Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 3 2012

IMAGE COMICS

AUG120502 BLACK KISS II #3 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

JUN120538 BLOODSTRIKE #31 [DIG] $3.99

JUN120545 DANGER CLUB #4 [DIG] $2.99

AUG120483 EPIC KILL TP VOL 01 $12.99

JUN120552 FATALE #8 (MR) [DIG] $3.50

AUG120512 GUARDING THE GLOBE #2 $2.99

MAY120611 HACK SLASH #18 CVR A MERHOFF (MR) [DIG] $3.50

MAY120612 HACK SLASH #18 CVR B MERHOFF (MR) $3.50

AUG120516 HARVEST #3 (MR) [DIG] $3.50

JUN120469 HELL YEAH TP VOL 01 LAST DAY ON EARTHS $9.99

AUG120465 NON HUMANS #1 [DIG] $2.99

AUG120532 THIEF OF THIEVES #9 [DIG] $2.99

AUG120496 WALKING DEAD COMPENDIUM TP VOL 02 (MR) $59.99

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for September 5 2012

IMAGE COMICS

JUN128200 BLACK KISS II #1 2ND PTG (MR) $2.99

JUL120487 BLACK KISS II #2 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

MAY120597 BLOODSTRIKE #30 [DIG] $3.99

JUL120490 CREATOR OWNED HEROES #4 CVR A (MR) [DIG] $3.99

JUL120491 CREATOR OWNED HEROES #4 CVR B (MR) $3.99

JUL120498 EPIC KILL #5 [DIG] $2.99

JUN120461 GLORY TP VOL 01 THE ONCE & FUTURE DESTROYER (MR) $9.99

JUL120383 GUARDING THE GLOBE #1 [DIG] $2.99

JUL120502 HARVEST #2 (MR) [DIG] $3.50

MAY120614 HELL YEAH #5 [DIG] $2.99

JUN120470 MANHATTAN PROJECTS TP VOL 01 SCIENCE BAD $14.99

JUN120561 MIND THE GAP #4 CVR A ESQUEJO & OBACK [DIG] $2.99

JUN120562 MIND THE GAP #4 CVR B INGRAM $2.99

JUN120564 NEAR DEATH #11 [DIG] $2.99

FEB120520 SAVAGE DRAGON #181 [DIG] $3.50

JUL120517 SPAWN #223 $2.99

JUN120485 SPAWN ORIGINS HC VOL 07 $29.99

APR120483 SUPER DINOSAUR SHIRT ADULT MED $24.99

JUN128195 THIEF OF THIEVES #7 2ND PTG $2.99

JUL120390 THIEF OF THIEVES #8 [DIG] $2.99

JUL120437 THIEF OF THIEVES TP VOL 01 $14.99

JUL120520 THINK TANK #2 (MR) [DIG] $3.99

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors from August 1 2012

IMAGE COMICS

JUN120535 ALPHA GIRL #4 (MR) $2.99
JUN120423 BLACK KISS II #1 (MR) $2.99
MAY128158 DANCER #2 2ND PTG $3.50
JUN120551 EPIC KILL #4 $2.99
JUL110524 GODLAND #36 [DIG] $3.99
JUN120439 HARVEST #1 (MR) $3.50
MAY128286 MANHATTAN PROJECTS #4 2ND PTG $3.50
MAY120618 MIND THE GAP #3 [DIG] $2.99
JAN120592 MONDO #3 (MR) [DIG] $4.99
MAY128149 SAGA #4 2ND PTG (MR) $2.99
MAY128287 THIEF OF THIEVES #6 2ND PTG $2.99
JUN120577 THIEF OF THIEVES #7 $2.99
JUN120435 THINK TANK #1 CVR A EKEDAL & REBER $3.99

The New 52 Review: BLACKHAWKS #1

"Not your grandfather's or father's Blackhawks"

BLACKHAWKS #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Mike Costa
LAYOUTS: Graham Nolan
FINISHES: Ken Lashley
COLORS: Guy Major
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
COVERS: Ken Lashley
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S.

The Blackhawks debuted in Military Comics #1 (cover date August 1941), published by Quality Comics. The Blackhawk Squadron, usually called the Blackhawks, were a small team of World War II-era ace pilots of varied nationalities, who were led by an American named Blackhawk (his nationality and ethnicity changed over the years).

The Blackhawks’ long-running comic book series was known as Blackhawk, both in Military Comics (eventually Modern Comics) and, later, a self-titled series. Blackhawk was created by Will Eisner, Chuck Cuidera, and Bob Powell, although Reed Crandall is the artist most associated with the series. Future Justice League of America artist, Dick Dillin, drew the series for 18 years. In 1987, Howard Chaykin of American Flagg! fame revamped the series in the three-issue, prestige format comic book, Blackhawk.

With the re-launch of DC Comics’ superhero line, “The New 52,” the Blackhawks are reborn. However, the new series apparently will have no connection to the previous incarnations and also will share the post-Flashpoint, rebooted DC Universe continuity.

