I Reads You Juniors July 2020 - Update #100

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COMICS - From Previews:  NBA and NCAA champion and pro basketball legend, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, will write the introduction to Z2 Comics upcoming graphic novel about ground-breaking jazz musician, Charlie "Bird" Parker.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics just charged $4.99 for a comic book with 20 pages of story.

TOP SHELF - From AJC:  The real-life comic book hero that was the late Congressman John Lewis.

COMICS TO TV - From Variety:  The site has a preview of the second season of Netflix's "The Umbrella Academy" (based on Gerard Way's comic book series), which starts today (July 31st).

BOOKS - From BleedingCool:   The late Lin Carter's "Flashing Swords!" fantasy anthology book series is coming back... But some authors are already asking that their stories be removed from the upcoming "Flashing Swords! #6."

MANGA - From ANN:  Manga Planet, the digital manga platform, has obtained three more licenses from publisher, Thirdline, which will give Manga Planet a total of five new offerings in August 2020.

STAR WARS - From BleedingCool:  Writer Si Spurrier accepts a 2020 GLAAD Media Awards as a representative for the creative team of the Marvel Comics titles, "Star Wars: Doctor Aphra."

FRANK MILLER - From CBR:  Legendary comic book creator, Frank Miller, is being sued over the TV rights to two of his biggest creator owned properties, "Sin City" and "Hard Boiled."

COMICS - From TheBeat:  Pantheon won the rights, at auction, to cartoonist Ben Passmore's upcoming "graphic history" of Black activism, "Black Arms to Hold You Up."

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Dave Sim will reprint his long-running "Cerebus" comic book in a series of hardcover editions through Waverley Press.  The first book will collected will be "High Society."

IMAGE - From BleedingCool:  The team of writer Ed Brubaker and artist Sean Phillips will release three full length graphic novels in 2021, according to Brubaker's newsletter.

MARVEL TV - From Deadline:  Actor Peter Shinkoda claims the former head of Marvel Television, Jeph Loeb, made anti-Asian comments during production of the Marvel/Netflix series, "Daredevil."

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  A planned Batman comic book by writer Warren Ellis and artist Declan Shalvey has been cancelled.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  The rumor is that Marvel Comics may have cancelled its planned "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" comic book adaptation.

IDW - From BleedingCool:  IDW talks about its publishing projects for the rest of the 2020 and into 2021.

DC COMICS - From CBR:  Here is some preview art from writer Geoff Johns and artist Jason Fabok's "Batman: Three Jokers."

FOX MARVEL U - From THR:  Director Josh Boone and the cast of "The New Mutants" reveal the opening scene of the movie.  The film, one of the last of Fox's "X-Men" films produced before Disney bought the studio, is still due to be releases August 28th... 2020...

DC CINEMA - From THR:  Director Zack Snyder talked about the "Snyder Cut of Justice League," his edit of his 2016 film, "Justice League," which ended up being finished by director Joss Whedon.

EISNERS - From BleedingCool:  The winners at the "Will Eisner Awards Comic Industry Awards 2020" were announced Friday night, July 24th.

SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON 2020 - VIRTUAL:

From Deadline:  The breaking film news has a page dedicated to San Diego Comic-Con 2020.

From YouTube:  Thursday, July 7/23, 4:00pm — Teaching and Making Comics - Virtual Panel
Ebony Flowers (Hot Comb), Roman Muradov (Vanishing Act), Trina Robbins (Flapper Girls), and Sophie Yanow (The Contradictions) are four vital cartoonists who have taught classes on comics themselves. They speak with James Sturm (Off Season) about their teaching philosophy, and how teaching has transformed their perspectives on the comics canon and their own work.

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From Variety:  The Hollywood news site lists its "best panels of panels of SDCC."

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Actor Oscar Isaac (Star Wars' Poe Dameron) is part of the creative team of a "Head Wounds: Sparrow," a graphic novel from Legendary Comics.

IDW/MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  IDW will publish the four-issue, biweekly Marvel Comics kids' comic, "Marvel Action: Chillers," beginning in October 2020.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  The site has info on the PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) loan applications filed by comic book companies.

IDW/MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  A hot rumor is that IDW Publishing plans to publish a weekly Marvel Comics anthology comic books series aimed at young readers.

