Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 6, 2024

MARVEL COMICS

JUL240648 ALIENS VS AVENGERS #2 (OF 4) $7.99

JUL240649 ALIENS VS AVENGERS #2 (OF 4) ANDREA SORRENTINO VAR $7.99

JUL240651 ALIENS VS AVENGERS #2 (OF 4) MATEUS MANHANINI VAR $7.99

JUL240894 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN BLOOD HUNT TP $19.99

JUL240907 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN EPIC COLLECT TP VOL 28 WEB LIFE WEB DEATH $44.99

SEP240868 AVENGERS #20 $3.99

SEP240869 AVENGERS #20 ELENA CASAGRANDE STORMBREAKERS VAR $3.99

AUG247623 AVENGERS #20 EPIC GAMES MARVEL FORTNITE CAPTAIN JONES VAR $3.99

SEP240870 AVENGERS #20 PACO MEDINA THE THING VAR $3.99

SEP240871 AVENGERS #20 SERGIO DAVILA VAR $3.99

SEP240907 BLOOD HUNTERS #4 (OF 5) $3.99

JUL240904 CAPTAIN AMERICA BY STRACZYNSKI TP VOL 02 TRYING TO COME HOME $17.99

JUL240912 CAPTAIN AMERICA EPIC COLLECT TP VOL 16 STREETS OF POISON $49.99

AUG240971 DOOM BY SANFORD GREENE POSTER $8.99

SEP240694 KAHHORI RESHAPER OF WORLDS #1 $4.99

SEP240695 KAHHORI RESHAPER OF WORLDS #1 MARIA WOLF VAR $4.99

SEP240696 KAHHORI RESHAPER OF WORLDS #1 MARVEL ANIMATION VAR $4.99

APR240739 KID VENOM #3 $3.99

APR240741 KID VENOM #3 LUCIANO VECCHIO VAR $3.99

APR240740 KID VENOM #3 PHILIP TAN HOMAGE VAR $3.99

AUG240974 MARVEL GRAPHIC COMIC BOX DOOM (BUNDLES OF 5) $60.00

AUG240975 MARVEL GRAPHIC COMIC BOX WEST COAST AVENGERS (BUNDLES OF 5) $60.00

JUL240915 MIGHTY MMW AMAZING SPIDER-MAN TP VOL 05 BECOME AVENGER $15.99

JUL240916 MIGHTY MMW AMAZING SPIDER-MAN TP VOL 05 BECOME AVENGER DM $15.99

JUL240899 MS MARVEL THE NEW MUTANT TP VOL 02 $15.99

AUG240844 MSH SECRET WARS #11 FACSIMILE ED $4.99

AUG240845 MSH SECRET WARS #11 FACSIMILE ED 25 COPY INCV GREG LAND VAR $4.99

AUG240846 MSH SECRET WARS #11 FACSIMILE ED FOIL VAR (NET) $PI

SEP240775 NEGASONIC TEENAGE WARHEAD #1 $6.99

SEP240776 NEGASONIC TEENAGE WARHEAD #1 AUDREY MOK VAR $6.99

AUG240970 PSYLOCKE #1 POSTER $8.99

APR240851 PUNISHER MAX BY AARON DILLON OMNIBUS HC NEW PTG $100.00

APR240852 PUNISHER MAX BY AARON DILLON OMNIBUS HC NEW PTG DM VAR $100.00

APR240850 ROM ORIGINAL MARVEL YEARS OMNIBUS HC VOL 03 DM VAR $125.00

APR240849 ROM ORIGINAL MARVEL YEARS OMNIBUS HC VOL 03 RUSSELL CVR $125.00

SEP240857 SPIDER-MAN BLACK SUIT & BLOOD #4 (OF 4) $5.99

SEP240859 SPIDER-MAN BLACK SUIT & BLOOD #4 (OF 4) LEONARDO ROMERO VAR $5.99

SEP240838 SPIDER-MAN HOMEROOM HEROES #2 (BUNDLES OF 5) (Net) $PI

SEP240850 SPIDER-SOCIETY #4 (OF 4) $3.99

SEP240852 SPIDER-SOCIETY #4 (OF 4) DIKE RUAN SPIDER-PUNK VAR $3.99

SEP240851 SPIDER-SOCIETY #4 (OF 4) MIRKA ANDOLFO VAR $3.99

SEP240911 STAR WARS AHSOKA #5 $4.99

SEP240913 STAR WARS AHSOKA #5 PHIL NOTO VAR $4.99

SEP240915 STAR WARS BATTLE JAKKU INSURGENCY RISING #4 (OF 4) $3.99