Blackhawks #1 opens in Ayaguz, Kazakhstan with the Blackhawks on a rescue mission and doing a takedown of hostage takers. The operation goes well, but not without a hitch. Kunoichi has a big problem that starts out small, and the Blackhawks’ cover is blown.

If you are a fan of everything Blackhawk before Chaykin’s miniseries, you will need to accept that this new Blackhawks is exactly that – something new. Even if you accepted the changes Chaykin made, you will still have to make another leap of faith. Other than the logo, this is, for all intents and purposes, something called Blackhawks that is not the Blackhawk that debuted in 1941. That said…

This is neither really good nor deplorably bad. At least to me, Blackhawks is essentially a comic book about special ops on steroids with elements of military science fiction and superheroes mixed into the concept. Writer Mike Costa brings his script together nicely. Readers will have questions, like who are these characters; what are they about, what do they want; and who are their adversaries, among others? Still, what is in the first issue is easy to understand.

The art by Ken Lashley, from layouts by Graham Nolan, looks like a scratchy version of Trevor Von Eeden’s art on the 1980s cult series, Thriller. Lashley’s is not a pretty style, but it grew on me.

Will I try this comic book again? Yes, I’m curious, but I also hope it gets better.

B-

September 28th
AQUAMAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/aquaman-1.html
BATMAN THE DARK KNIGHT #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/batman-dark-knight-1.html
JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/justice-league-dark-1.html

Leroy Douresseaux on THE PIN-UP ART OF HUMORAMA

THE PIN-UP ART OF HUMORAMA
FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS

WRITER/EDITOR: Alex Chun
ARTISTS: Dan DeCarlo, Jack Cole, Bill Ward, and others
COLORS/DESIGNER: Jacob Covey
INTRODUCTION: Howard Chaykin
ISBN: 978-1-56097-959-3; paperback
216pp, 2-color, $19.99 U.S.

Breezy. Cartoon Parade. Comedy. Gaze. Jest. Joker. Romp. Stare. Zip. These were once the titles of cartoon digests from Humorama.

Humorama was a New York City based line of digest-sized magazines mainly remembered for the single panel pin-up and girlie cartoons they contained. These digests also published black and white photographs of models (Bettie Page, among them) and actresses (such as Tina Louise and Julie Newmar), as well as jokes.

Humorama was a division of the publishing empire of Martin Goodman and was headed by his brother, Abe Goodman. According to journalist and pin-up cartoon connoisseur, Alex Chun, Abe Goodman was the largest buyer of cartoons in the world during the 1950s. Chun has edited several books that focused on cartoonists who plied their trade with Humorama, including The Glamour Girls of Bill Ward, The Classic Pin-Up Art of Jack Cole, and The Pin-Up Art of Dan DeCarlo.

Alex Chun’s latest volume is The Pin-Up Art of Humorama, which is a sort of “best of” collection of the pin-up cartoons found in Humorama’s various magazines. Chun’s frequent collaborator, designer extraordinaire Jacob Covey, essentially re-masters the cartoons in this book and brings them back to life by restoring the accent color (or 2-color) format in which they were originally published. Howard Chaykin (American Flagg!, Black Kiss) provides an introduction to this book that places Humorama and pin-up cartoons in general in a historical context, and he also relates them to his own life.

While it does feature work by the three Humorama cartoonists considered the most accomplished (Cole, DeCarlo, and Ward), The Pin-Up Art of Humorama also offers works by many other notable cartoonists. Readers will find cartoons by Dave Berg of MAD Magazine, illustrator Jefferson Machamer, legendary science fiction and horror cartoonist, Basil Wolverton, and Kurt Schaffenberger, the comic book artist best known for his work on such comic books as Superman’s Girlfriend, Lois Lane during the 1950s and 1960s and Captain Marvel during the Golden and Silver Ages. Humorama also featured the work of three syndicated cartoonists who would go on to have their own newspaper comic strips: George Crenshaw (Belvedere), Bill Hoest (The Lockhorns) and Brad Anderson (Marmaduke).

I am a big admirer of Alex Chun’s efforts at bringing the single panel pin-up art of the 1950s and 60s back into print. I don’t think of his previous publications as archival efforts merely intent on bringing dusty old artifacts out of the basement of magazine publishing history. Many of the visual elements and background details featured in these cartoons have changed since the heyday of the pinup cartoons: cocktail lounges, the architecture, interior design, office furniture, clothing (men wearing suits even in casual situations), and gender roles. However, the two most important things about them have not fallen out of favor – sex and humor.

Chun and the exceptionally talented graphic designer, Jacob Covey (who has designed several of Chun’s books), get the heart of why many of these cartoons are still bawdy, funny, sexy, and even relevant when it comes to relationships between men and women – 50 to 60 years after they were first published. The pay-to-play, the gold-digging, the lust, the office politics, the spouse who is cheating or has a wandering eye are all familiar to practically any adult reader. Even those who are not fans of comics can look through this book and recognize the humor, idea, and story (of a sort). The subject matter is timeless, and in the context of American culture, perhaps universal.