MANGA - From ABSCBN:  In Japan the long-running volley manga, Haikyu!!, recently ended with Chapter 402.

MARVEL - From ComicBook:  Marvel Comics is using its "Free Comic Book Summer" push to tease the future of the X-Men.

VALIANT - From BleedingCool:  Writer Jeff Parker and artist Javier Pulido are the creative team behind Valiant's 2021 relauch of its "Ninjak" franchise.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics will publish Mark Russell's Jesus Christ comic book, "Second Coming," which was originally to be published by the Vertigo Comics imprint until DC Comics cancelled it.  The series is now called "Second Coming: Only Begotten Son."

DC TV - From TheBeat:  Neil Gaiman gives out some details on Netflix's in-development TV adaptation of Gaiman's beloved comic book series, "The Sandman."

IMAGE COMICS - From TheBeat:   The new twice-monthly comic book series, "The Walking Dead" deluxe will present the series in color for the first time.

COMICS TO TV - From Variety:  Actors Zachary Queinto and Khary Payton have joined the voice cast of the Amazon prime animated series adaptation of Robert Kirkman's comic book, "Invincible."

IN MEMORIAM -  From CNNPolitics:  Iconic American Civil Rights Movement leader and comic book creator, Congresmman John Lewis (D-Georgia), has died at the age of 80, Friday, July 17, 2020.  Lewis was chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and he was one of the "Big Six" leaders of the groups who organized the 1963 March on Washington.  Lewis played many key roles in the movement, including being one of the original 1961 Freedom Riders.  With his Congressional staffer, Andrew Aydin, as co-writer, and with Nate Powell as artist, Lewis created the "March" graphic novel trilogy, which chronicled the Civil Rights Movement through Lewis' perspective.

From IReadsYou:  Leroy Douresseaux's review of "March Book One."

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FRANK MILLER - From BleedingCool:  Frank Miller shows off some concept art from "Cursed," his book project that is an upcoming Netflix series.

DC TV - From YahooEntertainment:  "Stargirl" actress, Anjelika Washington, said that early in her career she confronted a producer about providing her with a stunt double... in blackface.

BOOM STUDIOS - From BleedingCool:  The superstar comic book that BOOM! Studios will unleash on the world later this year is "BRZRKR," written by Keanu Reeves(!) and drawn by Alessandro Vitti.

DC Comics - BleedingCool:  "Batgirl #50," "Justice League Odyssey #25," and "Batman And The Outsiders #17" are the final issues of those series.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Writer Kevin Shinick and artist Clayton Henry will be the new creative team on "Flash" later this year.

FCBD - From IBPost:  "Free Comic Book Day 2020" is now "Free Comic Book Summer" every Wednesday.

COMICS TO STREAMING - From Deadline:  Netflix is producing an animated TV series based on Stan Sakai's long-running comic book series, "Usagi Yojimbo."  The TV series will have the title, "Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles."

MEXICAN COMICS - From Tor:  The website, "Tor," offers a brief history of Mexican horror comic books.

ARCHIE COMICS - From THR:  Archie Comics has made a deal to produce superhero comic books based on characters the late comic book legend, Stan Lee, created after he left Marvel.

TELEVISION - From Variety:  Grant Morrison talks about his adaptation of the 1932 novel, "Brave New World" (Aldous Huxley), for NBCUniversal's streaming service, "Peacock."

WATCHMEN - From THR:  DC Comics has announced a 12-issue comic book series starring popular "Watchmen" character, Rorschach.  "Rorschach" the comic book will be written by Tom King, drawn by Jorge Fornes, colored by Dave Stewart, and lettered by Clayton Cowles.

DC COMICS - From THR:  DC Comics will release "Wonder Wonder 1984 No. 1," a special comic book that will act as a prologue to the upcoming film, "Wonder Woman 1984," which has seen its release delayed several time.  The comic book will debut in Walmart stores before receiving a wider release.

7/14 - SCANDAL - From BleedingCool:  In the wake of allegations against Warren Ellis, Image Comics has removed from its website the article, "An Oral History of the Warren Ellis Forum."

7/13 - SCANDAL - From BleedingCool:  There is a new website, SoManyOfUs.com, in which women share their stories of allegedly being groomed by noted comic book writer, Warren Ellis.