SEP240916 STAR WARS BATTLE JAKKU INSURGENCY RISING #4 (OF 4) 25TH ANN $3.99

SEP240917 STAR WARS BATTLE JAKKU INSURGENCY RISING #4 (OF 4) QUAH VAR $3.99

JUL240898 ULTIMATE X-MEN BY PEACH MOMOKO TP VOL 01 FEARS AND HATES $19.99

SEP240817 ULTIMATES #6 $4.99

SEP240818 ULTIMATES #6 INHYUK LEE ULTIMATE SPECIAL VAR $4.99

SEP241014 ULTIMATES #6 JOSEMARIA CASANOVAS CONNECT VAR $4.99

SEP240820 ULTIMATES #6 LEINIL YU WRAPAROUND VAR $4.99

AUG247971 UNCANNY X-MEN #3 2ND PTG RYAN STEGMAN VAR $4.99

SEP240777 VENOM WAR #4 (OF 5) $4.99

SEP240779 VENOM WAR #4 (OF 5) ANDREI BRESSAN TEAM DYLAN VAR $4.99

SEP240780 VENOM WAR #4 (OF 5) ANDREI BRESSAN TEAM EDDIE VAR $4.99

SEP240778 VENOM WAR #4 (OF 5) CHRIS GIARRUSSO VAR $4.99

SEP240783 VENOM WAR #4 (OF 5) CLAYTON CRAIN VENOM HORSE VAR $4.99

SEP240781 VENOM WAR #4 (OF 5) PEACH MOMOKO VAR $4.99

SEP240800 VENOM WAR SPIDER-MAN #4 (OF 4) $3.99

SEP240801 VENOM WAR SPIDER-MAN #4 (OF 4) RAFAEL GRASSETTI VAR $3.99

AUG240972 WEB OF SPIDER-MAN #32 FACSIMILE EDITION POSTER $8.99

AUG240973 WEST COAST AVENGERS #1 POSTER $8.99

SEP240718 X-FACTOR #4 $3.99

SEP240721 X-FACTOR #4 ANAND RAMCHERON VAR $3.99

SEP240719 X-FACTOR #4 MARCUS TO CECILIA REYES VAR $3.99

SEP240739 X-FORCE #5 $3.99

SEP240742 X-FORCE #5 ADAM POLLINA VAR $3.99

SEP240740 X-FORCE #5 CLAYTON CRAIN BETSY BRADDOCK VAR $3.99

SEP240769 X-MEN #7 $4.99

AUG247626 X-MEN #7 AFU CHAN MARVEL FORTNITE MEOWTOOTH VAR $4.99

SEP240770 X-MEN #7 CORY SMITH VAR $4.99

SEP240772 X-MEN #7 JOELLE JONES PSYLOCKE VAR $4.99

SEP240774 X-MEN #7 ROGE ANTONIO MARVEL TWO IN ONE VAR $4.99

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#IReadsYou Review: THE MADNESS #2

THE MADNESS #2 (OF 6)

AWA STUDIOS

STORY: J. Michael Straczynski

PENCILS: ACO

INKS: David Lorenzo

COLORS: Marcelo Maiolo

LETTERS: Sal Cipriano

COVER: ACO

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Valerio Giangiordano; Danielle Otrakji

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (September 2023)

Rated: “Mature”

The Madness is a new six-issue miniseries from AWA Studios.  It is written by J. Michael Straczynski; drawn by ACO (pencils) and David Lorenzo (inks); colored by Marcelo Maiolo; and lettered by Sal Cipriano.  The series follows a woman who uses her super-powers as a thief and her quest for revenge against a group of superheroes.

The Madness introduces Sarah Ross a.k.a. “The Raven.”  She has super-powers:  flight, super speed, super strength, and invulnerability, but she can only use one at a time.  Sarah has been using her powers as a thief, stealing from the rich and giving it to herself.  She plans one more big score so that she can retire to a life of luxury.  However, she steals from the “wrong person” and that leads to brutal consequences that may drive her to utter madness.

