Wednesday, July 30, 2014

I Reads You Review: SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? #47

SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? #47
DC COMICS – @DCComics

STORY: Sholly Fisch; Michael Kraiger
PENCILS: Dave Alvarez; Scott Neely
INKS: Dave Alvarez; Scott Neely
COLORS: Candace Schinzler-Bell, Paul Becton
LETTERS: Saida Temofonte; Rob Leigh
EDITOR: Aniz Ansari
COVER: Scott Neely and Candace Schinzler-Bell
28pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (September 2014)

Rated “E” for “Everyone”

I recently received the latest issue of my Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? subscription.  I bought the subscription via a fundraiser held by my nephew’s school last year, which involved selling magazine subscriptions.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #47 opens with “Comic Convention Card Tricks” (written by Sholly Fisch and drawn by Dave Alvarez).  Mystery Inc. is attending Mega-Pop Con (“The world’s largest gathering of pop culture!”).  Scooby-Doo and Shaggy are there for the comic books and the food, of course.  Daphne is looking to add to her collection of Fuzzies DollsFred wants to meet the star of his favorite science fiction television show, “Doc Whatzisname.”

Velma is at the convention to put her “keen strategic mind” to use in the “World Championship Tournament” of her favorite role-playing card game, “Monster Mania.”  But the gang’s fun is interrupted when monsters from Monster Mania come to life to plague the tournament.

“Night Marchers” (written by Michael Kraiger and drawn by Scott Neely) opens with Mystery Inc. in Hawaii so that Daphne can attend the “Conference on Polynesian Paranormal Phenomena.”  Of course, the gang can’t escape a mystery, especially after Shaggy and Scooby meet the ghostly procession known as the “Night Marchers.”

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #47 is unusual in that Velma is the spark in both the cases Mystery Inc. confronts.  The gang is at Mega-Pop Con and in Hawaii because of events in which Velma is participating.  Perhaps, this catches my attention because I am always curious about Velma beyond her place in Mystery Inc.  Who is she and what is her family like?  What are her hobbies?

Beside that, “Comic Convention Card Tricks” is a severely under-developed story.  Once again, it is one of those Scooby-Doo short stories that needed more space.  “Night Marchers,” which I’m assuming is the reprint story this issue (from Scooby-Doo #77), is a fun read, if for no other reason than its Hawaiian setting.

As a side note:  the setting of “Comic Convention Card Tricks” is Mega-Pop Con, which is obviously a stand-in for the legendary, annual San Diego Comic-Con International.  In conjunction with Comic-Con International 2014, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #47, in addition to the regular edition, comes with an exclusive Comic-Con variant cover edition.  Get yours if you can.

B-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.



Tuesday, July 29, 2014

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 30, 2014

DC COMICS

MAY140353     ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #15     $3.99
APR140277     AME COMI GIRLS TP VOL 02 RISE OF BRAINIAC     $14.99
MAY140189     AQUAMAN ANNUAL #2     $4.99
MAR140253     BATMAN DARK KNIGHT HC VOL 04 CLAY (N52)     $24.99
APR140257     BATMAN DARK KNIGHT TP VOL 03 MAD     $16.99
MAY140229     BATMAN ETERNAL #17     $2.99
APR140285     BATMAN LIL GOTHAM TP VOL 02     $12.99
APR140260     BATWING TP VOL 04 WELCOME TO THE FAMILY (N52)     $16.99
MAY140392     BODIES #1 (MR)     $3.99
MAY140374     DC COMICS PRESENTS BATMAN ADVENTURES #1     $7.99
MAY140244     DETECTIVE COMICS ANNUAL #3     $4.99
MAR140282     DOOM PATROL OMNIBUS HC (MR)     $150.00
MAY148231     HARLEY QUINN #1 5TH PTG     $2.99
MAY140245     HARLEY QUINN #8     $2.99
MAY140173     JUSTICE LEAGUE #32     $3.99
MAY140176     JUSTICE LEAGUE #32 COMBO PACK     $4.99
MAY140185     NEW 52 FUTURES END #13 (WEEKLY)     $2.99
MAY140265     RED LANTERNS ANNUAL #1     $4.99
MAY140397     SANDMAN OVERTURE #3 COMBO PACK (MR)     $4.99
MAY140393     SANDMAN OVERTURE #3 CVR A (MR)     $3.99
MAY140394     SANDMAN OVERTURE #3 CVR B (MR)     $3.99
MAY140257     SINESTRO #4     $2.99
JUN140254     SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 SPECIAL #5     $4.99
MAY140412     VERTIGO QUARTERLY #1 MAGENTA (MR)     $7.99
APR140303     WAKE #10 (MR)     $2.99

DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES

FEB140305     DC COMICS NEW 52 POWERGIRL & HUNTRESS AF 2 PACK     $44.95
FEB140304     INJUSTICE BATMAN VS JOKER 2 PACK AF     $29.95

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 30, 2014

MARVEL COMICS

MAY140811     100TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL #1 GOTG     $3.99
MAY148186     ALL NEW GHOST RIDER #3 2ND PTG MOORE VAR ANMN     $3.99
MAY140838     ALL NEW GHOST RIDER #5     $3.99
MAY148187     ALL NEW X-MEN #27 2ND PTG IMMONEN VAR     $3.99
MAY148188     ALL NEW X-MEN #28 2ND PTG IMMONEN VAR     $3.99
MAY140786     AVENGERS #33 SIN     $3.99
MAY140829     AVENGERS WORLD #10     $3.99
MAY140900     CYCLOPS #3     $3.99
MAY140892     DEADPOOL DRACULAS GAUNTLET #4     $3.99
MAY148175     FIGMENT #2 2ND PTG CHRISTOPHER VAR     $3.99
MAY140852     GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #17     $3.99
FEB140793     HAWKEYE #19     $3.99
MAY140948     HUMAN TORCH BY KESEL AND YOUNG COMP COLL TP     $34.99
MAY140858     IRON MAN SPECIAL #1     $4.99
MAY140851     IRON PATRIOT #5     $3.99
MAY148248     LEGENDARY STAR LORD #1 2ND PTG MCNIVEN VAR ANMN     $3.99
MAY140920     MARVELS GUARDIANS GALAXY ART OF MOVIE SLIPCASE HC     $49.99
MAY140935     MIGHTY AVENGERS TP VOL 02 FAMILY BONDING     $17.99
MAY140923     MMW AMAZING SPIDER-MAN TP VOL 08     $24.99
MAY140826     NEW AVENGERS #21     $3.99
APR140643     ORIGINAL SIN #3.3     $3.99
MAY148249     ROCKET RACCOON #1 2ND PTG YOUNG VAR ANMN     $3.99
MAY140939     RUNAWAYS COMPLETE COLLECTION TP VOL 01     $34.99
MAY140824     SECRET AVENGERS #6     $3.99
MAY140941     SPIDER-MAN COMPLETE ALIEN COSTUME SAGA TP BOOK 01     $44.99
MAY140833     ULTIMATE FF #5     $3.99
MAY140821     UNCANNY AVENGERS #22     $3.99
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MAY140899     X-MEN #17     $3.99
MAY140947     X-MEN MAGNETO TESTAMENT TP NEW PTG     $19.99


IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for July 30, 2014

IDW PUBLISHING

MAY140475     CARTOON NETWORK SUPER SECRET CRISIS WAR #2     $3.99
MAY140476     CARTOON NETWORK SUPER SECRET CRISIS WAR #2 SUBSCRIPTION     $3.99
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MAY140514     GHOSTBUSTERS #18     $3.99
MAR140412     GI JOE COMPLETE COLL HC VOL 05     $49.99
MAY140559     INFESTATION OMNIBUS TP     $29.99
JAN140519     JINNRISE TP VOL 02     $19.99
MAR140365     LOCKE & KEY COVERS OF GABRIEL RODRIGUEZ HC     $24.99
APR140450     METAL GEAR SOLID DLX ED HC     $75.00
MAY140540     RIP KIRBY HC VOL 07     $49.99
MAY140481     SAMURAI JACK #10     $3.99
MAY140544     STAR SLAMMERS REMASTERED #5     $3.99
MAY140500     TALES O/T TMNT TP VOL 05     $19.99
MAY140460     TRANSFORMERS ROBOTS IN DISGUISE #31 DAWN O/T AUTOBOTS     $3.99
MAY140531     V-WARS #4     $3.99
APR140454     WELL HC ARON WIESENFELD ART BOOK     $39.99
MAY140546     WRAITH WELCOME TO CHRISTMASLAND HC     $29.99
MAR140467     ZOMBIES VS ROBOTS Z-BOYZ I/T ROBOT GRAVEYARD PROSE TP     $19.99


Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 30, 2014

DARK HORSE COMICS

MAY140027     BALTIMORE WITCH OF HARJU #1     $3.50
MAY140060     CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT #13     $2.99
MAY140080     DEEP GRAVITY #1     $3.99
MAR140096     EC ARCHIVES TWO-FISTED TALES HC VOL 03     $49.99
MAY140056     EMILY & THE STRANGERS BREAKING RECORD #2     $3.99
MAR140095     GASOLINE ALLEY HC VOL 02 COMPLETE SUNDAYS 1923-1925     $75.00
MAY140093     KING CONAN CONQUEROR #6     $3.50
MAY140071     MASSIVE #25     $3.50
MAY140070     MIND MGMT #24     $3.99
MAY140068     PARIAH #6     $3.99
MAY140087     STAR WARS REBEL HEIST #4 HUGHES MAIN CVR     $3.50
APR140023     VEIL #4 (MR)     $3.50

