#IReadsYou Review: NEMESIS RELOADED #1

NEMESIS RELOADED #1 (OF 5)

IMAGE COMICS/Netflix

STORY: Mark Millar

ART: Jorge Jiménez

COLORS: Giovanna Niro

LETTERS: Clem Robins

EDITOR: Sarah Unwin

COVER: Jorge Jiménez with Giovanni Niro

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Steve McNiven with Giovanni Niro; Frank Quitely; Fiona Staples

28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2023)

Rated M / Mature

Nemesis created by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven

Nemesis was a four-issue comic book miniseries from the team of writer Mark Millar and artist Steve McNiven.  It was published under Marvel Comics' “Icon” imprint in 2010-2011.  Millar and McNiven had previously produced two hugely popular Marvel event projects – the miniseries, Civil War, and the graphic novel, Wolverine: Old Man Logan.

Millar has decided to (softly) reboot Nemesis in a new five-issue miniseries entitled Nemesis: Reloaded.  It is written by Millar; drawn by Jorge Jiménez; colored by Giovanni Niro; and lettered by Clem Robins.

Nemesis Reloaded #1 opens in Fish Creek, Wisconsin.  Elderly couple, Margot and Jake, have discovered that their services have been … requested.

Who is Nemesis, and why does this eccentric billionaire who dresses up in a mask and cape want to terrorize people instead of helping them?  He has plans for Los Angeles, and by the time he is done, the city won't be the same.

THE LOWDOWN:  I have told this story before in reviews of a few other comic books.  When I first read Frank Miller's Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #1, I was left stunned for an hour or so …  Then, I read it again.  I thought about it the rest of the day and into the night until I fell asleep.  As soon as I woke up the next morning, I started reading it again.  I don't remember how many times I read it again while waiting for the second book in this legendary series to arrive.

When I read the original Nemesis #1 in 2010, I experienced a somewhat similar ecstasy, although I was much older then.  Still, I wanted to be Nemesis, causing chaos … and killing for a purpose and enjoying it.  Nemesis #1 remains one of the best first issues of a comic book that I have ever read.

I believe that Nemesis Reloaded #1 has surpassed Nemesis #1 in my countdown of magnificent first issues.  Reloaded even made me shit my pants – metaphorically speaking, of course.  It is the most evil comic book in the world because Mark Millar has made what should be repulsive so alluring.  I want to serve Nemesis, killing at his will.  Even Quentin Tarantino has never made murder and mayhem so sexy as Millar has done in Nemesis Reloaded, and murder and mayhem is a Tarantino specialty.

I have enjoyed quite a few comic books drawn by Jorge Jiménez, but none of them are like Nemesis Reloaded.  It is as if he has been freed of channeling childlike wonder so that he can draw the kind of comic books that made white people form decency committees in the 1950s.  It is as if Jiménez has rediscovered the vital essences of Klaus Janson's run on Daredevil, when Frank Miller was the designer and Janson drew and colored the book.

In fact, I would say that Millar and Jiménez have summoned peak Miller-Janson Daredevil (which would be Daredevil #181).  This time, Millar-Jiménez have made Bullseye the winner and the star of the remaining issues of their run.

Giovanni Niro colors Nemesis Reloaded … as if she lusted after the story, painting beautiful blue hues and maniacal red spurts all over the art.  Clem Robins letters this story as if he wants to commit murder, but has to settle for this vicarious experience.

If you say you want to read great comic books, but you won't read Nemesis Reloaded #1, dear readers, then, just stop lying to yourself.  You've lost that loving feeling that you once got from comic books, and it's gone...

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Mark Millar comic books that make the reader come … back for more … will desire Nemesis Reloaded.

[This issue includes an introduction by Mark Millar.]

A+

10 out of 10

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

https://www.mrmarkmillar.com/

https://twitter.com/ImageComics

https://twitter.com/mrmarkmillar

https://twitter.com/netflix

https://twitter.com/themagicorder

http://www.millarworld.tv/

www.imagecomics.com

The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: SAGA #1

SAGA #1

IMAGE COMICS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Brian K. Vaughan

ART/COLORS: Fiona Staples

LETTERS: Fonografiks

44pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (March 2012)

Rated M / Mature

Chapter One

Saga is an award-winning comic book series created by writer Brian K. Vaughan and artist Fiona Staples.  Vaughan is best known for the comic book series, Y: The Last Man.  Saga follows a husband and wife, each a member of two long-warring extraterrestrial races, fleeing authorities from both sides as they struggle to care for their new-born daughter.

Saga #1 is set against the the backdrop of a ceaseless war between “Landfall,” the largest planet in the galaxy, and its satellite moon, “Wreath,” that has spread across the galaxy.  On Cleave, an ancient planet caught in the war, two people from each side of the war meet.  Private First Class Alana of Landfall and Marko, a foot solider from Wreath who is also known as Prisoner #9763572, are deserters and a married couple.  Alana has just given birth to their first child, a daughter, and now, the forces of their home worlds are arrayed against them.

THE LOWDOWN:  Saga is not the first tale of “star-crossed lovers,” nor is it the most famous.  That would be William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.  Still, Saga may prove to be the most imaginative take on the story of lovers who come from opposite sides in a bloody, endless, and seemingly pointless conflict.  The more people that read it, the more fans Saga will likely gain.

Writer Brian K. Vaughn offers two delightful characters who make up our-lovers-on-the-run; witty and charming, they make their flight seem a romantic romp as much as it is a race for survival.  There are wicked and charming supporting characters like Special Agent Gale (of Secret Intelligence), Prince Robot IV, and The Will and his lying cat.  Also for a narrative that mixes science fiction and low fantasy, Vaughn's dialogue is refreshingly modern and vulgar.

Probably the most striking thing about Saga, the thing that makes it so fresh, snappy, and mesmerizing is Fiona Staples illustrations and graphical storytelling.  It is like Ralph Bakshi meets Eddie Campbell, a screwy blend of trippy animation style and matter of fact comic book design.  Each panel has its own interior graphic design that is ordinary and elegant at the same time.

I originally received a PDF review copy of Saga #1 that Image Comics provided to media outlets, which I never got around to reading.  I found a nice-looking copy of the fifth printing of the first issue on eBay that I could not pass up, so now it is time for me to catch up.  And after one issue, I see why this series has won so many awards.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Brian K. Vaughn will want to read Saga.

A

9 out of 10

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

https://twitter.com/ImageComics

https://imagecomics.com/

The text is copyright © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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2017 Eisner Award Winners Announced (Complete List) - "Saga" Leads with Four Awards

The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, also simply know as the “Eisner Awards,” are awards annually given for creative achievement in American comic books. The awards are named for pioneering comic book writer, artist, and publisher, Will Eisner. Some consider the Eisner Awards to be the preeminent awards that honor American comic books, even referring to the awards as “the Oscars of comic books” (which is so obviously ridiculous).

The Eisner Awards also include the Comic Industry's Hall of Fame. The Eisner Awards are associated with the annual Comic-Con International convention held in San Diego, California, in July. The Eisner Awards have been given annually since 1988, with the exception of 1990.

The 2017 Eisner Award nominations were announced Tuesday, May 2, 2017. The winners were announced Friday, July 21, 2017 at a gala ceremony held during San Diego Comic-Con International 2017.

