Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for August 12, 2015

IMAGE COMICS

JUN150517     ALEX + ADA TP VOL 03     $12.99
JUN150518     APOLLO IX ONE SHOT CVR A ARGOSINO     $3.99
JUN150519     APOLLO IX ONE SHOT CVR B SEJIC     $3.99
JUN150493     ARTEMIS IX ONE SHOT CVR A DESJARDINS     $3.99
JUN150494     ARTEMIS IX ONE SHOT CVR B SEJIC     $3.99
JUN150495     ASTRONAUTS IN TROUBLE #3     $2.99
JUN150512     BEAUTY #1 CVR A HAUN (MR)     $3.50
JUN150513     BEAUTY #1 CVR B FRISON (MR)     $3.50
JUN150514     BEAUTY #1 CVR C WADA (MR)     $3.50
JUN150521     BLACK SCIENCE TP VOL 03 VANISHING POINT (MR)     $14.99
JUN150496     CHEW TP VOL 10 BLOOD PUDDIN (MR)     $14.99
JUN150524     DESCENDER #6 (MR)     $2.99
JUN150500     DREAM POLICE #7     $2.99
JUN150525     DRIFTER #7 CVR A KLEIN (MR)     $3.50
JUN150526     DRIFTER #7 CVR B MULLER (MR)     $3.50
APR150640     FADE OUT #8 (MR)     $3.50
JUN150501     FUSE #13 (MR)     $3.99
JUN150527     INJECTION #4 CVR A SHALVEY & BELLAIRE (MR)     $2.99
JUN150528     INJECTION #4 CVR B SHALVEY & BELLAIRE (MR)     $2.99
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JUN150531     ODYC #6 (MR)     $3.99
JUN150532     PHONOGRAM THE IMMATERIAL GIRL #1 (MR)     $3.99
JUN150534     REYN #7     $2.99
JUN150535     SATELLITE SAM TP VOL 03 LIMESTONE CAVES OF FIRE (MR)     $14.99
JUN150536     SAVIOR #5     $2.99
JUN150537     SHUTTER #14 (MR)     $3.99
APR150561     SKULLKICKERS #100     $3.99
JUN150538     STARVE #3 (MR)     $3.50
JAN150718     VELVET #11 (MR)     $3.50
JUN150539     WALKING DEAD #145 (MR)     $2.99

IMAGE COMICS/MCFARLANE TOYS

APR158814     MLB MADISON BUMGARNER WORLD SERIES AF     $22.99
MAY150634     WALKING DEAD COMIC SERIES 4 ABRAHAM AF     PI
MAY150633     WALKING DEAD COMIC SERIES 4 AF     PI
MAY150635     WALKING DEAD COMIC SERIES 4 CARL AF     PI
MAY150636     WALKING DEAD COMIC SERIES 4 JESUS AF     PI
MAY150638     WALKING DEAD SER 4 PX CARL/ABRAHAM AF 2-PK     PI

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for May 6, 2015

MARVEL COMICS
MAR150725     ALL NEW CAPTAIN AMERICA SPECIAL #1     $4.99
FEB150864     ALL NEW X-MEN TP VOL 05 ONE DOWN     $19.99
MAR150700     AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #18     $3.99
MAR150719     ANT-MAN #5     $3.99
MAR150690     AVENGERS VS #1     $5.99
DEC140966     CAPTAIN AMERICA RETURN OF WINTER SOLDIER OMNIBUS HC     $99.99
FEB158441     DARTH VADER #1 GRANOV 3RD PTG VAR     $4.99
FEB158445     DARTH VADER #2 GRANOV 3RD PTG VAR     $3.99
FEB150843     FIGMENT HC     $24.99
MAR150711     GEORGE ROMEROS EMPIRE OF DEAD ACT THREE #2     $3.99
DEC140958     GUARDIANS OF GALAXY HC VOL 01 MOVIE CVR     $34.99
MAR150744     GUARDIANS TEAM-UP #5     $3.99
MAR150755     HULK #16     $4.99
MAR150680     INHUMAN ANNUAL #1     $4.99
FEB158468     KANAN LAST PADAWAN #1 BROOKS 2ND PTG VAR     $3.99
MAR150685     KANAN LAST PADAWAN #2     $3.99
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MAR150747     ROCKET RACCOON #11     $3.99
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FEB150858     SECRET WARS PRELUDE TP     $34.99
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JAN150883     STAR WARS OGN HC EPISODE IV NEW HOPE     $24.99
MAR150721     UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL #5     $3.99
MAR150774     WOLVERINES #17     $3.99

Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for November 12, 2014

PREVIEWS PUBLICATIONS
SEP140009     PREVIEWS HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2014     $1.25