The Madness #2 offers the origin of “The Raven,” and the hows and whys of her relationship with Sarah Ross.  Meanwhile, Sarah/The Raven continues her revenge tour – brutal and relentless and with totality.  Meanwhile, the superheroes behind the attack on her are starting to suspect something...

THE LOWDOWN:  AWA Studios marketing recently began providing me with PDF review copies of their comic book publications.  The Madness #2 is the latest.

In a sense, I don't have words to describe how writer J. Michael Straczynski is blowing my mind, stopping my heart, and making me clench a certain area of my posterior.  Maybe I can borrow the title of the song U2 contributed to the Batman Forever soundtrack, "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me" (1995).  That is what Straczynski is doing to me with this, one of the most intense comic books of its type since Watchmen showed everyone a new path to weaving superhero drama.

Art and graphical storyteller ACO captures the intense madness of Sarah Ross and also the complex and heartbreaking interpersonal slash intrapersonal relationship betwixt Sarah and The Raven.  As I said in my review of the first issue, ACO catches the script at its electric edges, creating the right angles with a captivating sense of graphic design.  ACO certainly creates the sense that something big is going to happen every page, while maintaining a sense of intimacy that makes the bloodshed feel as it should – really frickin' personal.

This is another absolute winner from AWA Studios.  If the American comic book industry is suffering, it isn't suffering from a lack of excellent comic books.  AWA Studios does not make excuses, and they won't have to as long as they keep delivering winners like The Madness.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans looking for excellence in superhero comic books will want to try The Madness.

A+

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

THE MADNESS PAGE: https://awastudios.net/series/the-madness/

AWA Website: https://awastudios.net/

AWA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awastudiosofficial/

AWA Twitter: https://twitter.com/AWA_Studios

AWA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awastudiosofficial

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

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

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like these, BOOKS PAGE, GRAPHIC NOVELS, or MANGA PAGE and BUY something(s).

#IReadsYou Review: THE MADNESS #1

THE MADNESS #1 (OF 6)

AWA STUDIOS

STORY: J. Michael Straczynski

PENCILS: ACO

INKS: David Lorenzo

COLORS: Marcelo Maiolo

LETTERS: Sal Cipriano

COVER: ACO

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Brandon Peterson with Marcelo Maiolo; Dalibor Talajic

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2023)

Rated: “Mature”

The Madness is a new six-issue miniseries from AWA Studios.  It is written by J. Michael Straczynski; drawn by ACO (pencils) and David Lorenzo (inks); colored by Marcelo Maiolo; and lettered by Sal Cipriano.  The series follows a woman who uses her super-powers as a thief and her quest for revenge against a group of superheroes.

The Madness #1 introduces Sarah Ross a.k.a. “The Raven.”  She has super-powers:  flight, super speed, super strength, and invulnerability, but she can only use one at a time.  Sarah has been using her powers as a thief, stealing from the rich and giving it to herself.  She plans one more big score – the proverbial big score from which one can retire to a life of luxury for good.

However, Sarah's score means she has to steal from the wrong person.  And this man is the “wrong person” because Sarah's true mark is a highly-placed and powerful official.  Now, Sarah is a target, and the brutal consequences may drive her to utter madness.

THE LOWDOWN:  AWA Studios marketing recently began providing me with PDF review copies of their comic book publications.  The Madness #1 is the latest.

Writer J. Michael Straczynski is best known for his Hollywood work.  He has written for the screen for such films as Ninja Assassin (2009), Thor (2011), and World War Z (2013).  His best known television work is the TV series, “Babylon 5” (1993-98), which he created.  He also wrote for such TV series as CBS' mid-1980s' revival of “The Twilight Zone” and for “Murder, She Wrote,” to name two.

ACO is the pen name of Spanish comic book artist, Alex Cal Oliveira.  He has drawn Iron Man and Uncanny X-Men for Marvel Comics, to name a few, and he had a long stint on Wonder Woman for DC Comics.  I really liked ACO's inspired work on Marvel's 2017 Nick Fury comic book series.

