CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT #1
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics
STORY: Joshua Williamson
ART: Fernando Dagnino
COLORS: Ego
LETTERS: Nate Piekos of Blambot
COVER: Felipe Massafera
VARIANT COVER: Paolo Rivera
28pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (July 2013)
“On the Run” Part One of Three
The last time I saw comic book art by Fernando Dagnino was in Suicide Squad #14. I wrote a review for this blog (I Reads You, of course), in which I described Dagnino as a middling comic book artist.
Now, I see Dagnino’s work in Captain Midnight #1, and I think that he is much improved, with better technique and compositions. His style is slick, with a kind of retro, visual vibe that seems as if it belongs in comic books from 20 or 30 years ago. Here, Dagnino’s art recalls Alan David-Paul Neary and perhaps, a touch of George Perez. His storytelling is solid, but not spectacular.
Captain Midnight was one of the most popular radio programs of the late 1930s and 1940s. The character was a genius inventor, aviator, military pilot, and, of course, hero. The character migrated to comic books, where he donned a skin-tight suit similar to that of a superhero.
Dark Horse Comics brought the character back to life in its anthology, Dark Horse Presents, and is making Captain Midnight part of its new superhero initiative. Captain Midnight is Jim Albright, an expert inventor and fighter pilot extraordinaire. He was one of the world’s greatest minds and one of American’s greatest intellectual resources. Then, he disappeared in 1944.
Captain Midnight #0 collected the Captain Midnight stories that appeared in Dark Horse Presents. These early stories depicted Captain Midnight’s arrival in the present day and his dispute with the U.S. government, which considers the Captain suspicious, if not an outright danger to national security. He steals a jet and escapes custody.
Now, the resurrected radio hero stars in a new ongoing series. Captain Midnight #1 opens in July 1942, as Captain Midnight and the Secret Squadron raid a Nazi fortress. There, Captain Midnight will have his final showdown with his nemesis, Ivan Shark.
The story moves to present day Nevada. Charlotte Jean Ryan climbs her way to Secret Squadron Headquarters. Charlotte is the granddaughter of Joyce Ryan, a former Secret Squadron agent and once Captain Midnight’s love interest. Charlotte and her grandmother aren’t the only ones looking for Captain Midnight, however. Charlotte’s ex-husband, Rick Marshall, a Captain Midnight historian (and fanboy), is also helping federal agents search for World War II hero.
But where is Captain Midnight? Is he ready to emerge in a world that can’t trust a time-traveling man?
Actually, Captain Midnight #1 is a solid, but not spectacular comic book. Still, writer Joshua Williamson presents an intriguing and simply fun-to-read story. In fact, Captain Midnight seems as if the emphasis will be on mystery, espionage, and intrigue more than it will be on superhero theatrics. That’s a good thing, because Captain Midnight seems like more of a suspense and adventure character than he is a superhero.
The verdict: Captain Midnight #1 is a success. I could find myself reading this series on a regular basis. Fans of old-timey heroes will want to try Dark Horse Comics’ Captain Midnight.
B+
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux
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Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Review: CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT #1
"Matilda" the Musical Meets "Help for the Haunted" in Sweepstakes
Received this from a HarperCollins marketing rep yesterday:
HELP FOR THE HAUNTED (On-sale: September 17th) is a new book by John Searles. John is the critically acclaimed author of Boy Still Missing and Strange but True, and now he is back with an eerie and compelling new novel that is sure to keep you up at night.
About Help for the Haunted:
TWO SISTERS. ONE DARK SECRET.
• Fifteen-year-old Sylvie Mason isn’t sure who murdered her parents that winter night, but she knows she can’t stop looking until she knows the truth. Sylvie pursues the mystery, moving closer to the knowledge of what occurred that night, as she comes to terms with her family’s past and uncovers secrets that have haunted them for years
• Rose, Sylvie’s sister, seems to have a secret of her own – did she murder her own parents?
• A frightening and mysterious ghost story that you won’t be able to put down until you’re done
• Recently received a starred Booklist review, a starred Publishers Weekly review, and Gillian Flynn (author of Gone Girl) loved it: “Part ghost story, part coming-of-age story, John Searles’ ‘HELP FOR THE HAUNTED’ is a dazzling, dark portrait of a troubled family beset by the supernatural…The result is a novel both frightening and beautiful."
THE SWEEPSTAKES:
HarperCollins has initiated a huge sweepstakes going on right now where if readers pre-order the book, they could win tickets to see Broadway’s hit musical, Matilda.
Go here or to http://john-searles.com/sweepstakes.shtml for contest details.