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

SEP141773     07 GHOST GN VOL 13     $9.99
JUL141375     ACG CLASSICS COLL PACK OUT OF THE NIGHT BOOKSHOP ED     $89.99
JUN141387     ACG COLL WORKS FORBIDDEN WORLDS HC VOL 08     $47.99
JUL141374     ACG COLL WORKS FORBIDDEN WORLDS SLIPCASE ED VOL 08     $64.99
AUG141539     AIR GEAR GN VOL 32     $10.99
SEP141477     AIR GEAR OMNIBUS GN VOL 04 (MR)     $19.99
SEP141302     ALICE COOPER #3     $3.99
AUG148464     ANNIHILATOR #1 2ND PTG     $3.99
SEP141699     ARCHER & ARMSTRONG ONE PERCENT #1 CVR A DOE     $3.99
SEP141799     AREA 51 THE GRAPHIC HISTORY GN     $19.99
SEP141710     ARMOR HUNTERS TP VOL 01     $14.99
SEP141269     ARMY OF DARKNESS #1992.1 ONE SHOT CVR A PARRILLO MAIN     $7.99
AUG141478     ARSENE SCHRAUWEN HC     $34.99
SEP140981     BABY BLUES COLLECTION TP WETTER LOUDER STICKIER     $18.99
JUL141156     BAD ASS TP VOL 01 (MR)     $15.99
SEP141148     BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA #6 MAIN CVRS     $3.99
AUG148458     BLOOD QUEEN #1 RARE ANACLETO BLOOD RED ED (MR)     PI
SEP141192     BRAVEST WARRIORS #26 MAIN CVRS     $3.99
SEP141514     BRIDES OF HELHEIM #2 (MR)     $3.99
SEP141481     CAGE OF EDEN GN VOL 16     $10.99
SEP141068     CROSSED BADLANDS #65 (MR)     $3.99
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SEP141314     DAMNATION CHARLIE WORMWOOD #2     $3.99
SEP141539     DANCE CLASS HC VOL 08 SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARVES     $10.99
SEP141117     DEEP STATE #1     $3.99
SEP141318     DEJAH THORIS & GREEN MEN OF MARS TP VOL 03 (MR)     $16.99
JUL141221     DISNEY MICKEY MOUSE BOX SET HC VOL 05 & 06     $49.99
JUL141220     DISNEY MICKEY MOUSE HC VOL 06 LOST LANDS LONG AGO     $35.00
SEP141235     DJANGO ZORRO #1 CVR A LEE MAIN     $3.99
JUL140978     EVIL EMPIRE #7 (MR)     $3.99
SEP141300     EX CON #3 (MR)     $2.99
SEP141623     FALSE MEMORIES GN VOL 02 (MR)     $12.99
SEP141469     FINAL INCAL DLX COFFEE TABLE ED (MR)     $189.00
SEP141543     FOREVER SMURFETTE GN     $5.99
SEP141544     FOREVER SMURFETTE HC     $10.99
SEP141153     FRAGGLE ROCK JOURNEY EVERSPRING #2     $3.99
SEP141753     FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST 3IN1 TP VOL 09     $14.99
SEP141835     GFT GODDESS INC #4 A CVR REI (MR)     $3.99
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SEP141832     GFT MASUMI #4 A CVR LASHLEY (MR)     $3.99
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SEP141834     GFT MASUMI #4 C CVR CARDY (MR)     $3.99
JUN140786     GOLD DIGGER #215     $3.99
SEP141618     GRAPHIC CANON OF CHILDRENS LITERATURE TP     $38.95
JUL141157     GRIMM TP VOL 02 BLOODLINES     $19.99
JUN141388     HARVEY HORRORS BLACK CAT MYSTERY SOFTIE TP VOL 05     $24.99
JUL140775     HAWD TALES #1 (MR)     $4.99
SEP141133     HEXED #4     $3.99
SEP141343     HOLMES VS HOUDINI #2 CVR A CAMPBELL MAIN     $3.99
SEP141468     ICHIRO TP     $12.99
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AUG141012     JUGHEAD & ARCHIE COMICS DIGEST #7     $4.99
MAY141494     LEGEND OF BOLD RILEY #3     $4.99
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SEP141333     MERCY THOMPSON #2     $3.99
AUG141573     METALLICA NOTHING ELSE MATTERS GN     $19.95
SEP141157     MOUSE GUARD BALDWIN BRAVE OTHER TALES HC     $14.99
SEP141456     PARALLEL MAN #2     $3.99
SEP141691     Q2 RTN QUANTUM & WOODY #2 CVR A BRIGHT     $3.99
SEP141759     RANMA 1/2 2IN1 TP VOL 05     $14.99
MAY141293     RED SONJA #13 FRISON CVR     $3.99
SEP141760     RIN-NE GN VOL 16     $9.99
AUG141691     ROBERT JORDAN EYE OF THE WORLD TP VOL 03     $16.99
JUN140956     RUSH CLOCKWORK ANGELS #6     $3.99
SEP141485     SEVEN DEADLY SINS GN VOL 05     $10.99
AUG141741     SHADOWMAN DLX HC VOL 01     $39.99
SEP141470     SHADOWS OF SALAMANCA HC (MR)     $29.95
SEP141231     SILVER TP VOL 01 (MR)     $12.99
AUG141029     SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #266 REG CVR     $3.99
SEP141113     SPONGEBOB COMICS #38     $2.99
OCT141659     STRONG FEMALE PROTAGONIST GN BOOK 01 (MR)     $19.95
SEP141158     TEEN DOG #3     $3.99
AUG141571     THANIEL TP (MR)     $12.99
SEP141145     THOMAS ALSOP #6     $3.99
AUG141381     TOM CLANCY SPLINTER CELL ECHOES TP     $16.99
SEP141492     TOWN CALLED DRAGON #3     $3.99
SEP141486     TSUBASA OMNIBUS GN VOL 02     $19.99
SEP141626     TWISTED DARK GN VOL 02     $14.99
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SEP141132     WILDS END #3     $3.99
AUG141611     WWE SUPERSTARS ONGOING TP VOL 02 HAZE OF GLORY     $12.99
AUG141572     XENOGLYPHS TP     $12.99
AUG141639     ZENITH HC PHASE ONE     $25.00

MAGAZINES
AUG141954     BACK ISSUE #77     $8.95
SEP141936     COMIC SHOP NEWS #1430     PI
AUG141962     DOCTOR WHO MAGAZINE #479     $9.99
JUN141695     DRAW #29 (MR)     $8.95
SEP141943     FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND #268 ADDAMS FAMILY COVER     $9.99
SEP141931     ILLUSTRATORS MAGAZINE #8     $24.99
JUN141705     RUE MORGUE MAGAZINE #150     $9.95
SEP141956     STAR WARS INSIDER 2015 SPECIAL     $14.99

BOOKS
SEP141914     ART OF ASSASSINS CREED UNITY HC     $34.95
AUG141865     ART OF BIG HERO 6 HC     $40.00
SEP141849     ART OF ROBERT E MCGINNIS HC     $34.95
SEP141876     AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL COMICS LIFE WRITING IN PICTURES SC     $30.00
SEP141877     DAVE SIM CONVERSATIONS SC     $30.00
AUG141867     DISNEY DURING WORLD WAR II DISNEY STUDIO HC     $40.00
JUL141322     DOMINO LADY MONEY SHOT PROSE NOVEL     $11.95
SEP141900     HARRY HARRISON HARRY HARRISON HC     $26.99
SEP141878     HOWARD CHAYKIN CONVERSATIONS SC     $30.00
MAY141781     INFECTED BY ART BEST OF WORLDS FANTASY SF & HORROR ART HC     $49.99
SEP141904     JAPANESE ANIMATION EAST ASIAN PERSPECTIVES SC     $30.00
AUG141861     MAD GREATEST ARTISTS DON MARTIN 3 DECADES GRTEST WORK HC     $30.00
JUL141648     MARVEL VEHICLES OWNERS WORKSHOP MANUAL HC     $29.95
AUG141862     SECRET HISTORY OF WONDER WOMAN HC     $29.95
AUG142793     WARHAMMER 40K GODS OF MARS HC     $24.99
JUL141650     WORLD ACCORDING TO JOKER HC     $24.95