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 30, 2014

IMAGE COMICS

MAY140696     BLACK SCIENCE #7 (MR)     $3.50
MAY140608     CHEW WARRIOR CHICKEN POYO #1     $3.50
MAY140700     COWL #3 (MR)     $3.50
MAY140702     DRUMHELLAR #7 (MR)     $3.50
MAY140703     EAST OF WEST #14     $3.50
MAR140516     FATALE #24 (MR)     $4.99
MAR140572     FIVE WEAPONS #10     $3.50
MAY140705     FUSE #6 (MR)     $3.50
MAY148255     HACK SLASH SON OF SAMHAIN #1 2ND PTG (MR)     $3.50
FEB140527     LAZARUS TP VOL 02 LIFT (MR)     $14.99
MAY140566     LOW #1 (MR)     $3.99
MAY140711     MANHATTAN PROJECTS #22     $3.50
MAY140713     MERCENARY SEA #6     $2.99
MAY140714     MICE TEMPLAR IV LEGEND #12 CVR A OEMING     $3.99
MAY140715     MICE TEMPLAR IV LEGEND #12 CVR B SANTOS & FREE     $3.99
MAY148254     NAILBITER #3 2ND PTG (MR)     $2.99
MAY140719     OUTCAST BY KIRKMAN & AZACETA #2 (MR)     $2.99
NOV130513     PROPHET #45     $3.99
MAY140643     SHELTERED TP VOL 02     $14.99
MAY148253     SOUTHERN BASTARDS #3 2ND PTG (MR)     $3.50
MAY140732     SOVEREIGN #5 (MR)     $2.99
FEB140637     TEN GRAND #10 CVR A SMITH (MR)     $2.99
FEB140638     TEN GRAND #10 CVR B ANDRASOFSZKY (MR)     $2.99
MAY140748     WITCHBLADE #177 CVR A BRAGA     $3.99
MAY140749     WITCHBLADE #177 CVR B CHRISTOPHER     $3.99

IMAGE COMICS/MCFARLANE TOYS

FEB140648     WWE MACHO MAN RANDY SAVAGE RESIN STATUE     PI

Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for July 30, 2014

PREVIEWS PUBLICATIONS
MAY140009     PREVIEWS BACKLIST CATALOG 2014     $1.50

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS
APR141330     ACG CLASSICS ADV INTO UNKNOWN SLIPCASE ED COLL PACK #2     $169.99
MAR141329     ACG COLL WORKS ADV INTO UNKNOWN HC VOL 08     $47.99
JUN141275     AMULET SC VOL 02 STONEKEEPERS CURSE NEW PTG     $12.99
JUN141276     AMULET SC VOL 03 CLOUD SEARCHERS NEW PTG     $12.99
MAY141251     AND THEN EMILY WAS GONE #1 (MR)     $3.50
MAY141008     ARCHIE 1000 PG COMICS EXPLOSION TP     $14.99
MAY141009     ARCHIE COMICS DIGEST #253     $4.99
MAY141647     ARMOR HUNTERS HARBINGER #1 CVR A REG (AH)     $3.99
MAY141648     ARMOR HUNTERS HARBINGER #1 CVR B CHROM (AH)     $5.99
JUN141285     BABY SITTERS CLUB GN VOL 03 MARY ANNE SAVES NEW PTG     $10.99
JUN141286     BABY SITTERS CLUB GN VOL 04 CLAUDIA & MEAN JANINE NEW PTG     $10.99
JUN141305     BATTLE ANGEL ALITA LAST ORDER OMNIBUS VOL 04     $19.99
MAY141709     BLACK BUTLER TP VOL 17     $13.00
MAY141710     BLOOD LAD OMNIBUS GN VOL 05     $20.00
JUN141018     BONE COLOR ED SC VOL 09 CROWN OF HORNS NEW PTG     $12.99
MAY141559     BRASS SUN #3     $3.99
MAY141447     BUCK ROGERS IN 25TH CENTURY PX HC VOL 01 GRIEVOUS ANGELS     $24.99
JUN140900     CALIBAN #1 FINAL FRONTIER (MR)     $3.99
JUN140873     CALIBAN #5 (MR)     $3.99
JUN140875     CALIBAN #5 TERROR CVR (MR)     $3.99
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JUN141135     CHAOS #1 CAMPBELL HIGH END VIRGIN ART LTD     $300.00
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JUN140922     COMPLETE FUNKY WINKERBEAN HC VOL 02 1975-1977     $45.00
JUN140923     COMPLETE FUNKY WINKERBEAN HC VOL 03 1978-1980     $45.00
JUN140898     CROSSED BADLANDS #50 TROPHIES (MR)     $5.99
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MAY141098     CROSSED BADLANDS #58 FATAL FANTASY CVR (MR)     $3.99
MAY141097     CROSSED BADLANDS #58 TORTURE CVR (MR)     $3.99
MAY141096     CROSSED BADLANDS #58 WRAP CVR (MR)     $3.99
AUG131142     DAY MEN #4     $3.99
MAY141150     DEAD LETTERS #4     $3.99
APR141190     DF AMAZING SPIDER MAN 1.1 ALEX ROSS SGN     $29.99
MAY141389     DF DEJAH OF MARS #3 DF EXC RISQUE RED CVR     $29.99
JAN141177     DF STAR WARS LUCAS DRAFT #0 GOLD MAYHEW SGN     $89.99
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MAY141561     DREDD ILLUS MOVIE SCRIPT & VISUALS LTD ED SGN HC (MR)     $87.99
MAR140957     EVIL EMPIRE #3 (MR)     $3.99
JUN140782     EXPLORER SC VOL 01 MYSTERY BOXES     $10.95
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JAN141519     FUN WITH KIRK & SPOCK HC     $14.95
MAY141406     GAST GN     $22.99
JUN140863     GEORGE RR MARTIN IN THE HOUSE O/T WORM #1 (MR)     $3.99
JUN140865     GEORGE RR MARTIN IN THE HOUSE O/T WORM #1 PAINTED CVR (MR)     $3.99
JUN140864     GEORGE RR MARTIN IN THE HOUSE O/T WORM #1 WRAP CVR (MR)     $3.99
MAY141777     GFT NEVERLAND AGE OF DARKNESS TP     $12.99
MAY141729     GFT REALM WAR #1 A CVR CAMPBELL (AOFD) (MR)     $3.99
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MAY141085     GOD IS DEAD #17 (MR)     $3.99
MAY141086     GOD IS DEAD #17 CARNAGE WRAP CVR (MR)     $3.99
MAY141087     GOD IS DEAD #17 END OF DAYS CVR (MR)     $3.99
MAY141088     GOD IS DEAD #17 ICONIC CVR (MR)     $3.99
JUN140897     GOD IS DEAD #7 CANNIBAL ABERE (MR)     $5.99
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MAR141331     HARVEY HORRORS BLACK CAT MYSTERY SOFTIE TP VOL 02     $24.99
APR141333     HARVEY HORRORS COLL PACK TOMB OF TERROR BOOKSHOP ED     $89.99
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JUN141208     HOW TO BE HAPPY HC     $24.99
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APR141335     ROY THOMAS PRESENTS CAPTAIN FLASH SLIPCASE ED VOL 01     $64.99
MAR141335     ROY THOMAS PRESENTS CAPTAIN FLASH W/ TORMENTED HC VOL 01     $47.99
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MAY141364     VAMPIRELLA TP VOL 06 FINAL CURTAIN     $19.99
JUN141150     WEAPON BROWN HC OMEGA ED (MR)     $34.99
MAY141819     WORDS FOR PICTURES ART & BUSINESS OF WRITING COMICS SC     $24.99
MAY141653     X-O MANOWAR #27 REG SEPULVEDA (AH)     $3.99

MAGAZINES
APR141337     2000 AD PACK JUN 2014     PI
MAY141864     COMIC SHOP NEWS #1415     PI
APR141640     DC BATMAN AUTO FIG MAG #36 DETECTIVE COMICS #667     $20.00
MAR141585     DC SUPERHERO CHESS FIG COLL MAG #60 REVERSE FLASH BLACK BISH     $16.00
MAR141619     HOBBY JAPAN JUN 2014     $16.60
JUN141432     HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 MOVIE MAGAZINE     $4.99
FEB141646     ILLUSTRATION MAGAZINE #45     $15.00
MAY141884     LOCUS #642     $7.50
MAR141587     MARVEL CHESS FIG COLL MAG #10 LUKE CAGE WHITE PAWN     $16.00
MAY141857     NON SPORT UPDATE VOL 25 #4 ADVENTURE TIME COVER     $5.99
MAY141885     STAR TREK MAGAZINE #50 NEWSSTAND ED     $9.99
MAY141886     STAR TREK MAGAZINE #50 PX ED     $9.99
MAY141610     STAR WARS MAGAZINE #2     $4.99

BOOKS
MAY141720     ACCEL WORLD NOVEL VOL 01 KUROYUKIHIMES RETURN     $13.00
JUN142305     ART OF WIND RISES HC     $34.99
MAY141813     GREG RUCKA JAD BELL NOVEL HC BOOK 02 BRAVO     $26.00
MAR141381     HYPERDIMENSION NEPTUNIA +MK2 ARTWORKS SC     $39.99
FEB141456     MIKUCOLOR KEI HATSUNE MIKU ILLUS WORKS SC     $39.99
MAY141841     STAR WARS REBELS VISUAL GUIDE HC     $16.99
MAY142818     WARHAMMER 40K BASTION WARS OMNIBUS SC     $17.50
MAY142820     WARHAMMER 40K UNREMEMBERED EMPIRE MMPB     $9.99

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Comic Book Review: THE STRAIN #4

THE STRAIN #4
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics

STORY: Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan
SCRIPT: David Lapham
ART: Mike Huddleston
COLORS: Dan Jackson
LETTERS: Clem Robins
COVER: Mike Huddleston
28pp, Color, $3.50 U.S. (March 2012)

Part 4: “Conspiracy”

Early in 2013, Dark Horse Comics made PDF copies of all 11 issues of its horror comic book series, The Strain, available to comic book reviewers on its mailing list.  This offer was part of DHC’s promotional effort for a second maxi-series, The Strain: The Fall.  I took up that offer and reviewed all 11 issues of The Strain for the ComicBookBin.