Straczynski and ACO come together for The Madness, and I can call the first issue a shockingly good debut issue.  It is filled with a sense of mystery, a murderous conspiracy, shadowy government cabals, secretive and conniving superheroes, and the anticipation of death and destruction.  Straczynski lures in the readers and then, holds them hostage with high tension, from beginning to end.  ACO catches the script at its electric edges, creating the right angles with a captivating sense of graphic design.  ACO certainly creates the sense that something big is going to happen every page.

For what it presents, The Madness #1 is one of the few debut issues that reminds me of certain elements of Eclipse Comics' Miracleman #1 (cover dated: August 1985) and DC Comics' Watchmen #1 (cover dated: September 1986).  For me, those particular comic books seemed new and groundbreaking and also utterly familiar at the same time.  Am I comparing Straczynski and ACO to Alan Moore and Gary Leach and Alan David?  To Moore and Dave Gibbons?  Well, am I? 

I'm on Twitter a lot, and I always come across fans, commentators, creators, etc. complaining that DC Comics and (especially) Marvel are not producing great comic books.  Comic book publishers not named Marvel or DC, such as AWA Studios, are producing exceptional and entertaining comic books.  If you pass up The Madness #1, you really don't want to read great comic books.  

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans looking for excellence in superhero comic books will want to try The Madness.

A+

10 out of 10

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

THE MADNESS PAGE: https://awastudios.net/series/the-madness/

AWA Website: https://awastudios.net/

AWA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awastudiosofficial/

AWA Twitter: https://twitter.com/AWA_Studios

AWA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awastudiosofficial

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

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

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like these, BOOKS PAGE, GRAPHIC NOVELS, or MANGA PAGE and BUY something(s).