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 2, 2014

IMAGE COMICS

APR140534     A VOICE IN THE DARK TP VOL 01 (MR)     $19.99
MAY140601     BLACK KISS XXXMAS IN JULY SPECIAL ONE SHOT (MR)     $5.99
MAY140699     CLONE #18 (MR)     $2.99
APR140567     EAST OF WEST #13     $3.50
MAR140570     ELEPHANTMEN #58 (MR)     $3.99
APR140569     FIELD #3 (MR)     $3.50
MAR140539     FIVE GHOSTS TP VOL 02 LOST COASTLINES     $14.99
MAY140592     HACK SLASH SON OF SAMHAIN #1 (MR)     $3.50
JAN140600     LAZARUS #9 (MR)     $2.99
MAY140710     MADAME FRANKENSTEIN #3     $2.99
JAN140606     MORNING GLORIES #39 (MR)     $3.50
APR148432     NAILBITER #2 2ND PTG (MR)     $2.99
MAY140718     NAILBITER #3 (MR)     $2.99
MAY140720     PROTECTORS INC #7 CVR A PURCELL & ATIYEH (MR)     $2.99
MAY140721     PROTECTORS INC #7 CVR B DELIZ & DILLON (MR)     $2.99
MAR140592     SATELLITE SAM #9 (MR)     $3.50
MAR140595     SHELTERED #10     $2.99
MAR140598     SIDEKICK #7 CVR A MANDRAKE & HIFI (MR)     $2.99
MAR140599     SIDEKICK #7 CVR B URUSOV (MR)     $2.99
APR140600     SOUTHERN BASTARDS #3 (MR)     $3.50
MAY140599     TECH JACKET #1     $2.99
MAY140646     TECH JACKET TP VOL 02     $14.99
APR140610     THIEF OF THIEVES #22 (MR)     $2.99
APR140616     WITCHBLADE #176 CVR A BRAGA     $3.99
APR140617     WITCHBLADE #176 CVR B CHRISTOPHER     $3.99
APR140539     WITCHBLADE BORN AGAIN TP VOL 01     $14.99

I Reads You Review: THE SHADOW: Midnight in Moscow #1

THE SHADOW: MIDNIGHT IN MOSCOW #1
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT – @dynamitecomics

WRITER/ARTIST: Howard Chaykin
COLORS: Jesus Aburto
LETTERS: Ken Bruzenak
COVER: Howard Chaykin with Jesus Aburto
VARIANT COVERS: Howard Chaykin
The Shadow created by Walter B. Gibson
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.

Rated T+

In the beginning, The Shadow was as a mysterious radio narrator.  Then, pulp writer Walter B. Gibson fully developed the character into the iconic and mysterious crime-fighting vigilante with psychic powers.  The Shadow became a pop culture icon and is no stranger to comics, having debuted in a daily newspaper comic strip in 1940 and also starring in a comic book series that ran during the 1940s, entitled Shadow Comics.

In 2012, Dynamite Entertainment returned The Shadow to comic books with a new ongoing series.  However, The Shadow once prowled about DC Comics, including a stint in the mid to late 1980s.  It began with The Shadow #1 (cover dated: May 1986), the first issue of a four-issue miniseries.  Written and drawn by Howard Chaykin, the series (eventually known as The Shadow: Blood & Judgment), was a revamp and modernization of The Shadow for the sublimated sex and consequence-free violence that was pop culture in the 1980s.

Howard Chaykin returns to The Shadow in a new miniseries, The Shadow: Midnight in Moscow, from Dynamite Entertainment.  The series features the classic Shadow, but looks at him about 20 years into his crime-fighting career.

The Shadow: Midnight in Moscow #1 (Part 1) opens in New York City, late December 1949.  With the help of his agent, Jericho Druke, The Shadow stops a gold-heist masterminded by Benedict Stark, the self-proclaimed “Prince of Evil.”  As the 1940s prepare to give way to the 1950s, however, Lamont Cranston/Kent Allard is ready to put The Shadow to rest.  Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, a plot that threatens the world begins to formulate in London.

For a time, I was a huge fan of The Shadow.  I read the books that collected the old pulp stories.  I read the comics.  I even found a few cassette recordings of the old radio series.  Last year, I read part of The Shadow: Year One, the miniseries by writer Matt Wagner and artist Wilfredo Torres that took readers back the very beginnings of The Shadow’s crime-busting career in NYC.

Chaykin’s 1980s miniseries began with a bang and lots of blood.  The Shadow: Midnight in Moscow #1 is a molasses-slow setup for the series.  There is nothing here that stands out except Jesus Aburto’s colors, which make even dour London seem like a hoppin’ place.  The colors make the Big Apple sparkle with magic and potential.  I am going to come back for the second issue.

I would probably give The Shadow: Midnight in Moscow #1 a “C” or “C+” grading.  However, I will hold off because there isn’t enough here to really praise or condemn it.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

I Reads You Review: Batman #28

BATMAN #28
DC COMICS – @DCComics

WRITER: Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV
PENCILS: Dustin Nguyen
INKS: Derek Fridolfs
COLORS: John Kalisz
LETTERS: Sal Cipriano
COVER: Dustin Nguyen
VARIANT COVER: Howard Chaykin and Jesus Aburto
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (April 2014)

Batman created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger

DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. have begun the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the debut of Batman (in Detective Comics: cover dated May 1939).  Part of DC Comics’ year-long celebration is the launch of the new, year-long, weekly comic book series, Batman Eternal.  The series launches on April 9, 2014 and will apparently consist of 60 issues.

Batman Eternal will feature Batman, his allies, and Gotham City, and will be written by Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, Ray Fawkes, Kyle Higgins, and Tim Seeley.  Writer John Layman was originally scheduled to write for Batman Eternal.  Although he is no longer associated with the project, the work he finished before departing will apparently still be seen in the first 12 issues.  Batman Eternal will work in tandem with the ongoing, regular Batman comic book series, which is written by Scott Snyder.

Batman #28 offers a preview of Batman Eternal.  It contains a 24-page story entitled “Gotham Eternal.”  The story opens in a near-future Gotham, where a mysterious young female infiltrates The Egyptian, “the only nightclub left in New Gotham.”  She runs afoul of a group of heavies who seem to run the club.  How do Batman and Selina Kyle fit into this scenario, and what does the young female need so badly that she would risk her life to enter this club?

I’m intrigued by Batman Eternal.  Why, you ask?  Well, I’ve been a life-long Batman fan, and I am excited about the 75th anniversary.  And although I have never bought very many of them, I am always curious about weekly comic book series.  Batman #28 hints at a dark, dystopian-lite future that finds Batman imperiled.  So, what the heck?  I’m in.