The 2017 Eisner Awards judging panel consisted of Alan Campbell, Rob Clough, Jamie Newbold, Robert Moses Peaslee, Dawn Rutherford, and Martha Thomases.

Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards Winners 2017:

Best Short Story

“Good Boy,” by Tom King and David Finch, in Batman Annual #1 (DC)

Best Single Issue/One-Shot

Beasts of Burden: What the Cat Dragged In, by Evan Dorkin, Sarah Dyer, and Jill Thompson (Dark Horse)

Best Continuing Series

Saga, by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples (Image)

Best Limited Series

The Vision, by Tom King and Gabriel Walta (Marvel)

Best New Series

Black Hammer, by Jeff Lemire and Dean Ormston (Dark Horse)

Best Publication for Early Readers (up to age 8)

Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea, by Ben Clanton (Tundra)

Best Publication for Kids (ages 9-12)

Ghosts, by Raina Telgemeier (Scholastic)

Best Publication for Teens (ages 13-17)

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, by Ryan North and Erica Henderson (Marvel)

Best Humor Publication

Jughead, by Chip Zdarsky, Ryan North, Erica Henderson, and Derek Charm (Archie)

Best Anthology

Love Is Love, edited by Sarah Gaydos and Jamie S. Rich (IDW/DC)

Best Reality-Based Work

March (Book Three), by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell (Top Shelf)

Best Graphic Album—New

Wonder Woman: The True Amazon by Jill Thompson (DC Comics)

Best Graphic Album—Reprint

Demon, by Jason Shiga (First Second)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material

Moebius Library: The World of Edena, by Jean “Moebius” Giraud et al. (Dark Horse)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia

The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye, by Sonny Liew (Pantheon)

Best Archival Collection/Project—Strips (at least 20 years old)

Chester Gould’s Dick Tracy, Colorful Cases of the 1930s, edited by Peter Maresca (Sunday Press)

Best Archival Collection/Project—Comic Books (at least 20 Years Old)

The Complete Wimmen’s Comix, edited by Trina Robbins, Gary Groth, and J. Michael Catron (Fantagraphics)

Best Writer

Brian K. Vaughan, Paper Girls, Saga (Image)

Best Writer/Artist

Sonny Liew, The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye (Pantheon)

Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team

Fiona Staples, Saga (Image)

Best Painter/Multimedia Artist (interior art)

Jill Thompson, Wonder Woman: The True Amazon (DC); Beasts of Burden: What the Cat Dragged In (Dark Horse)

Best Cover Artist (for multiple covers)

Fiona Staples, Saga (Image)

Best Coloring

Matt Wilson, Cry Havoc, Paper Girls, The Wicked + The Divine (Image); Black Widow, The Mighty Thor, Star-Lord (Marvel)

Best Lettering

Todd Klein, Clean Room, Dark Night, Lucifer (Vertigo/DC); Black Hammer (Dark Horse)

Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism

The A.V. Club comics coverage, including Comics Panel, Back Issues, and Big Issues, by Oliver Sava et al., www.avclub.com

Best Comics-Related Book

Krazy: George Herriman, A Life in Black and White, by Michael Tisserand (Harper)

Best Academic/Scholarly Work

Superwomen: Gender, Power, and Representation, by Carolyn Cocca (Bloomsbury)

Best Publication Design

The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye, designed by Sonny Liew (Pantheon)

Best Webcomic

Bird Boy, by Anne Szabla

Best Digital Comic

Bandette, by Paul Tobin and Colleen Coover (Monkeybrain/comiXology)

Hall of Fame:

Judges’ Choices:

Milt Gross

H. G. Peter

Antonio Prohias

Dori Seda

Inductees:

Gilbert Hernandez

Jaime Hernandez

George Pérez

Walt Simonson

Jim Starlin

Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award:

Anne Szabla

Bill Finger Award for Excellence in Comic Book Writing:

Jack Kirby, William Messner-Loebs

Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award:

Mark Andreyko, Joe Ferrara

Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award:

Comicazi: Robert Howard, David Lockwood, Michael Burke, Somerville, MA

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2015 Harvey Award Winners Announced; Dark Horse, Fiona Staples Lead the Pack

The Harvey Awards recognize outstanding work in comics and sequential art.  The Harvey Awards are named in honor of the late comic book creator, editor, and publisher, Harvey Kurtzman, one of the industry's most innovative talents.  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.

The 2015 Harvey Awards were presented, Saturday, September 26, 2015 in Baltimore, MD, in conjunction with the 2015 Baltimore Comic-Con (September 25-27, 2015).  This is the tenth year for the Harvey Awards in Baltimore, MD.

The 2015 Harvey Awards winners:

BEST LETTERER
Jack Morelli, AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE, Archie Comic Publications

BEST COLORIST
Dave Stewart, HELLBOY IN HELL, Dark Horse Comics

BEST SYNDICATED STRIP or PANEL
DICK TRACY, Joe Staton and Mike Curtis, Tribune Media Services

BEST ONLINE COMICS WORK
THE PRIVATE EYE, Brian K. Vaughan, Marcos Martin, and Muntsa Vicente, panelsyndicate.com

BEST AMERICAN EDITION of FOREIGN MATERIAL
BLACKSAD: AMARILLO, Dark Horse

BEST INKER
Danny Miki, BATMAN, DC Comics

BEST NEW SERIES
SOUTHERN BASTARDS, Image Comics

MOST PROMISING NEW TALENT
Chad Lambert, "KILL ME" FROM DARK HORSE PRESENTS, Dark Horse Comics

SPECIAL AWARD FOR HUMOR IN COMICS
Chip Zdarsky, SEX CRIMINALS, Image Comics

BEST ORIGINAL GRAPHIC PUBLICATION FOR YOUNGER READERS
LUMBERJANES, BOOM! Box (BOOM! Studios)

BEST GRAPHIC ALBUM PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED
MOUSE GUARD: BALDWIN THE BRAVE AND OTHER TALES HC, Archaia/BOOM!

BEST ANTHOLOGY
DARK HORSE PRESENTS, Dark Horse Comics

BEST DOMESTIC REPRINT PROJECT
STERANKO NICK FURY AGENT OF S.H.I.E.L.D. ARTIST'S EDITION, IDW

BEST COVER ARTIST
Fiona Staples, SAGA, Image Comics

BEST BIOGRAPHICAL, HISTORICAL, or JOURNALISTIC PRESENTATION
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: THE ULTIMATE VISUAL HISTORY, Andrew Farago, Insight Editions

SPECIAL AWARD for EXCELLENCE IN PRESENTATION
LITTLE NEMO: DREAM ANOTHER DREAM, Andrew Carl, Josh O'Neill, and Chris Stevens, Locust Moon Press

BEST GRAPHIC ALBUM ORIGINAL
JIM HENSON'S THE MUSICAL MONSTERS OF TURKEY HOLLOW, Archaia/BOOM! Studios

BEST CONTINUING OR LIMITED SERIES
SAGA, Image Comics

BEST WRITER
Mark Waid, DAREDEVIL, Marvel Comics

BEST ARTIST
Fiona Staples, SAGA, Image Comics

BEST CARTOONIST
Terry Moore, RACHEL RISING, Abstract Studios

BEST SINGLE ISSUE OR STORY
"Breaking Out", DARK HORSE PRESENTS #35, Dark Horse Comics

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2015 Eisner Award Winners - Complete List; "Lumberjanes" and "Little Nemo" Big Winners

The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, also simply know as the “Eisner Awards,” are awards annually given for creative achievement in American comic books.  The awards are named for pioneering comic book writer, artist, and publisher, Will Eisner.  Some consider the Eisner Awards to be the preeminent awards that honor American comic books, even referring to the awards as “the Oscars of comic books.”