I have previously posted my reviews of The Strain, issues #1 through 3 on my “I Reads You” blog.  Over the course of the coming weeks, I will post the reviews of issues 4 to 11 on this blog in conjunction with the broadcast of “The Strain,” the television adaptation of the original novel.  The first episode aired on Sunday night, July 13, 2014 on cable channel, FX, with each new episode airing the following Sunday.

Thus far, the first two issues The Strain comic book are better than the first two episodes of “The Strain” TV series.

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

The Strain is the 11-issue comic book adaptation of The Strain, a 2009 vampire novel from filmmaker Guillermo del Toro and novelist Chuck Hogan.  Hogan’s 2004 novel, Prince of Thieves, became the Ben Affleck film, The Town.  Published by Dark Horse Comics, The Strain comic book is scripted by David Lapham, drawn by Mike Huddleston, and colored by Dan Jackson.

The Strain follows Dr. Ephraim “Eph” Goodweather of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control).  Eph heads the Canary Project, a rapid-response team that investigates biological threats.   With his second-in-command, Nora Martinez, Eph has found just that kind a threat.  It begins at J.F.K. International Airport in New York City, where a Boeing 777 went dead silent after landing.

The Strain #4 opens at the Stoneheart Group Headquarters in Manhattan.  There, CEO Eldritch Palmer begins to orchestrate his part in the madness that has already begun.  Eph’s son, Zack, witnesses something frightening.  Exhausted, Eph struggles to discover the secrets of what looks like an epidemic, while Nora comforts him.

Gabe Bolivar, rock star and survivor of the Boeing flight, gets a visit from his manager, Rudy, a visit that leaves the visitor stunned.  The wife of Ansel Barbour, another survivor, seeks comfort in “The Lord’s Prayer.”  Eph and Nora have a completely unexpected encounter with the third survivor, Captain Redfern.

The Strain #3 was f’ing awesome, and so is #4.  Artist Mike Huddleston has complete control of this narrative’s pace.  He draws out the coming horror in a measured pace that tries one’s nerves.  Could I take the heat?  Then, Huddleston unleashes brief action scenes that hit the viewer like a mean action movie.  Every one page of action feels like three pages.  Many media properties would be well served by a Mike Huddleston as their comic book artist.

Fans of horror comic books must have The Strain.

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.


Saturday, July 26, 2014

Review: MONSTER: The Perfect Edition Volume 1

MONSTER: THE PERFECT EDITION, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

CARTOONIST: Naoki Urasawa with Takashi Nagasaki
TRANSLATION/ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Camellia Nieh
LETTERS: Steve Dutro
ISBN: 978-1-4215-6906-2; paperback (July 2014); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
432pp, B&W with some color, $19.99 U.S., $22.99 CAN, £12.99 UK

Monster is a seinen manga (comics for adult men) written and drawn by Naoki Urasawa.  It was originally serialized in Japan in the manga magazine, Big Comic Original (published by Shogakukan), from December 1994 to December 2001.  From February 2006 to December 2008, VIZ Media published Monster in 18 paperback graphic novel editions (known as tankōbon in Japan).  Now, VIZ Media is collecting the series in a new “Perfect Edition” format in which two graphic novels are gathered in each oversized paperback volume.

Monster: The Perfect Edition, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 16) reprints Monster Volume 1 and Volume 2.  This edition is print-only and is published under the VIZ Signature imprint and it is rated “‘T+’ for Older Teens.”  The series carries an MSRP (manufacturer’s suggested retail price) of $19.99 U.S. and $22.99 CAN.  Monster: The Perfect Edition features a new English translation of Monster, re-mastered pages, and many pages of full-color content.  After Vol. 1, future volumes of Monster: The Perfect Edition will be released four times a year in North America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand for a total of nine volumes covering the entire series.

Naoki Urasawa’s Monster focuses on a young and very talented doctor who discovers that no good deed goes unpunished.  Dr. Kenzo Tenma moved from Japan to Germany to find success as a brain surgeon.  As the go-to-surgeon at Eisler Memorial Hospital in Düsseldorf, Tenma is the hospital’s golden boy.  However, it comes at a cost.  Tenma writes the medical papers that hospital director, Dr. Heinemann, presents as his own work.  Kenzo dates Heinemann’s daughter, Eva, but she is a spoiled daddy’s girl who cares more about appearances and material wealth than other people.  Then, Tenma makes a decision that leads to his fall from grace with Heinemann.

Tenma is determined to prove that he made the right decision.  So when two children come into the emergency room at Eisler one night, Tenma operates on Johan Liebert, the brother who has been shot in the head.  Johan’s sister, Anna, is in shock, but Tenma is determined to protect them both.  Tenma does not realize that his decision will force him to confront questions of good and evil.  Years later, he discovers a bizarre series of serial murders, and Tenma realizes that he may have saved a monster.

The Monster manga by Naoki Urasawa is one of the best comics published in the last decade of the 20th century.  Urasawa’s acclaimed manga may even be the best.

Monster can best be described as a psychological thriller, in which the central conspiracy expands ever outward.  Although the hero, Dr. Tenma, initially believes that all he has to do is find a serial killer, he gradually discovers that he must investigate history as well as track a killer.  Of course, Monster is a murder mystery, and there is plenty of political intrigue, some of it involving workplace politics. 

Whatever genres and styles upon which it touches, Monster is a riveting, absorbing read.  It is a chilling story in which the monsters are not of supernatural origins, but instead come from the dark recesses of the human mind.  Monster is such an engrossing, page-turner that it is unforgettable.  I never forgot it, and I am ready to read it again – thanks to Monster: The Perfect Edition.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.


Friday, July 25, 2014

I Reads You Review: HERCULES: The Knives of Kush

HERCULES: THE KNIVES OF KUSH
RADICAL COMICS

WRITER: Steve Moore
ARTIST: Chris Bolson with Manuel Silva and Leonardo Silva
COLORS: Doug Sirois with Cliff Cramp and Steve Firchow
LETTERS: Todd Klein
MISC. ART: Jim Steranko, Clint Langley, Arthur Suydam, Marko Djurdjevic, Daryl Mandryk, J.P. Targete, Jean-Sebastien Rossbach
COVER: Clint Langley
ISBN:  978-1-935417-03-3; paperback (May 2010)
152pp, Color, $14.95 U.S., $16.50 CAN

Radical Comics, a division of Radical Publishing, Inc., presented a radical interpretation of Hercules in 2008.  Radical’s Hercules debuted in the 2008 miniseries, Hercules: The Thracian Wars, which was written by late British writer, Steve Moore.  Moore created this new Hercules and legendary comic book artist, Jim Steranko, designed him.

Moore made Radical’s Hercules grittier, while focusing more on his human side than on his heritage as the son of the supreme god, Zeus.  Moore set Hercules’ life in the Bronze Age and gave him a band of friends.  Together, Hercules and his band left Greece and sought mercenary work in other lands.  Thus, Moore set Hercules first mercenary activities in Thrace.  Radical’s Hercules is now a Paramount Pictures/MGM’s film starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and directed by Brett Ratner.

The second Hercules miniseries was the five-issue, Hercules: The Knives of Kush, which was released in 2009.  The Knives of Kush finds Hercules and his mercenary band caught in the middle of Egypt’s civil war.  In 2010, Radical collected Hercules: The Knives of Kush in a trade paperback, and the company’s marketing director sent me a copy for review, which I promptly forgot about.

However, the impending release of the movie made me dig up my copy of The Knives of Kush.  I decided to reread the story, as I had previously only read the fourth and fifth issue of the miniseries, and post a review of the trade.

Hercules: The Knives of Kush opens with Hercules and his band of mercenaries:  Autolycus, Iolaus, Meleager, and Atalanta (the only female of the group) aboard the Greek boat, the “Sea Nymph.”  After a brief skirmish with pirates, Hercules and company end up in Egypt.  They eventually offer their services to Pharaoh Seti II who is fighting a civil war against his half-brother, Amenmessu (real life historical figures that lived in the 13th and 12th centuries BC).

Amenmessu is aided by Khadis, Lord of Lighting and a sorcerer whose powers may be the reason Amenmessu seems to be winning the war with Seti.  Hercules suspects that there is more to Amenmessu’s success than Khadis and believes that traitors hide among Seti’s circle of wives, advisors, retainers, etc.  Hercules is appointed as a royal bodyguard, but he believes that to learn the truth he must penetrate the sinister cult known as “The Knives of Kush.”  This, however, will bring Hercules face to face with an enemy like no other – a mysterious figure who may wield the power of the gods.