Batman #28 includes a six-page preview of American Vampire: Second Cycle – WRITER: Scott Snyder; ARTIST: Rafael Albuquerque; COLORS: Dave McCaig; and LETTERS: Steve Wands

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 5 2014

IMAGE COMICS

JAN140574 APOCALYPSE AL #2 CVR A KOTIAN & FARMER (MR) $2.99
JAN140575 APOCALYPSE AL #2 CVR B OLIVETTI (MR) $2.99
NOV130436 BEDLAM TP VOL 02 $14.99
DEC138449 BLACK SCIENCE #3 2ND PTG (MR) $3.50
JAN140578 BURN THE ORPHANAGE BORN TO LOSE #3 CVR A GRACE (MR) $4.99
JAN140579 BURN THE ORPHANAGE BORN TO LOSE #3 CVR B COKER (MR) $4.99
DEC130564 CLONE #15 $2.99
JAN140543 DARKNESS VICIOUS TRADITIONS #1 $3.99
DEC138465 DEAD BODY ROAD #2 2ND PTG (MR) $2.99
JAN140584 DRUMHELLAR #5 (MR) $3.50
JAN140552 FATALE DLX ED HC VOL 01 (MR) $39.99
JAN140595 INVINCIBLE UNIVERSE #11 $2.99
AUG130699 JUPITERS LEGACY #4 CVR A QUITELY (MR) $2.99
AUG130700 JUPITERS LEGACY #4 CVR B HITCH (MR) $2.99
OCT138154 JUPITERS LEGACY #4 CVR C MCQUE (MR) $2.99
DEC138467 MANIFEST DESTINY #1 4TH PTG $2.99
DEC130561 PROGENY VALUE PACK $10.00
DEC130589 REVIVAL #18 (MR) $2.99
NOV130453 SATELLITE SAM TP VOL 01 (MR) $9.99
DEC130593 SAVIORS #3 (MR) $2.99
SEP130637 SECRET #6 $3.50
JAN140531 STARLIGHT #1 CVR A CASSADAY (MR) $2.99
JAN140532 STARLIGHT #1 CVR B PARLOV (MR) $2.99
JAN140539 TALES OF HONOR #1 CVR A YOON $2.99
JAN140540 TALES OF HONOR #1 CVR B SEJIC $2.99
JAN140541 TALES OF HONOR #1 CVR C EKEDAL $2.99
JAN140542 TALES OF HONOR #1 CVR D TATAPOLOUS $2.99
NOV130530 VELVET #4 (MR) $2.99
JAN140559 WALKING DEAD TP VOL 20 ALL OUT WAR PT 1 (MR) $14.99

IMAGE COMICS/MCFARLANE TOYS

NOV130541 WALKING DEAD TV SERIES 5 CHARRED WALKER AF PI
NOV130537 WALKING DEAD TV SERIES 5 GLENN AF PI
NOV130539 WALKING DEAD TV SERIES 5 MAGGIE AF PI
NOV130540 WALKING DEAD TV SERIES 5 MERLE WALKER AF PI
NOV130538 WALKING DEAD TV SERIES 5 TYREESE AF PI

"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.

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 11 2013

Digital Comics: Digital new releases available from your local comic book shop are marked below. [DIG] = Digital version available. [DIG/P+] = Print-Plus digital/print combo pack available. For more information, go to www.digitalcomicsreader.com.

IMAGE COMICS

OCT138100 ALEX + ADA #1 2ND PTG $2.99
OCT130591 ALEX + ADA #2 [DIG] $2.99
JUL130517 ARTIFACTS #25 10 COPY SGN ED $20.00
AUG130688 CHEW #38 (MR) [DIG] $2.99
MAY130549 DARKNESS #116 (MR) [DIG] $3.99
OCT130446 DEAD BODY ROAD #1 (MR) [DIG] $2.99
OCT138002 DRUMHELLAR (PREVIOUSLY STRANGEWAYS) #1 2ND PTG (MR) $3.50
OCT130598 DRUMHELLAR (PREVIOUSLY STRANGEWAYS) #2 (MR) [DIG] $3.50
SEP130509 GODLAND FINALE $6.99
OCT130491 HAPPY DLX HC $24.99
AUG130697 INVINCIBLE #107 [DIG] $2.99
OCT130448 KRAMPUS #1 [DIG] $2.99
SEP130515 LAZARUS #5 (MR) $2.99
OCT138101 MANIFEST DESTINY #1 2ND PTG $2.99
OCT130608 MANIFEST DESTINY #2 [DIG] $2.99
SEP130543 MORNING GLORIES TP VOL 06 [DIG] $14.99
OCT130612 PROTECTORS INC #2 CVR A PURCELL & ATIYEH (MR) [DIG] $2.99
OCT130613 PROTECTORS INC #2 CVR B DE LIZ & DILLON (MR) $2.99
SEP130635 SATELLITE SAM #5 (MR) [DIG] $3.50
OCT130500 SHELTERED TP VOL 01 [DIG] $9.99
OCT130502 SNAPSHOT TP [DIG] $12.99
OCT130628 THREE #3 [DIG] $2.99
OCT130633 WALKING DEAD #118 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for August 7 2013

Digital Comics: Digital new releases available from your local comic book shop are marked below. [DIG] = Digital version available. [DIG/P+] = Print-Plus digital/print combo pack available. For more information, go to www.digitalcomicsreader.com.

IMAGE COMICS

JAN130571 ACTIVITY #14 [DIG] $3.50
APR130526 ARTIFACTS #30 [DIG] $3.99
JUN130535 BLACKACRE #9 (MR) [DIG] $2.99
JUN130429 BURN THE ORPHANAGE BORN TO LOSE #1 [DIG] $3.99
DEC120555 CYBER FORCE #5 [DIG] PI
APR130449 DISTANT SOIL TP VOL 01 THE GATHERING [DIG] $16.99
MAY130553 FATALE #16 (MR) [DIG] $3.50
JUN130546 INVINCIBLE UNIVERSE #5 [DIG] $2.99
MAR130574 LEGEND OF LUTHER STRODE #6 (MR) [DIG] $3.50
FEB130455 MANHATTAN PROJECTS #13 [DIG] $3.50
MAY130566 MINIATURE JESUS #4 (MR) [DIG] $3.99
APR130567 PROPHET #38 [DIG] $3.99
MAY130495 SAGA LYING CAT T/S BLACK MENS SM $19.99
MAY130496 SAGA LYING CAT T/S BLACK MENS MED $19.99
MAY130497 SAGA LYING CAT T/S BLACK MENS LG $19.99
MAY130498 SAGA LYING CAT T/S BLACK MENS XL $19.99
MAY130499 SAGA LYING CAT T/S BLACK MENS XXL $22.99
MAY130500 SAGA LYING CAT T/S BLACK WOMENS SM $19.99
MAY130501 SAGA LYING CAT T/S BLACK WOMENS MED $19.99
MAY130502 SAGA LYING CAT T/S BLACK WOMENS LG $19.99
MAY130503 SAGA LYING CAT T/S BLACK WOMENS XL $19.99
MAY130504 SAGA LYING CAT T/S WHITE MENS SM $19.99
MAY130505 SAGA LYING CAT T/S WHITE MENS MED $19.99
MAY130506 SAGA LYING CAT T/S WHITE MENS LG $19.99
MAY130507 SAGA LYING CAT T/S WHITE MENS XL $19.99
MAY130508 SAGA LYING CAT T/S WHITE MENS XXL $22.99
MAY130509 SAGA LYING CAT T/S WHITE WOMENS SM $19.99
MAY130510 SAGA LYING CAT T/S WHITE WOMENS MED $19.99
MAY130511 SAGA LYING CAT T/S WHITE WOMENS LG $19.99
MAY130512 SAGA LYING CAT T/S WHITE WOMENS XL $19.99
MAY138256 SATELLITE SAM #1 2ND PTG (MR) $3.50
JUN130558 SATELLITE SAM #2 (MR) [DIG] $3.50
JUN130561 SHELTERED #2 [DIG] $2.99
JUN130425 SIDEKICK #1 CVR A MANDRAKE (MR) [DIG] $2.99
JUN130426 SIDEKICK #1 CVR B ADLARD (MR) $2.99
JUN130565 TEN GRAND #4 (MR) [DIG] $2.99
JUN130497 TODD THE UGLIEST KID ON EARTH TP VOL 01 $9.99