The Eisner Awards also include the Comic Industry's Hall of Fame.  The Eisner Awards are associated with the annual Comic-Con International convention held in San Diego, California, in July.  The Eisner Awards have been given annually since 1988, with the exception of 1990.

The 2015 Eisner Award winners were announced Friday, July 10, 2015 at a gala ceremony held during San Diego Comic-Con International (2015).

The 2015 Eisner Awards judging panel:
Carr D’Angelo – comics retailer: Earth-2 Comics, Los Angeles
Richard Graham – librarian at University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Sean Howe – author Marvel Comics: The Untold Story
Susan Kirtley – academic/scholar at Portland State University)
Ron McFee – a Comic-Con International volunteer
Maggie Thompson – writer/editor, best known for her work on the Comics Buyers Guide

2015 EISNER AWARDS Winners:

Best Short Story
“When the Darkness Presses,” by Emily Carroll, http://emcarroll.com/comics/darkness/ (link is external)

Best Single Issue (or One-Shot)
Beasts of Burden: Hunters and Gatherers, by Evan Dorkin & Jill Thompson (Dark Horse)

Best Continuing Series
Saga, by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples (Image)

Best Limited Series
Little Nemo: Return to Slumberland, by Eric Shanower & Gabriel Rodriguez (IDW)

Best New Series
Lumberjanes, by Shannon Watters, Grace Ellis, Noelle Stevenson, & Brooke A. Allen (BOOM! Box)

Best Publication for Early Readers (up to age 7)
The Zoo Box, by Ariel Cohn & Aron Nels Steinke (First Second)

Best Publication for Kids (ages 8-12)
El Deafo, by Cece Bell (Amulet/Abrams)

Best Publication for Teens (ages 13-17)
Lumberjanes, by Shannon Watters, Grace Ellis, Noelle Stevenson, & Brooke A. Allen (BOOM! Box)

Best Humor Publication
The Complete Cul de Sac, by Richard Thompson (Andrews McMeel)

Best Digital/Web Comic
The Private Eye by Brian Vaughan & Marcos Martin http://panelsyndicate.com/ (link is external)

Best Anthology
Little Nemo: Dream Another Dream, edited by Josh O’Neill, Andrew Carl, & Chris Stevens (Locust Moon)

Best Reality-Based Work
Hip Hop Family Tree, vol. 2, by Ed Piskor (Fantagraphics)

Best Graphic Album—New
This One Summer, by Mariko Tamaki & Jillian Tamaki (First Second)

Best Graphic Album—Reprint
Through the Woods, by Emily Carroll (McElderry Books)

Best Archival Collection/Project—Strips (at least 20 years old)
Winsor McCay’s Complete Little Nemo, edited by Alexander Braun (TASCHEN)

Best Archival Collection/Project—Comic Books (at least 20 Years Old)
Steranko Nick Fury Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. Artist’s Edition, edited by Scott Dunbier (IDW)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material
Blacksad: Amarillo, by Juan Díaz Canales & Juanjo Guarnido (Dark Horse)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia
Showa 1939–1943 and Showa 1944–1953: A History of Japan, by Shigeru Mizuki (Drawn & Quarterly)

Best Writer
Gene Luen Yang, Avatar: The Last Airbender (Dark Horse); The Shadow Hero (First Second)

Best Writer/Artist
Raina Telgemeier, Sisters (Graphix/Scholastic)

Best Penciller/Inker
Fiona Staples, Saga (Image)

Best Painter/Multimedia Artist (interior art)
J. H. Williams III, The Sandman: Overture (Vertigo/DC)

Best Cover Artist
Darwyn Cooke, "DC Comics Darwyn Cooke Month Variant Covers" (DC)

Best Coloring
Dave Stewart, Hellboy in Hell, BPRD, Abe Sapien, Baltimore, Lobster Johnson, Witchfinder, Shaolin Cowboy, Aliens: Fire and Stone, DHP (Dark Horse)

Best Lettering
Stan Sakai, Usagi Yojimbo: Senso, Usagi Yojimbo Color Special: The Artist (Dark Horse)

Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism
Comics Alliance, edited by Andy Khouri, Caleb Goellner, Andrew Wheeler, & Joe Hughes, www.comicsalliance.com (link is external)

Best Comics-Related Book
Genius Animated: The Cartoon Art of Alex Toth, vol. 3, by Dean Mullaney & Bruce Canwell (IDW/LOAC)

Best Scholarly/Academic Work
Graphic Details: Jewish Women’s Confessional Comics in Essays and Interviews, edited by Sarah Lightman (McFarland)

Best Publication Design
Little Nemo: Dream Another Dream, designed by Jim Rugg (Locust Moon)


The Eisner Awards judges previously selected two individuals to automatically be inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Awards Hall of Fame for 2015. Those inductees were Marjorie ”Marge” Henderson Buell (creator of Little Lulu) and Bill Woggon (creator of Katy Keene).

The judges also chosen 13 nominees from which voters were to select 4 to be inducted into the Hall of Fame this summer. The 4 selected are John Byrne, Chris Claremont, Denis Kitchen, Frank Miller.

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

I Reads You Review: CHRONONAUTS #1

CHRONONAUTS #1
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

WRITER: Mark Millar – @mrmarkmillar
ARTIST: Sean Gordon Murphy – @Sean_G_Murphy
COLORS: Matt Hollingsworth
LETTERS: Chris Eliopoulos
COVER: Sean Gordon Murphy with Matt Hollingsworth
VARIANT COVERS: Matteo Scalera with Matt Hollingsworth; Declan Shalvey with Jordie Bellaire; Dan Panosian; Fiona Staples; Ryan Ottley with Kelsey Shannon; Fabio Moon; Chris Weston
28pp, Color, $3.50 U.S. (March 2015)

Rated M / Mature

Chrononauts is a new comic book series created by writer Mark Millar (Kick-Ass, The Secret Service) and artist Sean Gordon Murphy (Punk Rock Jesus).  The series focuses on the world's first time travelers and the problems they encounter.

Chrononauts #1 introduces Corbin Quinn.  He is the star scientist in NASA's Temporal-Observation Program.  After testing several “temporal vehicle” prototypes, Quinn and his partner, Dr. Danny Reilly, are ready for their first manned-mission through time with the help of their “chrono-suits.”  Something goes wrong; some always goes wrong, and it is usually not so easy to fix.

Like much of Mark Millar's creator-owned comics outside of Marvel Comics, Chrononauts is the usual, glossy, high-concept piece featuring people who know a lot, but don't realize how much they don't know.  Chrononauts lacks the gall of Kick-Ass and the gleeful maliciousness of Nemesis; plus, it seems like a shiny makeover of the late Michael Crichton's1999 novel Timeline that was adapted into a 2003 film of the same title.