I doubt that I am the only reviewer who thinks that Steve Moore has converted the demigod of Greek myth, Hercules (Heracles), into something that resembles the sword and sorcery character, Conan the Cimmerian (also known as Conan the Barbarian).  This is not a criticism; Moore apparently put a lot of effort into researching Greek myth and history for Hercules.  Besides, I like this Hercules.  I did not read The Thracian Wars, and Moore states in the foreword to this trade paperback that readers do not need to know of Hercules’ adventures in Thrace before reading of his adventures in Egypt.

I think that Hercules: The Knives of Kush slightly resembles some of the Conan comic books that Marvel Comics published in the 1970s and 80s.  In fact, The Knives of Kush has a good premise and plot, but the problem is the execution.  It is as if Moore wanted this miniseries to be any number of things or was not sure what it should be.

On one hand, Hercules’ struggles against Amenmessu’s rebellion involve courtly conflict and palace intrigue.  Moore basically has Hercules, an action character, stumbling around Seti’s Memphis, vainly trying to discover spies.  On the other hand, since Amenmessu is leading an armed rebellion, there is eventually going to have to be a big battle between Seti’s forces, to which Hercules belongs, and Amenmessu.  Instead of building up to the battles, the spy hunt seems like story padding.  Also, at five issues in length, The Knives of Kush is at least one issue too long.

In fact, for all the fear that Amenmessu and his ally, Khadis and the cult known as The Knives of Kush, are supposed to engender, their confrontation with Hercules and company is anti-climatic.  Their demises are pitiful, leaving this story with the sense that there was no great villain and with the disappointment that Hercules’ head-bashing comes in fits and starts.

The art produced by Chris Bolson and Doug Sirois is quite good, but the rest of it falls off.  If there is ever more of Radical’s Hercules, I hope Bolson and Sirois are the artists, and I hope for a story that has more head-bashing and disemboweling than it does character drama.  I want the next Hercules to be more like the last two issues of Hercules: The Knives of Kush than the first three.  Who really cares about Hercules’ daddy issues?

B-

[This trade paperback includes an interview of Steve Moore conducted by Andre Lamar.]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.



Thursday, July 24, 2014

Review: BATTLE ROYALE Angels’ Border

BATTLE ROYALE ANGELS’ BORDER
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Koushun Takami with N-Cake
ARTISTS: Mioko Ohnishi and Youhei Oguma
TRANSLATION: Nathan Collins
LETTERS: Annaliese Christman
ISBN: 978-1-4215-7168-3; paperback (June 2014); Rated “T” for “Older Teen”
274pp, B&W, $12.99 U.S., $14.99 CAN, £8.99 U.K.

Battle Royale Angels’ Border is a stand-alone, one-shot manga set in the world of Battle Royale.  First published in 1999, Battle Royale is a Japanese horror and science fiction novel written by Koushun Takami.  In 2000, the novel became a manga that Takami produced with artist Masayuki Taguchi, who drew the manga.  A controversial film adaptation directed by Kinji Fukasaku was also released in 2000.

The book is set in the near-future in the Republic of Greater East Asia, a country that is like modern-day Japan, but has an authoritarian government.  The most graphic symbol of Greater East Asia’s controlling government is something called “the Program.”  Each year, an entire class of ninth grade students is kidnapped and dropped on an island.  There, the students are forced to kill each other until there is one survivor – the winner of the Program.  The original novel follows the 42 students (11 girls and 11 boys) of Shiroiwa Junior High – Ninth Grade Class B after they are chosen for the Program.

Battle Royale Angels’ Border expands upon the original novel.  Angels’ Border reveals for the first time the full story and grisly demise of the Shiroiwa Junior High girls who hid in the lighthouse.  Their subplot was featured in the original Battle Royale book and live-action film.

Battle Royale Angels’ Border features two episodes (or stories).  Episode I (drawn by Mioko Ohnishi) opens at the lighthouse.  The students from Shiroiwa Junior High scattered from the classroom where they received their orders and rules about the killing game that is the Program.  Yukie Utsumi and five of her friends:  Haruka Tanizawa, Yuka Nakagawa, Satomi Noda, Yuko Sakaki, Chisato Matsui lock themselves in the lighthouse.  There, they cling to a desperate hope of survival. The girls all trust each other, but they also know that only one can survive this killing game.

Meanwhile, Haruka struggles with her love for her friend, Yukie Utsumi, simultaneously wanting to touch Yukie, but skittish when Yukie touches her in friendship.  Haruka wants desperately for her and Yukie to survive, but complications and the arrival of others make one of the six girls very dangerous to the others.

Episode II (drawn by Youhei Oguma) focuses on two students from Shiroiwa Junior High – Ninth Grade Class B.  The story is set in November, six months before the kids from Class B are kidnapped into the Program.  Chisato, one of the girls who makes it to the lighthouse, is taking the train home when she has a confrontation with another passenger.  Suddenly, classmate Shinji Mimura comes to her rescue.  This popular boy and basketball star, practically sweeps Chisato off her feet, turning a train ride into something that might be called a date.

Honestly, I don’t have a lot to say about Battle Royale Angels’ Border.  I have not yet read Koushun Takami’s original novel, but I have seen the film adaptation, and I have read the first three volumes of the manga adaptation of the novel.  Both the film and manga contain depictions of extreme or graphic violence, including the depiction of a rape in the manga.

Battle Royale Angels’ Border is for teen readers, perhaps older teens; one reason being that the depiction of violence is not explicit.  Although it is teen appropriate, Angels’ Border is neither shojo nor shonen manga.  I think Angels’ Border’s two stories are essentially young adult (YA) stories set in the adult fiction/mature audience world of Battle Royale.  These stories blend teen love, unrequited love, LGBTQ love, but this is manga that is about young love and not so much about teen romance.

I do not know what fans of the Battle Royale novel, films, or manga will get out of these two interesting side stories.  I think teen readers will like them.  Think of Battle Royale Angels’ Border as Battle Royale toned down to the level of The Hunger Games

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.


Review: BATTLE ROYALE Ultimate Edition Volume 1

BATTLE ROYALE ULTIMATE EDITON, VOL. 1
TOKYOPOP

WRITERS: Koushun Takami and Masayuki Taguchi
ARTIST: Masayuki Taguchi
TRANSLATION: Tomo Iwo with Emily Shoji
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Keith Giffen
ISBN: 978-1-4278-0753-3; hardcover (October 2007); Action; Rated “M” for “Mature-Ages 18+”
632pp, B&W, $24.99 U.S.

The Battle Royale media franchise began life as the novel, Battle Royale.  It was written by Konshun Takami and published in Japan in 1999 by publisher, Ohta Shuppan.  Some audiences know Battle Royale for the controversial 2000 Japanese film adaptation that has gained cult status in the United States.

Japanese comics creator (mangaka) Masayuki Taguchi adapted the novel into manga.  TOKYOPOP published the Battle Royale manga in English as 15 graphic novels from 2003 to 2006.  In late 2007, TOKYOPOP began collecting those graphic novels into five omnibus editions, with each omnibus reprinting three graphic novel volumes of the Battle Royale manga in one hardcover book.

In the TOKYOPOP adaptation of the original magna, Battle Royale is set in an alternate timeline in which Japan is a police state.  There, the government sanctions a television game or reality show called “The Program.”  This show pits school students against one another in a kill or be killed scenario.  And only one student can survive and win!

Battle Royale Ultimate Edition, Vol. 1 (reprinting Battle Royale Vols. 1-3) introduces readers to Class B-9th Grade at Shiroiwa Junior High School.  These 42 students (21 boys and 21 girls) are gassed during a bus trip.  They awake to find themselves marooned on an island and forced to kill one another until only one survives – the winner.  They are goaded and warned of the extreme rules of “The Program” by its ruthless and mysterious game master, Yonemi Kamon.  Collars rigged with explosives around their necks will keep the students honest.

Weapons are handed out and each student is sent out into the island alone; before long many students are turning against each other and committing the most brutal acts of murder.  Amidst the carnage, however, established friendships and love relationships take hold, while new bonds are forged.  Out of the chaos, seven figures take center stage.  The righteous Shuuya Nanahara and the gentle and caring Noriko Nakagawa join a hardened veteran of a previous stint on “The Program,” Shogo Kawada.  Hacker Shinji Mimura takes the battle against the captors to cyberspace.  Some seek an alliance with the kind-hearted kung fu master Hiroki Sugimura, while the troubled bad girl, Mitsuko Souma, and the cold, merciless Kazuo Kiriyama kill at will.

I saw the Battle Royale film before I ever read the manga, and though the film’s violence is alternately bracing and cathartic and sickening and troubling, it’s not the most disturbing film I’ve ever seen (De Palma’s Scarface, Ken Russell’s The Devils, and Larry Clark’s Kids, among others).  Still, the Battle Royale movie didn’t prepare me for how shockingly and brutally violent the Battle Royale manga is.

Film critics often attack horror movies for not having good characters; their reasoning is that if the viewers care about the characters, then, the horror of their violent murders will affect the viewers that much more.  In his adaptation of Battle Royale, manga-ka Masayuki Taguchi is exceptionally good at getting you to take these characters into your minds (if not hearts), and then making you suffer their often gruesome fates.  The idea of placing humans in situations outside of civil society and civilization and watching them turn to murderers is not new, even when the characters are all children.  But there’s nothing quite like the horror of the teen-on-teen murder (and occasional explicit sex and sexual assault) of Battle Royale.

