Showing posts with label Geof Darrow. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Geof Darrow. Show all posts

Monday, March 27, 2023

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 29, 2023

DARK HORSE COMICS

NOV220427 BIG GUY & RUSTY BOY ROBOT TP (2ND ED) $19.99
JAN230491 DRAGON AGE MISSING #3 (OF 4) $3.99
NOV220428 HARD BOILED TP (2ND ED) $19.99
JAN230420 HELLBOY IN LOVE #4 (OF 5) $3.99
JAN230470 ITS ONLY TEENAGE WASTELAND #4 (OF 4) $3.99
JAN230415 LADY BALTIMORE DREAM OF IKELOS ONE-SHOT $3.99
NOV220412 MISTER MAMMOTH HC $29.99
NOV220463 SURVIVAL STREET TP $19.99

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Tuesday, June 28, 2022

#IReadsYou Review: RED ROOM: The Anti-Social Network #4

RED ROOM: THE ANTISOCIAL NETWORK #4
FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS

CARTOONIST: Ed Piskor
EDITOR: Eric Reynolds
COVER: Ed Piskor
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Kayfabe; Jim Rugg; John Gallagher; Geof Darrow
MISC. ART: Preston Asevedo; Small Man Big Mouth; Andrew Gutierrez; Mike Manzi; David Lawless; Adam Lemnah; Anthony Negron; Charlie Franz; Ralph Bednarski; Vinny Olmstead; Tony Fero; Jay Daken; @Gigacrab; Jeff Brown; Slowhed; Dr. Ben Anthony; Yaakov Agrat; George Vega; Steve Meesey; Michael Murphy
32pp, B&W with some color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2021)

Red Room: The Antisocial Network is a four-issue comic book miniseries from cartoonist Ed Piskor.  It is part of an overall series, entitled Red Room, that will be published by Fantagraphics Books as three miniseries for a total of twelve issues.  Piskor is best known for Hip Hop Family Tree, a comic book that chronicles the early history of Hip-Hop culture.  It has been published in webcomic, graphic novel, and serial comic book form.

Red Room focuses on a murderous, dark web subculture in which a secretive audience pays with cryptocurrency so that it can view “murder for entertainment” in real time via webcam.  A “Red Room” is a place on the Internet with an encrypted I.P. address.  Each Red Room is a webcam stream where viewers can watch a “torture star” murder another human being in the most brutal, savage, vile, and stomach-turning ways.

Red Room: The Antisocial Network #4 opens with the notorious host of this comic book, “the Crypto-Currency Keeper.”  He informs his viewers that Red Rooms existed before the World Wide Web did and takes them back to the days of VHS and Betamax with a story entitled “Cyclical Terror!

This is the story of Raina Dukes.  Her father, Edward, was the victim of Red Room star, Donna Butcher.  The torture and murder of Edward was titled “Donna Butcher Gets Her Man!,” and was one of the most notorious snuff videos of the 1980s.  However, the tape was digitized for the Internet, gaining it an ever growing audience.  The death of her husband dragged on Raina's mother until the day she died.  Raina has been plotting her revenge for decades...

Pure Evil!” is the story of Evie.  Once she was Donna Butcher, and her Red Room exploits made her famous.  However, hubris and tax evasion led her to federal prison.  “Snuff Said!” is the story of the eventual meeting of a torture celebrity (Donna Butcher) and revenge seeking victim (Raina), so how will it all work out in the end, for both Evie/Donna and Raina?

THE LOWDOWN:  In “Morgue Files,” Ed Piskor's afterword for each issue of Red Room, he discusses how the spirit of EC Comics' publications shaped Red Room #4.  EC Comics was probably the first great comic book publisher that actually produced excellent comic books crafted by the best writers, artists, and editors.

Science fiction, fantasy, horror, war stories, crime stories, and tales of comeuppance:  EC Comics did it all with style and superb craftsmanship – and a little fine art.  EC's horror comic books also had a horror host/mascot.  The most famous may be “the Crypt-Keeper” from the classic EC title, Tales from the Crypt, which was the inspiration and source material for the HBO television series that ran from 1989 to 1996 and for two spin-off films.

EC Comics which had its heyday from 1949- to 1954 could not have published something like Red Room, as notorious as it comic books were.  However, Piskor's art and story are true to the spirit of EC, especially Red Room #4.  Piskor's compositions and page design are … I'm not sure if I have the words.  If he uses an assistant to help draw Red Room's pages, I would still call him incredible.  If he draws all this by himself, I'll call him “Muad'Dib.”  The craziness, the violence, the anger, the suffering, etc.:  it all comes through the powerful graphical storytelling of Red Room: The Antisocial Network #4.

This fourth issues proves that Red Room: The Antisocial Network is both one of the best debuts of 2021 and one of the best comic books of 2021.  Through the allegories, metaphors, and symbolism, this series has the gift of having a ring of truth and of being prophetic.  If the antics in Red Room seem silly and exaggerated to you, dear readers, your favorite news source can introduce you to the Ukraine.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Ed Piskor's work and of alternative comics as science fiction will want to read Red Room: The Antisocial Network.

A+

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


Buy and/or subscribe to Red Room here: https://www.fantagraphics.com/collections/red-room

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

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Sunday, February 27, 2022

I Reads You Juniors: February 2022 - Update #87

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon.

NEWS:

MARVEL - From ScreenRant:  With the "Reckoning War," Marvel basically admits that its event comic book crossovers usually don't matter.

DC COMICS - From ScreenRantHawkgirl's new costume might make her the Justice League's Wolverine.

MARVEL - From StarWarsMarvel Comics has announced a comic book adaptation of the Disney" series, "The Mandalorian."  The eight issue series will adapt each of the first season's eight episodes.  Rodney Barnes ("Killadelphia") will write and Georges Jeanty will draw.

SONY SPIDER-MAN U - From RadioTimes:  Actor Charlie Cox went to a theater near where he lives to see how people react to his appearance in "Spider-Man: No Way Home" as "Matt Murdock/Daredevil" was not pleasantly surpised.  But he says he will reprise Matt Murdock in a future Marvel Cinematic Universe project.