I suspect Millar will offer more surprises in the second issue, so I will give it a try (if I can find a second issue).  Sean Murphy is a good comics storyteller, but nothing he does here really piques my interest.  Murphy is the series co-creator, but virtually any veteran comic book artist could have drawn Chrononauts.  Maybe, Murphy will also surprise in the second issue.

http://www.millarworld.tv/

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux on Patreon.


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 19, 2014

IMAGE COMICS

SEP140569     AMERICAN LEGENDS #3     $3.99
SEP140596     BOUNCE TP (MR)     $24.99
AUG140576     CASANOVA COMPLETE ED HC VOL 01 LUXURIA (MR)     $29.99
SEP140714     DEAD AT 17 BLASPHEMY THRONE #4     $3.50
SEP140715     DEADLY CLASS #9 (MR)     $3.50
AUG130690     DREAM MERCHANT #6 (MR)     $3.50
SEP140722     GONERS #2     $2.99
SEP140552     INTERSECT #1 CVR A FAWKES (MR)     $3.50
SEP140553     INTERSECT #1 CVR B LEMIRE (MR)     $3.50
JUL140551     INVINCIBLE #115     $2.99
SEP140626     LAZARUS HC VOL 01 (MR)     $34.99
JUN140559     MORNING GLORIES #42 (MR)     $3.50
SEP140740     PROTECTORS INC #10 CVR A PURCELL & ATIYEH (MR)     $2.99
SEP140741     PROTECTORS INC #10 CVR B TEMPLESMITH (MR)     $2.99
SEP140595     PUNKROCKPAPERSCISSORS TP     $29.99
SEP140745     REVIVAL #25 CVR A FRISON (MR)     $2.99
SEP140591     SAGA DLX ED HC VOL 01     $49.99
SEP140544     SINERGY #1     $3.50
JUL140583     THIEF OF THIEVES #25 (MR)     $2.99
AUG140618     WALKING DEAD ANDREA T/S LG MEN     $19.99
AUG140623     WALKING DEAD ANDREA T/S LG WOMEN     $19.99
AUG140617     WALKING DEAD ANDREA T/S MED MEN     $19.99
AUG140622     WALKING DEAD ANDREA T/S MED WOMEN     $19.99
AUG140616     WALKING DEAD ANDREA T/S SM MEN     $19.99
AUG140621     WALKING DEAD ANDREA T/S SM WOMEN     $19.99
AUG140619     WALKING DEAD ANDREA T/S XL MEN     $19.99
AUG140624     WALKING DEAD ANDREA T/S XL WOMEN     $19.99
AUG140620     WALKING DEAD ANDREA T/S XXL MEN     $21.99
AUG140625     WALKING DEAD ANDREA T/S XXL WOMEN     $21.99
SEP140678     WALKING DEAD OMNIBUS HC VOL 05     $100.00
SEP140679     WALKING DEAD OMNIBUS S&N ED HC VOL 05     $150.00
AUG140627     WALKING DEAD WALKER FACES T/S MED MEN     $25.00
AUG140626     WALKING DEAD WALKER FACES T/S SM MEN     $25.00
AUG140629     WALKING DEAD WALKER FACES T/S XL MEN     $25.00
AUG140630     WALKING DEAD WALKER FACES T/S XXL MEN     $27.00
AUG140633     WALKING DEAD WALKER FACES TANK LG WOMEN     $25.00
AUG140632     WALKING DEAD WALKER FACES TANK MED WOMEN     $25.00
AUG140631     WALKING DEAD WALKER FACES TANK SM WOMEN     $25.00
AUG140634     WALKING DEAD WALKER FACES TANK XL WOMEN     $25.00
SEP148170     WAYWARD #2 2ND PTG (MR)     $3.50
AUG140695     WITCHBLADE #179 CVR A BRAGA     $3.99
AUG140696     WITCHBLADE #179 CVR B CHRISTOPHER     $3.99
SEP140769     ZERO #12 (MR)     $2.99

IMAGE COMICS/MCFARLANE TOYS

AUG140714     WALKING DEAD RICK GRIMES RESIN STATUE     PI

I Reads You Review: THOR #1

THOR (2014) #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER: Jason Aaron
ART: Russell Dauterman
COLORS: Matthew Wilson
LETTERS: VC's Joe Sabino
COVER:  Russell Dauterman with Frank Martin
VARIANT COVERS:  Sara Pichelli with Laura Martin; Esad Ribic, Andrew Robinson; Alex Ross; Fiona Staples; Skottie Young
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2014)

Rated “T+”

Marvel Comics' version of Thor is, of course, based on the Norse mythological deity of the same name.  Marvel's the mighty Thor is the Asgardian god of thunder; possesses the enchanted hammer, Mjolnir; and is also a superhero, as well as being a member of The Avengers.

Thor first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 (cover dated August 1962) and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby.  For most of his 52 years of existence, Thor has possessed Mjolnir, which, among other superhuman attributes, grants him the ability of flight and of weather manipulation.

Thor has possessed that “enchanted hammer” for most of his comic book existence, but there have been times when Thor:  the Prince of Asgard, the one true God of Thunder, and the Odinson, has not possessed Mjolnir.  One famous example of another being wielding Mjolnir was Beta Ray Bill, a character that debuted in The Mighty Thor #337 (cover dated: November 1983), the first issue of Walter Simonson's acclaimed run as writer-artist of The Mighty Thor.

Now, another new era of Thor begins.  Thor will be the “Goddess of Thunder.”  As part of Marvel Comics' “Avengers NOW!” initiative, there is a new ongoing Thor comic book series written by Jason Aaron, drawn by Russell Dauterman, colored by Matthew Wilson, and lettered by Joe Sabino.

Thor #1 (“If He be Worthy”) opens in the Norwegian Sea at the Roxxon Seabase.  It is about to be visited by some monstrous denizens of the deep, spurred on by an old adversary of Thor's.  Meanwhile, on the moon, Thor finds that no matter how hard or how often he tries, he cannot lift Mjolnir.  His father, Odin the All-Father, has returned and is not helping the troubling situation.  His wife and Thor's mother, Freyja the All-Mother, seems to have accepted this sudden wave of change.  The attack on the sea base makes Thor remember that he still has to be a superhero.  How will that work out for him without Mjolnir?

This year, I have been reading more Marvel Comics number-one issues than I have in a long time.  That's why I picked up the new Thor #1.  I am glad that I did; it's an exciting first issue.  I didn't think Thor in a state of ultimate humiliation could be such an enthralling character and compelling situation.  I didn't think I could yearn so much for him to be healed, but Jason Aaron's script is a thing of wonders.  Every scene hits the notes it needs to in order to make this new state of Thor work.

Now, I can't say that I am equally enthralled with Russell Dauterman's art.  I liked him more as the artist on the current Cyclops comic book series.  Dauterman is not bad here; maybe, the art just needs time to grow on me.  I'm curious to see what the second issue is like.  I think that's where the real force of change will be felt.  In the meantime, I recommend that readers at least try the first issue of this new Thor.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

2014 Harvey Award Winners Announced; "Saga" Leads the Awards Ceremony

Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples' "Saga" Leads the Evening with Four Wins

Comics professionals honor peers for comics and books published in 2013 at the Harvey Awards Banquet

Comic professionals came together Saturday night, September 6, 2014 at the 2014 Baltimore Comic-Con to honor their peers during the presentation of the 2014 Harvey Awards.