Battle Royale Ultimate Edition Volume 1 is like a comic book version of a DVD.  It contains essays and new and previously unseen art.  This book has a weapons dossier written by Eliot R. Brown, who wrote the specifications for weapons, armor, and equipment that appeared in titles published by Marvel Comics.  Readers will like this added material as nice extras to go with the excellent manga.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.


Wednesday, July 23, 2014

#IReadsYou Review: Bryan Lee O'Malley's SECONDS

SECONDS
RANDOM HOUSE/Ballantine Books – @randomhouse

CARTOONIST: Bryan Lee O’Malley
ART ASST: Jason Fischer
COLORS: Nathan Fairbairn
LETTERS: Dustin Harbin
COVER: Bryan Lee O’Malley
ISBN: 978-0-345-52723-3; paperback (July 15, 2014)
336pp, Color, $25.00 U.S.

Born in Canada, Bryan Lee O’Malley is a cartoonist and comic book artist and letterer.  He is best known as the creator of the bestselling graphic novel series, Scott Pilgrim, which began in 2004 with Scott Pilgrim’s Precious Little Life.  The series was adapted into the 2010 film, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (directed by Edgar Wright).

O’Malley’s first original graphic novel since Scott Pilgrim ended is entitled Seconds.  A full-color, hardback (6.2” x 8.2”), Seconds was just released by Ballantine Books (a division of Random House).  Seconds is the story of a talented young chef who misuses the magic that allows her to correct a blunder.

Seconds focuses on Katie Clay.  She is 29-years-old, and her 20s have been very good to her.  Once upon a time, she opened a restaurant with some friends; named “Seconds,” the place was successful.  Four years later, though, Katie is ready to move on and open a new restaurant, and she wants to name it “Katie’s.”  She has even found what she thinks is the ideal location, an old building that seems to have a magical charm about it (at least to her).

All at once, however, progress on the new location bogs down.  Seconds still calls to her – it doesn’t help that she lives in a room above the restaurant.  Her ex-boyfriend, Max, starts showing up again.  Katie is having a fling with Andrew, the 25-year-old chef she chose to replace her at Seconds, but that relationship seems to be souring.  Then, Hazel, a gorgeous young waitress at Seconds, is hurt in an accident caused, in some measure, because of Katie’s actions.  Katie’s life seems not to be so very good anymore.

If only she could have a second chance…

A mysterious girl named Lis suddenly appears in Katie’s room in the middle of the night.  Lis has simple instructions that will magically allow Katie a second chance to change a bad thing that happened into something much better.  And it works!  The problem is that Katie is only supposed to use that magic once.  Katie’s drive to fix everything will take her down the road to hell.

I am a huge fan of filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, and I have enjoyed the work of cartoonist and comic book creator/theorist, Scott McCloud.  I received a review copy of Seconds from Ballantine Books, and it came with a one-page press release for the book that included one-line quotes from both Del Toro and McCloud.  I don’t know if they actually read Seconds in its entirety or just parts of it, but neither of quotes conveyed what a truly unique comic book Seconds is.  With that said, let’s see if I can do some conveying.

Ever since I first came across the phrase “great read” in a book review I have used it in many of my reviews to let the reader know what fun I had reading a particular book.  Seconds is a great read.  I found myself going back over many pages, which is why I am a little late with this review.  Seconds is the kind of graphic novel that keeps me reading comic books, knowing that this medium can and does deliver unique and rewarding works like this.  Seconds is exemplary of that kind of supremely entertaining and imaginative work that only comic books can do.

Seconds is an uncanny mixture of magical realism and the fairy tale.  It is as if Bryan Lee O’Mally makes Katie’s story both a realistic drama and a Grimm-like cautionary, timeless in that it can be retold for any period.  Thematically, Seconds is about regret, the cycle of creation and dissolution in relationships, the ambivalence of change, and the yearning for supernatural (especially if it can solve our problems), among others.

The story suggests that trying to exert total control of the perceived chaos in our lives only brings actual terrible chaos instead of order.  Katie’s frantic desire to fix every problem, blunder, setback, etc. seems to make her more frantic.  The chaos that ensues drives this narrative, making it simmer like a potboiler.  It’s fun for us, but not for her.  Still, Seconds is more than just a thrill ride through Katie’s mounting problems.  It is also a funny, beautiful, and haunting examination of the human desire to make things work out just the way we want them to be.

Fans of Bryan Lee O’Malley and readers look for exceptional comic books will want to ask for Seconds.  This is a truly exceptional comic book.  And it’s a great read!

A

www.ballantinebooks.com

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.



Tuesday, July 22, 2014

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 23 2014

DC COMICS

MAY140266     ALL STAR WESTERN #33     $3.99
MAY140186     AQUAMAN #33     $2.99
MAY140230     BATMAN #33 (ZERO YEAR) (NOTE PRICE)     $4.99
MAY140233     BATMAN #33 COMBO PACK (ZERO YEAR) (NOTE PRICE)     $5.99
MAY140354     BATMAN 66 #13     $3.99
MAR148214     BATMAN 75TH ANNIV MASKS BATMAN 1966 (BND OF 25)     PI
MAR148209     BATMAN 75TH ANNIV MASKS BOB KANE (BND OF 25)     PI
MAR148213     BATMAN 75TH ANNIV MASKS DARK KNIGHT (BND OF 25)     PI
MAR148215     BATMAN 75TH ANNIV MASKS NEW 52 (BND OF 25)     PI
MAR148210     BATMAN 75TH ANNIVERSARY CAPE     PI
MAY140238     BATMAN AND ROBIN #33 (ROBIN RISES)     $2.99
MAY140357     BATMAN BEYOND UNIVERSE #12     $3.99
MAR140264     BATMAN BLACK AND WHITE HC VOL 04     $29.99
MAY140228     BATMAN ETERNAL #16     $2.99
MAY140254     CATWOMAN #33     $2.99
MAY140400     DEAD BOY DETECTIVES #7     $2.99
MAY140194     FLASH #33     $2.99
MAY140358     HE MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE #15     $2.99
MAY140356     INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US YEAR TWO #8     $2.99
MAY140190     JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #33     $3.99
APR140269     JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICAS VIBE TP VOL 01 BREACH (N52)     $16.99
MAY140184     NEW 52 FUTURES END #12 (WEEKLY)     $2.99
MAY140264     RED LANTERNS #33     $2.99
MAY140196     SECRET ORIGINS #4     $4.99
MAY140167     STAR SPANGLED WAR STORIES GI ZOMBIE #1     $2.99
MAY140206     SUPERMAN #33     $3.99
MAY140210     SUPERMAN #33 COMBO PACK     $4.99
MAR140258     SUPERMAN ACTION COMICS HC VOL 04 HYBRID (N52)     $24.99
APR140268     SUPERMAN ACTION COMICS TP VOL 03 AT THE END OF DAYS (N52)     $16.99
APR140296     SWAMP THING BY BRIAN K VAUGHAN TP VOL 02 (MR)     $19.99
MAY140198     TRINITY OF SIN PANDORA #13     $2.99
APR140302     UNWRITTEN TP VOL 09 THE UNWRITTEN FABLES (MR)     $14.99
MAY140411     UNWRITTEN VOL 2 APOCALYPSE #7 (MR)     $3.99
MAY140200     WONDER WOMAN #33     $2.99

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 23 2014

MARVEL COMICS

MAY140817     100TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL #1 AVENGERS     $3.99
MAY140911     ALL NEW DOOP #4     $3.99
MAY140839     ALL NEW INVADERS #8     $3.99
MAY140834     ALL NEW ULTIMATES #5     $3.99
MAY140762     AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #4 SIN     $3.99
APR140770     AVENGERS PREM HC VOL 05 ADAPT OR DIE     $24.99
APR140777     CAPTAIN AMERICA TP VOL 02 CASTAWAY DIMENSION Z BOOK 2     $19.99
MAY140783     DAREDEVIL #6 SIN     $3.99
MAY140790     DEADPOOL #32 SIN     $3.99
MAY140891     DEADPOOL DRACULAS GAUNTLET #3     $3.99
APR140772     DEADPOOL TP VOL 05 WEDDING OF DEADPOOL     $15.99
MAY140888     DEADPOOL VS X-FORCE #2     $3.99
APR140768     DISNEY KINGDOMS SEEKERS OF WEIRD HC     $24.99
APR140783     FANTASTIC FOUR EPIC COLLECTION TP INTO TIMESTREAM     $39.99
MAY148098     FIGMENT #1 2ND PTG CHRISTOPHER VAR     $3.99
APR140769     GEORGE ROMEROS EMPIRE OF DEAD TP ACT ONE     $19.99
APR140786     GOTG BY ABNETT AND LANNING COMPLETE COLL TP VOL 01     $34.99
MAY148095     HULK #3 2ND PTG OPENA VAR     $3.99
MAY148096     HULK #4 2ND PTG BAGLEY VAR     $3.99
MAY148099     LOKI AGENT OF ASGARD #1 3RD PTG FRISON VAR ANMN     $2.99
MAY148100     LOKI AGENT OF ASGARD #2 3RD PTG FRISON VAR ANMN     $2.99
MAY140860     MARVEL UNIVERSE ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #28 SYU     $2.99
MAY140795     MIGHTY AVENGERS #12 SIN     $3.99
MAY140774     ORIGINAL SIN #5.2     $3.99
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MAY148097     WOLVERINE #8 2ND PTG MCNIVEN VAR     $3.99
MAY140893     WOLVERINE AND X-MEN #6     $3.99
APR140773     WOLVERINE BY AARON COMPLETE COLLECTION TP VOL 03     $34.99
APR140766     WOLVERINE ORIGIN II HC     $24.99
APR140775     WOLVERINE TP BOOK 01 THREE MONTHS TO DIE     $24.99