7/12 - SCANDAL - From TheDailyBeast:  The website has a new article the comic book industry's "sexual misconduct crisis."  The author argues that the industry is "running precisely as designed."
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COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Stjepan Sejic has made all six volumes of his erotic romance comic book, "Sunstone," available as a free PDF.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Darryl McDaniels of Run DMC is uniting with longtime "G.I. Joe" writer, Larry Hama; "Poison Ivy" writer, Amy Chu; and "Farmhand" creator Rob Guillory, for a new comic joint project called "Outta This World."

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  The tale of the forgotten comic book and manga tie-in to the 2004 film, "Blade: Trinity."

BOOM STUDIOS - From BleedingCool:  The launch later this year of Tom Taylor's "Seven Secrets #1" may be BOOM's biggest ever launch of a creator-owned comic book series.

COVID-19  - From TheBeat:  Which comic book companies received small business COVID-19 PPP (Payment Protection Program) loans?

DC TV - From THR:  Spinning out of director Matt Reeves' "The Batman" film will be a HBO Max TV series similar to the fan-favorite comic book series, "Gotham Central."  Terrence Winter, the creator of "Boardwalk Empire," will write and executive produce the series.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Marvel and Scholastic, the largest producer of graphic novels in the U.S., have united in a multi-year, multi-graphic novel deal to produce a line of graphic novels for middle grade readers.  They will be released under Scholastic's "Graphix Media" line, and the first release will be a Spider-Man original graphic novel, "Miles Morales: Shock Waves."

BOOM STUDIOS - From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios has signed artist Jenny Frison to a deal to produce 20 covers, likely of the variant cover kind.

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios signed a deal with artist Mirka Andolfo to produce 12 cover illustrations.

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios signed a cover art deal with artist Miguel Mercado.

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios has signed a cover art deal with Japanese comics creator and cover artist, Peach Momoko.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  The future of Superman, Jonathan Kent, and "5G" at DC Comics.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  "Plastic Man: Rubber Banded - Deluxe Edition," a hardcover collection of Kyle Baker and Scott Morse's 2004 Plastic Man comic book, will come with an actual rubber band.

DC TV - From Variety:  Actress Javicia Leslie will replace actress Ruby Rose as the series lead in the second season of The CW's "Batwoman."  Leslie will play a new character named Ryan Wilder, who will replace Rose's "Kate Kane" as Batwoman.

COMICS - From Looper:  Comic book artist, Kaare Andrews, talks about transitioning from comic books to film directing.

COMIC STRIPS - From GamesRadar:  Retired cartoonist Gary Larson draws his first new episodes of his beloved comics strip, "The Far Side," in 25 years.

IMAGE COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Image Comics is teasing a big crossover comic book event for November 2020.

BRITISH COMICS - From 2000AD:  The July 7th installment of the "2000AD Thrill-Cast Lockdown Tapes" features a podcast interview with British comics legend, Bryan Talbot.

BLACK COMICS - From DW:  A brief history of Black superheroes

COMICS TO TV - From Inverse:  Comic book writer Greg Rucka insists that comic books are not just fodder for movie adaptations.  He even claims that he did not create the comic book, "The Old Guard" to be movie fodder and that he DID NOT want it to be a movie. [As Eminem said, "Go 'head, girl. Run that game.]

SCANDAL - From TCJ:   Journalist Michael Dean offers a detailed history of sexual misconduct and bullying at the CBLDF, with an emphasis on alleged drunk and disorderly lout, Charles Brownstein.

From BleedingCool:  The site has some additional details and recent developments concerning the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF).

From TheBeat:  Also, the Cody Pickrodt, Whitney Taylor et al lawsuit and counter-suit were settled out of court last month.

COMICS - From CBR:  Christopher Priest reflects on his career and how he wants to be known as a "comic book writer" and not necessarily a "black comic book writer," which he is.

COMICS - From FandomWire:  The "comic book industry" is dying.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Dave Sim is going to republish "Spawn #10."  He wrote and Todd McFarlane, who created Spawn, drew the issue which Image Comics published in 1993.  The issue featured a crossover between Spawn and Cerebus, the character created by Sim.

DC TO TV - From Variety:  The DC Universe series, "Stargirl" has been renewed for a second season, but it will be exclusive to the broadcast network, The CW," and its digital platforms.

