ISBN-13)

Bakuman。is a manga from writer Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, the creators of the popular and controversial manga, Death Note. In this new series, Akita Takagi, an aspiring writer, convinces an artistically inclined classmate, Moritaka Mashiro, to join him in creating manga. Moritaka enjoys drawing for fun, and though he resists at first, he goes along because, in the past, he has considered becoming a manga-ka (manga creator).

In Bakuman, Vol. 1, Takagi encourages Mashiro to contact, Miho Azuki, a classmate with whom he is infatuated. She shocks both of them by making a special promise to Mashiro. Mashiro even learns that Miho has a connection to his late uncle, Nobuhiro Mashiro, who was a manga creator.

Bakuman is a rather strange manga. It has many elements of a teen manga: it is partially set at a high school; young love and courtship are a big part of the story; and there is some parental drama. However, Bakuman, thus far, seems to be mostly about the art and craft of creating popular entertainment. It is also an industry manga, a behind the scenes look at working in the world of manga publishing.

As a shonen manga (comics for teen boys), Bakuman is standard material, but as a story about two youngsters creating manga, Bakuman is brilliant just because it makes everything about creating a manga and getting it sold so fascinating. It is sharply written by Tsugumi Ohba, who is good at creating believable, engaging characters. The art by Takeshi Obata (who is also the artist on the manga Hikaru no Go and RalΩGrad) draws it in a style that uses heavily detailed compositions to make every panel look like it could be a real, living environment or space.

Because Bakuman is from the team behind Death Note, I am curious to see where this series goes and how it develops. I don’t care for the series’ domestic, teen life side, but Bakuman seems to promise to be something so different, and it is worth finding out where it goes, at least for a few volumes.

B+

Alex and Janet Evanovich's Troublemaker Still Tops

ALEX AND JANET EVANOVICH’S TROUBLEMAKER TOPS THE NEW YORK TIMES GRAPHIC-BOOKS BESTSELLER LIST FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE WEEKS!

Best-selling author Janet Evanovich is no stranger to the New York Times bestseller list. In fact, her books have dominated this list for years now. It should come as no surprise, then, that Troublemaker, her first graphic novel, has topped the graphic-books bestseller list for two weeks in a row.

Cowritten with Evanovich’s daughter, Alex Evanovich, Troublemaker is the continuation of the popular Barnaby series, which features the high-stakes misadventures of Alex Barnaby, the main character; NASCAR driver Sam Hooker; and, of course, Beans, the Saint Bernard. The third book in the series, this exciting new volume delivers more fast cars, fast-paced action, and steamy romance.

“We are absolutely floored by the amazing job the people at Dark Horse and artist Joëlle Jones did with Troublemaker,” said Janet and Alex Evanovich. “It’s been an honor to be part of such a talented and dedicated team.”

“Topping the New York Times graphic-books bestseller list is extremely gratifying to all who worked so hard on Troublemaker as well as the booksellers who supported it,” said Dark Horse’s vice president of business development, Michael Martens.

Troublemaker Volume 1 is on sale now in your local comic shop, bookstore, or department store. The highly anticipated second volume will arrive this November.


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, Will Eisner, and bestselling prose author, Janet Evanovich, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as The Mask, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Additionally, their highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Mass Effect, Tim Burton, Serenity and Domo. Today, Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic-book publisher in the United States and is recognized as both an innovator in the cause of creator rights and the comics industry's leading publisher of licensed material.

Archaia for August 2010

ARCHAIA ITEMS SHIPPING IN AUGUST 2010

LUCID #1
CRITICAL MILLENNIUM #3
MOUSE GUARD: LEGENDS OF THE GUARD #4
THE SECRET HISTORY BOOK THIRTEEN
FRAGGLE ROCK VOL. 1 HC
SYNDROME HC (OGN)
TITANIUM RAIN VOL. 2 HC (OGN)

OFFERING 1
LUCID #1 (of 4)
Retail Price: $3.95
Page Count: 24 pages
Format: saddle bound, 6.625” x 10.25”, full color
Written by Michael McMillian
Illustrated by Anna Wieszczyk
Cover by Anna Wieszczyk

Welcome to the world of Lucid, the highly anticipated, action-packed, pop-fantasy, four-issue miniseries that draws inspiration from the spy genre, Arthurian legend and 21st-century folklore! Dark forces are conspiring to prevent humankind from reaching its true potential. Thankfully, as newly appointed “Protector of the Realm,” Agent Matthew Dee uses his skills as a covert spy and Combat Mage to ensure America’s freedom from the grip of evil.

In this issue: Who is Waylan Gheely, and what forbidden power has he stolen? What ancient evil, banished two millennia ago by Merlin himself, threatens to consume our dimension? What presence lurks in the shadows behind it all? And just who is The Secretary of Secrets? Find out in Lucid #1!

Written by “True Blood” actor Michael McMillian and illustrated by newcomer Anna Wieszczyk, Lucid is Archaia’s first title published in association with Zachary Quinto (“Heroes,” “Star Trek”) and his production company, Before the Door Pictures.