The awards are named in honor of cartoonist, comic book creator, editor, and publisher, the late Harvey Kurtzman.  According to its administrators, the Harvey Awards recognize outstanding achievement in the field of comics, and is the only industry award both nominated and selected by comic professionals.  First awarded in 1988, it is one the industries oldest and most respected awards.

The 2014 Harvey Award winners:

Best Original Graphic Album:  THE FIFTH BEATLE: THE BRIAN EPSTEIN STORY, Dark Horse Comics

Best Continuing or Limited Series:  SAGA, Image Comics

Best Writer:  Brian K. Vaughan, SAGA, Image Comics

Best Artist:  Fiona Staples, SAGA, Image Comics

Best Cartoonist:  Paul Pope, BATTLING BOY, First Second

Best Single Issue or Story:  Pizza is my Business, HAWKEYE # 11, Marvel Comics

Best Letterer:  Terry Moore, RACHEL RISING, Abstract Studios

Best Colorist:  Dave Stewart, HELLBOY: THE MIDNIGHT CIRCUS, Dark Horse Comics

Best Syndicated Strip or Panel:  DICK TRACY, Joe Staton and Mike Curtis, Tribune Media Services

Best Online Comics Work:  BATTLEPUG, Mike Norton, http://www.battlepug.com/

Best American Edition of Foreign Material:  ATTACK ON TITAN, Kodansha

Best Inker:  Wade Von Grawbadger, ALL NEW X-MEN, Marvel Comics

Best New Series:  SEX CRIMINALS, Image Comics

Most Promising New Talent:  Chip Zdarsky, SEX CRIMINALS, Image Comics

Special Award for Humor in Comics:  Ryan North, ADVENTURE TIME, KaBOOM! Studios

Best Original Graphic Publication for Younger Readers:  ADVENTURE TIME, KaBOOM! Studios

Best Graphic Album Previously Published:  MOUSE GUARD VOL. 3: THE BLACK AXE, BOOM! Studios/Archaia

Best Anthology:  DARK HORSE PRESENTS, Dark Horse

Best Domestic Reprint Project:  BEST OF COMIX BOOK: WHEN MARVEL COMICS WENT UNDERGROUND, Kitchen Sink Books/Dark Horse Comics

Best Cover Artist:  Fiona Staples, SAGA, Image Comics

Best Biographical, Historical or Journalistic Presentation:  THE FIFTH BEATLE: THE BRIAN EPSTEIN STORY, Vivek J. Tiwary, Andrew C. Robinson, and Kyle Baker, Dark Horse Comics

Special Award for Excellence in Presentation:  BEST OF COMIX BOOK: WHEN MARVEL COMICS WENT UNDERGROUND, John Lind, Kitchen Sink Books/Dark Horse Comics

Harvey Kurtzman Hall of Fame Award: Charles M. Schulz

Dick Giordano Humanitarian of the Year Award: Stan Goldberg

Hero Initiative Lifetime Achievement Award: Herb Trimpe

The Baltimore Comic will also host the Harvey Awards for the ninth year during the 16h annual show, taking place September 25-27, 2015.

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

I Reads You Review: MILES MORALES: Ultimate Spider-Man #1

MILES MORALES: ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER: Brian Michael Bendis
ART: David Marquez
COLORS: Justin Ponsor
LETTERS: VC’s Cory Petit
COVER: David Marquez and Justin Ponsor
VARIANT COVERS: Fiona Staples; Brandon Peterson
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (July 2014)

Rated T+

In 2011, Marvel Comics and writer Brian Michael Bendis introduced a Black, Brooklyn teen as the new Spider-Man.  Specifically, Miles Morales, of African-American and Latino extraction, was the new Ultimate Spider-Man, the friendly neighborhood wall-crawler and web-slinger of Marvel’s Ultimate line of comics (or universe).

Miles received his own comic books series, Ultimate Spider-Man (or Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man).  Now, as part of the “Ultimate Marvel NOW” publishing initiative, Miles gets a new series, Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man, courtesy of writer Brian Michael Bendis, artist David Marquez, colorist Justin Ponsor, and letterer Cory Petit.

Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man #1 opens in a secret S.H.I.E.L.D. “Containment Facility,” from which Norman Osborn is being removed for transferal to a federal prison.  In Brooklyn, two armored thieves commit a bold robbery.  Meanwhile, Miles Morales contemplates revealing his secret to girlfriend Katie Bishop, but the surprise in store for Katie is nothing compared to the surprise in store for Miles.

I have stated in previous reviews of Ultimate Spider-Man comic books that I thought that Brian Michael Bendis merged the best of classic Steve Ditko-Stan Lee Spider-Man and early Milestone Media Static comic books in his stories of Miles Morales as Spider-Man.  Miles’ stories are as much misadventure as they are adventure, because Bendis makes the foibles and trials and tribulations of teen boyhood every bit as engaging as the never-ending battle of a superhero.  Most of the time, I can’t wait for the story to switch from Spider-Man back to Miles Morales’ civilian life.  Well, that is because Miles is a quite interesting young fellow.

In the first Miles Morales series, Bendis was blessed with a fantastic storytelling collaborator, artist Sara Pichelli.  Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man finds Bendis blessed again with another talented collaborator.  David Marquez is rapidly coming into his own in terms of storytelling.  I like Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man #1; it’s the kind of first issue that has me ready for more.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

2014 Eisner Award Nominations Announced

Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards 2014 Nominees

Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards

Comic-Con International is proud to announce the nominations for the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards 2014. The nominees, chosen by a blue-ribbon panel of judges, reflect the wide range of material being published in comics and graphic novel form today, from history (real and imagined) to science fiction to autobiography.

Three titles lead the list with more than 3 nominations each: Marvel’s Hawkeye, Image’s Saga, and DC/Vertigo’s The Wake. Hawkeye is nominated for Best Continuing Series, Best Writer (Matt Fraction), and Best Penciller/Inker and Best Cover Artist (David Aja). Saga has received nods for Best Continuing Series (which won the category in 2013), Best Writer (Brian K. Vaughan), and Best Painter and Cover Artist (Fiona Staples). And The Wake is nominated for Best Limited Series, Best Writer (Scott Snyder), Best Penciller/Inker (Sean Murphy), and Best Cover Artist (Sean Murphy/Jordie Bellaire). Bellaire is also nominated in the Best Coloring category, for her work on The Wake and on numerous titles for other companies.

Titles garnering 3 nominations include Fantagraphics’s Love and Rockets: New Stories #6 (Best Short Story, Single Issue, Writer/Artist for Jaime Hernandez), Top Shelf’s March: Book One, by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell (Best Publication for Teens, Reality-Based Work, and Penciller/Inker), and Candlewick’s Bluffton: My Summers with Buster, by Matt Phelan (Best Publication for Teens, Graphic Album–New, and Writer/Artist).