MANGA - From ABCNews:  Graphic novel imprint, First Second, will publish an English-language edition of Oscar-winner Hayao Miyazaki's 1983 graphic novel, "Shuna's Journey," on November 1st, 2022.

SONY SPIDER-MAN U - From WeGotThisCovered:  Visual effects company, Digital Domain, was still working on VFX for "Spider-Man: No Way Home" a month after the film was released to theaters.

DARK HORSE - From BleedingCoolDark Horse will collect writer Roy Thomas and artist Pablo Marcos's Tarzan webcomics in the hardcover, "Tarzan of the Apes Volume 1," in August 2022.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:   Writer Becky Cloonan and Michael W. Conrad and artist Liam Sharp will launch the new series, "X-O ManoWar: Unconquered," from Valiant Comics in November 2022.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Author Margaret Atwood and author/comics scribe Neil Gaiman are among the contributors to a comic book anthology, "Little Earthquakes: The Graphic Album," which will contain 24 stories inspired by the 12 songs from "Little Earthquakes," the 1992 album by Tori Amos.

MARVEL STUDIOS - From WeGotThisCovered:  The site claims to have set photos from the upcoming Disney+ series, "Secret Invasion," starring Samuel L. Jackson.  The photos reveal a "Skrull" character.

DC MILESTONE - From BleedingCool:  DC Comics' "Milestone Universe" is now known as "Earth-M," and it is expanding with "Duo," a new comic book from writer Greg Pak and artist Khoi Pham.

From DCBlog:   In a Q&A, the creative team of Greg Pak, Khoi Pham, and Scott Hanna introduce "Earth-M" title, "Duo."

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EN MEMORIAM - From BleedingCool:  Comic book writer, novelist, and poet, Tom Veitch, has died at the age of 81.  He was best known for his work on "Animal Man" and "The Nazz" for DC Comics; "The Light and Darkness War" (Marvel); and Dark Horse Comics first "Star Wars" comic book, "Dark Empire" and its sequel, "Dark Empire II."  His brother was comic book creator, Rick Veitch.

DC TV/SANDMAN - From EmpireNeil Gaiman talks about the Netflix adaptation of his legendary comic book series, "The Sandman."

From ScreenRant:  Netflix's Sandman show is dark, traumatic, and feel-good, says Neil Gaiman.

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THE BATMAN - From EW:  Actress Zoe Kravitz's says her first screen test with Robert Pattison for director Matt Reeves' "The Batman" was intense.

From WeGotThisCovered:  Director Matt Reeves says that there are already sequel talks for his upcoming film, "The Batman."
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COMIXOLOGY - From Gizmodo:   Amazon's overhaul of comiXology sucks. Amazon's closer integration of comiXology comes with lost features, bad storefronts, and a truly woeful browser reader. 

From AppleInsider:  Amazon's comixology migration is a disaster - here's what you need to know.

MANGA - From CBR:  42-year-old manga-ka Atsushi Okubo, the creator of such manga as "Soul Eater" and "Fire Force," says that he has just turned in the last chapter of "Fire Force," the final manga of his career.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Writer Chris Claremont's five-issue "Gambit" miniseries will be drawn by Sid Kotian, and the first issue will arrive May 2022.

IMAGE COMICS - From BleedingCoolSkottie Young and Kyle Strahm are launching a new fantasy comic book series, "Twig," in May from Image Comics.

DC TV - From THRHBO Max has ordered a second season of James Gunn's DC Extended Universe TV series, "Peacemaker," starring John Cena in the title role.

GEORGE PEREZ - From ComicsBeat: In March, The Hero Initiative will publish a limited edition trade paperback edition of Kurt Busiek and George Perez's seminal crossover comic book, JLA/Avengers.  The publication, which will be limited to 7,000 copies, will benefit Perez who has Stage 3 pancreatic cancer.

From Newsarama:   This is an interview of George Perez posted Dec. 10th, 2021, posted a few days after he announced his cancer prognosis.

COMICS TO ANIMATION - From THRFox is developing a primetime animated series based on cartoonist Berkeley Breathed's iconic and beloved newspaper comic strip, "Bloom County."

SONY SPIDER U - From WeGotThisCovered:  "Spider-Man: No Way Home" has passed "Avatar" at the all-time domestic box office.

MANGA - From ANN:   Shueisha announced that its MANGA Plus app will allow users to read all the English chapters of its simul-release manga series for free for one year.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics' "Blade Runner 2039" could be the end.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  The upcoming comic book, "Punisher," will supposedly do for "The Punisher" character what the 1980s story line, "Born Again," did for "Daredevil."

MARVEL TELEVISION - From Deadline:  Disney is set to get the rights to the six TV series produced for Netflix by the now-defunct Marvel Television.  However, Disney is being quite about what the new streaming home will be for the "Defenders" universe shows: "Daredevil," "Jessica Jones," "Luke Cage," "The Punisher," "Iron Fist," and "The Defenders."

DC CINEMA - From Variety:  Warner Bros. releases a social media video clip that contains the first footage from "Aquaman and the Lost City" and clips from "Black Adam," "The Flash," and "The Batman."

SONY SPIDER U - From VarietyKevin Smith says that 2022 Oscar nominations' snub of "Spider-Man: No Way Home" in the "Best Picture" category proves why no one watches the ABC television broadcast of the Oscars ceremony.

DC CINEMA - From IGN:  Actor Paul Dano, who plays "The Riddler" in the upcoming film, "The Batman," says that the Riddler sees himself as a vigilante like Batman.

DARK HORSE COMICS - From BleedingCoolGeof Darrow's comic book series, "Shaolin Cowboy," will return in 2022 from Dark Horse Comics.

DC CINEMA - From WeGotThisCoveredDwayne "The Rock" Johnson teases a "Super Bowl LVI" ad that previews 2022's DC Films: "The Batman," "Black Adam," "The Flash," and "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom."

DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:  DC Comics' big event after "Death of the Justice League" will be "Dark Crisis."  The seven-issue monthly miniseries will be written by Joshua Williamson and drawn by Daniel Sampere and begin June 2022.

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:  Marvel has provided a first look at Jonathan Hickman and Chris Bachalo's story for "Moon Knight: Black, White and Blood #1."

DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:  DC has released preview images from the upcoming "Batman/Catwoman: World's Finest #1," which is due March 15th.

SONY MARVEL U - From THR:  Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe is joining Sony's "Spider-Man" spin-off movie, "Kraven the Hunter."

EN MEMORIAM - From 2000AD:  British illustrator and comic book artist, Ian Kennedy, has died at the age of 89, Tuesday, February 7, 2022.  He may be best known for his comics work for the Scottish media company, DC Thompson, especially "Hotspur" and the war comic, "Commando," for which he drew of 1600 covers.  Kennedy also helped launch the 1980s "Dan Dare" revival for "Eagle" magazine.

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DC CINEMA/THE BATMAN - From IndieWire:  "The Batman" star Robert Pattinson says that "The Batman" is a "sad movie" and that Bruce Wayne is a "weirdo."

From VarietyRobert Pattinson guarantees comic book movie fans will know Matt Reeves’ “The Batman” is unlike any other Batman movie ever made as soon as they see the opening shot.
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SONY SPIDER-MAN U - From TheDirect:  "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Part One" producers Chris Miller and Phil Lord talk about the possibilities of a crossover with the live-action Marvel Cinematic Universe multiverse.

DARK HORSE COMICS - From BleedingCool:   Dark Horse will collect the first eight chapters of the Kickstarter-funded comic, "The Winds of Numa Sera," in June 2022.  The series is from creators and writers Morgan Rosenblum and Jonny Handler, and artists Eduard Petrovich, Filipe Andrade, Eduardo Mello, Alessio Moroni, and Valentina Taddeo, and lettered by Ismail Nihad.

MARVEL STUDIOS - From HuffPostChanning Tatum is apparently too traumatized to watch Marvel movies.  The trauma comes from the fact that Disney cancelled his planned "Gambit" film after it bought 20th Century Fox, which was originally developing the film.

BLACK COMICS - From BloodyDisgusting:  Rap music legend, Snoop Dogg, and television writer-producer and comic book writer, Rodney Barnes ("Killadelphia") are united for a horror graphic novel, "Tales from the Crip."  The graphic novel will be published by Barnes' Zombie Love Studios in association with Snoop's Snoopadelic Films and is due Fall 2022.

DC TV - From DCBlog:  Actor Tyler Hoechlin, who plays "Clark Kent/Superman" on The CW's "Superman & Lois," talks about Clark's struggles in Season Two.

SONY MARVEL U - From THR:   Dakota Johnson is in talks to play the title character in "Madame Web," the Sony spinoff centered on the Spider-Man character first introduced in 1980’s "The Amazing Spider-Man No. 210."  Madame Web is a clairvoyant mutant who specializes in predicting the future of Spider-themed superheroes.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  "Deadman Tells The (Spooky) Tales" is a new young reader graphic novel that is also a comic book anthology from DC Comics.  Due Sept. 27th, 2022, it will feature DC Comics character "Deadman" telling spooky tales and ghost stories.

MARVEL - From FanboyPlanet:  The House of Ideas is reviving "Savage Avengers" with a new creative team, writer David Pepose and artist Carlos Magno.  The new series is scheduled to arrive May 4th.

MANGA TO ANIME - From YahooNextShark:  "Uzumaki" creator Junji Ito will voice a character in the anime adaptation of Uzumaki. The series is set to debut October 2022 on Adult Swim's "Toonami" block.

ARCHIE - From BleedingCool: Meet Mike Pellerito is the new editor-in-chief of Archie Comics Publications.

MARVEL - From CBR:    From the House of Ideas, the "New Fantastic Four" returns May 25th, 2022.  That would Logan/Wolverine, Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Daniel Ketch/Ghost Rider, and Bruce Banner/Hulk, as first seen over 30 years ago in "Fantastic Four #347" by the legends Walt Simonson and Art Adams.

BANNED BOOKS - NBCNews:  Banned: Books on race and sexuality are disappearing from Texas schools in record numbers.

EN MEMORIAM - From BleedingCool:  Comic book editor and writer Brian Augustyn died this past weekend at the age of 67.  Many will remember him as the writer of the 1989 Batman one-shot comic book (or graphic novel), "Gotham by Gaslight."

MARVEL - From Gizmodo:   The X-Men, Avengers, and Eternals come together in the Marvel Comics' event series, "Judgment Day," which also sees the X-Men once again participating in the events of the Marvel Universe.

DC CINEMA - From Variety:  Actor Robert Pattinson says that his agent was shocked that Pattison would be taking over the role of "Batman" in director Matt Reeves' "The Batman."

DC TV - From Deadline:   HBO Max's "Titans" Season 4 has added new cast members.  Joseph Morgan as "Sebastian Blood/Brother Blood" and Franka Potente as "May Bennett/Mother Mayhem" have been cast as series regulars. Lisa Ambalavanar as "Jinx" is recurring.

BANNED COMICS - From BBCNews:  Various editions of Art Spiegelman's seminal graphic novel, "Maus: A Survivor's Tale," have topped Amazon sales charts after in the wake of the news that a school board in Tennessee banned the book from school libraries.

MANGA - From BleedingCool:  Yen Press announces three manga titles, five light novels, and a "Delicious in Dungeon" guidebook.