Review: THE SHADOW: Year One #4

THE SHADOW: YEAR ONE #4
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT – @dynamitecomics

WRITER: Matt Wagner
ARTIST: Wilfredo Torres
COLORS: Brennan Wagner
LETTERS: Simon Bowland
COVER: Matt Wagner (A), Alex Ross (B), Chris Samnee (C), Howard Chaykin (D)
The Shadow created by Walter B. Gibson
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.

Rated T+

After some years, I’m finally reading a comic book starring seminal old-time radio and pulp magazine vigilante and crime fighter, The Shadow, and I’ve had some mixed feelings about it.  Now, I truly satisfied… at least, for now.

Dynamite Entertainment has brought The Shadow back to comic books.  Dynamite’s latest release featuring the dark avenger who knows what fear lurks in hearts of men is The Shadow: Year One.

Depicting the beginnings of The Shadow’s campaign against crime, The Shadow: Year One is written by Matt Wagner and drawn by Wilfredo Torres.  The adventure begins in Cambodia, 1929 and moves to New York City on October 30, 1929.  That’s when wealthy, world traveler and adventurer, Lamont Cranston, becomes The Shadow and begins a war on evil in America.

As The Shadow: Year One #4 opens, Guiseppe “Joe” Massaretti, top crime boss in New York City, forms some kind of union with the mysterious Dr. Zorn.  Meanwhile, a young newspaper reporter finds that the closer he gets to Lamont Cranston, the farther away the hard-to-find millionaire seems to be.

After being saved from Carlo Luppino by The Shadow, insurance salesman, Claude Fellowes, learns the price he owes the dark avenger.  At the same time, Lupino is the one who needs saving, as he goes on the run.  Plus, in case she misunderstood, The Shadow informs Margo Lane what her relationship with Lamont Cranston will be.

I saw The Shadow: Year One #3 as an improvement over the first two issues of the miniseries because it emphasized confrontation and violence, rather than only talk and character development.  I understand that, early on, writer Matt Wagner was trying to establish the plot, setting, and characters for the series.  However, the series just did not seem like a story that deserved to run under the banner of The Shadow.  It seemed as if the story were waiting for something to really happen.

Now, with this fourth issue, The Shadow: Year One offers the kind of explosive episode that deserves to be called The Shadow.  The gamesmanship, the intrigue, the mystery and suspense; it’s on now, baby!  Oh, I mean… this is most excellent writing indeed.

I have had mixed feelings, to put it mildly, about the art by Wilfredo Torres, but he’s hitting his stride at the midway point in the series.  Now, Torres’ art has a graphic sensibility that recalls Golden Age comic book art.  It’s a visual aesthetic similar to Paul Smith’s art for The Golden Age, a 1990s DC Comics miniseries.  Smith adapted his style in way that would recall Golden Age comic book art.  Torres, in a similar fashion, is doing that with his art for this series, with increasingly good results.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

Review: SATELLITE SAM #1

SATELLITE SAM #1
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

WRITER: Matt Fraction
ARTIST: Howard Chaykin
LETTERS: Ken Bruzenak
COVER: Howard Chaykin with Jesus Aburtov
32pp, Color, $3.50 U.S. (July 2013)

Part 1: “The Big Fade Out”

Howard Chaykin was one of the signature comic book creators of the 1980s. He is practically a legend for his highly-influential science fiction series, American Flagg! (one of the greatest comic books of all time). Chaykin also produced two visually-striking, but controversial revamps for DC Comics, The Shadow and Blackhawk.

Now, Chaykin joins prolific Marvel Comics scribe Matt Fraction (Hawkeye, Iron Man) for Satellite Sam, a new comic book series published by Image Comics. Written by Fraction and drawn by Chaykin, Satellite Sam is an ongoing black and white series and murder mystery set in the 1950s during the Golden Age of Television.

Satellite Sam #1 opens in New York City, 1951, specifically the building that is home to upstart television network, LeMonde. Inside, cast and crew are in the middle of a live broadcast of the late-afternoon, kiddie sci-fi program, “Satellite Sam.” However, the star of the show, Carlyle White, is a no-show.

Meanwhile, LeMonde’s head honcho, Doc Ginsberg, is trying to gather investors for a nationwide expansion. Carlyle’s son, Michael, is about to take a big step in his television career, but then, daddy is found dead in a filthy flophouse. Now, Michael White has to stay sober long enough to clean up the mess his father left behind and to solve the mystery surrounding his death.

Some months ago, I received a press release from Image Comics announcing the arrival of Satellite Sam. I have to admit that I am interested in any project that involves Howard Chaykin, especially when he’s drawing it. I don’t really care about Matt Fraction, one way or the other. Still, I was excited to receive a PDF copy of Satellite Sam #1 from Image.

The following is a two-paragraph selection from Image’s press release announcing this series:

"It's a detective story, a history of television, and a record of addiction, sex, and depravity during a time when the antiseptic shine off Ozzie and Harriet obscure what was really happening in the world,” said writer Fraction. "And these are just a few of the many joys that come from telling a story about television while it was being invented as a mass medium in New York City.”

The creative team researched television's early days in preparation for the series, getting a feel for the era and for the people who lived real lives while inventing an idealized — and fictionalized — image of families and relationships.

What is discussed in those two paragraphs, I didn’t really get from reading Satellite Sam #1, which is not to say that the first issue is low quality. This first issue is really a prologue, but it promises some intriguing hints at what lies ahead.

What this first issue offers in full is a chance to see Howard Chaykin the artist and storyteller at work. He is one of the most imaginative page designers ever to work in American comics. His sense of graphic design impresses. His skill at art direction and set building (as content within his art) rarely produce comic book art that is not a wonder to behold.