Other titles with multiple nominations are East of West (Jonathan Hickman and Nick Dragotta, Image), Nowhere Men (Eric Stephenson and Nate Bellegarde, Image), Pretty Deadly (Kelly Sue DeConnick and Emma Ríos, Image), Sex Criminals (Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky, Image), Hip Hop Family Tree (Ed Piskor, Fantagraphics), Today Is the Last Day of the Rest of Your Life (Ullie Lust, Fantagraphics), The Adventures of Superhero Girl (Faith Erin Hicks, Dark Horse), The Fifth Beatle (Vivek J. Tiwary, Andrew C. Robinson, and Kyle Baker, Dark Horse), Richard Stark’s Parker: Slayground (Darwyn Cooke, IDW), Genius, Illustrated: The Life and Art of Alex Toth (Dean Mullaney and Bruce Canwell, LOAC/IDW), Rachel Rising (Terry Moore, Abstract Studio), The Art of Rube Goldberg (Abrams ComicArts), The Encyclopedia of Early Earth (Isabel Greenberg, Little, Brown), Watson and Holmes (New Paradigm), The Complete Don Quixote (Rob Davis, SelfMadeHero), When David Lost His Voice (Judith Vanistendael, SelfMadeHero), Hilda and the Bird Parade (Luke Pearson, Nobrow), and High Crimes (Monkeybrain).

Among publishers, Image and Fantagraphics top the list with the most nominations. Image has 17 plus 3 shared. In addition to the nods for Saga, East of West, Nowhere Men, Pretty Deadly, and Sex Criminals, nominated Image titles include Lazarus (Rucka and Lark) and Rat Queens (Wiebe and Upchurch). Fantagraphics’s 18 nominations—besides Love and Rockets, Hip Hop Family Tree, and Today Is the Last Day)—are spread among such titles as Good Dog (Graham Chaffee), Julio’s Day (Gilbert Hernandez), Goddam This War (Tardi and Verney), The Heart of Thomas (Moto Hagio), and several archival collections.

Dark Horse ranks third with 12 nominations (plus 1 shared), including 2 for publisher Mike Richardson (Best Anthology for Dark Horse Presents and Best Limited Series for 47 Ronin with Stan Sakai). IDW’s 9 nominations include 5 in the archival categories, with 3 of Scott Dunbier’s Artist’s Editions up for Best Archival Collection–Comic Books and 2 of Dean Mullaney’s Library of American Comics collections up for Best Archival Collection–Comic Strips. Mullaney has 4 nominations in all.

DC and its Vertigo imprint are next with 8 nominations plus 2 shared, the majority going to The Wake. Ranking next is SelfMadeHero with 7 nods (including 3 for When David Lost His Voice and 2 for The Complete Don Quixote), followed by Marvel’s 6 (plus 4 shared), led by Hawkeye. Drawn & Quarterly’s 6 nominations include books by Peter Bagge, Tom Gauld, Rutu Modan, and Art Spiegelman.

Other publishers with multiple nominations include First Second, Nobrow, and Top Shelf (4 each) and Abstract Studio, BOOM!, Candlewick, and TOON Books (3 each). Eleven publishers have 2 nominations each, and another 31 companies or individuals have 1 nomination each.

Individual creators with the most nominations are David Aja, Matt Fraction, Gilbert Hernandez, Sean Murphy, Matt Phelan, Nate Powell, and Fiona Staples, all with 3. Nineteen creators can boast of 2 nominations.

Named for acclaimed comics creator the Will Eisner, the awards are celebrating their 26th year of highlighting the best publications and creators in comics and graphic novels. The 2014 Eisner Awards judging panel consists of comics retailer Kathy Bottarini (Comic Book Box, Rhonert Park, CA), author/educator William H. Foster (Untold Stories of Black Comics), reviewer Christian Lipski (Portland, OR Examiner), Comic-Con International board member Lee Oeth, library curator Jenny Robb (Ohio State University Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum), and Eisner Award-nominated cartoonist/critic James Romberger (Post York, 7 Miles a Second).

Voting for the awards is held online, and the ballot will be available soon at www.eisnervote.com. All professionals in the comic book industry are eligible to vote. The deadline for voting is June 13. The results of the voting will be announced in a gala awards ceremony on the evening of Friday, July 25 at Comic-Con International.

The voting in one Eisner Awards category, the Hall of Fame (LINK), is already completed. The judges chose the nominees earlier this year, and voting was conducted online.

The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards are presented under the auspices of Comic-Con International, a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to creating awareness of and appreciation for comics and related popular artforms, primarily through the presentation of conventions and events that celebrate the historic and ongoing contributions of comics to art and culture. Jackie Estrada has been administrator of the Awards since 1990. She can be reached at jackie@comic-con.org.

Archie Andrews to Get Cap in Ass - The Official Announcement

Legendary Comic Book Character Archie Andrews Dies in July

Future “Life with Archie” storyline reveals redheaded icon’s heroic final moments

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Archie Comics, the acclaimed and bestselling comic book publisher that is home to some of the best-known pop culture creations in the world, including Archie, Jughead, Betty & Veronica, Josie & The Pussycats, Sabrina the Teenage Witch and the hit AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE series, announced the unthinkable today: Legendary comic book character Archie Andrews will die to conclude the hit LIFE WITH ARCHIE comic series.

The iconic comic book character, beloved by millions around the globe for over 70 years, will sacrifice himself heroically while saving the life of a friend in the pages of July’s LIFE WITH ARCHIE #36, the final issue in the flash-forward series, which spotlights Archie’s adventures after high school and college.

“We’ve been building up to this moment since we launched LIFE WITH ARCHIE five years ago, and knew that any book that was telling the story of Archie’s life as an adult had to also show his final moment,” said Archie Comics Publisher/Co-CEO Jon Goldwater. “Archie has and always will represent the best in all of us—he’s a hero, good-hearted, humble and inherently honorable. This story is going to inspire a wide range of reactions because we all feel so close to Archie. Fans will laugh, cry, jump off the edge of their seats and hopefully understand why this comic will go down as one of the most important moments in Archie’s entire history. It’s the biggest story we’ve ever done, and we’re supremely proud of it.”

The story will be available in multiple formats, including an extra-large magazine-size LIFE WITH ARCHIE #36, two comic-sized issues—LIFE WITH ARCHIE #36 and #37—and a trade paperback collecting the entire story, written by regular LIFE WITH ARCHIE writer Paul Kupperberg, with art by Pat & Tim Kennedy and Fernando Ruiz.

While LIFE WITH ARCHIE #36 shows readers Archie’s final moments, #37 leaps a year into the future, showcasing how the remaining members of the Riverdale gang—including Jughead, Betty & Veronica and Reggie—have honored the legacy of their dear friend. Both stories will be collected in the double-sized LIFE WITH ARCHIE #36 magazine and upcoming trade paperback.

In addition to the acclaimed regular LIFE WITH ARCHIE creative team, the two comic book issues—sold exclusively at comic shops in July—will feature a pantheon of artistic luminaries contributing covers to the historic issue, including Francesco Francavilla, Fiona Staples, Ramon Perez, Walt Simonson, Jill Thompson, Mike Allred, Cliff Chiang, Adam Hughes, Tommy Lee Edwards and Alex Ross.