This is what John has to say about the connection between his book and Matilda: “Matilda and HELP FOR THE HAUNTED are each stories about a young girl who loves books, is smart beyond her years, and must rely on her intelligence and curiosity in order to set things right in her world.”
HELP FOR THE HAUNTED (On-sale: September 17th) is a new book by John Searles. John is the critically acclaimed author of Boy Still Missing and Strange but True, and now he is back with an eerie and compelling new novel that is sure to keep you up at night.
About Help for the Haunted:
TWO SISTERS. ONE DARK SECRET.
• Fifteen-year-old Sylvie Mason isn’t sure who murdered her parents that winter night, but she knows she can’t stop looking until she knows the truth. Sylvie pursues the mystery, moving closer to the knowledge of what occurred that night, as she comes to terms with her family’s past and uncovers secrets that have haunted them for years
• Rose, Sylvie’s sister, seems to have a secret of her own – did she murder her own parents?
• A frightening and mysterious ghost story that you won’t be able to put down until you’re done
• Recently received a starred Booklist review, a starred Publishers Weekly review, and Gillian Flynn (author of Gone Girl) loved it: “Part ghost story, part coming-of-age story, John Searles’ ‘HELP FOR THE HAUNTED’ is a dazzling, dark portrait of a troubled family beset by the supernatural…The result is a novel both frightening and beautiful."
THE SWEEPSTAKES:
HarperCollins has initiated a huge sweepstakes going on right now where if readers pre-order the book, they could win tickets to see Broadway’s hit musical, Matilda.
Go here or to http://john-searles.com/sweepstakes.shtml for contest details.
This is what John has to say about the connection between his book and Matilda: “Matilda and HELP FOR THE HAUNTED are each stories about a young girl who loves books, is smart beyond her years, and must rely on her intelligence and curiosity in order to set things right in her world.”
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Tuesday, July 30, 2013
DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 31 2013
DC COMICS
MAY130206 ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #3 $3.99
MAY130191 ANIMAL MAN ANNUAL #2 $4.99
MAR130299 ANIMAL MAN OMNIBUS HC (MR) $75.00
MAY130155 BATMAN ANNUAL #2 $4.99
APR130227 BATMAN ILLUSTRATED BY NEAL ADAMS TP VOL 03 $24.99
MAY130158 BATMAN INCORPORATED #13 $2.99
MAY130161 BATMAN INCORPORATED #13 COMBO PACK $3.99
MAY130156 BATMAN ZERO YEAR DIRECTORS CUT #1 $5.99
APR130260 BEWARE THE CREEPER TP (MR) $14.99
MAY130246 COLLIDER #1 (MR) $2.99
MAY130166 DETECTIVE COMICS ANNUAL #2 $4.99
MAY130124 FLASH ANNUAL #2 $4.99
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MAY130211 INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US #7 $3.99
MAY130184 RED LANTERNS #22 $2.99
APR130229 SHOWCASE PRESENTS DC COMICS PRESENTS TP VOL 02 $19.99
MAY130215 SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 SPECIAL #2 $4.99
MAY130145 SUPERBOY #22 $2.99
MAY130144 SUPERMAN ANNUAL #2 $4.99
MAY130248 TOM STRONG AND THE PLANET OF PERIL #1 $2.99
MAY130110 TRINITY OF SIN PANDORA #2 (TRINITY) $2.99
MAY130260 WAKE #3 (MR) $2.99
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APR130277 DC THE NEW 52 WONDER WOMAN VS KATANA AF 2 PACK $39.95
APR130279 VERTIGO SANDMAN & DEATH BOOKENDS 2ND EDITION $199.95
MAY130206 ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #3 $3.99
MAY130191 ANIMAL MAN ANNUAL #2 $4.99
MAR130299 ANIMAL MAN OMNIBUS HC (MR) $75.00
MAY130155 BATMAN ANNUAL #2 $4.99
APR130227 BATMAN ILLUSTRATED BY NEAL ADAMS TP VOL 03 $24.99
MAY130158 BATMAN INCORPORATED #13 $2.99
MAY130161 BATMAN INCORPORATED #13 COMBO PACK $3.99
MAY130156 BATMAN ZERO YEAR DIRECTORS CUT #1 $5.99
APR130260 BEWARE THE CREEPER TP (MR) $14.99
MAY130246 COLLIDER #1 (MR) $2.99
MAY130166 DETECTIVE COMICS ANNUAL #2 $4.99
MAY130124 FLASH ANNUAL #2 $4.99
MAR130268 GREEN LANTERN NEW GUARDIANS HC VOL 02 BEYOND HOPE (N52) $22.99
APR130216 GREEN LANTERN NEW GUARDIANS TP VOL 01 RING BEARER (N52) $14.99
MAY130211 INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US #7 $3.99
MAY130184 RED LANTERNS #22 $2.99
APR130229 SHOWCASE PRESENTS DC COMICS PRESENTS TP VOL 02 $19.99
MAY130215 SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 SPECIAL #2 $4.99