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 24, 2024

MARVEL COMICS

NOV230527 DAREDEVIL BLACK ARMOR #3 $3.99

NOV230528 DAREDEVIL BLACK ARMOR #3 KEVIN EASTMAN VAR $3.99

NOV230508 GODS #4 $4.99

NOV230509 GODS #4 FELIPE MASSAFERA VAR $4.99

SEP238629 GODS #4 RON LIM COSMIC HOMAGE VAR $4.99

NOV230557 IMMORTAL THOR #6 $4.99

SEP238630 IMMORTAL THOR #6 50 COPY INCV MASTERPIECES III VIR VAR $4.99

NOV230560 IMMORTAL THOR #6 HILDEBRANDT MARVEL MASTERPIECES III VAR $4.99

NOV230558 IMMORTAL THOR #6 MAGNO WOLVERINE WOLVERINE WOLVERINE VAR $4.99

OCT230928 MARVEL TWO IN ONE EPIC COLLECT TP VOL 02 TWO AGAINST HYDRA $44.99

NOV230500 MIGUEL OHARA SPIDER-MAN 2099 #4 $3.99

NOV230501 MIGUEL OHARA SPIDER-MAN 2099 #4 KLAUS JANSON VAR $3.99

NOV230493 POWER PACK INTO THE STORM #1 $3.99

NOV230494 POWER PACK INTO THE STORM #1 NICOLETTA BALDARI VAR $3.99

NOV230524 PUNISHER #3 $4.99

NOV230526 PUNISHER #3 ROGE ANTONIO WOLVERINE WOLVERINE WOLVERINE VAR $4.99

OCT230952 RESURRECTION OF MAGNETO #1 $5.99

OCT230956 RESURRECTION OF MAGNETO #1 DAVID BALDEON FOIL VAR (Net) $PI

OCT230953 RESURRECTION OF MAGNETO #1 INSIGNIA VAR $5.99

OCT230955 RESURRECTION OF MAGNETO #1 JTC NEGATIVE SPACE VIRGIN VAR $5.99

OCT230957 RESURRECTION OF MAGNETO #1 NIC KLEIN STORMBREAKERS VAR $5.99

JUL230814 ROM ORIG MARVEL YEARS OMNIBUS HC VOL 01 MILLER FIRST ISSUE C $125.00

JUL230815 ROM ORIGINAL MARVEL YEARS OMNIBUS HC VOL 01 BUSCEMA DM VAR $125.00

JUL230817 ROM ORIGINAL MARVEL YEARS OMNIBUS HC VOL 01 MILLER DM VAR $125.00

JUL230816 ROM ORIGINAL MARVEL YEARS OMNIBUS HC VOL 01 PEREZ DM VAR $125.00

OCT230934 SIEGE TP NEW PTG $29.99

NOV230484 SPIDER-WOMAN #3 $3.99

NOV230486 SPIDER-WOMAN #3 HOWELL WOLVERINE WOLVERINE WOLVERINE VAR $3.99

NOV230585 STAR WARS THRAWN ALLIANCES #1 $5.99

NOV230589 STAR WARS THRAWN ALLIANCES #1 PROMO VAR $5.99

NOV230587 STAR WARS THRAWN ALLIANCES #1 TAURIN CLARKE VAR $5.99

OCT230925 STRANGE ACADEMY YEAR TWO TP $34.99

NOV230521 SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN #3 $4.99

NOV230523 SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN #3 COLA WOLVERINE WOLVERINE WOLVERINE $4.99

JUL230825 THOR BY STRACZYNSKI & GILLEN OMNIBUS HC $125.00

JUL230826 THOR BY STRACZYNSKI GILLEN OMNIBUS HC DM VAR $125.00

NOV230529 X-FORCE #48 $3.99

NOV230530 X-FORCE #48 JOHN CASSADAY VAR $3.99

OCT230976 X-MEN #4 FACSIMILE EDITION NEW PTG $4.99

OCT230918 X-MEN HELLFIRE GALA TP FALL OF X $24.99

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Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for July 24, 2019

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

APR191266    ABERRANT SEASON 2 #5 (OF 5) CVR A LEON DIAS (MR)    $3.99
APR191267    ABERRANT SEASON 2 #5 (OF 5) CVR B LEON DIAS (MR)    $3.99
MAY191285    ABERRANT SEASON 2 TP (MR)    $14.99
MAY191884    AFTERBURN CROSSFIRE #3 (OF 4)    $3.95
MAY191835    AKISSI MORE TALES OF MISCHIEF GN    $14.95
MAY191356    AM ARCHIVES LAUREL & HARDY #1 CVR A 1967 MAIN    $3.99
MAY191357    AM ARCHIVES LAUREL & HARDY #1 CVR B 1967 LTD ED RETRO    $9.99
MAY191423    ARCHIE #706 (ARCHIE & SABRINA PT 2) CVR A FISH (RES)    $3.99
MAY191424    ARCHIE #706 (ARCHIE & SABRINA PT 2) CVR B ISAACS (RES)    $3.99
MAY191425    ARCHIE #706 (ARCHIE & SABRINA PT 2) CVR C MOONEY (RES)    $3.99
MAY191428    ARCHIE & ME TP VOL 02    $10.99
MAY191404    ARCHIE VS PREDATOR 2 #1 (OF 5) CVR A HACK    $3.99
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MAY191793    AT THE END OF YOUR TETHER #2 (OF 3)    $4.99
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MAY192163    CASE CLOSED GN VOL 71    $9.99
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BOOKS
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I Reads You Juniors August 2017 - Update #68

Support Leroy on Patreon.

From BatmanNews:  Joelle Jones joins the creative team on the Batman comic book.

From BleedingCool:  Today's issue of "Black Panther and the Crew" (issue #6) is the final issue of the series.  However, writer Ta-Nehisi Coates says he will continue the Crew's adventures in the main "Black Panther" title.

From ICv2:  Hasbro is suing DC Entertainment over the "Bumblebee" name.  There is a "Bumblebee" Transformer and there is superhero and one-time Teen Titan named Bumblebee.

From MikeLynchCartoons:  A look at comic books featuring the late comedian, actor, and filmmaker, Jerry Lewis.

From BleedingCool:  Dave Sim to kill Cerebus again... if you care...

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #132 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #132 in French.

From ScreenRant:  The 15 most controversial comic book covers of all time - according to Screen Rant.

From CBR:  John Romita, Jr. offers details of "Superman: Year One," his miniseries with writer Frank Miller.

From CBR:  DC Comics is reviving a classic 1950s Superman PSA poster to discuss diversity and non-discussion.

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BLURB REVIEW:

Cable #1 (Marvel Comics – July 2017) by James Robinson and Carlos Pacheco with Rafael Fonteriz and Jesus Aburtov

Cable has been one Marvel Comics' most popular X-Men/mutant characters since his debut in New Mutants #87 back in late 1989/early 1990.  The character has been the star or co-star of a number of ongoing comic book series and miniseries.  I find him to be one of the least interesting of Marvel's merry mutants.  When I have purchased a Cable comic book, it was because of the art.