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JANUARY 2022 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze Publishing for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Action Lab for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for January 2022
From Archie:  Archie Comics for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Bad Kids Press for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Black Mask Comics for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Blacktooth Comics for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Comix Experience for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  ComixTribe for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Legendary Comics for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for January 2022
From CBR:  Marvel Comics for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Red 5 Comics for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Entertainment for January 2022
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for January 2022

FEBRUARY 2022 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  AWA for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  Heavy Metal for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  Red 5 Comics for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for Feburary 2022
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for February 2022
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for February 2022

MARCH 2022 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Aardvark-Vanaheim for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Black Mask for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Heavy Metal for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Humanoids for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Kodansha Comics for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  TOKYOPOP for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Vertical Comics for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for March 2022
 
APRIL 2022 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for April 2022
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for 2022
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for April 2022
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for April 2022
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for April 2022
From BleedingCool:  Aardvark Vanaheim for April 2022
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for April 2022
From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for April 2022
From BleedingCool:  BOOM Studios for April 2022
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for April 2022
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for April 2022
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics Batman's "Shadow War Crossover" for April 2022
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for April 2022
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for April 2022
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for April 2022
From GamesRadar:   Marvel Comics for April 2022
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "Star Wars" for April 2022
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for April 2022
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion for April 2022
From BleedingCool:  Red 5 Comics for April 2022
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for April 2022
From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for April 2022
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for April 2022
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Entertainment for April 2022
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for April 2022

MAY 2022 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for May 2022
From BleedingCool:  AWA Upshot for May 2022
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for May 2022
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for May 2022
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for May 2022
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for May 2022
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for May 2022
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Hulk Vs Thor: Banner of War" for May 2022
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "X-Men" solicitations for May 2022
From BleedingCool:  Opus Comics for May 2022
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for May 2022
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for May 2022

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Tuesday, June 29, 2021

#IReadsYou Review: HELLBOY WINTER SPECIAL 2017

HELLBOY WINTER SPECIAL (JANUARY 2017)
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Mike Mignola, Scott Allie, and Chris Roberson
ARTISTS: Christopher Mitten; Paul Grist; Sebastian Fiumara
COLORS: Dave Stewart; Bill Crabtree
LETTERS: Clem Robins
COVER: Sebastian Fiumara with Dave Stewart
BACK COVER: Geof Darrow with Dave Stewart
EDITOR: Scott Allie
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2017)

Hellboy, a superhero and horror comic book character, was created by writer-artist Mike Mignola and first appeared in San Diego Comic-Con Comics #2 (cover date: August 1993).  The character's debut in his own comic book was Hellboy: Seed of Destruction #1 (March 1994).  However, Hellboy has been featured in short stories that have appeared in various publications for over two decades, including the Hellboy Winter Special.

The 2017 edition of the Hellboy Winter Special, an anthology comic book, was recently published and offers three Hellboy short stories.  It sports two covers:  a front cover by Sebastian Fiumara (colored by Dave Stewart) and a back cover drawn by Geof Darrow (and also colored by Stewart).  Eight creators contribute to Hellboy Winter Special – January 2017:  Mike Mignola, Chris Roberson, Christopher Mitten, Dave Stewart, Paul Grist, Bill Crabtree, Scott Allie, and Sebastian Fiumara.

The first story is “The Great Blizzard” by Mignola and Roberson and Mitten and Stewart.  The story is largely set in Cornwall, England and takes place in March 1891.  An excerpt from the “secret journals” of Sir Edward Grey, the story finds Grey and Sarah Jewell (of Rise of the Black Flame) trying to discover if a fierce winter storm that has gripped England is of supernatural origin.

“The Great Blizzard” seems like a prologue for a larger story to come.  It's okay, but I really didn't warm to it.

The second story is “God Rest Ye Merry” by Mignola and Roberson and Grist and Crabtree.  It is set in December 1961 and opens in Fairfield, Connecticut (the home of the BPRD, the occult research organization of which Hellboy is associated).  In the story, Hellboy has to battle a bad Santa.

Once again, “God Rest Ye Merry” did not arouse much interest in me.  It apparently is the intro to an upcoming comic book, entitled The Visitor.  Surprisingly, while the story doesn't excite me, I am curious about The Visitor, which will be a new “Mignola-verse” title.  On a side note, this story reminded me of what a stunningly “white bread” world Hellboy is.  Black and Latino characters are virtually nonexistent.  It is as if Hellboy was set in the programming world of MeTV (which has pretty much taken the place of “Nick at Nite” and “TVLand” when it comes to reruns of 1950 and 1960s, black and white television series).

Finally, we have “The Last Witch of Fairfield” by Mignola and Allie and Fiumara and Stewart.  The story is set in 1979, once again in Fairfield.  While searching for two missing girls, Hellboy, Abe Sapien, and Liz Sherman encounter a tormented spirit.

“The Last Witch of Fairfield” is the best of the trio of stories presented here.  Sebastian Fiumara and Dave Stewart make a killer art team, and turn this comic book short story into a bejeweled fairy tale and ghost story.  I think “The Last Witch of Fairfield” would make a superb longer narrative, perhaps as a one-shot comic book or even as a miniseries.  It is classic weird Hellboy.

Overall, I don't think that Hellboy Winter Special 2017 has the dramatic heft and imagination of the 2016 edition.  2016 was filled with stories that are classic Mignola, classic Hellboy investigates, or classic Hellboy humor.  While “The Last Witch of Fairfield” matches the high-quality of last year's edition, “The Great Blizzard” and “God Rest Ye Merry” are minor works.

I would recommend Hellboy Winter Special 2016 to anyone who reads comic books.  I would only recommend Hellboy Winter Special 2017 to Hellboy completists.