Honestly, Satellite Sam is not Chaykin’s best work, but it is still quite good. In coming issues, we will see if Fraction’s ambitions deliver an ambitious story or yet another tired-ass tale about the darkness behind idealized, shiny White America.

B

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 3 2013

Digital Comics: Digital new releases available from your local comic book shop are marked below. [DIG] = Digital version available. [DIG/P+] = Print-Plus digital/print combo pack available. For more information, go to www.digitalcomicsreader.com.

IMAGE COMICS

APR130425 AGE OF BRONZE #33 [DIG] $3.50

MAY130545 BLACKACRE #8 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

APR130431 DARK SKULLKICKERS DARK #1 CVR A HUANG & ZUB [DIG] $3.50

APR130432 DARK SKULLKICKERS DARK #1 CVR B OH $3.50

APR130538 FIVE WEAPONS #5 [DIG] $3.50

MAY130557 INVINCIBLE UNIVERSE #4 [DIG] $2.99

MAY130485 MASKS & MOBSTERS HC VOL 01 (MR) [DIG] $19.99

MAY130560 MICE TEMPLAR IV LEGEND #4 CVR A OEMING [DIG] $2.99

MAY130561 MICE TEMPLAR IV LEGEND #4 CVR B SANTOS & FREE $2.99

MAY130401 SATELLITE SAM #1 (MR) [DIG] $3.50

MAY130571 SPAWN #233 [DIG] $2.99

MAY130574 TEN GRAND #3 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

APR130576 THIEF OF THIEVES #15 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

IMAGE COMICS/MCFARLANE TOYS

APR131808 TMP 2013 SF GIANTS CHAMPIONSHIP 3PK AF SET PI

Review: THE SHADOW: Year One #3

THE SHADOW: YEAR ONE #3
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT – @dynamitecomics

WRITER: Matt Wagner
ARTIST: Wilfredo Torres
COLORS: Brennan Wagner
LETTERS: Simon Bowland
COVERS: Matt Wagner (A), Alex Ross (B), Chris Samnee (C), Howard Chaykin (D)
The Shadow created by Walter B. Gibson
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.

Rated T+

Dynamite Entertainment returned The Shadow to comic books. The Shadow: Year One is Dynamite’s latest comic book series featuring the dark avenger who knows what fear lurks in the hearts of men.

This new miniseries imagines the beginnings of The Shadow’s campaign against crime and is written by Matt Wagner and drawn by Wilfredo Torres. The adventure begins in Cambodia, 1929 and moves to New York City on October 30, 1929. That’s when wealthy, world traveler and adventurer, Lamont Cranston, becomes The Shadow and begins a war on evil in America.

As The Shadow: Year One #3 opens, an insurance broker named Fellowes is summoned before crime boss, Carlo Luppino, AKA “the Dandy Don.” Luppino wants a new agent for his criminal enterprise, but The Shadow is also seeking agents. Meanwhile, after inviting herself into his home, Margo Lane confronts Lamont Cranston.

Because it emphasizes confrontation and violence (of course), The Shadow: Year One #3 is the best issue of the series since the first issue. In fact, this third issue is a big improvement over issue #2, which writer Matt Wagner used to establish what are likely to be the dominate plot lines of this miniseries. That was a dialogue-heavy issue, with an emphasis on establishing the personalities, conflicts, motivations, etc. of the cast – besides The Shadow. There is not a thing wrong with that; it simply came across as flat in its execution.

Issue #3, however, is about bad guys, the kind of fictional violent, remorseless killers that deserve to have the sword of justice brought down on them. Thank goodness that Matt Wagner finally, really unleashes The Shadow’s pistols. Honestly, I didn’t know that I was that crazy about cap-popping in comic books; after all, I haven’t read The Punisher in years. Wagner also has some fun with the Lamont Cranston/Margo Lane dynamic; it’s good to see them go at each other.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

Review: THE SHADOW: Year One #2

THE SHADOW: YEAR ONE #2
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT – @dynamitecomics

WRITER: Matt Wagner
ARTIST: Wilfredo Torres
COLORS: Brennan Wagner
LETTERS: Simon Bowland
COVERS: Matt Wagner (A), Alex Ross (B), Chris Samnee (C), Howard Chaykin (D)
The Shadow created by Walter B. Gibson
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.

The Shadow began as the mysterious narrator of the radio series, Detective Story Hour. Then, pulp writer Walter B. Gibson, under the pen name Maxwell Grant, fully developed the character into the one we know, the mysterious crime-fighting vigilante with psychic powers. The Shadow became a pop culture icon. The character is no stranger to comics, having debuted in a daily newspaper comic strip in 1940 and also starring in a comic book series that ran during the 1940s, entitled Shadow Comics.

In 2012, The Shadow returned to comic books via Dynamite Entertainment. Dynamite’s latest release featuring the dark avenger who knows about fear lurking in hearts is The Shadow: Year One, a new miniseries from writer Matt Wagner and artist Wilfredo Torres. The adventure begins in Cambodia, 1929 and moves to New York City on October 30, 1929. That’s when wealthy, world traveler and adventurer, Lamont Cranston, becomes The Shadow and begins a war on crime in America.

As The Shadow: Year One #2 opens, The Shadow rescues Margo Lane, a mobster’s sex toy (a.k.a. “piece of ass”) from that mobster’s goons, Vinnie and Sal. You see, Ms. Lane is or was Guiseppe “Joe” Massaretti’s lover, but he didn’t need her services anymore and wanted to get rid of her permanently. Surprisingly, Ms. Lane recognizes her rescuer. Meanwhile, a young reporter continues to track Cranston, as a mob war begins.

Writer Matt Wagner uses The Shadow: Year One #2 to establish what are likely to be the dominate plot lines of this miniseries. This is a dialogue-heavy issue, so the emphasis is on establishing the personalities, conflicts, motivations, etc. of the cast – besides The Shadow. Surprisingly, Wagner’s exposition (which appears in the caption boxes) is stiff and kinda dull. This is surprising because Wagner, a veteran writer/artist and comic book scribe, is usually in top form. So far, The Shadow: Year One has not been anywhere near his best work.

This issue, the art by Wilfredo Torres looks like a broken-down version of David Mazzuchelli’s art for Batman: Year One. The compositions are arthritic, and the figure drawing is awkward. Both Wagner and Torres are capable of better, and I’m sure or I hope they will deliver better in future issues.

B-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

Review: THE SHADOW Year One #1

THE SHADOW: YEAR ONE #1
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT – @dynamitecomics

WRITER: Matt Wagner
ARTIST: Wilfredo Torres
COLORS: Brennan Wagner
LETTERS: Simon Bowland
COVER: Matt Wagner (A), Alex Ross (B), Chris Samnee (C), Howard Chaykin (D)
The Shadow created by Walter B. Gibson
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.

“Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows.”

He has influenced such characters as Batman, Green Arrow, the Green Hornet, and Alan Moore’s V from V for Vendetta, but The Shadow began as a sinister voice on the radio, the mysterious narrator of a radio series.

Then, pulp writer Walter B. Gibson fully developed the character into the one we know. The Shadow became the mysterious crime-fighting vigilante with psychic powers that appeared in novel-length stories published in pulp magazines. The Shadow became a pop culture icon. The character is no stranger to comics, having debuted in a daily newspaper comic strip in 1940 and having also starred in a comic book series entitled Shadow Comics that ran during the 1940s.

In 2012, Dynamite Entertainment returned The Shadow to comic books with a new regular series. Dynamite’s latest release is The Shadow: Year One, a new miniseries from writer Matt Wagner and artist Wilfredo Torres.

The Shadow: Year One #1 opens in Cambodia, 1929. Chanda, a young gang member, runs to his cousin for aid. It seems his boss, the fearsome warlord, Kai-Pang, has been killed by “a dark spirit… thirsting for vengeance.” Now, that spirit wants Chanda.

Later, on October 30, 1929, the wealthy, world traveler and adventurer, Lamont Cranston, arrives by ship in New York City. A young reporter’s interest is piqued by Cranston’s return to America. Meanwhile, Margo Lane, a kept woman, is having a disagreement with her keeper, New York-based criminal and hood, Guiseppe “Joe” Massaretti. Margo and Joe’s relationship is about to bring The Shadow out of the shadows.

For a time, I was a huge fan of The Shadow. I read Howard Chaykin’s four-issue miniseries, The Shadow (DC Comics), several times. Chaykin, who provides one of four covers for the first issue of The Shadow: Year One, created a very popular re-imagining (before that word was used) of The Shadow. Eventually collected as The Shadow: Blood and Judgment, Chaykin’s miniseries was also controversial.

Whereas Chaykin’s The Shadow was flashy, crazy, sexy, cool and maybe just a tad bit aggressive and in-your-face, The Shadow, as drawn by Wilfredo Torres, is quiet and smooth. Torres’ art is straight from the David Mazzuchelli school of comics-as-Film-Noir, but this is a low-budget Film-Noir, with straight-ahead camera work. It’s no frills, just meat-and-potatoes, as if the camera just stands still and shoots what is in front of it.

Matt Wagner’s script offers intriguing tidbits throughout, but he writes a first issue that is frustratingly and mostly set-up. This is barely a prologue. The way this story is presented seems to suggest that the actual story hasn’t really started. Will this series turn out to be good? I’ll put my money on Wagner to deliver quality, if not excellent, work. But for now, this first issue is so much cock-tease.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for February 20 2013

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

DEC120942 ADVENTURE TIME #13 [DIG] $3.99

DEC121243 BENJAMIN BEAR IN FUZZY THINKING TP $4.99

DEC121244 BENNY AND PENNY TOY BREAKER TP $4.99

DEC120818 BETTY & VERONICA #264 REG CVR [DIG/P+] $2.99

SEP121037 BIONIC WOMAN #8 $3.99

DEC121245 CHICK AND CHICKIE IN PLAY ALL DAY TP $4.99

OCT121109 CREEPY KOFY MOVIE TIME COMIC $3.99

DEC120854 CROSSED ANNUAL 2013 #1 (MR) $5.99

DEC120856 CROSSED ANNUAL 2013 #1 TORTURE CVR (MR) $5.99

DEC120855 CROSSED ANNUAL 2013 #1 WRAP CVR (MR) $5.99

NOV121293 DANCE I/T VAMPIRE BUND OMNIBUS VOL 02 $19.99

DEC121013 DEJAH THORIS & GREEN MEN OF MARS #1 (MR) $3.99

DEC121014 DEJAH THORIS & GREEN MEN OF MARS #1 EXC SUBSCRIPTION $3.99

SEP121072 DF JUDGE DREDD SWIERCZYNSKI SGN ED PI

SEP121065 DF UNCANNY AVENGERS #1 CGC 9.8 $89.99

NOV121164 DF VAMPIRELLA #26 RISQUE RED CVR (MR) $19.99

DEC120925 DIE HARD YEAR ONE TP VOL 01 (NOTE PRICE) $9.99

DEC120931 FANBOYS VS ZOMBIES #11 MAIN CVRS [DIG] $3.99

DEC121263 HARBINGER (ONGOING) #9 REG SUAYAN CVR $3.99

DEC120913 HELLRAISER DARK WATCH #1 (MR) [DIG] $3.99

DEC121246 JEFF SMITH LITTLE MOUSE GETS READY TP $4.99

DEC121143 KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #195 $5.99

DEC120822 LIFE WITH ARCHIE #27 RUIZ CVR [DIG/P+] $3.99

NOV121295 LIZZIE NEWTON VICTORIAN MYSTERIES GN VOL 02 $11.99

OCT121040 LORD OF THE JUNGLE #13 (MR) $3.99

OCT121154 MERMIN HC VOL 01 $19.99

DEC121065 MOOMIN BUILDS A HOUSE GN $9.95

DEC121066 MOOMIN FALLS IN LOVE GN $9.95

DEC121062 PLUME #2 $3.99

OCT120973 SCAM #3 (MR) $3.99

DEC120984 SHADOW YEAR ONE #1 CVR A WAGNER $3.99

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DEC120986 SHADOW YEAR ONE #1 CVR C SAMNEE $3.99

DEC120987 SHADOW YEAR ONE #1 CVR D CHAYKIN $3.99

NOV121106 SHERLOCK HOLMES LIVERPOOL DEMON #2 $3.99

DEC120897 SIMPSONS COMICS #199 $2.99

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DEC120830 SONIC SUPER DIGEST #2 [P+] $3.99

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NOV121020 TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #78 DLX ED (MR) $19.99

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MAGAZINES

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BOOKS

DEC120967 ETERNAL ZACHARYS STORY GN $19.99

NOV121469 UNDER THE MOONS OF MARS NEW ADV ON BARSOOM SC $9.99

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I Reads You Review: Star Wars #1

STAR WARS #1
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics

["Star Wars Central" review page is here.]

SCRIPT: Brian Wood
ART: Carlos D’Anda
COLORS: Gabe Eltaeb
LETTERS: Michael Heisler
COVER: Alex Ross
28pp, Color, $2.99 U.S.

“In the Shadow of Yavin” Part One (of Three)

In the timeline of Star Wars Expanded Universe, “The Rebellion” is a five-year period that begins with the Battle of Yavin, the climatic battle in Star Wars in which the Death Star is destroyed. It includes the events depicted in the classic Star Wars films (the original trilogy): Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi. This story period ends with the death of the Emperor, high over the forest moon of Endor and also as the Rebellion starts to transform itself into a government.