I think I was attracted to his new Cable #1 because of the cover, which is drawn by Dale Keown.  After nearly a quarter century, I still find Keown's unique drawing style to be eye candy.  However, I knew from the opening page that this comic book was going to be awful, and it is.  Whatever happened to James Robinson?  He was once one of the shining lights of comic book scribes, so much so that Hollywood came a-callin' for his writing skills.  Now, he cranks out listless scripts for Marvel secondary titles that are more like dumpster comics than publications from a major company.

Cable is part of Marvel's “ResurrXion” initiative to revive its X-Men line.  Half the “ResurrXion” titles suck, and Cable sucks ass.

Posted:  Saturday, August 26, 2017
--------------------------------------------------

From BleedingCool:  Two more comic book stores are closing.

From ICv2:  "The Wheels on the Bus..." an interesting piece about the future of Marvel Comics.

From CBR:  15 Ways Marvel Comics' "Star Wars" comic books have changed the Star Wars universe.

From BleedingCool:  Rob Liefeld shows off a Wolverine drawing he did as a teenager - in style similar to John Byrne's.

From BleedingCool:  Fantagraphics Books' Eric Reynolds has picked up the worldwide rights to "Dull Margaret," a graphic novel written by Academy Award-winning actor, Jim Broadbent.

From BleedingCool:  Retailers are boycotting Marvel Comics' "Legacy" lenticular cover scheme.

From CBR:  Marvel Comics solicitations for November 2017.

From CBR:  "Doomsday Clock #1" art teases arrival of Watchmen character, Rorschach.

From BleedingCool:  Chuck Dixon may now be the most published comic book writer of all time.

From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics' November 2017 solicitations.

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #131 in English.
From ComicBookBin:   New Johnny Bullet episode #131 in French.

From MultiversityComics:  Declan Shalvey talks about his upcoming Image Comics title, "Savage Town."

From BleedingCool:  November 2017 solicitations for Archie Comics.

From BleedingCool:  Nick Spencer leads the creative team for Marvel's "Not Brand Ecch."  The comic book is among a group of Marvel Legacy one-shots.

From CBR:  A preview of "Batman: Murder Machine."

From BleedingCool:  The original comic book art collection of singer/songerwriter Graham Nash brought in a lot of money.  This group of original art from Underground Comix earned over $1 million, especially Nash's collection of R. Crumb pages.

From ComicsReporter:  The 2017 Ignatz Awards nominees have been announced.

From BleedingCool:  Howard Chaykin had to change another cover for "The Divided States of Hysteria," this time #3.  And so you won't have to keep looking, on the girl's right butt cheek, Chaykin had used Prince's infamous "The Artist Formerly Known as Prince" symbol, which he removed for the final cover.

From BleedingCool:  Wizard Magazine will return at a print publication, for the first time since 2011.

From BleedingCool:  Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way, and Gail Simone are among the the comic book creators contributing to "Mine," a comic book benefiting Planned Parenthood.

From TheWashingtonPost:  DC Comics' "Dark Nights: Metal" has a Vertigo surprise - Neil Gaiman's The Sandman.

From ComicBookBin:  Deejay Dayton looks at the 1960s "New Look" Batman in "DC Comics History."

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet Episode #130 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet Episode #130 in French.

From BleedingCool: Gail Simone begins #ComicsHateNazis hash tag.

From Newsarama:  Mike Mignola is working on the end of the B.P.R.D., the paranormal defense agency in the Hellboy comic book franchise.

From ComicBookBin:  A review of "Generations: Phoenix and Jean Grey #1"

From TheBeat:  Can Christopher Priest and Phil Noto redeem Marvel's "The Inhumans."

From ImageComics:  Image Comics solicitations for October 2017.

From FlickeringMyth:  BOOM! Studios is bringing "Planet of the Apes" and "Kong" together in a comic book.

From BleedingCool:  Marvel to offer second printings of "Generations," "Weapons of Mutant Destruction," and "Darth Vader."

From BleedingCool:  The war over Stan Lee's "last" comic convention appearance.