DC TO STAGE - From BleedingCool:  In 1972, DC Comics was going to produce a musical stage show starring the Justice League Of America aimed at the student college circuit.  It never happened.

COMICS TO TV - From BleedingCool:  Is Disney+ casting an actress to play "Echo," the "Daredevil" character created by David Mack and Joe Quesada?  Mack certainly seems to think so.

SOCIAL MEDIA - From IGN:  Georgia State University visual effects student, Julian Bass, gets attention with his TikTok video, including from former Disney CEO Bob Iger.  Of course, he gets attention from jealous people too.

MARVEL COMICS - From IGN:  The licenses to produce comic books based on the iconic sci-fi film properties, "Alien" and "Predator," are moving from Dark Horse Comics to Marvel Comics.

SONY MARVEL U - From YahooEntertainment:  Gina Prince-Bythewood was supposed to direct a movie starring Marvel Comics' Spider-Man line characters, Black Cat and Silver Sable, for Sony Pictures.  Now, Prince-Bythewood says that Sony does not believe the movie, entitled "Silver and Black," could work without an appearance by Spider-Man.

MANGA - From BleedingCool:  At "Anime Expo Lite," Yen Press announces new manga and light novel titles for December 2020.

BLACK COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Here Comes A New Challenger: BIC Distro Brings Black Comics To Retail

DC CINEMA - From CBR:  "Justice League" producer Jon Berg denies the accusations that "Justice League" actor, Ray Fisher, made against himself, Geoff Johns, and director Joss Whedon.

MANGA - From BleedingCool:  Yen Press announces six new manga title acquisitions.

MANGA - From ANN:  When the 21st volume of the historical manga, "Ooku: The Inner Chambers" debuts in early 2021 in Japan, it will be the final volume of the series by the acclaimed and prolific creator, Fumi Yoshinaga.  VIZ Media is publishing the series in English.

MANGA - From Bounding:  UDON Entertainment has announced that it will publish the final three volumes of the "Persona 4" manga later this year.  VIZ Media is currently publishing the "Persona 5" manga.

DC CINEMA - From Variety:  "Justice League" actor, Ray Fisher (Cyborg) accuses director Joss Whedon of abusive behavior on the set of "Justice League."

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Is there a new "Watchman" comic book coming from writer Tom King?

LCS-COVID-19 - From BizJournal:  Local comic book retailers face COVID-19 challenges — and industry upheaval.

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COMIC BOOK INDUSTRY SEXUAL MISCONDUCT SCANDAL:

SCANDAL - From TheBeat:  On the heels of harassment allegations against comic book figures like Jason Latour, Scott Allie, and Cameron Stewart, to name a few, comes new allegations against veteran writer, Scott Lobdell.

SCANDAL - From TheBeat:  Dark Horse Comics and its biggest star, Mike Mignola, release statements about their editorial pal, Scott Allie, who is allegedly a serial abuser.

SCANDAL - From BleedingCool:  Charles Brownstein Resigns as Executive Director of the CBLDF (about damn time!).

SCANDAL - From BleedingCool:  Comic book writer and artist, Cameron Stewart, becomes the latest comics creator whose career hits a snag because of abuse allegations.  DC Comics withdrawn an unannounced comics project by Stewart from their schedule.

6/26- From TheBeat:  There are sexual misconduct allegations against comic book writer-artist, Jason Latour.

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JULY 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for July 2020
From ComicsPit:  BOOM Studios! for July 2020
From Comicon:  DC Comics for July 2020
From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for July 2020
From ComicsPit:  IDW Publishing for July 2020
From CBR:  Image Comics for July/August 2020
From Scout:  Scout Comics for July 2020
From AllComics:  VIZ Media for July 2020
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for July 2020

AUGUST 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  AWA for August 2020
From CBR:  DC Comics for August 2020
From FirstComicsNews:  IDW Publishing for August 2020
From Seibertron:  IDW Publishing's "Transformers" solicitations for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for August 2020
From CBR:  Marvel Comics for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  PS Artbooks for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for August 2020

SEPTEMBER 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Red 5 Comics for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for September 2020

OCTOBER 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Albatross Funnybooks for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for October 2020



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Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 18, 2019

IMAGE COMICS

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OCT190065    SONATA TP VOL 01 (MR)    $19.99