This is the story period in which Dark Horse Comics is setting its new Star Wars comic book series, simply entitled Star Wars. The series will explore new storytelling possibilities that “The Rebellion” period offers (according to Dark Horse Comics editor, Randy Stradley).

[According to Dark Horse: This is Star Wars as you remember it . . . and as you have never seen it before! We’re taking you back to those heady, adventure-filled days following the destruction of the Death Star—when the Empire ruled, the Rebels were on the run, and the galaxy was a dangerous place where anything might happen! The creative of Star Wars is writer Brian Wood, artist Carlos D’Anda, colorist Gabe Eltaeb, and letterer Michael Heisler. Alex Ross provides the cover for the first issue.]

Star Wars #1 opens after the Battle of Yavin, in which the Rebel Alliance destroyed the Galactic Empire’s fearsome space station, the Death Star. Still, the Alliance struggles. New allies are hard to gain, as even systems and worlds that have been able to fend off the Empire’s advances, refuse to side with the rebels. The Alliance also needs new sources of supplies, and most of all, they need a new permanent base.

That’s why the three-member, X-Wing, exploration team of Senator (Princess) Leia Organa, flight officer Luke Skywalker, and fighter pilot Wedge Antilles enter the Dominus Sector in the Outer Rim Territories. Meanwhile, Han Solo, with a death mark on his head in practically every system, and Chewbacca go on a mission for the Rebel Alliance. Mon Mothma, leader of the Alliance, makes a shocking offer to Senator Leia.

Meanwhile, the Emperor prepares to make his own moves in the aftermath of the Battle of Yavin. How will Darth Vader fare?

[This issue comes with a code to download a free digital issue of the comic book.]

First, I have to admit that when I read Star Wars novels, I read the ones involving characters from the original Star Wars film trilogy. Secondly, I can’t remember reading a Dark Horse Comics-produced Star Wars comic book that I did not like. Thus, I love this new Star Wars series. What’s do I like about it? The work of the creative team is what.

Dark Horse Comics may push the “come back to the adventure” angle, but for this series to thrive, the characters and the character drama will have to capture the reader’s imagination. Enter Brian Wood, an illustrator, comic book artist, and writer known for writing captivating characters in science fiction and fantasy settings.

Wood not only imagines and fashions conflicts within individual characters, but he also constructs lines of tension and conflict between allies and friends. The reader might wonder what is going on between Luke, who thinks often of what has been lost (even after victory), and Leia, who looks steadfastly towards the future. In Han Solo, Wood presents a man who is both a hustler and a survivor, but he seems to asks, can this man be hero in what might essentially be a lost cause. Also, Wood may be the only writer outside of George Lucas and Lawrence Kasdan who has probed so deeply into the desires and struggles behind the mask of Darth Vader.

Visually and graphically, artist Carlos D’Anda never lets the reader doubt that this is classic Star Wars. In terms of style, D’Anda’s art recalls the very first Star Wars comic book artist, Howard Chaykin. D’Anda takes the cartoonish elegance of J. Scott Campbell (obviously an influence on him) and turns it into compositions that emphasize storytelling over quirkiness and style. However, it is the detail D’Anda puts in the Star Wars tech and star ships, the customs, sets, backgrounds, and backdrops that are the most impressive. Looking at the detail he puts into drawing the X-Wing and Tie Interceptors, for example, makes me wonder if D’Anda draws this solo. Gabe Eltaeb’s sparkling colors make the art even livelier.

I’ll just get it out of the way and say that this new Star Wars starts off the New Year as one of the best new series of the year. Readers of Star Wars comics and fans of the original Star Wars trilogy should try this Star Wars comic book, at least once.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

Comics Review: Mighty Love

MIGHTY LOVE
DC COMICS

WRITER/ARTIST: Howard Chaykin
LETTER: Kurt Hathaway
COLORS: Dave Stewart
ISBN: 978-1-56389-930-1; hardcover
96pp, Color, $24.95 US, $37.95 CAN

Mighty Love is a 2004 hardcover graphic novel from Howard Chaykin, the creator of one of the most influential comic books of the last 30 years, American Flagg! [In 2005, DC published a paperback version of Mighty Love.] Mighty Love isn’t on the level of American Flagg!, but Chaykin’s trademark smart-ass dialogue and distinctive artwork are plentiful here.

Mighty Love revolves around two costumed heroes, Iron Angel and Skylark. By day, Lincoln Reinhardt is a wealthy liberal attorney who defends criminals, but he is secretly tired of the moral morass that is his professional life. So by night, Reinhardt becomes the masked vigilante, Iron Angel, defending the justice he circumvents every day by bashing the kind of scum he normally represents. By day, Delaney Pope is a straight-arrow detective serving in a crooked police department, but she is tired of working in a murky world of ethical compromise. So by night, this conservative cop becomes Skylark, a bleeding heart masked defender of the justice that she circumvents as an agent of a corrupt administration.

Iron Angel and Skylark, who were previously unaware of each other’s existence, join forces after a fundraiser turns deadly during a robbery. The police are looking at Lincoln’s girlfriend, Bess Autrey, as a prime suspect. Delaney, who despises Lincoln, is the lead detective. If only Delaney Pope knew that Skylark’s new pal, Iron Angel, is none other than her nemesis Lincoln Reinhardt…

While Mighty Love might not be American Flagg!, Mighty Love resembles Howard Chaykin’s mid-1980s revamps of The Shadow and Blackhawk for DC Comics. This story has the same crisp graphic inventiveness mixed with the look of 1940s Film-Noir. Chaykin has toned down the sexual perversity of his 80s work, in favor of sexual innuendo, but Chaykin retains the snappy dialogue readers have come to expect from the comics he writes. There is even a running joke about euphemisms (like “packing heat” and “blow this pop stand”).

In a way, Mighty Love is an “old reliable” type Chaykin comic. His fans know what they’re getting, but what they’re getting is entertaining. Nothing here is earth-moving, but Chaykin brings the opposites-attract romance, superhero genre, and urban crime fiction together in a way they would seemingly not mesh. It’s as if these genres together are a natural thing – three great tastes that taste quite good together – and it’s all so lighthearted, in spite of the violence.

Devotees of superhero comics will understand why Chaykin eschews exploring the reasons why a police detective and a criminal defense attorney would moonlight as costumed vigilantes, even though the trend the last 30 years is to dig in the dirt to find out why Spider-Man, Batman, and others put on masks, cowls, capes, and even spandex. Mighty Love is simply here to be loved. It’s like a neo-golden age Hollywood film, drawn with Chaykin’s visual detail for urban settings, snazzy interiors, and sharply-dressed characters.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 7 2012

IMAGE COMICS

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