This is not a fine art book. Besides, there are works of art and artists that are no longer relevant and have been reduced to being important in the history of art. The single panel pin-up cartoons in Humorama publications were not meant to be fine art, but rather to be entertainment. Yet these cartoons did not entertain by simply appealing to the prurient interests to the buyers of such publications. Readers recognized such visual cues as scantily clad women and also the men whose hearts and libidos they sent racing. The readers got the joke about the machinations of scheming female characters and knew how the minds of the male characters worked.

We still get that, and so do Alex Chun and Jacob Covey. Chun fills his collections with the best cartoons – the ones that can still delight readers, and Covey uses his lively and inventive design sense to make these old cartoons fresh and vital. With The Pin-Up Art of Humorama, Chun and Covey will once again make you believe that the art of Humorama is still alive and kicking – although the line ceased to exist decades ago.

A

http://www.fantagraphics.com/

http://www.pinupcartoongallery.com/

The following is an incomplete list of the cartoonists whose work appears in The Pin-Up Art of Humorama. I will make updates and changes to this list, either through my own research or with the help of readers:

Felix Andrews
Dave Berg
Camill
Jack Cole
George Crenshaw
Dan DeCarlo as DSD
Dick Ericson
Stan Goldberg
Paul Hamilton
Lynn Harrison
Ramon Henri
Hergo (?)
George Hess
Bill Hoest
Lowell Hoppes
Woody Kimbrell
Bill Kresse
Chet Lown
Jefferson Machamer
Manent
Vic Martin
Jim Mooney
Paul Murry
Posner Murry
Kremos (Niso Ramponi)
Ray Osrin
Don Pengelly
Louis Priscilla
Homer Provence
Stanley Rayon
Robert Q. Sale
Kurt Schaffenberger
Carl Stamwitz
Stark
Jere Sturm
Tom Sutton
Bill Ward
Bill Wenzel
Basil Wolverton

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for August 24 2011

MARVEL COMICS

JUN110683 ASTONISHING X-MEN #41 $3.99

JUN110635 CAPTAIN AMERICA AND BUCKY #621 $2.99

JUN110735 CAPTAIN AMERICA PRISONER OF WAR PREM HC $24.99

JUN110729 CARNAGE HC FAMILY FEUD $24.99

JUN110695 DAKEN DARK WOLVERINE #13 $2.99

JUN110705 DEADPOOL #42 $2.99

JUN110666 DISNEY PIXAR PRESENTS INCREDIBLES FAMILY MATTERS $5.99

JUN110592 FEAR ITSELF YOUTH IN REVOLT #4 (OF 6) FEAR $2.99

JUN110670 FF #8 $2.99

JUN110739 FF BY JONATHAN HICKMAN PREM HC VOL 01 ACUNA DM VAR ED $19.99

JUN110738 FF BY JONATHAN HICKMAN PREM HC VOL 01 EPTING VAR $19.99

JUN110647 IRON AGE OMEGA #1 $2.99

DEC100635 KICK-ASS 2 #3 (MR) $2.99

MAR110749 MMW ATLAS ERA VENUS HC VOL 01 $59.99

MAR110750 MMW ATLAS ERA VENUS HC VOL 01 DM VAR ED 164 $59.99

JUN110724 MMW SUB-MARINER TP VOL 01 $24.99

JUN110725 MMW SUB-MARINER TP VOL 01 DM VAR ED 32 $24.99

JUN110676 MYSTERY MEN #4 (OF 5) $2.99

JUN110610 NEW MUTANTS #30 FEAR $2.99

JUN110661 PUNISHER #2 $2.99

JUN110758 SHADOWLAND STREET HEROES TP $19.99

JUN110759 SHADOWLAND THUNDERBOLTS TP $15.99

JUN110757 SHADOWLAND TP $19.99

JUN110753 SILVER SURFER TP DEVOLUTION $14.99

JUN110668 SPIDER-MAN #17 $2.99

JUN110630 SPIDER-MAN EMERGENCE EVIL JACKAL AND HOBGOBLIN #1 SPI $4.99

JUN110754 SPIDER-MAN NEXT CHAPTER TP VOL 01 $39.99

JUN110641 THOR HEAVEN AND EARTH #3 (OF 4) $2.99

JUN110620 ULTIMATE COMICS ULTIMATES #1 $3.99

JUN110699 UNCANNY X-FORCE #13 $3.99

JUN110698 WOLVERINE #14 $3.99

JUN110703 WOLVERINE BEST THERE IS #9 $3.99

JUN110688 X-MEN #16 $3.99

JUN110693 X-MEN LEGACY #254 $2.99

JUN110770 X-MEN LEGACY COLLISION TP $14.99

MAY110657 ZOMBIES CHRISTMAS CAROL #4 (OF 5) $3.99

I Reads You Review: BLADE #12

BLADE (2006) #12
MARVEL COMICS

WRITER: Marc Guggenheim
ARTIST: Howard Chaykin with Gene Colan
COLORIST: Edgar Delgado
LETTERS: VC’s Rus Wooton
COVER: Marko Djurdjevic
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S., $3.75 CAN

“A Stake Through the Heart”

Back in 2006, Marvel Comics launched a new comic book series starring Blade, their vampire hunter who first appeared in the 1970s horror comic book series, The Tomb of Dracula (#10, July 1973). The character would go on to be the star in a trio of films, beginning with Blade (1998) and starring Wesley Snipes as Blade.