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for August 7, 2019

DC COMICS

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Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 20, 2019

IMAGE COMICS

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JAN190298    FARMHAND #6 (MR)    $3.99
NOV180038    JESUSFREAK HC    $17.99
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SEP180122    SUNSTONE OGN VOL 06 (MR)    $16.99
JAN190389    WARNING #5 (MR)    $3.99

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 24, 2018

DC COMICS

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OCT170392    SAVAGE THINGS TP (MR)    $19.99
NOV170350    SCOOBY DOO TEAM UP #34    $2.99
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NOV170329    WONDER WOMAN #39 VAR ED    $2.99

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 5, 2017

DC COMICS

MAY170293    BANE CONQUEST #3 (OF 12)    $3.99
MAY178089    BATMAN #24 3RD PTG    $2.99
MAY170211    BATMAN #26    $2.99
MAY170212    BATMAN #26 VAR ED    $2.99
MAY170219    CYBORG #14    $3.99
MAY170220    CYBORG #14 VAR ED    $3.99
MAY170294    DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS #30    $3.99
APR170421    DC SUPER HERO GIRLS A KIDS COLORING BOOK TP    $7.99
MAY170221    DEATHSTROKE #21    $3.99
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APR170412    DEATHSTROKE TP VOL 02 THE GOSPEL OF SLADE (REBIRTH)    $16.99
MAY170360    EVERAFTER FROM THE PAGES OF FABLES #11 (MR)    $3.99
MAY170231    GREEN ARROW #26    $2.99
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MAY170243    HARLEY QUINN #23    $2.99
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JAN170429    HARLEY QUINN RED WHITE & BLACK STATUE BY TERRY DODSON    $80.00
APR170425    HE MAN THUNDERCATS TP    $16.99
MAY170296    INJUSTICE 2 #5    $2.99
APR170427    INJUSTICE GROUND ZERO HC VOL 01    $24.99
APR170453    ITS A BIRD TP NEW EDITION (MR)    $17.99
MAY170249    JUSTICE LEAGUE #24    $2.99
MAY170250    JUSTICE LEAGUE #24 VAR ED    $2.99
MAY170259    NIGHTWING #24    $2.99
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MAY170318    SHADE THE CHANGING GIRL #10 (MR)    $3.99
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MAY170271    SUPERMAN #26    $2.99
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APR170440    WONDER WOMAN BY GREG RUCKA TP VOL 02    $29.99
FEB170322    WONDER WOMAN THE GOLDEN AGE OMNIBUS HC VOL 02    $75.00

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 14, 2017

DC COMICS

APR170262    ACTION COMICS #981    $2.99
APR170263    ACTION COMICS #981 VAR ED    $2.99
APR170275    BATGIRL AND THE BIRDS OF PREY #11    $3.99
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DEC160417    BATMAN BLACK & WHITE STATUE NIGHTWING BY JIM LEE    $80.00
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APR170399    BUG THE ADVENTURES OF FORAGER #2 (OF 6) (MR)    $3.99
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DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 25, 2017

DC COMICS

NOV160193    ACTION COMICS #972    $2.99
NOV160194    ACTION COMICS #972 VAR ED    $2.99
NOV160204    BATGIRL #7    $2.99
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AUG160373    BATMAN BLACK & WHITE STATUE BY JASON FABOK    $80.00
AUG160340    BATMAN BRAVE & THE BOLD BRONZE AGE OMNIBUS HC (RES)    $125.00
SEP160336    BATMAN DEATH AND THE MAIDENS DLX ED HC    $29.99
NOV160212    BLUE BEETLE #5    $2.99
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Review: Star Wars: SHATTERED EMPIRE #4

JOURNEY TO STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS – SHATTERED EMPIRE No. 4
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.  And visit the "Star Wars Central" review page here.]

WRITER: Greg Rucka
ART: Marco Checchetto
COLORS: Andres Mossa
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Marco Checchetto
VARIANT COVER: Sara Pichelli
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2015)

Rated T+

Shattered Empire: Part IV

The recent miniseries, Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens – Shattered Empire, has come to an end.  The film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, takes place some 30 years after the events depicted in the 1983 film, Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi.  As The Force Awakens' release date (December 18, 2015) approached, Lucasfilm filled in the three-decade story gap between Episode VI and Episode VII (The Force Awakens), using its media partners in book publishing and in comic books, in this case, fellow Disney subsidiary, Marvel Entertainment, LLC.

Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens – Shattered Empire is written by Greg Rucka, drawn by Marco Checchetto, colored by Andres Mossa, and lettered by Joe Caramagna.  According to Marvel.com, Shattered Empire will fully be part of the official Star Wars canon and will depict the immediate aftermath of the events of Return of the Jedi.

As Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens – Shattered Empire #4 opens, Lt. Shara Bey contemplates mustering out of service to the Rebel Alliance.  This troubles her as the job is unfinished.  Even with the death of Emperor Palpatine, remnants of the Empire continue to fight.  Now, she finds herself on a mission with the legendary Commander Luke Skywalker and his droid, R2-D2, of course.  Their destination is the Imperial base on Ventine to retrieve something Palpatine stole.

Now, that I am totally smitten with artist Macro Checchetto's beautiful cover art and interior art for this series, I don't want Shattered Empire to end.  In fact, I am sure that Greg Rucka can spin more post-Battle of Endor yarns to keep us entertained for at least another year or two.

The biggest thrill for me, however, is Luke Skywalker, my all-time favorite Star Wars character.  It's always great to see him in action in a comic book, which does not happen enough as far as I am concerned.  In Shattered Empire #4, Checchetto depicts Luke as having an air of mystery about him, and behind his eyes, secrets gather like storm clouds.

After reviewing the first issue of Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens – Shattered Empire, I said that the series had potential.  It has reached that potential, but there can be even more...

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

Review: JOURNEY TO STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS: Shattered Empire #1

JOURNEY TO STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS – SHATTERED EMPIRE No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon. And visit the "Star Wars Central" review page here.]

WRITER: Greg Rucka
ART: Marco Checchetto
COLORS: Andres Mossa
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Phil Noto
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (November 2015)

Rated T+

Shattered Empire: Part I

The upcoming film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, takes place some 30 years after the events depicted in the 1983 film, Return of the Jedi (or Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi).  As The Force Awakens' release date (December 18, 2015) approaches, Lucasfilm is going to fill in the three-decade story gap between Episode VI and Episode VII (The Force Awakens), using its media partners in book publishing and comic books, in this case, fellow Disney subsidiary, Marvel Entertainment, LLC.

Thus, Marvel Comics recently released the first issue of the comic book series Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens – Shattered Empire.  This new comic book is written by Greg Rucka, drawn by Marco Checchetto, colored by Andres Mossa, and lettered by Joe Caramagna, with cover art provided by Phil Noto.  According to Marvel.com, Shattered Empire will fully be part of the official Star Wars canon and will depict the immediate aftermath of the events of Return of the Jedi.

Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens – Shattered Empire #1 opens during the closing moments of the Battle of Endor.  Rebel pilots are engaging Imperial forces in furious dogfights, as they try to protect the Rebellion's capital ships.  Then, the shield protecting the second Death Star is shut down...

Soon, the rebel forces are celebrating on the Forest Moon of Endor.  Rebel pilot, Shara, just wants to find her husband, Sgt. Kes Dameron, before she can celebrate.  Still, there are still Imperial forces to be dealt with on the Forest Moon.

Honestly, Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens – Shattered Empire underwhelms me – not that I am going to stop reading it.  Marvel Comics is publishing Star Wars comic books again.  When I was a kid, the arrival of each issue of my subscription to the old Marvel Star Wars comic book series was like a bonus Christmas.

Shattered Empire has potential.  Artist Marco Checchetto has an imaginative sense of page design.  Various story elements in the first five pages seem to leap off the page, as if Checchetto is trying to recreate the feel of Star Wars' famous dogfights and aerial battles.  The coloring by Andres Mossa makes the battle scenes crackle.  It's up to Greg Rucka to hold up his end on the writing.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

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

PREVIEWS PUBLICATIONS
MAY140009     PREVIEWS BACKLIST CATALOG 2014     $1.50

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS
APR141330     ACG CLASSICS ADV INTO UNKNOWN SLIPCASE ED COLL PACK #2     $169.99
MAR141329     ACG COLL WORKS ADV INTO UNKNOWN HC VOL 08     $47.99
JUN141275     AMULET SC VOL 02 STONEKEEPERS CURSE NEW PTG     $12.99
JUN141276     AMULET SC VOL 03 CLOUD SEARCHERS NEW PTG     $12.99
MAY141251     AND THEN EMILY WAS GONE #1 (MR)     $3.50
MAY141008     ARCHIE 1000 PG COMICS EXPLOSION TP     $14.99
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I Reads You Review: CYCLOPS #1