MAY130145 SUPERBOY #22 $2.99
MAY130144 SUPERMAN ANNUAL #2 $4.99
MAY130248 TOM STRONG AND THE PLANET OF PERIL #1 $2.99
MAY130110 TRINITY OF SIN PANDORA #2 (TRINITY) $2.99
MAY130260 WAKE #3 (MR) $2.99
DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES
APR130277 DC THE NEW 52 WONDER WOMAN VS KATANA AF 2 PACK $39.95
APR130279 VERTIGO SANDMAN & DEATH BOOKENDS 2ND EDITION $199.95
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MAY130598 WHAT IF AVX #4 $3.99
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MAY130744 X-MEN FALLEN ANGELS TP $19.99
MAY130701 X-MEN LEGACY #14 NOW $2.99
MAY130610 BLACK BOLT SOMETHING INHUMAN THIS WAY COMES $7.99
MAY130616 CAPTAIN MARVEL #14 $2.99
MAY130664 DAREDEVIL #29 $2.99
MAY130661 FEARLESS DEFENDERS #7 NOW $2.99
MAY130666 FF #10 NOW $2.99
MAY130589 GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #5 NOW $3.99
MAY130657 INDESTRUCTIBLE HULK #11 NOW $3.99
MAY138173 KICK-ASS 3 #1 2ND PTG ADAM KUBERT VAR (MR) $2.99
MAY138170 KICK-ASS 3 #1 2ND PTG FERRY VAR (MR) $2.99
MAY138172 KICK-ASS 3 #1 2ND PTG HAMNER VAR (MR) $2.99
MAY138169 KICK-ASS 3 #1 2ND PTG HUGHES VAR (MR) $2.99
MAY138171 KICK-ASS 3 #1 2ND PTG SILVESTRI VAR (MR) $2.99
MAY130626 ULTIMATE COMICS ULTIMATES #28 $3.99
MAY130695 UNCANNY X-FORCE #9 NOW $3.99
APR130720 UNCANNY X-FORCE TP VOL 01 LET IT BLEED NOW $17.99
MAY130689 UNCANNY X-MEN #9 NOW $3.99
MAY130648 VENOM #38 $2.99
MAY130598 WHAT IF AVX #4 $3.99
MAY130702 WOLVERINE IN FLESH #1 $3.99
MAY130685 X-MEN #3 $3.99
MAY130744 X-MEN FALLEN ANGELS TP $19.99
MAY130701 X-MEN LEGACY #14 NOW $2.99
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IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for July 31 2013
Digital Comics: Digital new releases available from your local comic book shop are marked below. [DIG] = Digital version available. [DIG/P+] = Print-Plus digital/print combo pack available. For more information, go to www.digitalcomicsreader.com.
IDW PUBLISHING
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MAY130342 GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO #192 [DIG/P+] $3.99
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MAY130318 JUDGE DREDD YEAR ONE #4 [DIG/P+] $3.99
MAY130357 MY LITTLE PONY FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC #9 [DIG/P+] $3.99
APR130308 SUPERMAN SILVER AGE NEWSPAPER DAILIES HC 1958-1961 $49.99
MAY130297 TMNT ONGOING #24 $3.99
MAY130347 TRANSFORMERS MORE THAN MEETS EYE #19 [DIG/P+] $3.99
APR130378 WORLDS OF SAM KIETH HC VOL 01 $49.99
IDW PUBLISHING
MAY130365 DOCTOR WHO PRISONERS OF TIME #7 [DIG/P+] $3.99
MAY130335 GI JOE #6 [DIG/P+] $3.99
MAY130342 GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO #192 [DIG/P+] $3.99
MAY130383 JOE PALOOKA TP $19.99
MAY130318 JUDGE DREDD YEAR ONE #4 [DIG/P+] $3.99
MAY130357 MY LITTLE PONY FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC #9 [DIG/P+] $3.99
APR130308 SUPERMAN SILVER AGE NEWSPAPER DAILIES HC 1958-1961 $49.99
MAY130297 TMNT ONGOING #24 $3.99
MAY130347 TRANSFORMERS MORE THAN MEETS EYE #19 [DIG/P+] $3.99
APR130378 WORLDS OF SAM KIETH HC VOL 01 $49.99
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MAY130011 CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT #1 MASSAFERA CVR $2.99
MAR130092 GANTZ TP VOL 28 (MR) $13.99
MAR130011 GHOST TP VOL 01 IN THE SMOKE AND DIN (MR) $14.99
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MAY130068 KING CONAN HOUR O/T DRAGON #3 $3.50
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MAY130055 AKANEIRO #3 $3.99
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MAY130047 ANGEL & FAITH #24 STEVE MORRIS CVR $2.99
MAY130040 BPRD VAMPIRE #5 $3.50
MAR130074 BURROUGHS TARZAN SUNDAY COMICS 1931-1933 HC VOL 01 $125.00
MAY130011 CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT #1 MASSAFERA CVR $2.99
MAR130092 GANTZ TP VOL 28 (MR) $13.99
MAR130011 GHOST TP VOL 01 IN THE SMOKE AND DIN (MR) $14.99
MAY130025 HOUSE OF GOLD & BONES #4 ALEXANDER CVR $3.99
MAY130068 KING CONAN HOUR O/T DRAGON #3 $3.50
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Digital Comics: Digital new releases available from your local comic book shop are marked below. [DIG] = Digital version available. [DIG/P+] = Print-Plus digital/print combo pack available. For more information, go to www.digitalcomicsreader.com.