This Blade comic book series, which ran for 12 issues, was written by screenwriter and television writer-producer, Marc Guggenheim. It was drawn by Howard Chaykin, an industry legend and veteran writer/artist best known for the highly influential 1980s comic book, American Flagg! Guggenheim’s take on Blade was closer to the character in the comic books than the one in the movies, and much of this series focused on the early years of Blade’s mission as a vampire hunter extraordinaire.

Blade #12 finds Blade at Castle Dracula in a face off with his biological father, Lucas Cross, a vampire. Lucas, the head of the mysterious Order of Tyrana, intends to force Blade to fulfill a prophecy that would restore the souls of all living vampires. Blade knows, however, that not having a soul is the only weakness that vampires have. Blade’s colleague and friend, vampire detective Hannibal King, is desperate to have his soul back and has sided with Lucas. Everything is against Blade, and it gets worse. His greatest adversary has returned. Also, the story goes back in time to the most crucial mission of Blade’s young career, the one that made him the vamp-killing man he is today.

This Blade series ended by seemingly giving Blade a new future. Since its publication, Blade would go on to be a supporting character and team member in the short-lived Captain Britain and MI: 13 (a series that I absolutely did not like). He’s even a black sheep-like character in the recently launched Ultimate Avengers.

I do miss this series, primarily because I am a huge fan of the character. I also liked the fact that each issue offered a self-contained story, except for the final two issues, which are apparently connected in order to close out the series. As much I liked this series, however, I think that it barely scratched the surface of Blade’s potential. Comic book publishers are currently quite impressed with the idea of hiring television scribes to write comic books, and have been for most of this past decade – especially those who have worked on serial dramas or on genre series (particularly crime or weird/fantasy series).

There are probably advantages to hiring screenwriters (mastery of story structure? reputation? name recognition?), but I wonder if imagination is one of those advantages. Do Hollywood types bring the kind of creativity and unique vision to comics that dedicated comic book writers do? Once again, as much as I enjoyed this Blade series, Guggenheim’s work was not nearly as imaginative and as fun to read as the work Chris Claremont and Marv Wolfman did on this series four decades ago.

It is too bad that Claremont and Wolfman are not now writing a Blade comic book. Speaking of classic Blade creators: Blade #12 has art by Blade’s co-creator, artist Gene Colan.

I Reads You Review: BLADE #9

BLADE (2006) #9
MARVEL COMICS

WRITER: Marc Guggenheim
ARTIST: Howard Chaykin
COLORIST: Edgar Delgado
LETTERS: VC’s Rus Wooton
COVER: Marko Djurdjevic
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S., $3.75 CAN

“The Big Fight”

Several years ago, Marvel Comics launched a new comic book starring Blade, their vampire hunter who first appeared in the 1970s horror comic book series, The Tomb of Dracula (#10, July 1973). Of course, Blade is best known for the trilogy of films starring Wesley Snipes as Blade. Marvel has had, at best, mixed success with Blade comic book series. [Although an African-American (Snipes) was the star and co-producer of the Blade film franchise, Marvel has never allowed an African-American to write or draw a Blade comic book series.]

Debuting in 2006, the most recent Blade series was written by television writer-producer, Marc Guggenheim and drawn by Howard Chaykin, a longtime industry veteran writer and artist, best known for the highly influential 1980s comic book, American Flagg! (although Chaykin has also been a television writer-producer). Guggenheim’s take on Blade was closer to the character in the comics than the one in the movies, and the series ran for 12 issues, much of it having to do with Blade’s origin.

Blade #9 finds Eric Brooks, a.k.a. Blade in London delving into his later mother, Tara Brooks’ past to discover her connection and his possible connection to the Order of Tyrana. The apparent head of this group is Lucas Cross, the man claiming to be Blade’s father. Meanwhile, at a London hotel, Union Jack, a vampire hunter, launches an attack on Blade’s colleague, vampire detective Hannibal King.

Evan as a back issue, Marc Guggenheim and Howard Chaykin’s Blade comic book still feels fresh and new. Guggenheim wrote each issue as a self-contained story. While each issue is connected to a larger narrative, it can be read, comprehended, and enjoyed without reading other issues. Visually and graphically, Chaykin infused Blade with a sense of humor, irony, and a touch of satire.

Blade #9 epitomizes what Guggenheim and Chaykin did so well with the entirety of their Blade comic book series, and that was the creation of a serial drama in which each chapter was important unto itself. An individual issue did not need the overall story arc to validate it. This allowed readers to pick up any issue and get both a complete reading experience and the Blade experience.