CYCLOPS (2014) #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER: Greg Rucka
ARTIST: Russell Dauterman
COLORS: Chris Sotomayor
LETTERS: VC’s Joe Caramagna
COVER: Alexander Lozano
VARIANT COVERS: Greg Land; Skottie Young
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (July 2014)

Rated T+

Marvel Comics’ “All-New Marvel Now!” initiative is offering a seemingly endless onslaught on new series.  This includes the launch of some X-Men solo comic book series featuring some of the most popular and iconic X-Men.  One of the X-Men getting his own comic book series is Cyclops, one of the original X-Men.  In fact, the star of the new comic book is a 16-year-old Cyclops… Let me explain.

All-New X-Men, written by Brian Michael Bendis, was one of the titles that came out of the original Marvel NOW publishing initiative back in autumn of 2012.  In this new X-Men comic book series, the modern, blue, furry Beast went back in time and met the original teen X-Men:  Cyclops (Scott Summers), Marvel Girl (Jean Grey), the Beast (Hank McCoy), Angel (Warren Worthington III), and Iceman (Bobby Drake), at a time when they’d only been the X-Men for a short time.  Grown-up Beast convinced teen Beast and his teammates to return with him to the present to see what had become of their dreams in a world that is our present and their future.  It wasn’t pretty.

Springing out of “The Trial of Jean Grey” event, Cyclops #1 finds 16-year old Scott Summers/Cyclops in outer space.  He is with the band of space pirates known as the “Starjammers.”  They are led by Scott’s once thought-to-be-dead father, Christopher Summers, now known as Corsair.  And the reunited father and son are about to embark on an epic father-son journey across the space ways.

The Starjammers were created by Dave Cockrum and first appeared in X-Men #107 (cover dated: October 1977).  The Starjammers were straight out of that venerable science fiction subgenre, space opera.  Comic books are no stranger to space opera, as many comic book companies in the 1940s and 50s used space flight to take human characters to strange worlds where they met even stranger beings.  Two of the best examples of space opera in comics may be Planet Comics, a science fiction comic book series published by Fiction House from 1940 to 1953, and also Weird Fantasy, which was published by EC Comics from 1950 to 1953.

This new Cyclops comic book is not hokey like some old science fiction comic books, but it might owe something to Star Wars, a film that has space opera elements and is considered by some to be space opera.  With that in mind, I think Cyclops could be a good thing.

What I am loving about Cyclops #1 right now is the art by Russell Dauterman (pencils and inks) and Chris Sotomayor (colors).  It is perfect for this juvenile space opera, and it looks so unique and different, as if Cyclops #1 was a slice of a European comics graphic album.  I want to see where writer Greg Rucka takes this, so I hope Cyclops runs for at least 12 issues.

A-

Reviwed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

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The New 52 Review: BATWOMAN #1

BATWOMAN #1
DC COMICS

WRITERS: J.H. Williams III and W. Haden Blackman
ARTIST: J.H. Williams III
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Todd Klein
32pp, Color, $2.99

Hydrology Part 1: “Leaching”

Batwoman first appeared in Detective Comics #233 (cover July 1956) as the Bat-Woman. Created by Bob Kane and Sheldon Moldoff, Batwoman’s alter ego was Kathy Kane, and she was a crime-fighting rival to Batman. With the re-launch of DC Comics superhero line, “The New 52,” Batwoman gets a new comic book series, and while she is still secretly Kathy Kane, today’s Batwoman is different from the original Kane.

Batwoman #1 finds Kate is in the midst of relationship drama – a new girlfriend and the return of her hated father, Col. Jake Kane. She has her hands full with a strange ghostly villain, La Llorona, who is kidnapping children. Meanwhile, Batwoman takes on a partner/plebeian, Bette AKA Flamebird, but she doesn’t even know about the Department of Extranormal Operations and their new Gotham operation.