B

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


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Monday, June 7, 2021

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 9, 2021

DARK HORSE COMICS

JAN210296    ART OF SAMURAI SHOWDOWN HC    $39.99
APR210360    BLACK HAMMER VISIONS #5 (OF 8) CVR A ROMERO    $3.99
APR210361    BLACK HAMMER VISIONS #5 (OF 8) CVR B WU    $3.99
APR210362    BLACK HAMMER VISIONS #5 (OF 8) CVR C SAUVAGE    $3.99
APR210448    GOD OF WAR FALLEN GOD #4 (OF 4)    $3.99
JAN210245    HELLBOY AND THE BPRD 1952-1954 HC    $39.99
APR210376    SECRET LAND #1 (OF 4)    $3.99
APR200387    SHAOLIN COWBOY SHEMP BUFFET TP (MR)    $19.99
JAN210305    SHAOLIN COWBOY WHO`LL STOP THE REIGN TP (MR)    $19.99


Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Review: MAESTROS #1

MAESTROS No. 1
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER/ARTIST: Steve Skroce
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Fonografiks
COVER: Steve Skroce
VARIANT COVERS: Pia Guerra; Geof Darrow with Dave Stewart
36pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (October 2017)

Rated “M/ Mature”

Maestros is the new comic book series from writer-artist Steve Skroce.  Skroce has produced a number of comic books over a career that is almost three decades long, including the recent miniseries, We Stand on Guard (Image Comics).  Skroce's most famous work may be as the storyboard artist for the Oscar-winning film, The Matrix (1999).

Maestros #1 opens in the magical realm of Zainan, where the monstrous wizard, Mardok, is directing the brutal destruction of the royal family.  Meanwhile, on Earth, there is a young man named Will who can wield magic.  Instead of doing great things with his magic, however, Will is helping enormously rich men... become enormous.  Now, Will's mother, Margaret, has returned to bring Will back to his destiny – a destiny that has been problematic for him.

In the synopsis that Image Comics provides for Maestros #1, it includes a quote from award-winning writer, Brian K. Vaughan, Skroce's We Stand on Guard collaborator.  The quote read, "MAESTROS is a masterpiece, with one of the best first issues I've ever read. Steve is somehow an even greater writer than he is an artist. Get ready for your new favorite comic." [END]

I have to kind of agree on the first part.  This is one of the best first issues that I have read, at least over the last several years.  There are 34 pages of story and I could have easily read another 34; in fact, I am anxious (“jonesing”?) for the second issue.  Maestros #1 is exciting, imaginative, funny, witty, and delightfully bursting with surprises.

As well written as this is, I am not sure that Skroce could be a better comic book writer than he is a comic book artist, and he is a really good comic book writer – a natural at writing a comic book script.  As a comic book artist, Skroce, is so damn good – he is a freak as a artist – that he would have to become the greatest comic book writer of all time to surpass his illustrative skills.  Skroce produces some of the most visually striking comic book art and graphics, and his graphical storytelling, from the quietest moments to the fastest action scenes – are potent, to say the least.

Perhaps, we should not separate Skroce as a writer and an artist.  He is a comic book cartoonist who produces graphically and visually engrossing comics, and Maestros #1 suggests that this might be his mightiest work yet.

9.5 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Monday, July 16, 2018

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 18, 2018

DARK HORSE COMICS

MAR180106    BLADE OF IMMORTAL OMNIBUS TP VOL 06 (MR)    $21.99
MAR180061    BROOKLYN BLOOD TP    $17.99
MAR180094    BTVS SEASON 10 LIBRARY HC VOL 01    $29.99
MAY180358    BTVS SEASON 12 THE RECKONING #2 (OF 4) CVR A HANS    $3.99
MAY180359    BTVS SEASON 12 THE RECKONING #2 (OF 4) CVR B VAR JEANTY    $3.99
MAY180360    BTVS SEASON 12 THE RECKONING #2 (OF 4) CVR C VAR NOTO ULTRA    $3.99
MAR180062    DEPT H HC VOL 04 LIFEBOAT    $19.99
MAR180037    DORK HC    $19.99
MAY180338    ETHER COPPER GOLEMS #3 (OF 5) CVR A RUBIN    $3.99
MAY180339    ETHER COPPER GOLEMS #3 (OF 5) CVR B VAR MARTIN    $3.99
JAN180159    FATE ZERO TP VOL 06 (MR)    $11.99
MAR180112    GAME OF THRONES QUOTES COASTER SET    $9.99
MAR180113    GAME OF THRONES QUOTES MAGNET SET    $8.99
FEB180050    GO TEAM VENTURE HC ART & MAKING OF VENTURE BROS (RES)    $39.99
MAR180085    HELLBOY OMNIBUS TP VOL 03 THE WILD HUNT    $24.99
MAR180060    ROME WEST TP    $15.99
MAR180023    SHAOLIN COWBOY START TREK HC    $24.99
MAY180374    WITCHFINDER GATES OF HEAVEN #3 (OF 5) (MR)    $3.99

Monday, October 23, 2017

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 25, 2017

DARK HORSE COMICS

AUG170080    ANGEL SEASON 11 #10 BORGES CVR    $3.99
AUG170079    ANGEL SEASON 11 #10 MAIN    $3.99
JUN170078    ART OF OVERWATCH HC    $49.99
JUN170097    AVATAR LAST AIRBENDER NORTH AND SOUTH LIBRARY EDITION HC    $39.99
AUG170030    BPRD DEVIL YOU KNOW #3    $3.99
AUG170082    BTVS SEASON 11 #12 ISAACS CVR    $3.99
AUG170081    BTVS SEASON 11 #12 MAIN    $3.99
AUG170075    ELFQUEST FINAL QUEST #22    $3.99
APR170105    HATSUNE MIKU RIN-CHAN NOW TP VOL 03    $10.99
JUN170083    MASS EFFECT DISCOVERY #4    $3.99
JUN170084    MASS EFFECT DISCOVERY #4 NIEMCZYK VAR    $3.99
AUG170064    REBELS THESE FREE & INDEPENDENT STATES #8 (OF 8)    $3.99
JUN170045    SHAOLIN COWBOY HC WHOLL STOP THE REIGN    $19.99