T +13 (Contains material suitable for teen readers age 13 and above)

OFFERING 2
CRITICAL MILLENNIUM #3 (of 4)
Retail Price: $3.95
Page Count: 40 pages
Format: saddle bound, 6.625” x 10.25”, full color
Written by Andrew E. C. Gaska
Illustrated by Daniel Dussault
Cover by Daniel Dussault

One will die! Coney, Eryc, Pandita and Angel Rei return to Earth amidst a media circus! In the aftermath of the flooding of the Ghost Sector of New Bombay, the world debates over what to do with the survivors—no one wants them. With the completed Black Star Drive Vessel transported via cargo carrier to Earth, and political tensions over its impending launch running high, young John Adams find himself entrenched deep within the new Ghost Army. The leader—a man known only as the Wraith—initiates a series of terrorist attacks designed to kill the would-be-astronauts and destroy their ship in a bid to stop the mission to the stars!

Mature Readers (Contains Adult Content)

OFFERING 3
MOUSE GUARD: LEGENDS OF THE GUARD #4 (of 4)
Retail Price: $3.50
Page Count: 24 pages
Format: saddle bound, 8” x 8”, full color
Written by Karl Kerschl, Craig Rousseau, Mark Smylie and David Petersen
Illustrated by Karl Kerschl, Craig Rousseau, Mark Smylie and David Petersen
Cover by David Petersen

Located in the western mouse city of Barkstone, The June Alley Inn is hosting a rousing storytelling competition, and the winner’s bar tab will be paid in full! Hear a tale of mad King Avidar, a cruel and cunning leader…and the brave mice who dare oppose him! Legends of the Guard is a limited anthology series (with always the chance for more) with artists and storytellers handpicked by creator David Petersen. Featured in this issue are tales by Karl Kerschl (Teen Titans: Year One), Craig Rousseau (Impulse), Mark Smylie and David Petersen.

All Ages

OFFERING 4
THE SECRET HISTORY BOOK THIRTEEN
Retail Price: $5.95
Page Count: 48 pages
Format: perfect bound, 6.875” x 10.25”, full color
Written by Jean-Pierre Pécau
Illustrated by Igor Kordey
Colors by Leonard O’Grady
Cover by Manchu & Olivier Vatine

Götterdämmerung. 1943: SS officers in the service of William of Lecce try to recover the Ark of the Covenant. Despite the opposition of the Mafia, they manage the feat, but too late: Fate begins to play its final hand, and the war appears lost for the Axis Powers. In desperation, William plays his last card trying to derail the Normandy landings, and takes refuge in Japan…

Mature Readers (series contains Nudity, Graphic Violence, and Adult Content)

OFFERING 5
FRAGGLE ROCK VOL. 1 Collected Edition Hardcover
Retail Price: $19.95
Page Count: 136 pages
Format: hardcover with dust jacket, 8” x 8”, full color
Written by Adrianne Ambrose, Nichol Ashworth, Jeffrey Brown, Bryce Coleman, Katie Cook, Leigh Dragoon, Sam Humphries, Neil Kleid, Grace Randolph and Heather White
Illustrated by Jeffrey Brown, Katie Cook, Michael DiMotta, Joanna Estep, Whitney Leith, Jeremy Love, Jake Myler, Fernando Pinto and Jeff Stokely

This collects the spectacular first three issues of Archaia and The Jim Henson Company’s Fraggle Rock comic series, featuring work by a talented mix of newcomers and indie superstars! Includes all the activity pages contained in the single issues and, as a bonus, Fraggle Rock content from the Free Comic Book Day issue is included, plus a preview of Skrumps, an all-new Henson property created by John Chandler!

All Ages

OFFERING 6
SYNDROME Original Graphic Novel Hardcover
Retail Price: $19.95
Page Count: 104 pages
Format: hardcover with dust jacket, 6.625” x 10.25”, full color
Ship Date: August 2010
ISBN: 1-932386-99-8
ISBN 13: 978-1-932386-99-8
Country: U.S.
Created by Blake Leibel
Written by Daniel Quantz and R.J. Ryan
Illustrated by David Marquez
Photo cover by Michael Dahan

When a rogue neuropathologist makes a startling breakthrough—literally isolating the root of all evil in the recesses of the human brain—he'll stop at nothing to advance his theory. With the help of a naïve Hollywood actress, a tormented motion picture director and a condemned serial killer, Dr. Wolfe Brunswick launches a bold experiment in the Nevada desert, the outcome of which could transform humanity forever.

“The Truman Show” meets “Se7en” in Syndrome, an inventive, original graphic novel hardcover that serves as one of the first titles to be featured under Archaia’s new Black Label line. Published in association with Fantasy Prone.

Mature Readers (Series contains adult content, nudity, adult language and graphic violence)

OFFERING 7
TITANIUM RAIN VOL. 2 Original Graphic Novel Hardcover
Retail Price: $19.95
Page Count: 196 pages
Format: hardcover with dust jacket, 6.625” x 10.25”, full color
Ship Date: August 2010
ISBN: 1-932386-93-9
ISBN-13: 978-1-932386-93-6
Country: U.S.
Written by Josh Finney
Illustrated by Josh Finney and Kat Rocha
The Sino Conflict heats up as the Jade Army continues its relentless advance across China. The Union is desperate, the Allies can barely hold their ground and looming on the horizon is the specter of all-out nuclear war. Caught in the middle of this maelstrom are the men and women of Phoenix Squadron, a group of US Air Force fighter pilots who have sacrificed some of their humanity for the advantages of cybernetic enhancement. In this second installment of the Titanium Rain trilogy, the war gets bloodier, the stakes get higher and secrets are revealed about the true nature of the Prometheus Initiative. Like the war itself, will Prometheus lead mankind ever closer to ultimate destruction? Or is it the dawning of a new age?

Mature Readers (Contains Graphic Violence and Adult Content)