Baltimore Comic-Con Panel Schedule

Baltimore Comic-Con 2010 Panel Announcements, Guests, and Portfolio Reviews!

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - August 19, 2010 - You've been clamoring for it, we've been working on it, and now we're ready to announce it -- the 2010 Baltimore Comic-Con Panel Schedule!

Room 307 (Saturday)
11:00-12:00 - Spotlight on Terry Moore - Terry Moore is the award-winning creator of "Strangers in Paradise" and "Echo" and has also written such comics as Marvel's "Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane" and "Runaways." This panel shines the spotlight on Moore and his work and is a must-see for all his fans.

12:00-1:00 - IRREDEEMABLE/INCORRUPTIBLE Panel - Mark Waid's Harvey and Eisner nominated, best-selling, multiple sell-out IRREDEEMABLE has taken comic fans by storm since its debut, becoming one of the top-selling independent comics published today. Join Mark Waid as he takes a look back at IRREDEEMABLE's beginnings, the future of the series, and its sister series -- INCORRUPTIBLE. A not-to-be-missed panel for any fan of these books! (PSSSSST: Mark will also talk a little bit about his new BOOM! book with Stan Lee called THE TRAVELER. Don't miss it!)

1:00-2:00 - Spotlight on Thor - With the THOR feature film from Marvel Studios premiering in May, 2011, and his adventures featured across both the Marvel and Ultimate Universes, Thor is one of Marvel's hottest characters. Chroniclers of the Thunder God's adventures from the past, present, and future - Walter Simonson, John Workman, Bryan J.L. Glass, and Jonathan Hickman - join Marvel's Vice President - Executive Editor Tom Brevoort to discuss all things Thor.

2:00-3:00 - Spotlight on Denis Kitchen - Denis Kitchen is a cartoonist and founder of Kitchen Sink Press where he published work by such creators as Will Eisner, Harvey Kurtzman, and Robert Crumb. A book of his art "The Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen" was recently published by Dark Horse; a new art book, "Denis Kitchen: Chipboard Sketchbook", is on the way from BOOM!; and a book he co-authored, "Art of Harvey Kurtzman: The Mad Genius of Comic" is nominated for a Harvey Award. Don't miss this opportunity hear about the work of a true comics original.

3:00-4:00 - Spotlight on Michael Allred - Michael Allred is the creator of "Madman" ,"Atomics", "Red Rocket 7," and has worked on such comics as the "Golden Plates," "X-Statix," and "Sandman" and is currently drawing "iZombie" from DC/Vertigo. Allred and "iZombie" scribe, Chris Roberson, take a look at his career in a spotlight you dare not miss!

Room 308 (Saturday)
11:00-12:00 - comiXology and the Future of Digital Comics - comiXology has become the leader in the digital comics revolution while maintaining great services for brick and mortar retailers. This past year has seen an explosion of digital comics, and comiXology has been on the forefront of the movement with a massive comics library, online aids for collectors, podcasts, and apps for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod. On comiXology's one year anniversary, CEO David Steinberger takes a look at the events of this past year and what the future holds for digital comics in this enlightening panel.

12:00-1:00 - Spotlight on Todd McFarlane - From SPAWN to HAUNT, Image Comics founder and partner Todd McFarlane has been the driving force behind the biggest creator-owned titles in the industry. Join McFarlane for exclusive sneak peeks of his upcoming projects and a Q&A session that shouldn't be missed!

1:00-2:00 - Top Cow: We Create... Universes - Join Top Cow Publisher Filip Sablik, Top Cow Universe architect and writer Ron Marz, and Artifacts artist Michael Broussard for a frank and lively discussion of upcoming events in the Top Cow Universe spinning out of the world-shattering event series - Artifacts! Questions will be answered, early sneak peeks shown, and perhaps even a hilarious anecdote will be told. Plus every attendee will receive a free gift just for attending.

2:00-3:00 - DC NATION - The DC NATION returns to Baltimore! We're always looking for new recruits, so be sure to come on by as DC Comics' Senior Story Editor, Ian Sattler, and some of the industry's top talent lead the way to give you the inside scoop to all current and future NATION members!

3:00-4:00 - Mondo Marvel - From the Marvel U to the Ultimate U and everything in between, Vice President - Executive Editor Tom Brevoort, and superstar writers Jonathan Hickman (S.H.I.E.L.D., Fantastic Four) and Jeff Parker (Hulk, Thunderbolts) are on hand to talk about all of your favorite heroes and villains as well as make a few surprise announcements!

4:00-5:00 - IDW ON THE MOVE! - Join IDW Senior editor Bob Schreck, Steve Niles, Bernie Wrightson, Chris Moreno, and Stuart Sayger in this lively look at the company's current and upcoming releases to be followed by a Q&A session.

Room 301-303 (Saturday)
4:00-5:00 - Artist's Workshop Art Dissection - Klaus Janson and Howard Chaykin open their Artist's Workshop to all convention guests at this time. A few lucky students from their professional seminar will have their work honestly dissected by these two masters. This is a panel no artist should miss!