Monday, September 11, 2017

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for September 13, 2017

DARK HORSE COMICS

MAY170020    ART OF OVER THE GARDEN WALL HC    $39.99
MAY170021    ART OF OVER THE GARDEN WALL LTD ED HC    $49.99
MAY170019    ART OF RICK & MORTY HC    $39.99
JUL170111    BRIGGS LAND LONE WOLVES #4 MAIN    $3.99
JUL170112    BRIGGS LAND LONE WOLVES #4 VAR SAMMELIN CVR    $3.99
MAY170072    BUFFY VAMPIRE SLAYER OMNIBUS SEASON 8 TP VOL 01    $24.99
MAY170041    DARK HORSE DC COMICS MASK TP    $24.99
JUL170191    DRAGON AGE KNIGHT ERRANT #5    $3.99
MAY170039    EMPOWERED DELUXE ED HC VOL 03 (MR)    $59.99
JUL170172    GROO PLAY OF GODS #3    $3.99
MAY170012    HARD BOILED HC 2ND EDITION    $19.99
JUN170035    HARROW COUNTY #25    $3.99
JUL170096    HELLBOY & BPRD 1955 OCCULT INTELLIGENCE #1    $3.99
MAY170045    LIFEFORMED TP CLEO MAKES CONTACT    $12.99
JUL170106    NEIL GAIMAN AMERICAN GODS SHADOWS #7 MACK CVR (MR)    $3.99
JUL170105    NEIL GAIMAN AMERICAN GODS SHADOWS #7 MAIN (MR)    $3.99
APR178675    PSYCHO PASS INSPECTOR SHINYA KOGAMI TP VOL 03    $11.99
JUL170157    SHADOWS ON THE GRAVE #8 (OF 8)    $3.99

Monday, July 10, 2017

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 12, 2017

DARK HORSE COMICS

FEB170075    ART OF CAMILLA DERRICO HC VOL 01 FEMINA & FAUNA (2ND ED)    $24.99
FEB170015    ART OF SPLATOON HC    $39.99
MAY170030    BRIGGS LAND LONE WOLVES #2    $3.99
MAY170031    BRIGGS LAND LONE WOLVES #2 STAPLES VAR    $3.99
MAY170022    DRAGON AGE KNIGHT ERRANT #3    $3.99
MAY170050    GROO PLAY OF GODS #1    $3.99
MAR170037    LEAD POISONING PENCIL ART OF GEOF DARROW HC    $34.99
MAR170062    LEGEND OF KORRA COLORING BOOK TP    $14.99
MAR170050    MANARA LIBRARY TP VOL 02 EL GAUCHO & OTHER STORIES (MR)    $29.99
MAY170017    NEIL GAIMAN AMERICAN GODS SHADOWS #5 (MR)    $3.99
MAY170018    NEIL GAIMAN AMERICAN GODS SHADOWS #5 MACK VAR (MR)    $3.99
MAY170071    SHADOWS ON THE GRAVE #6 (OF 8)    $3.99

Monday, April 17, 2017

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 19, 2017

DARK HORSE COMICS

FEB170055    ANGEL SEASON 11 #4 MAIN FISCHER CVR    $3.99
FEB170056    ANGEL SEASON 11 #4 VAR DEKAL CVR    $3.99
FEB170079    BLACK HAMMER #8 LEMIRE VAR    $3.99
FEB170078    BLACK HAMMER #8 ORMSTON MAIN    $3.99
NOV160062    BRIGGS LAND TP VOL 01 STATE OF GRACE    $19.99
FEB170057    BTVS SEASON 11 #6 MAIN MORRIS CVR    $3.99
FEB170058    BTVS SEASON 11 #6 VAR ISAACS CVR    $3.99
FEB170085    CALL OF DUTY ZOMBIES #4    $3.99
FEB170062    DARK HORSE PRESENTS #33    $4.99
FEB170081    DEPT H #13    $3.99
OCT160060    GROO FRAY OF THE GODS TP    $17.99
DEC160056    HELLBOY INTO THE SILENT SEA HC    $14.99
JAN170177    MASS EFFECT ANDROMEDA APEX EMBROIDERED PATCH    $4.99
JAN170178    MASS EFFECT ANDROMEDA APEX FORCE EMBROIDERED PATCH    $4.99
JAN170179    MASS EFFECT ANDROMEDA PATHFINDER EMBROIDERED PATCH    $4.99
JAN170180    MASS EFFECT ANDROMEDA TEMPEST EMBROIDERED PATCH    $4.99
DEC160085    RESIDENT ALIEN TP VOL 04 THE MAN WITH NO NAME    $14.99
FEB170011    SHAOLIN COWBOY WHOLL STOP THE REIGN #1    $3.99
DEC160087    SOUPY LEAVES HOME TP    $14.99
DEC160058    WITCHFINDER TP VOL 04 CITY OF THE DEAD    $19.99

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 14, 2015

DARK HORSE COMICS

AUG150008     ABE SAPIEN #27     $3.50
JUN150060     ANGEL & FAITH SEASON 10 TP VOL 03 UNITED     $18.99
JUN150036     BIG GUY & RUSTY BOY ROBOT HC SECOND ED     $19.99
JUN150093     CRIME DOES NOT PAY ARCHIVES HC VOL 10     $49.99
AUG150069     EVE VALKYRIE #1     $3.99
AUG150021     GOON IN THEATRE BIZARRE #1     $3.99
JUN150050     GRIMMISS ISLAND TP     $12.99
AUG150029     HARROW COUNTY #6     $3.99
AUG150041     KING TIGER #3     $3.99
JUN150101     LONE WOLF & CUB OMNIBUS TP VOL 10     $19.99
JUN150046     MIKE NORTONS BATTLEPUG HC VOL 04 DEVILS BISCUIT     $14.99
AUG150065     MIRRORS EDGE EXORDIUM #2     $3.99
JUN150087     RAT GOD HC     $19.99
AUG150046     REBELS #7     $3.99
JUN150027     TWO BROTHERS HC     $24.99