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for July 23 2014

IDW PUBLISHING

MAY140517     GODZILLA RULERS OF THE EARTH #14     $3.99
MAY140542     KILL SHAKESPEARE MASK OF NIGHT #2     $3.99
MAR140462     MEMORY COLLECTORS HC     $39.99
MAR140463     MIKE MIGNOLA HELLBOY ARTIST ED     PI
MAY140549     MONSTER MOTORS ONE SHOT     $5.99
MAY140492     MY LITTLE PONY FRIENDS FOREVER #7     $3.99
MAR142362     MY LITTLE PONY MICRO COMIC FUN PACK SER 2     $2.99
MAY140553     POPEYE CLASSICS ONGOING #24     $3.99
MAY140444     RAGNAROK #1     $3.99
MAY140512     STAR TREK CITY O/T EDGE OF FOREVER #2     $3.99
MAY140513     STAR TREK CITY O/T EDGE OF FOREVER #2 SUBSCRIPTION     $3.99
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APR140369     TMNT HEROES COLLECTION HC     $34.99
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MAY140501     TMNT UTROM EMPIRE TP     $17.99
APR140407     TRANSFORMERS CLASSICS TP VOL 07     $29.99
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NOV130382     WILD BLUE YONDER #5     $3.99
MAY140534     WINTERWORLD #2     $3.99
MAY140547     WRAITH DIRECTORS CUT #1     $4.99
MAY140525     X-FILES SEASON 10 #14     $3.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 23 2014

DARK HORSE COMICS

MAY140054     AXE COP AMERICAN CHOPPERS #3     $3.99
MAY140032     BTVS SEASON 10 #5 MAIN CVR     $3.50
MAY140092     CONAN THE AVENGER #4     $3.50
MAR140009     DRAGON GIRL MONKEY KING ART OF KATSUYA TERADA HC     $39.99
MAY140066     DREAM THIEF ESCAPE #2     $3.99
MAY140083     ELFQUEST FINAL QUEST #4     $3.50
MAR140014     GANTZ TP VOL 32 (MR)     $13.99
MAY140010     GOON OCCASION OF REVENGE #1     $3.50
MAY140038     GROO VS CONAN #1     $3.50
MAY140077     HALO ESCALATION #8     $3.99
DEC130150     MASS EFFECT ALLIANCE CRUISER SHIP REPLICA     $44.99
FEB140109     MASS EFFECT ALLIANCE SHUTTLE REPLICA     $39.99
MAY140075     MASS EFFECT FOUNDATION #13     $3.99
MAR140015     MPD-PSYCHO TP VOL 11     $12.99
MAR140071     SAKAI PROJECT HC 30 YEARS USAGI YOJIMBO     $29.99
MAY140084     STAR WARS LEGACY II #17     $2.99
MAR140020     STAR WARS LUCAS DRAFT HC     $39.99
MAR140021     STAR WARS LUCAS DRAFT TP     $19.99
MAY140076     TOMB RAIDER #6     $3.50

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 23 2014

IMAGE COMICS

MAY148215     COWL #2 2ND PTG (MR)     $3.50
MAY140629     ELEPHANTMEN MAMMOTH TP VOL 01 (MR)     $29.99
MAY140616     HOWTOONS TOOLS OF MASS CONSTRUCTION TP     $17.99
MAY140634     MURDER ME DEAD TP (MR)     $19.99
MAY148172     OUTCAST BY KIRKMAN & AZACETA #1 2ND PTG (MR)     $2.99
MAY140723     REVIVAL #22 (MR)     $2.99
MAY140726     SAGA #21 (MR)     $2.99
DEC130592     SAVAGE DRAGON #196 (MR)     $3.99
MAY140641     SEX TP VOL 02 SUPERCOOL (MR)     $14.99
MAY140730     SKULLKICKERS #29     $3.50
MAY140735     SUPERANNUATED MAN #2 (MR)     $3.99
MAY140571     SUPREME BLUE ROSE #1 (MR)     $2.99
MAY140739     TREES #3 (MR)     $2.99
MAY140741     UNDERTOW #6 CVR A TRAKHANOV (MR)     $2.99
MAY140742     UNDERTOW #6 CVR B MITTEN (MR)     $2.99
APR140614     VELVET #6 (MR)     $3.50
MAY140652     WALKING DEAD TP VOL 21 ALL OUT WAR PT 2 (MR)     $14.99
APR140618     ZERO #9 (MR)     $2.99

Comics, Books and Magazines from Diamond Distributors for July 23 2014

PREVIEWS PUBLICATIONS
JUN140004     PREVIEWS #311 AUG 2014 CUSTOMER ORDER FORM     PI
JUN140001     PREVIEWS #311 AUGUST 2014     $4.50

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

MAY141203     ADVENTURE TIME FIONNA & CAKE #5 HEROES CON EXC     $9.99
FEB140919     AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE #6 REG FRANCAVILLA CVR     $2.99
APR141348     ALICE I/T COUNTRY OF CLOVER KNIGHTS KNOWLEDGE GN VOL 01 (MR)     $13.99
APR141370     ALIEN LEGION UNCIVIL WAR #2     $3.99
MAY141190     AMAZING WORLD OF GUMBALL #2 MAIN CVRS     $3.99
MAY141664     ARCHER & ARMSTRONG #22 CVR A CRYSTAL     $3.99
MAY141665     ARCHER & ARMSTRONG #22 CVR B WALSH     $3.99
MAY141643     ARMOR HUNTERS BLOODSHOT #1 CVR A REG (AH)     $3.99
MAY141644     ARMOR HUNTERS BLOODSHOT #1 CVR B CHROM (AH)     $5.99
MAY141461     ARTEMIS FOWL GN VOL 04 OPAL DECEPTION     $12.99
MAY141462     ARTEMIS FOWL HC GN VOL 04 OPAL DECEPTION     $21.99
MAY141126     BART SIMPSON COMICS #91     $2.99
MAY141011     BETTY & VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #225     $6.99
MAY141194     BRAVEST WARRIORS #22 MAIN CVRS     $3.99
MAY141448     BUCK ROGERS IN 25TH CENTURY TP VOL 01 GRIEVOUS ANGELS     $17.99
MAR140808     CAVEWOMAN JOURNEY #2 CVR A MOORE     $3.99
APR140832     CAVEWOMAN JOURNEY #2 CVR D ROOT     PI
MAY141554     COMICS SQUAD RECESS GN     $7.99
MAY141042     DAMSELS IN EXCESS #1 DIRECT MARKET CVR A     $3.99
MAY141043     DAMSELS IN EXCESS #1 DIRECT MARKET CVR B     $3.99
MAY141311     DEJAH OF MARS #3 (MR)     $3.99
JAN141175     DF STAR WARS LUCAS DRAFT #0 MAYHEW SGN     $29.99
APR141186     DF VAMPIRELLA #1 VIRGIN ART DODSON     $50.00
APR140858     DIARY OF A GIRL NEXT DOOR BETTY HC     $13.99
FEB148251     DOCTOR WHO 10TH #1 BLANK SKETCH CVR     $3.99
APR141372     DOCTOR WHO 10TH #1 REG ZHANG     $3.99
APR141373     DOCTOR WHO 10TH #1 SUBSCRIPTION CASAGRANDE     $3.99
FEB148252     DOCTOR WHO 11TH #1 BLANK SKETCH CVR     $3.99
APR141379     DOCTOR WHO 11TH #1 REG ZHANG     $3.99
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MAY141560     DREDD ILLUS MOVIE SCRIPT & VISUALS GN (MR)     $35.00
MAY148124     EMPTY MAN #1 (2ND PTG)     $3.99
MAY141166     EVIL EMPIRE #1 ECCC EXC (MR)     $9.99
MAY141153     FANBOYS VS ZOMBIES TP VOL 05     $14.99
MAR141293     GERONIMO STILTON HC BOX SET VOL 10-12     $29.99
MAY141772     GFT GODSTORM HERCULES PAYNE #4 A CVR PANTALENA     $3.99
MAY141773     GFT GODSTORM HERCULES PAYNE #4 B CVR ERIC J     $3.99
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MAY141767     GFT HELSING #4 B CVR DESJARDINS     $3.99
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MAY141752     GFT WONDERLAND #25 C CVR CHEN (MR)     $5.99
MAY141753     GFT WONDERLAND #25 D CVR RUFFINO (MR)     $5.99
MAY141754     GFT WONDERLAND #25 E CVR LEISTER (MR)     $5.99
APR141529     GFT WONDERLAND OMNIBUS TP     $69.99
MAY141669     IN CLOTHES CALLED FAT GN     $16.95
APR140859     JUGHEAD & ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #4     $4.99
MAY141607     LENORE VOLUME II #10     $3.99
MAY141502     LETTER 44 #8     $3.99
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MAY141019     LIFE WITH ARCHIE COMIC #37 ALEX ROSS CVR     $4.99
MAY141017     LIFE WITH ARCHIE COMIC #37 CLIFF CHIANG CVR     $4.99
MAY141021     LIFE WITH ARCHIE COMIC #37 JILL THOMPSON CVR     $4.99
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MAY141020     LIFE WITH ARCHIE COMIC #37 WALT SIMONSON CVR     $4.99
MAY141615     LOEG III CENTURY HC COMPLETE ED (MR)     $29.95
MAY141174     MIDAS FLESH #8     $3.99
MAY141526     MONOMYTH #1     $3.99
APR141440     MORELLA PRESENTS VEROTIKA RETURNS SPECIAL #2 (MR)     $4.95
APR141389     ORDINARY #3     $3.99
MAY141197     PEANUTS VOL 2 #20     $3.99
MAY141431     SHADOW HERO GN     $17.99
MAY141361     SHERLOCK HOLMES MORIARTY LIVES #5     $3.99
MAY141442     SMILE SC NEW PTG     $10.99
MAY141323     SOLAR MAN O/T ATOM #4     $3.99
APR141207     SPECIAL EXITS GN     $22.99
MAY141249     STAN DRAKE HEART JULIET JONES TP VOL 02     $24.95
MAY141250     STAN DRAKE HEART JULIET JONES TP VOL 03     $24.95
MAY141140     STEED & MRS PEEL NEEDED #1     $3.99
MAY140979     STREET ANGEL HC     $19.95
APR141272     THROUGH THE WOODS GN     $14.99
APR141273     THROUGH THE WOODS HC GN     $21.99
MAY141240     TUKI SAVE THE HUMANS #1     $3.99
MAY141308     TWILIGHT ZONE #7     $3.99
DEC130830     VICTORIAN SECRET MIDWINTER SPECIAL ONE SHOT     $3.99
APR141355     WORLD WAR BLUE GN VOL 06     $12.99
MAY140974     ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #1 MAIN COVER     $3.99