Room 307 (Sunday)
11:00-12:00 -Creating Comic Art Digitally - Daniel Govar, creator/artist of AZURE along with Matt Zolman, co-creator and artist of Epic, show you the benefit and shortfalls of creating comic art with the use of computer software. From best practices, to resolutions and file formats, they will demonstrate how they create stunning comics using popular software, and answer questions you may have about making comics digitally.

12:00-1:00 - Spotlight on Sergio Aragones - Sergio Aragones has been called the "fastest cartoonist in the world," has drawn thousands of cartoons for "Mad Magazine," created Bat Lash and Groo the Wanderer, and kept us laughing for years. Join the award-winning cartoonist for a look at his work that will leave you smiling!

1:00-2:00 - Comics Rewind: The 1980s - The 1980s were a time of growth for comics with the direct market and new publishers offering creators the opportunity to present their creations as never before. And the results were spectacular. Join Louise Simonson ("Power Pack," "X-Factor"), Walter Simonson ("Thor," "X-Factor"), Timothy Truman ("GrimJack," "Scout"), Matt Wagner ("Mage," "Grendel"), Marv Wolfman ("New Teen Titans," "Crisis on Infinite Earths"), John Workman ("Heavy Metal", "Thor"), and moderator Mark Waid as they take a look back at the comics of the 1980s.

2:00-3:00 - Spotlight on Cuba: My Revolution - Artist Dean Haspiel and colorist Jose Villarrubia discuss their new Vertigo graphic novel collaboration. Dean Haspiel is a native New Yorker who created BILLY DOGMA and STREET CODE and has collaborated on great superhero and semi-autobiographical comic books, helped pioneer personal webcomics with the invention of ACT-I-VATE, and draws for HBO's "Bored To Death." Jose Villarrubia is a renowned artist/colorist/photographer who has worked on such books as Alan Moore's "Voice of the Fire" and "Promethea" among many, many others. He is also the chair of the Illustration Department at MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art).

3:00-4:00 - PAUL POPE VS BOB SCHRECK - A CAGED EVENT - Don't miss this satisfaction-guaranteed, fists-a-flying blood match by joining award-winning multi-talented storyteller, Paul Pope, in an examination of his creative process and how he suffers under the heel of his terrifying editor.

Room 308 (Sunday)
11:00-12:00 - Marvel Your Universe - Join Vice President - Executive Editor Tom Brevoort, as he leaves his Marvel ID at the door and enters as a fan! Want to know how things work at the House of Ideas? Got some things to get off your chest about a Marvel character or story? Well here's your chance True Believer! It's the panel for fans BY fans with no spin, no marketing, and just a friendly chat amongst fans!

12:00-1:00 - DC SUNDAY CONVERSATION - All are welcome to join Senior Story Editor Ian Sattler for a relaxed Sunday afternoon discussion. Share your thoughts, or be enthralled, as the group share their stories and love for this medium.

1:00 - Costume Contest - The wildly popular costume contest returns for a second year! The $1,000 grand prize will be awarded to the best over-all costume at the event, including pro and amateur costumes. Other award categories will win DVD prize packages, comic book packages, Orioles baseball tickets, gift certificates to Cards, Comics and Collectibles of Reisterstown, Maryland, and special last minute prizes from top comic book companies. Everyone who enters the contest will win passes to the advance screening of Summit Entertainment's newest film, RED, starring Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, and Helen Mirren (based on the Wildstorm graphic novel by Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner) which opens nationwide on Friday, October 15th.

Rooms 301-303 (Sunday)
3:00 - Art Auction - Art fans, don't miss this opportunity to see and bid on art from your favorite comic artists! You're sure to find something here you like!

Janson & Chaykin Offer Art Seminar
With over seventy five years of cumulative experience in the comic book industry, Klaus Janson and Howard Chaykin are all-too-well-versed in the ins and outs of making a career in our inkstained - and now, with all that digital stuff, carpal tunneled - business. For the past few years, Klaus and Howard have been conducting an Artist's Workshop for Marvel, offering invaluable insights, gleaned from those decades of experience, on narrative, storytelling, page design, and career management.

They've developed a fluid and comprehensive take on the inside game played by successful cartoonists - and a series of direct and vital techniques intended to drag newer talents out of a hobby and into a profession - without ever losing the joy all of us experience when we ply our craft.

Klaus and Howard have taken their seminar on the road to the renowned Savannah College of Art & Design, to great acclaim from students and faculty alike, and now they're bringing a customized version of the workshop to the 2010 Baltimore Comic-Con. On Saturday, August 28th, from 1pm to 4pm, Messrs. Janson and Chaykin will entertain and enlighten with a lively, spirited, and very likely prickly and opinionated dissertation, followed, from 4 PM to 5 PM, by an hour of honest dissection of the work of several lucky attendees. All class registrants will be eligible for the dissection lottery, so bring some of your work if you want to hear from these two very honest men!