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 4, 2015

DARK HORSE COMICS

JAN150087     ANGEL AND FAITH SEASON 10 #12 MAIN CVR     $3.50
NOV140012     CONAN HC VOL 17 SHADOWS OVER KUSH     $24.99
NOV140073     DEAD RIDER TP     $14.99
NOV140085     EMILY AND THE STRANGERS HC VOL 02 BREAKING RECORD     $12.99
NOV140115     GAME OF THRONES MUG MARTELL     $12.99
JAN150097     HELLBOY AND THE BPRD #4 1952     $3.50
DEC148395     LADY KILLER #2 (2ND PTG)     $3.50
JAN150112     LADY KILLER #3     $3.50
SEP140128     LEGEND KORRA PLUSH NAGA     $34.99
JAN150114     NEVERBOY #1     $3.99
NOV140113     NEW LONE WOLF AND CUB TP VOL 04 (MR)     $13.99
JAN150106     RAT GOD #2     $3.99
NOV140056     SHAOLIN COWBOY HC THE SHEMP BUFFET     $19.99
OCT140121     TERMINATOR ENEMY OF MY ENEMY TP     $19.99

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for August 20, 2014

DARK HORSE COMICS

JUN140015     BPRD HELL ON EARTH #122     $3.50
JUN140028     BRAIN BOY MEN FROM GESTALT #4     $2.99
JUN140023     BTVS SEASON 10 #6 MAIN CVR     $3.50
FEB140110     CLASSIC MARVEL UNCANNY X-MEN 94 #2 WOLVERINE     $49.95
JUN140010     DARK HORSE PRESENTS 2014 #1     $4.99
JUN140079     EYE OF NEWT #3     $3.99
APR140075     SECOND CHANCE AT SARAH HC     $14.99
JUN140069     STAR WARS DARTH MAUL SON OF DATHOMIR #4     $3.50
JUN140009     STRAIN NIGHT ETERNAL #1     $3.99
JUN140014     WITCHFINDER MYSTERIES OF UNLAND #3     $3.50

Saturday, February 8, 2014

"The Sakai Project" Celebrates Character, Benefits Creator

DARK HORSE ANNOUNCES THE SAKAI PROJECT

Artists Celebrate Thirty Years of Usagi Yojimbo

The most amazing artists in the world have come together to celebrate thirty years of Stan Sakai’s marvelous samurai rabbit saga, Usagi Yojimbo, in a new oversized hardcover benefit book: The Sakai Project: Artists Celebrate Thirty Years of “Usagi Yojimbo”.

“It has been an absolute pleasure publishing Stan’s work over the years, and recently collaborating with him directly on 47 Ronin,” said Dark Horse’s president and founder, Mike Richardson. “With the thirtieth anniversary of his most beloved creation, Usagi, and in a time of need for Stan and his family, we are honored to publish this tribute to Stan and his work. We are donating all of the proceeds to Stan and his wife, Sharon. We hope you will join us in honoring one of the comics industry’s shining lights.”

The participating artists bring their own interpretations and their own styles to the subject, making this book a one-of-a-kind treasure.

The Sakai Project is produced in association with the Comic Art Professional Society (CAPS). All proceeds from this book will go to Stan and Sharon Sakai.

ADAM HUGHES | ALAIN MAURICET | ALEX MALEEV | ALLISON SOHN | ANDY GRENEN | ARTHUR ADAMS | BATTON LASH | BILL MORRISON | BRIAN CHING & MICHAEL ATIYEH | BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS | CARLOS D’ANDA & GABE ELTAEB | CHRIS SCALF | DAN PANOSIAN | DAVE GIBBONS | DAVID MACK | DOUG WHEATLEY | EDGAR DELGADO | ERIC POWELL | GABRIEL HARDMAN | GEOF DARROW | HOWARD CHAYKIN | JAN DUURSEMA | JEFF SMITH | JOYCE CHIN | MARK CRILLEY | MATT GROENING | MATT WAGNER | MICHAEL ALLRED | MICHAEL AVON OEMING | MICHAEL GOLDEN | MIKE KUNKEL | MIKE MIGNOLA | OSCAR MARTIN | PAUL GULACY | PAUL RENAUD | PHIL YEH | RICHARD CORBEN | SCOTT SHAW | SERGIO ARAGONÉS | STEPHANIE GLADDEN | TIM SALE | TOM MANDRAKE | TOM RICHMOND | WALTER SIMONSON | WILLIAM STOUT | & MORE!

Industry professionals, Dark Horse encourages your participation! The deadline for art submissions is February 20, 2014. For technical specifications and other information, e-mail Dark Horse at sakaiproject@darkhorse.com.

The Sakai Project will be released on July 23. Pre-order with your local comics retailer.

About Dark Horse
Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent, such as Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Brian Wood, Gerard Way, Felicia Day, and Guillermo del Toro, and comics legends, such as Will Eisner, Neal Adams, and Jim Steranko, Dark Horse has developed its own successful properties, such as The Mask, Ghost, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Its successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Mass Effect, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, EVE Online, Halo, Serenity, Game of Thrones, and Domo. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading publishers of both creator-owned content and licensed comics material.




Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 10 2012

MARVEL COMICS

AUG120744 A PLUS X BY MCGUINNESS POSTER $8.99

AUG120582 AVENGERS #31 AXFO $3.99

JUN128219 AVENGERS ASSEMBLE BY MCNIVEN POSTER NOW $8.99

JUL120685 AVENGERS ASSEMBLE TP VOL 05 $34.99

JUL120661 AVENGERS CHILDRENS CRUSADE TP $29.99

AUG120595 AVENGING SPIDER-MAN #13 $3.99

AUG120569 AVX CONSEQUENCES #1 $3.99

AUG120611 CAPTAIN AMERICA #18 $3.99

JUL120639 CAPTAIN AMERICA BY ED BRUBAKER PREM HC VOL 03 $24.99

JUL120637 CASTLE PREM HC RICHARD CASTLES STORM SEASON $19.99

AUG120676 DEADPOOL #62 $2.99

JUN128220 DEADPOOL BY GEOFF DARROW POSTER NOW $8.99

JUL120686 ESSENTIAL THOR TP VOL 06 $19.99

AUG120631 FANTASTIC FOUR #611 $2.99

JUN128221 FANTASTIC FOUR BY BAGLEY POSTER NOW $8.99

JUL120663 FEAR ITSELF TP AVENGERS ACADEMY $19.99

JUL120664 FEAR ITSELF TP IRON MAN $16.99

AUG120661 FIRST X-MEN #3 $3.99

AUG120622 INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #526 $3.99

JUN128222 IRON MAN BY GREG LAND POSTER NOW $8.99

AUG120652 MARVEL UNIVERSE AVENGERS EARTHS HEROES #7 $2.99

AUG120593 MARVEL UNIVERSE VS AVENGERS #1 $3.99

MAY120736 MMW SGT FURY HC VOL 04 $69.99

JUL120678 MU AVENGERS HULK AND FANTASTIC FOUR DIGEST TP $9.99

JUL120674 NORTHANGER ABBEY GN TP $14.99

MAY120727 POWERS TP VOL 14 GODS (MR) $19.99

AUG120628 RED SHE-HULK #58 NOW $2.99

AUG120598 SCARLET SPIDER #10 $2.99

AUG120587 SECRET AVENGERS #32 $3.99

MAY120730 SECRET SERVICE #4 (MR) $2.99

AUG120643 SPACE PUNISHER #4 $3.99

JUL120657 SPIDER-MAN SPIDER-ISLAND COMPANION TP $34.99

AUG120742 THANOS SON OF TITAN BY DJURCJEVIC POSTER $8.99

JUN128224 THOR GOD OF THUNDER BY RIBIC POSTER NOW $8.99

AUG120602 ULTIMATE COMICS X-MEN #17 UWS $3.99

AUG120550 UNCANNY AVENGERS #1 NOW $3.99

AUG120743 UNCANNY AVENGERS BY CASSADAY POSTER $8.99

Monday, October 17, 2011

Geof Darrow Brings "Shaolin Cowboy" to Dark Horse Comics

GEOF DARROW’S SHAOLIN COWBOY RETURNS IN AN ALL-NEW THREE ISSUE SERIES FROM DARK HORSE!

Five years after it’s initial run ended, Geof Darrow’s (Hard Boiled, Big Guy and Rusty) returns in 2012!

Originally published by Burlyman Entertainment, Shaolin Cowboy is a loaf of wry in a wonder bread world, a nicotine patch in a ten pack-a-day universe. He wonders as he wanders through a world where yesterday, today and tomorrow exist in a collage of carnage of his own making!

“Geof Darrow's relationship with Dark Horse goes back to the early days of the company. I can't tell you how excited I am to again be publishing his amazing work” said Dark Horse president, Mike Richardson. “Geof's art literally stopped me in my tracks when I first met him more than two decades ago and his work is every bit as stunning today. Geof has influenced a generation of artists and I am proud and excited to have him back partnered with Dark Horse.”

Shaolin Cowboy returns with all-new stories in 2012!

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Leroy Douresseaux on ROCKETEER ADVENTURES #2

ROCKETEER ADVENTURES #2
IDW PUBLISHING

WRITERS: Mark Waid, Darwyn Cooke, Lowell Francis
ARTISTS: Chris Weston, Darwyn Cooke, Gene Ha
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Chris Mowry, Darwyn Cooke
PIN-UP: Geof Darrow with Dave Stewart
COVER: Alex Ross (alternate cover by Dave Stevens with Laura Martin)
32pp, Color, $3.99

Long live The Rocketeer!

The Rocketeer is a superhero created by the late writer/illustrator Dave Stevens that first appeared in 1982. The character’s style and the mode of his adventures are also an homage to the Saturday matinee heroes of the 1930s and 1940s and to adventure movie serials like Republic Picture’s King of the Rocket Men. The Rocketeer’s exploits are mainly set in Los Angeles in and after the year 1938. The Rocketeer made it onto the big screen in a 1991 film from Walt Disney Pictures.

The Rocketeer is Cliff Secord, a stunt pilot who discovers a mysterious jet pack that allows him to fly. Secord’s girlfriend, Bettie Page, is based upon real life, 1950s pin-up and fetish model, Bettie Page.

The Rocketeer has made infrequent comic book appearances in several publications from several publishers. The Rocketeer’s first comic book appearances were in 1982, as backup features in Starslayer, a comic book series by Mike Grell from the now-defunct Pacific Comics. Two more installments of The Rocketeer appeared in Pacific's anthology comic book, Pacific Presents.

The character appeared at Eclipse Comics in Rocketeer Special Edition and in a single-volume graphic novel entitled, The Rocketeer, which concluded the story begun in Starslayer. The character appeared in Rocketeer Adventure Magazine from the now-defunct Comico Comics and also finally at Dark Horse Comics

The Rocketeer returns in Rocketeer Adventures, a new anthology series from IDW Publishing. Edited by Scott Dunbier, Rocketeer Adventures features Rocketeer short stories (about 7 or 8 pages in length) from some of the premiere creators in comic books. Rocketeer Adventures #2 has stories by the teams of Mark Waid and Chris Weston and also Lowell Francis and Gene Ha, with a short story by Darwyn Cooke and a centerfold pin-up from artist Geof Darrow and colorist supreme, Dave Stewart.

I must say that, at a cover price of $3.99, Rocketeer Adventures is a bargain. The art is exceptional, even if most of the stories are, for the most part, mere trifles, though entertaining. Anytime we get to see Dave Stewart’s magnificent comic book coloring, we are in for a treat.

Mark Waid and Chris Weston’s “It Ain’t the Fall that Kills Ya…” features some gorgeous Dave Stevens-inspired art from the talented Weston, a master of composition and a superb draftsman. For Waid’s part, the story is either ironic or is simply unintentionally hypocritical. Lowell Francis and Gene Ha’s “TKO” is clever-lite, a play of mixing an aerial battle with a boxing match. Ha’s execution in the graphical storytelling of “TKO” is skillful. As for the Geof Darrow pin-up – YAWN – been there, seen that.

Leave it to genius Darwyn Cooke to offer this issue’s best story, a slam-bang piece, entitled “Betty Saves the Day.” It is only seven-pages long, but it reads like a great stand-alone, 22-page comic book. An Eisner Award nomination (at least) for best short story is a must.

A-