ABOUT ARCHIE COMICS:
Archie Comics is the leading mass market comic book publisher in the world and the home to a wide array of the most popular humor, action-adventure and superhero characters in entertainment, including Archie, Jughead, Betty and Veronica, Reggie, Kevin Keller, Josie and the Pussycats, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Afterlife With Archie, The Fox, The New Crusaders, The Shield, Li’l Jinx and many more. Archie Comics have sold 2 billion comics worldwide and are published around the world in a number of languages. In addition to comics, Archie characters have been featured prominently in animation, television, film and music.

2013 Harvey Award Winners Complete List

Comic Professionals Honor Peers at the 2013 Harvey Awards Banquet

Comic Professionals came together Saturday night, September 7, 2013 to honor their peers during the presentation of the 2013 Harvey Awards.

The 2013 Harvey Awards were sponsored by presenting Sponsor Guinness; Platinum Sponsors Baltimore Comic-Con and Cards, Comics & Collectibles; Gold Sponsors Boom! Studios, DC Entertainment, Third Eye Comics; Silver Sponsors ComicMix, Comic WOW!, Geppi's Entertainment Museum, Insight Studios; Friend Sponsors Steve Conley's Bloop, Fantastic Forum, Graphitti Designs, and Painted Visions Comics, Cards & Games; and Gift Bag Sponsors Abrams ComicArts, BOOM! Studios, Dark Horse, DC Entertainment, Dynamite Entertainment, Fantastic Forum, Honest Tea, IDW Publishing, Popfun Collectibles, Random House publishing, Scholastic, and Valiant. The banquette to honor those nominated and the winners in more than 20 categories was hosted by the Baltimore Comic-Con and Cards, Comics & Collectibles.

Named in honor of Harvey Kurtzman, the Harvey Awards recognize outstanding achievement in the field of comics, and is the only industry award both nominated and selected by comic professionals. First awarded in 1988, it is one the industries oldest and most respected awards.

Writer Bill Willingham, best know as the scribe of Vertigo's Fables, acted as host and Master of Ceremonies for this year's event.

Special thanks go to the sponsors who generously donated to the 2013 Harvey Gift Bags, including: Abrams ComicArts; BOOM! Studios; Dark Horse Comics; DC Entertainment; Dynamite Entertainment; Fantastic Forum; Honest Tea; IDW Publishing; Popfun Collectibles; Random House Publishing; Scholastic Books; and Valiant Entertainment.

The 2013 Harvey Award winners include:

Best Original Graphic Album:  RICHARD STARK'S PARKER: THE SCORE, IDW

Best Continuing or Limited Series:  SAGA, Image Comics

Best Writer:  Brian K. Vaughan, SAGA, Image Comics

Best Artist:  Fiona Staples, SAGA, Image Comics

Best Cartoonist:  Jaime Hernandez, LOVE AND ROCKETS: NEW STORIES

Best Single Issue or Story:  SAGA # 1, Image Comics

Best Letterer:  Todd Klein, FABLES, DC Comics

Best Colorist:  Fiona Staples, SAGA, Image Comics

Best Syndicated Strip or Panel:  DICK TRACY, Joe Staton and Mike Curtis, Tribune Media Services

Best Online Comics Work:  BATTLEPUG, Mike Norton, http://www.battlepug.com/

Best American Edition of Foreign Material:  BLACKSAD: A SILENT HELL, Dark Horse

Best Inker:  Klaus Janson, CAPTAIN AMERICA, Marvel Comics

Best New Series:  SAGA, Image Comics

Most Promising New Talent:  Dennis Hopeless, AVENGERS ARENA, Marvel Comics

Special Award for Humor in Comics:  Ryan North, ADVENTURE TIME, KaBOOM! Studios

Best Original Graphic Publication for Younger Readers:  ADVENTURE TIME, KaBOOM! Studios

Best Graphic Album Previously Published:  ALIEN: THE ILLUSTRATED STORY, Titan Books

Best Anthology:  DARK HORSE PRESENTS, various, Dark Horse

Best Domestic Reprint Project:  DAVID MAZZUCHELLI'S DAREDEVIL BORN AGAIN: ARTIST'S EDITION, IDW

Best Cover Artist:  David Aja, HAWKEYE, Marvel Comics

Best Biographical, Historical or Journalistic Presentation:  ROBOT 6 WEBSITE, Comic Book Resources

Special Award for Excellence in Presentation:  BUILDING STORIES, Chris Ware, Pantheon Books

Dick Giordano Humanitarian of the Year Award:  Paul Levitz

Hero Initiative Lifetime Achievement Award: Sal Buscema

In addition, the Baltimore Comic-Con would like to thank those individuals who presented at this year's award ceremony, including: Joe Staton, Roger Langridge, Mark Buckingham, Ron Frenz, Dinesh Shamdasani, Bob Chapman, Josh Adams, Ramona Fradon, Mark Waid, Steve Geppi, Joe Hill, Dean Haspiel, Terry Moore, Neal Adams, Dan Parent, and Stan Sakai.  We would also like to thank Mark Wheatley for his contributions to our voting ballots, program guide for the evening, and awards ceremony presentation, and Glenn Hauman for his "web mastery".

The Baltimore Comic will host the Harvey Awards for the ninth year during the 15th annual show, taking place September 5-7, 2014.

In the coming monthss, 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 on our website, Twitter, and Facebook pages.

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 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 14th year of bringing the comic book industry to the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area. For more information, please visit 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 25 years, the last 7 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 www.harveyawards.org

2013 Will Eisner Award Winners - Complete List

by Leroy Douresseaux

The winners of the 2013 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards were announced at a ceremony held during the 2013 San Diego Comic-Con International at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront, on Friday, July 19, 2013.

Since the people that manage (or own) the Eisner Awards and many of their supporters hilariously call the Eisners the "Oscars of the comic book industry," that must mean either the "Best Continuing Series" winner (Saga) or the "Best Graphic Album" winner (Building Stories) is the Eisner "Best Picture" winner - or maybe both.

Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Winners 2013

Best Short Story: “Moon 1969: The True Story of the 1969 Moon Launch,” by Michael Kupperman, in Tales Designed to Thrizzle #8 (Fantagraphics)

Best Single Issue (or One-Shot): The Mire, by Becky Cloonan (self-published)

Best Continuing Series: Saga, by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples (Image)

Best New Series: Saga, by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples (Image)

Best Publication for Early Readers (up to age 7): Babymouse for President, by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm (Random House)

Best Publication for Kids (ages 8–12): Adventure Time, by Ryan North, Shelli Paroline, and Braden Lamb (kaboom!)