To register for this very special class, please call our host store, Cards, Comics, & Collectibles @ 410-526-7410. The cost for this professional seminar is $75. Major credit cards will be accepted for payment. The hour of honest dissection from 4pm-5pm will be exciting programming available to all ticketed attendees of the Baltimore Comic-Con. Register now while space is still available!

Portfolio Reviews
Mark Chiarello, Art Director at DC Comics, will be doing portfolio reviews from 11am to 1pm at the Mark's booth on both Saturday and Sunday. Think you've got the chops to make it as a pro at DC Comics? Come and find out first-hand!

Todd McFarlane Signing
Attending the show on Saturday only this year, Todd McFarlane will be featured in a Spotlight panel session (room 308) from 12pm-1pm. Following his panel, he will be signing in booth 2403 from 1:30pm-3:30pm.

Added Guests:
We are pleased to announce the addition of the following guests to the 2010 Baltimore Comic-Con: Danna Bremer (Zuda Comics Crew), Buzz (JSA), Kevin Colden (I Rule The Night), Ian Edginton (Victorian Undead), Steve Ellis (High Moon), John Gallagher (Buzzboy), David Gallaher (High Moon), Dan Govar (Azure), Randy Green (New X-Men), Brad Guigar (Evil Inc.), Matthew Petz (War of the Woods), Chris Staros (Publisher, Top Shelf), and Bobby and Peter Timony (The Night Owls).

Regretfully, Cully Hamner is unable to attend the show this year.

Publishers exhibiting in 2010 include Archaia Comics, Adhouse Books, Boom! Studios, IDW, Image Comics, Top Cow Productions, and Top Shelf Comix.

In coming weeks, 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 at our website (http://www.baltimorecomiccon.com/), Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/baltimorecomics), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/baltimorecomiccon), MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/baltimorecomics), and ComicSpace (http://www.comicspace.com/baltimorecomicon) pages.

This year's Baltimore Comic-Con will be held August 28-29, 2010. Convention hours are Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM. The ceremony and banquet for the Harvey Awards will be held Saturday night, August 28th.

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 communications regarding 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 11th year of bringing the comic book industry to the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area. With a guest list unequaled in the industry, the Baltimore Comic-Con will be held August 28-29, 2010. 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 20 years, the last 5 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.

Howard Chaykin, Klaus Janson Workshop at Baltimore Comic-Con

Klaus Janson & Howard Chaykin Offer Artist's Workshop at the 2010 Baltimore Comic-Con

With over seventy five years of cumulative experience in the comic book industry, Klaus Janson and Howard Chaykin are all-too-well-versed in the ins and outs of making a career in our inkstained - and now, with all that digital stuff, carpal tunneled - business.

For the past few years, Klaus and Howard have been conducting an Artist's Workshop for Marvel, offering invaluable insights, gleaned from those decades of experience, on narrative, storytelling, page design, and career management.

They've developed a fluid and comprehensive take on the inside game played by successful cartoonists - and a series of direct and vital techniques intended to drag newer talents out of a hobby and into a profession - without ever losing the joy all of us experience when we ply our craft.

Klaus and Howard have taken their seminar on the road to the renowned Savannah College of Art & Design, to great acclaim from students and faculty alike, and now they're bringing a customized version of the workshop to the 2010 Baltimore Comic-Con.

On Saturday, August 28th, from 1 PM to 4 PM, Messrs. Janson and Chaykin will entertain and enlighten with a lively, spirited, and very likely prickly and opinionated dissertation, followed, from 4 PM to 5 PM, by an hour of honest dissection of the work of several lucky attendees. All class registrants will be eligible for the dissesction lottery, so bring some of your work if you want to hear from these two very honest men!

You'll come away informed, enthusiastic, or downright annoyed-but we guarantee you won't be bored, and that you'll never look at comics the same way again.

To register for this very special class, please call our host store Cards, Comics, & Collectibles @ 410-526-7410. The cost for this professional seminar is $75. Major credit cards will be accepted for payment. The hour of honest dissection from 4-5pm will be exciting programming available to all ticketed attendees of the Baltimore Comic-Con. Register now while space is still available!

Publishers exhibiting in 2010 include Archaia Comics, Adhouse Books Boom! Studios, Dark Horse Comics, IDW, Image Comics, Top Cow Productions, and Top Shelf Comix.