The last time I read Batwoman it was in Detective Comics #854, written by Greg Rucka and drawn by J.H. Williams III, and for me, it was a dull reading experience. I must commend co-writers W. Haden Blackman and Williams because this first issue of Batwoman is anything but dull. I counted four major subplots and three others that were introduced by hint. Every few pages, the story shifts to another scene, but because all these scenes either have interesting characters or involve intriguing subplots, the story flows quietly beautifully without a hitch.

Obviously, the beauty and “floetry” comes from J.H. Williams’ efficient visual storytelling, which is composed of his exquisite art. There is no doubt for me that Williams and colorist Dave Stewart are a match made in comic book heaven. For scenes involving Batwoman, the police, and the more fantastical elements of the story, Williams presents compositions that shimmer with light and stream across the pages, for which Stewart creates a smoky watercolor effect. Williams presents the character drama pages in a retro style that Stewart’s colors with an Art Deco effect.

Apparently, Williams will not be drawing all the issues of Batwoman, but I will certainly stay with this title as long as he and Stewart are doing this voodoo that they do so well.

A

September 14th
BATMAN AND ROBIN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batman-and-robin-1.html
FRANKENSTEIN AGENT OF SHADE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/frankenstein-agent-of-shade-1.html
GREEN LANTERN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/green-lantern-1.html
LEGION LOST #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/legion-lost-1.html
RED LANTERNS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/red-lanterns-1.html
SUPERBOY #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/superboy-1.html

I Reads You Review: WOLVERINE and BLACK CAT: CLAWS 2 #1

WOLVERINE & BLACK CAT: CLAWS 2 #1 (OF 3)
MARVEL COMICS

WRITER: Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray
ART: Joseph Michael Linsner
COLORS: Dan Brown and Nick Filardi with Ian Hannin
LETTERS: Jeff Eckleberry
COVER: Joseph Michael Linsner
32pp, Color, $3.99

Chapter 1: “Back and Forth”

I have to be honest. I only bought the first issue of Wolverine & Black Cat: Claws 2 for the art by Joseph Michael Linsner. I’m not a big fan of Lisner’s work, but I like it enough to look at it when I get a chance. Apparently, there was a first Wolverine & Black Cat: Claws miniseries (3 issues, 2006) that I ignored.

Wolverine (A.K.A. Logan) is practically everyone’s favorite member of the X-Men (though mine is Storm). Black Cat (A.K.A. Felicia Hardy) is a cat burglar extraordinaire and Spider-Man femme fatale. Wolverine & Black Cat: Claws 2 #1 takes place after the events of the first series and finds Wolverine and Black Cat back in New York City. They’re enjoying an evening of food and romance at a swanky eatery. Meanwhile, their adversaries from the first miniseries, Arcade and his partner White Rabbit, have also found their way back to NYC to give Logan and Felicia a dose of revenge.

The prolific writing team of Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray can deliver on an action premise (see Radical Publishing’s Time Bomb). Claws 2 is a simple superhero fight comic book with no pretensions to be a character drama or landmark miniseries. There’s violence, humor, and the threat of Wolverine engaging in sexual intercourse. Claws 2 proves that even the team that delivered on the nail-biting Time Bomb can deliver a tepid, mildly humorous, X-Men product.

The art and graphical storytelling by Joseph Michael Linsner look as if they belong in a Marvel comic book from the 1970s or 1980s. Linsner’s drawing style is like a new version of Dave Cockrum’s drawing style with touches of Wally Wood and Eric Stanton. Marvel’s EiC-turned-CCO once referred to a comic book artist friend of mine’s drawing style as passé. Considering that statement, I’m surprised that Linsner’s “old school” graphical approach has anyplace at Marvel, especially in the industrial part of this publisher/trademark maintenance firm that cranks out Wolverine comic books every hour on the hour.

Still, there is an innate charm to Linsner’s work, and his compositions and page designs yield results that really do look like genuine comic book graphics and visuals instead of looking like paintings trying to be comics. His storytelling has a sense of humor and imagination.

I would say that readers looking for something different in Wolverine should give Wolverine & Black Cat: Claws 2 a try. That difference is Linsner.

B

[This comic book features a five-page preview of The Punisher #1, a new series from writer Greg Rucka, artist Marco Checchetto, and colorist Matt Hollingsworth with covers by Bryan Hitch.]