Best Publication for Teens (ages 13–17): A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L’Engle, adapted by Hope Larson (FSG)

Best Humor Publication: Darth Vader and Son, by Jeffrey Brown (Chronicle)

Best Digital Comic: Bandette, by Paul Tobin and Colleen Coover (Monkeybrain)

Best Anthology: Dark Horse Presents, edited by Mike Richardson (Dark Horse)

Best Reality-Based Work (TIE):

• Annie Sullivan and the Trials of Helen Keller, by Joseph Lambert (Center for Cartoon Studies/Disney Hyperion)
• The Carter Family: Don’t Forget This Song, by Frank M. Young and David Lasky (Abrams ComicArts)

Best Graphic Album—New: Building Stories, by Chris Ware (Pantheon)

Best Adaptation from Another Medium: Richard Stark’s Parker: The Score, adapted by Darwyn Cooke (IDW)

Best Graphic Album—Reprint: King City, by Brandon Graham (TokyoPop/Image)

Best Archival Collection/Project—Strips: Pogo, vol. 2: Bona Fide Balderdash, by Walt Kelly, edited by Carolyn Kelly and Kim Thompson (Fantagraphics)

Best Archival Collection/Project—Comic Books: David Mazzucchelli’s Daredevil Born Again: Artist’s Edition, edited by Scott Dunbier (IDW

Best U.S. Edition of International Material: Blacksad: Silent Hell, by Juan Diaz Canales and Juanjo Guarnido (Dark Horse)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia: Naoki Urasawa’s 20th Century Boys, by Naoki Urasawa (VIZ Media)

Best Writer: Brian K. Vaughan, Saga (Image)

Best Writer/Artist: Chris Ware, Building Stories (Pantheon)

Best Penciler/Inker (TIE):

• David Aja, Hawkeye (Marvel)
• Chris Samnee, Daredevil (Marvel); Rocketeer: Cargo of Doom (IDW)

Best Painter/Multimedia Artist (interior art): Juanjo Guarnido, Blacksad (Dark Horse)

Best Cover Artist: David Aja, Hawkeye (Marvel)

Best Coloring: Dave Stewart, Batwoman (DC); Fatale (Image); BPRD, Conan the Barbarian, Hellboy in Hell, Lobster Johnson, The Massive (Dark Horse)

Best Lettering: Chris Ware, Building Stories (Pantheon)

Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism: The Comics Reporter, edited by Tom Spurgeon, www.comicsreporter.com

Best Comics-Related Book: Marvel Comics: The Untold Story, by Sean Howe (HarperCollins)

Best Educational/Academic Work: Lynda Barry: Girlhood Through the Looking Glass, by Susan E. Kirtley (University Press of Mississippi)

Best Publication Design: Building Stories, designed by Chris Ware (Pantheon)

Hall of Fame: Lee Falk, Al Jaffee, Mort Meskin, Trina Robbins, Spain Rodriguez, Joe Sinnott

Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award: Russel Roehling

Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award: Chris Sparks and Team Cul deSac

Bill Finger Excellence in Comic Book Writing Award: Steve Gerber, Don Rosa

Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award: Challengers Comics + Conversation, Chicago, IL


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Review: RED SONJA Volume 2 #1

RED SONJA, VOL. 2 #1
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT – @dynamitecomics

WRITER: Gail Simone – @GailSimone
ARTIST: Walter Geovani
COLORS: Adriano Lucas
LETTERS: Simon Bowland
COVER: Nicola Scott
VARIANT COVERS: Amanda Conner, Fiona Staples, Jenny Frison, Colleen Doran; Stephanie Buscema (subscription cover)
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.

Rated T+

Based on the character created Robert E. Howard and Roy Thomas and Barry Windsor-Smith

For Conan the Barbarian #23 (cover dated February 1973), writer Roy Thomas and artist Barry Windsor-Smith created a high fantasy sword and sorcery heroine.  She was named Red Sonja and was loosely based on “Red Sonya of Rogatino,” a female character that appeared in the short story, “The Shadow of the Vulture,” written by Robert E. Howard, creator of Conan the Cimmerian.

Red Sonja has appeared in comic books for forty years, with the character spending the last decade at Dynamite Entertainment.  Dynamite Entertainment is re-launching their ongoing Red Sonja comic book series with Gail Simone as writer and Walter Geovani as artist on a new title, Red Sonja, Volume 2.

Red Sonja, Volume 2 #1 opens with a brief look into Red Sonja’s past.  Three years later, she is sleeping off a drunk, which is interrupted by thieves and by Nias and Ayla – her self-appointed bodyguards.  Now, a former benefactor (so to speak), King Dimath needs Sonja’s help.  Sonja agrees, and her reward is a ghost from her past.

In interviews she has given for Red Sonja, Volume 2, writer Gail Simone has spoken of taking the character in a direction that is different from past interpretations.  Simone is one of the few female writers who have broken into the white boys’ club that is comic book writing for Marvel and DC Comics in a way that has allowed her to be prolific and influential.  And she is not really like her male colleagues.

Simone’s Red Sonja is fiery and aggressive, not icy and reserved – as the character has been in the past.  She is not really an alpha female.  It’s like this: because it is a penis or royal penis does not mean Sonja has to submit or bow to it.  Simone’s Red Sonja is truly liberated from having her life defined by men being in control.  Simone’s presentation of the character makes this book worth a look, because the plot is merely standard sword and sorcery material.

Fans of Red Sonja and of Gail Simone will want to try Red Sonja, Volume 2.

B

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

New Reliable Press Announces New Crime Anthology

NEW RELIABLE PRESS READY TO TAKE ON THE BIG BOYS OF CRIME COMICS

Acts of Violence explores mob loyalty, vigilante justice, drug addiction and dirty cops

New Reliable Press, one of Canada’s most versatile comics publishers, has just released Acts of Violence: A Crime Comics Anthology, a collection of sequential crime fiction told in the pulp tradition.

“Crime comics are in the midst of a revival,” says Ed Brisson, founder of New Reliable Press and co-creator of Acts of Violence, citing examples like DC’s Vertigo Crime line, Ed Brubaker’s Criminal, Marvel Noir, and Dark Horse’s recently released crime comics anthology.

And true to the nature of characters in crime fiction, the small, scrappy upstart is ready to go toe-to-toe with the big boys.

“Our promotional campaign is as well planned as a bank heist,” says Brisson. “Postcards have been sent to more than 500 comic shops in North America, and the creators are working the phones and social networking to connect with retailers and comic fans.”

Over the month of April, Acts of Violence creators have called more than 350 comic shops in North America, with more calls to be made before the end of the month. The creators feel this grassroots promotion is what is ultimately going to drive interest in the anthology.

“We’re not going to bust any kneecaps, but we will bust our asses to get the word out about our book,” says Brisson.

Featuring the talents of Toren Atkinson, Ed Brisson, Chad Boudreau, Dino Caruso, Damian Couceiro, Todd Ireland, Kevin Leeson, Manoel Magalhaes, and Marvin Mann and cover art by Fiona Staples, Acts of Violence unveils a roster of new voices in hard-boiled crime comics.

In “The Three Princes”, a trio of young friends is schooled on the alcohol and blood soaked streets of Prohibition era America. A rookie lawman must protect a killer from the desperate and despairing parents of a murdered girl in “Six O’Clock Noose”. A drug addled ten-time loser seeks to break the chains of misery that bind him in “Reggie-Town”. And in “The Orchard”, two cops take a late night drive into broken morals and violence.

Novelist and comics writer Mike Carey called Acts of Violence “a dark, rich anthology… [with] strong creative voices, using the comics medium to do ambitious things.”

A 20-page preview of Acts of Violence can be found at http://www.actsofviolencecomic.com/.

The anthology is being distributed by Diamond Comics, and has been solicited in the April edition of Previews. A PDF that you can print and bring to your local comic shop to let them know you’d like to order the book can be obtained at http://newreliable.com/AoV_PDF.pdf. The PDF contains all the info your retailer will need for Acts Of Violence.

Contact edb@newreliable.com for interview requests or general inquiries. Visit http://www.actsofviolencecomic.com/ for more information about Acts of Violence.

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