Our guests include: Dave Aikins (SpongeBob Squarepants), Mike and Laura Allred (Madman), Sergio Aragones (Groo), Ivan Brandon (Nemesis: The Imposters), Tom Brevoort (Executive Editor, Marvel Comics), Michael Broussard (The Darkness), Jim Calafiore (Secret Six), Eric Canete (New Avengers: Luke Cage), Bernard Chang (Prince of Persia), Howard Chaykin (Black Kiss), Sean Chen (Nova), Cliff Chiang (Greendale), Mark Chiarello (Editor, DC Comics), Frank Cho (Ultimate Comics New Ultimates), Mike Choi (X-Force), Steve Conley (Star Trek Omnibus: The Original Series), Amanda Conner (Power Girl), Shane Davis (Superman: Earth One), Francesco Francavilla (The Green Hornet: Year One), Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (Wednesday Comics), Ron Garney (Wolverine: Weapon X), Sterling Gates (Supergirl), Bryan J.L. Glass (Mice Templar), Michael Golden (Marvel 1602: Spider-Man), Cully Hamner (Detective Comics), Dean Haspiel (ACT-I-VATE), Jonathan Hickman (Fantastic Four), Greg Horn (Green Lantern), Adam Hughes (Wonder Woman), Jamal Igle (Supergirl), Georges Jeanty (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Van Jensen (Pinocchio: Vampire Slayer), Geoff Johns - Sunday only (Blackest Night, Chief Creative Officer, DC Comics), J.G. Jones (DC Universe Legacies), Denis Kitchen (Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen), Barry Kitson (Iron Man 2 Prequel), Rich Koslowski (BB Wolf and the 3 LPs), Greg LaRocque (The Exiled), Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon), Norman Lee (New Mutants), Steve Lieber (Underground), Joe Linsner (Dawn: Not To Touch The Earth), Luna Brothers (The Sword), David Mack (Kabuki), Clay Mann (X-Men Legacy), Laura Martin (Girl Comics), Ron Marz (Witchblade), Todd McFarlane - Saturday only (Spawn), Mark McKenna (Banana Tail), Mike McKone (Avengers Academy), Bob McLeod (New Mutants Forever), Pop Mhan (Ender's Game: Mazer In Prison), Terry Moore (Echo, SiP), Mark Morales (Siege), Chris Moreno (Toy Story), Sean Murphy (Joe the Barbarian), Steve Niles (30 Days of Night), Phil Noto (Avengers: The Origin), Ryan Ottley (Invincible), Jimmy Palmiotti (Jonah Hex), Jeff Parker (Thunderbolts), Lauren Perry (Blank-ees), David Petersen (Mouse Guard), Brandon Peterson (Ultimate Extinction), Chris Pitzer (Publisher, Adhouse Books), Paul Pope (Wednesday Comics), Eric Powell (The Goon), Jack Purcell (Gotham City Sirens), Mike Raicht (The Stuff of Legend), Tom Raney (Black Widow: Deadly Origin), Chris Roberson (I, Zombi), James Robinson (Justice League of America), Kenneth Rocafort (Velocity), Budd Root (Cavewoman), Don Rosa (Uncle Scrooge), Craig Rousseau (Marvel Her-Oes), Stephane Roux (Zatanna), Jim Rugg (Afrodisiac), Filip Sablik (The Asset, Top Cow Pubisher), Tim Sale courtesy of Hero Initiative (Captain America White), Ian Sattler (Editor, DC Comics), Stuart Sayger (Bram Stoker's Death Ship), Bob Schreck (Jurassic Park), Jim Shooter (Magnus, Robot Fighter), Louise Simonson (X-Factor Forever), Walter Simonson (Thor), Andy Smith (WildC.A.T.S.), John K. Snyder III (The A-Team: Shotgun Wedding), Allison Sohn (Star Wars sketchcard artist), Jim Starlin (Dreadstar), Brian Stelfreeze (The Authority: The Lost Year), Paul D. Storrie (Twilight Crusade: Gabriel), Karl Story (Zatanna), Billy Tan (Shadowland), Ben Templesmith sponsored by Laughing Ogre Comics (Choker), Mark Texeira (X-Men: Origins), Herb Trimpe (Incredible Hulk), Timothy Truman (Conan the Cimmerian), Billy Tucci (Shi), Dexter Vines (Ultimate Avengers), Neil Vokes (Superman Adventures), Doug Wagner (World of Warcraft: Horde), Matt Wagner (The Green Hornet: Year One), Mark Waid (Irredeemable, Chief Creative Officer, Boom! Studios), Marv Wolfman (New Teen Titans), John Workman (Heavy Metal), Bernie Wrightson (Swamp Thing), Kelly Yates (Doctor Who: 2010 Annual), and Chrissie Zullo (Cinderella: From Fabletown With Love).

In coming weeks, 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 at our website (http://www.baltimorecomiccon.com/), Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/baltimorecomics), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/baltimorecomiccon), MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/baltimorecomics), and ComicSpace (http://www.comicspace.com/baltimorecomicon) pages.

This year's Baltimore Comic-Con will be held August 28-29, 2010. Convention hours are Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM. The ceremony and banquet for the Harvey Awards will be held Saturday night, August 28th.


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 communications regarding 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 11th year of bringing the comic book industry to the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area. With a guest list unequaled in the industry, the Baltimore Comic-Con will be held August 28-29, 2010. For more information, please visit http://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 20 years, the last 5 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 http://www.harveyawards.org/.

Howard Chaykin's Power & Glory is Back!

In this CBR article, acclaimed writer/artist Howard Chaykin talks about the return of his out-of-print work, including the recently re-released Power & Glory. Apparently Midnight Men (formerly of Marvel/Epic's Heavy Hitters line) and Black Kiss (formerly of Vortex Comics and then Eros Comix) will also be returned to print.

Power and Glory