IMAGE COMICS
MAY130442 39 MINUTES HC VOL 01 (MR) [DIG] $19.99
MAY130447 AGE OF BRONZE TP VOL 03.B BETRAYAL PT 2 (MR) $18.99
APR130528 BEDLAM #8 (MR) [DIG] $3.50
MAY130420 ELEPHANTMEN HC VOL 06 EARTHLY DESIRES (MR) [DIG] $34.99
MAY130554 FIVE GHOSTS HAUNTING OF FABIAN GRAY #5 [DIG] $2.99
APR130454 INFINITE VACATION DLX HC (MR) $24.99
MAY130459 INVINCIBLE TP VOL 18 DEATH OF EVERYONE [DIG] $16.99
MAY130558 IT GIRL & THE ATOMICS #12 [DIG] $2.99
MAY130482 KOMACON HC (MR) [DIG] $12.99
MAY130567 MORNING GLORIES #29 CVR A ESQUEJO (MR) [DIG] $3.50
APR138313 MORNING GLORIES #29 CVR B EISMA (MR) $3.50
APR138314 MORNING GLORIES #29 CVR C HUANG (MR) $3.50
APR138315 MORNING GLORIES #29 CVR D KELLY (MR) $3.50
APR138316 MORNING GLORIES #29 CVR E LEMIRE (MR) $3.50
APR138317 MORNING GLORIES #29 CVR F MELLON (MR) $3.50
APR138318 MORNING GLORIES #29 CVR G WAITE (MR) $3.50
APR138319 MORNING GLORIES #29 CVR H ZARCONE (MR) $3.50
MAY130570 SEX #5 (MR) [DIG] $2.99
MAR130598 YOUNGBLOOD #78 [DIG] $3.99
IMAGE COMICS/MCFARLANE TOYS
APR130585 WALKING DEAD SER 2 PX GOVERNOR/PENNY AF 2-PK PI
IMAGE COMICS
MAY130442 39 MINUTES HC VOL 01 (MR) [DIG] $19.99
MAY130447 AGE OF BRONZE TP VOL 03.B BETRAYAL PT 2 (MR) $18.99
APR130528 BEDLAM #8 (MR) [DIG] $3.50
MAY130420 ELEPHANTMEN HC VOL 06 EARTHLY DESIRES (MR) [DIG] $34.99
MAY130554 FIVE GHOSTS HAUNTING OF FABIAN GRAY #5 [DIG] $2.99
APR130454 INFINITE VACATION DLX HC (MR) $24.99
MAY130459 INVINCIBLE TP VOL 18 DEATH OF EVERYONE [DIG] $16.99
MAY130558 IT GIRL & THE ATOMICS #12 [DIG] $2.99
MAY130482 KOMACON HC (MR) [DIG] $12.99
MAY130567 MORNING GLORIES #29 CVR A ESQUEJO (MR) [DIG] $3.50
APR138313 MORNING GLORIES #29 CVR B EISMA (MR) $3.50
APR138314 MORNING GLORIES #29 CVR C HUANG (MR) $3.50
APR138315 MORNING GLORIES #29 CVR D KELLY (MR) $3.50
APR138316 MORNING GLORIES #29 CVR E LEMIRE (MR) $3.50
APR138317 MORNING GLORIES #29 CVR F MELLON (MR) $3.50
APR138318 MORNING GLORIES #29 CVR G WAITE (MR) $3.50
APR138319 MORNING GLORIES #29 CVR H ZARCONE (MR) $3.50
MAY130570 SEX #5 (MR) [DIG] $2.99
MAR130598 YOUNGBLOOD #78 [DIG] $3.99
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