MAGAZINES
APR141654     ALTER EGO #127     $8.95
APR141655     BACK ISSUE #74     $8.95
APR140957     BLEEDING COOL MAGAZINE #11 (MR)     $4.99
FEB141650     COMIC BOOK CREATOR #5     $8.95
MAY141863     COMIC SHOP NEWS #1414     PI
MAR141581     DC BATMAN AUTO FIG MAG #35 BATMAN & ROBIN VOL 2 #5     $20.00
JAN141529     DC SUPERHERO CHESS FIG COLL MAG #55 DOOMSDAY BLACK ROOK     $16.00
MAR141584     DC SUPERHERO CHESS FIG COLL MAG #59 ZATANNA WHITE PAWN     $16.00
APR141663     DOCTOR WHO MAGAZINE #475     $9.99
APR141338     JUDGE DREDD MEGAZINE #349     $12.40
MAY141856     JUXTAPOZ #163 AUG 2014     $5.99
MAR141586     MARVEL CHESS FIG COLL MAG #9 VENOM BLACK PAWN     $16.00
JAN141554     MEGAMI APR 2014     $16.60
JAN141555     NEWTYPE APR 2014     $16.00

BOOKS
MAY141435     BIG BIG OVERSTREET PRICE GD VOL 44     $45.00
APR141559     DOCTOR WHO SHAKESPEARE NOTEBOOKS HC     $15.99
FEB141627     GOLDEN URCHIN FICTION TP     $15.95
MAY141838     GOODNIGHT DARTH VADER HC     $14.95
APR141542     KERAMIDAS SKETCHBOOK #2     $30.00
FEB141628     MERLINS KEEP FICTION TP     $15.95
FEB141629     MOONRAKERS BRIDE FICTION TP     $15.95
APR141240     OVERSTREET COMIC BK PG HC VOL 44 BATMAN     $35.00
APR141242     OVERSTREET COMIC BK PG HC VOL 44 VAMPIRELLA     $35.00
APR141239     OVERSTREET COMIC BK PG SC VOL 44 BATMAN CVR     $29.95
APR141241     OVERSTREET COMIC BK PG SC VOL 44 VAMPIRELLA CVR     $29.95
APR142360     WARHAMMER 40K FIST OF DEMETRIUS SC     $14.00
FEB141604     WONDER WOMAN UNBOUND HIST WORLDS MOST FAMOUS HEROINE SC     $18.95


Sunday, July 20, 2014

Review: THE STRAIN #3

THE STRAIN #3
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics

STORY: Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan
SCRIPT: David Lapham
ART: Mike Huddleston
COLORS: Dan Jackson
LETTERS: Clem Robins
COVER: Mike Huddleston
28pp, Color, $3.50 U.S. (February 2012)

Part 3: “First Night”

Dark Horse Comics made PDF copies of all 11 issues of its horror comic book series, The Strain, available in early 2013 to comic book reviewers on its e-mailing list.  This PDF release was in anticipation of the follow-up series, The Strain: The Fall.  I was able to review all 11 issues of The Strain for the ComicBookBin.

I have previously posted my reviews of The Strain #1-2 on this, the “I Reads You” blog.  Over the course of the coming weeks, I will post the reviews of issues 3 to 11 on this blog in conjunction with the airing of “The Strain,” the television adaptation of the original novel.  The first episode debuted on Sunday, July 13, 2014 on cable channel, FX.

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

The 2009 vampire novel from filmmaker Guillermo del Toro and novelist Chuck Hogan, The Strain, became a comic book miniseries.  Beginning in 2011, Dark Horse Comics began the 11-issue comic book adaptation, also entitled The Strain, with script adaptation by David Lapham and art by Mike Huddleston.

The Strain’s central character is Dr. Ephraim “Eph” Goodweather of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control).  Eph heads the Canary Project, a rapid-response team that investigates biological threats.   With his second-in-command, Nora Martinez, Eph may have found such a threat at J.F.K. International Airport in New York City, where a Boeing 777 went dead silent after landing.

As The Strain #3 opens, elderly Professor Abraham Setrakian noisily confronts Eph and Nora, warning of the coming abomination.  Unlike the characters in so much of horror fiction and storytelling, Eph and Nora pay attention to the warnings… somewhat.  They may be just a little late to stop the supernatural disaster.  Two of the survivors of the Boeing 777 are exhibiting strange behavior.

Last issue, Ansel Barbour had a special meal with the family dogs.  This issue, rock star, Bolivar, freaks out his threesome partners.  Meanwhile, in Manhattan, someone goes streaking through Times Square, perhaps like no other streaker has before him.  Also, eight-year-old Emma Gilbarton visits her grieving father.  With all the strangeness happening, NYPD still has time to racially profile and stop-and-frisk a brown person.

If The Strain maintains the level of quality that permeates this third issue, I’ll run out of good things to say by the time I get to issue #11.  The Strain #3 is f’ing awesome.  The Strain is the great horror comic book that the original 30 Days of Night should have been.

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.


Saturday, July 19, 2014

2014 Harvey Awards Nominations - Complete Nominees List



2014 Harvey Awards Nominees Announced

Visit www.harveyawards.org for Ballots & Submission Details

The 2014 Harvey Awards Nominees have been announced with the release of the final ballot, presented by the Executive Committees of the Harvey Awards and the Baltimore Comic-Con. Named in honor of the late Harvey Kurtzman, one of the industry's most innovative talents, the Harvey Awards recognize outstanding work in comics and sequential art. They will be presented September 6, 2014 in Baltimore, MD, in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con.

Nominations for the Harvey Awards are selected exclusively by creators - those who write, draw, ink, letter, color, design, edit, or are otherwise involved in a creative capacity in the comics field. They are the only industry awards both nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals. Thank you to all that have already participated by submitting a nomination ballot.

Final ballots are due to the Harvey Awards by Monday, August 18, 2014. Full submission instructions can be found on the final ballot.  Voting is open to anyone professionally involved in a creative capacity within the comics field.  Final ballots are available at www.harveyawards.org. Those who prefer paper ballots may e-mail harveys@baltimorecomiccon.com.

This will be the ninth year for the Harvey Awards in Baltimore, MD.  Look for more details soon as to how you can attend the Harvey Awards dinner.

This year's Baltimore Comic-Con will be held September 5-7, 2014.  The ceremony and banquet for the 2014 Harvey Awards will be held Saturday night, September 6th.

Without further delay, the 2014 Harvey Award Nominees:

BEST LETTERER

____   Deron Bennett, CYBORG 009, Archaia
____   Dave Lanphear, QUANTUM AND WOODY, Valiant Entertainment
____   Terry Moore, RACHEL RISING, Abstract Studio
____   Steve Wands, ADVENTURE TIME, kaBOOM!
____   Britt Wilson, ADVENTURE TIME WITH FIONNA AND CAKE, kaBOOM!

BEST COLORIST

____   Jordan Bellaire, PRETTY DEADLY, Image Comics
____   Marte Gracia, ALL NEW X-MEN, Marvel Comics
____   Matt Hollingsworth, HAWKEYE, Marvel Comics
____   Brian Reber, UNITY, Valiant Entertainment
____   Dave Stewart, HELLBOY: THE MIDNIGHT CIRCUS, Dark Horse Comics

BEST SYNDICATED STRIP or PANEL

____   DICK TRACY, Joe Staton and Mike Curtis, Tribune Media Services
____   FOX TROT, Bill Amend, Universal Uclick
____   GET FUZZY, Darby Conley, Universal Uclick
____   MUTTS, Patrick McDonnell, King Features Syndicate
____   THE PHANTOM, Tony DePaul and Paul Ryan, King Features Syndicate

BEST ONLINE COMICS WORK

____   BATTLEPUG, Mike Norton, battlepug.com
____   THE DREAMER, Lora Innes, thedreamercomic.com
____   GUNNERKRIGG COURT, Tom Siddell, gunnerkrigg.com
____   JL8, Yale Stewart, jl8comic.tumblr.com
____   TABLE TITANS, Scott Kurtz, Steve Hamaker, and Brian Hurtt, tabletitans.com

BEST AMERICAN EDITION of FOREIGN MATERIAL

____   ATTACK ON TITAN, Kodansha
____   THE KILLER, VOLUME 4, BOOM! Studios/Archaia
____   SHOWA: A HISTORY OF JAPAN 1926-1939, Drawn and Quarterly
____   SUNNY, Viz Signature
____   TODAY IS THE LAST DAY OF THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, Fantagraphics

BEST INKER

____   Vanesa R. Del Rey, HIT, BOOM! Studios
____   Stefano Gaudiano, THE WALKING DEAD, Image Comics
____   Danny Miki, BATMAN, DC Comics
____   Brian Stelfreeze, DAY MEN, BOOM! Studios
____   Wade Von Grawbadger, ALL NEW X-MEN, Marvel Comics

BEST NEW SERIES

____   AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE, Archie Comics
____   QUANTUM AND WOODY, Valiant Entertainment
____   SEX CRIMINALS, Image
____   SIX GUN GORILLA, BOOM! Studios
____   SUICIDE RISK, BOOM! Studios

MOST PROMISING NEW TALENT

____   James Asmus, QUANTUM AND WOODY, Valiant Entertainment
____   Pere Perez, ARCHER AND ARMSTRONG, HARBINGER WARS, Valiant Entertainment
____   Victor Santos, POLAR: CAME FROM THE COLD, DARK HORSE PRESENTS, Dark Horse Comics
____   Jeff Stokely, SIX GUN GORILLA, BOOM! Studios
____   Chip Zdarsky, SEX CRIMINALS, Image Comics

SPECIAL AWARD FOR HUMOR IN COMICS

____   James Asmus, QUANTUM AND WOODY, Valiant Entertainment
____   Ryan North, ADVENTURE TIME, KaBOOM!
____   Dan Parent, KEVIN KELLER, Archie Comics
____   Fred Van Lente, ARCHER AND ARMSTRONG, Valiant Entertainment
____   Jim Zub, SKULLKICKERS, Image Comics

BEST ORIGINAL GRAPHIC PUBLICATION  FOR YOUNGER READERS

____   ADVENTURE TIME, KaBOOM!
____   BATTLING BOY, First Second
____   G-MAN: COMING HOME, Image Comics
____   MONSTER ON THE HILL, Top Shelf Productions
____   ONLY LIVING BOY, Bottled Lightning

BEST GRAPHIC ALBUM PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED

____   HARBINGER VOLUME 1: OMEGA RISING, Valiant Entertainment
____   THE KILLER OMNIBUS VOLUME 1, Archaia
____   MOUSE GUARD VOL. 3: THE BLACK AXE, BOOM! Studios/Archaia
____   POLARITY, BOOM! Studios
____   RAINBOW IN THE DARK: THE COMPLETE SAGA, Comfort Love and Adam Withers

BEST ANTHOLOGY

____   DARK HORSE PRESENTS, Dark Horse Comics
____   MOUSE GUARD: LEGENDS OF THE GUARD VOLUME 2, BOOM! Studios/Archaia
____   OUTLAW TERRITORY 3, Image Comics
____   SPERA, VOLUME 3, BOOM! Studios/Archaia
____   THRILLING ADVENTURE HOUR, BOOM! Studios/Archaia

BEST DOMESTIC REPRINT PROJECT

____   BARNABY VOLUME 1, Fantagraphics
____   BEST OF COMIX BOOK: WHEN MARVEL COMICS WENT UNDERGROUND, Kitchen Sink Books/Dark Horse
____   FRAGGLE ROCK CLASSICS VOLUME 2, BOOM! Studios/Archaia
____   VALIANT MASTERS: NINJAK VOLUME 1 - BLACK WATER, Valiant Entertainment
____   VALIANT MASTERS: SHADOWMAN VOLUME 1 - SPIRITS WITHIN, Valiant Entertainment

BEST COVER ARTIST

____   Goni Montes, CLIVE BARKER'S NEXT TESTAMENT,
____   Andrew Robinson, QUANTUM AND WOODY, Valiant Entertainment
____   Chris Samnee, DAREDEVIL, Marvel Comics
____   Fiona Staples, SAGA, Image Comics
____   Brian Stelfreeze, DAY MEN, BOOM! Studios

BEST BIOGRAPHICAL, HISTORICAL, or JOURNALISTIC PRESENTATION

____   AL CAPP: A LIFE TO THE CONTRARY, Denis Kitchen, Bloomsbury
____   AMERICAN COMIC BOOK CHRONICLES: THE 1950S, TwoMorrows Publishing
____   ART OF RUBE GOLDBERG, Jennifer George, Abrams ComicArts
____   CO-MIX: A RETROSPECTIVE OF COMICS, GRAPHICS, AND SCRAPS, Art Spiegelman, Drawn and Quarterly
____   THE FIFTH BEATLE: THE BRIAN EPSTEIN STORY, by Vivek J. Tiwary, Andrew C. Robinson, and Kyle Baker,
          Dark Horse
____   MARCH: BOOK ONE, John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell, Top Shelf Productions

SPECIAL AWARD for EXCELLENCE IN PRESENTATION

____   BEST OF COMIX BOOK: WHEN MARVEL COMICS WENT UNDERGROUND, John Lind,
          Kitchen Sink Books/Dark Horse Comics
____   CYBORG 009, Stephen Christy, Archaia
____   HARBINGER WARS, Josh Johns and Warren Simons, Valiant Entertainment
____   THRILLING ADVENTURE HOUR, Joe LeFavi, BOOM! Studios/Archaia
____   UNITY, Alejandro Arbona, Josh Johns, and Warren Simons, Valiant Entertainment

BEST GRAPHIC ALBUM ORIGINAL

____   BATTLING BOY, First Second
____   CYBORG 009, Archaia
____   THE FIFTH BEATLE: THE BRIAN EPSTEIN STORY, Dark Horse Comics
____   MARCH: BOOK ONE, Top Shelf Productions
____   THE REASON FOR DRAGONS, BOOM! Studios/Archaia

BEST CONTINUING OR LIMITED SERIES

____   ARCHER AND ARMSTRONG, Valiant Entertainment
____   DAREDEVIL, Marvel Comics
____   HAWKEYE, Marvel Comics
____   HIT, BOOM! Studios
____   MOUSE GUARD: LEGENDS OF THE GUARD VOL. 2, Archaia
____   SAGA, Image Comics

BEST WRITER

____   James Asmus, QUANTUM AND WOODY, Valiant Entertainment
____   Matt Fraction, HAWKEYE, Marvel Comics
____   Matt Kindt, MIND MGMT, Dark Horse Comics
____   Brian K. Vaughan, SAGA, Image Comics
____   Mark Waid, DAREDEVIL, Marvel Comics

BEST ARTIST

____   David Aja, HAWKEYE, Marvel Comics
____   Dan Parent, KEVIN KELLER, Archie Comics
____   Nate Powell, MARCH: BOOK ONE, Top Shelf Productions
____   Chris Samnee, DAREDEVIL, Marvel Comics
____   Fiona Staples, SAGA, Image Comics
____   Jeff Stokely, SIX GUN GORILLA, BOOM! Studios

BEST CARTOONIST

____   Matt Kindt, MIND MGMT, Dark Horse Comics
____   Comfort Love and Adam Withers, RAINBOW IN THE DARK, uniquescomic.com
____   Terry Moore, RACHEL RISING, Abstract Studios
____   Dan Parent, KEVIN KELLER, Archie Comics
____   David Petersen, MOUSE GUARD: THE BLACK AXE, BOOM! Studios/Archaia
____   Paul Pope, BATTLING BOY, First Second

BEST SINGLE ISSUE OR STORY

____   ADVENTURE TIME ANNUAL #1, kaBOOM!
____   DEMETER, self-published, Becky Cloonan
____   "A Kiss ISN'T Just A Kiss!", KEVIN KELLER #10, Archie Comics
____   "Now and Then", DARK HORSE PRESENTS #30, Dark Horse Comics
____   "Pizza is My Business', HAWKEYE #11, Marvel Comics
____   SUICIDE RISK #5, BOOM! Studios
____   UNITY #1, Valiant Entertainment


Congratulations to all of the nominees!  The Havey Committe ask that if you know a nominee, please pass on the good news using email,  Facebook, and Twitter.

Please submit any corrections to harveys@baltimorecomiccon.com.  The Harvey Committee tries its best to list nominees correctly, and want to know if there is an error.

The Harvey Committee and the Baltimore Comic-Con will make every effort to contact all nominees. If you are a nominee and you do not hear from them by July 25, please contact us at harveys@baltimorecomiccon.com. They would love to discuss your involvement in the ceremony and the Baltimore Comic-Con.

For additional information about Harvey Kurtzman and the Harvey Awards, visit www.harveyawards.org or http://www.facebook.com/theharveyawards.

The Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating its 15th 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 September 5-7, 2014. For more information, please visit the website, Twitter, or Facebook pages.