From ComicBookBin: Deejay Dayton looks at the DC Comics History of "New Look" Superman of the mid-1960s.

From TheVillageVoice:  Marvel's "Secret Empire" with its fascist Captain America is the launch point for a discussion of the prevalence of dystopian storytelling.

From Patreon:  A review of the first issue of IDW 's new reboot of Robert E. Howard's "Kull," entitled "Kull Eternal."

From Negromancer:  VIZ Media announces its digital manga updates for August 2017.

From BleedingCool:  3 pages from "Spider-Gwen #25" a "Legacy" issue.

From ComicBookBin:  Deejay Dayton looks at mid-1960s "New Look" in the latest "DC Comics History."

From CBR:  Archie Comics is reviving its superhero title, "The Mighty Crusaders," and turns "Betty & Veronica" into bikers.

From BleedingCool:  Tom King says new "Mister Miracle" is the most ambitious thing that he has ever written.

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics will launch a new Harley Quinn comic book, "Harley Loves Joker," sometime at the end of the year.  Paul Dini and Jimmy Palmiotti will be involved and the series will be in the vein of "Batman: The Animated Series."

From CBR:  Why has Netflix gone all in on comic books?

From CBR:  "Batman" writer Tom King explains the importance of Kite Man.

From BleedingCool:  Jim Lee is sure that 15% to 45% of DC Comics' readers are women...

From CinemaBlend:  Karl Urban in talks to appear in a possible "Judge Dredd" TV series.

From BleedingCool:  Mark Millar announces that Netflix has bought his publishing entity, Millarworld.

--------------------------------
BLURB REVIEW:

Iceman #1 (Marvel Comics – August 2017) by Sina Grace and Alessandro Vitti with Rachelle Rosenberg

Iceman (Robert Louis Drake, also known as “Bobby Drake”) is one of the original X-Men, created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby in 1963 for the comic book, X-Men.  Iceman has been the star of two four-issue miniseries (one published in 1984-85 and another in 2001-02).  He finally gets his own ongoing series with the simply titled Iceman, written by Sina Grace and drawn by Alessandro Vitti.

Judging by the first issue, this series will focus quite a bit on Bobby Drake's angst-filled family and romantic life.  I'm not interested.  I find Alessandro Vitti's art to be unattractive, another reason I will likely avoid future issues of this comic book.  This new comic book arrives as part of “ResurrXion,” Marvel's initiative to reinvigorate its X-Men line of comic books.  The problem, so far, is that half of these new titles are mediocre, and Iceman is one of them.

Posted:  Sunday, August 6, 2017
---------------------------------

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet Episode #129 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet Episode #129 in French.

From ComicBookBin: Deejay Dayton looks at the Silver Age history of DC Comics villain, Eclipso.

From BleedingCool:  Beau Smith, the creator of "Wynonna Earp," will appear on the August 4, 2017 episode.

From TCJ:  Alex Dueben interviews Eurocomics legend, José Muñoz.

From CBR:  Meet the children of the Justice League in "Justice League #26."

From ComicBookBin:  Deejay Dayton offers his latest "DC Comics History" on Doom Patrol.

From BleedingCool:  Sean McKeever shares his pitch for a Wonder Girl series in 2006.

From BleedingCool:  Beginning in 2018, New York Comic Con will host the "Harvey Awards," which are currently hosted by Baltimore Comic-Con.

From CBR:  Dwayne McDuffie's widow sues over the planned revival of Milestone Media.

From BleedingCool:  J. Michael Starczynski - comic book writer, screenwriter, TV writer, novelist, producer - gives advice about writing for the big screen, TV, and comics.

From ComicBookBin:  In a new episode of "DC Comics History," Deejay Dayton looks "Strange Sports Stories," from the long-running comic book series, "The Brave and the Bold."

From ICv2:  TOKYOPOP is also in "The Nightmare Before Christmas" business.  It will publish the first ever comic book project to expand on the story of the original film, "The Nightmare Before Christmas: Zero's Journey," in Spring 2018.

From BleedingCool:  Joe Books will release a comic book version of the Disney's YouTube cartoon, "The Nightmare Before Christmas: As Told by Emoji."

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for February 4, 2015

DC COMICS

DEC140312     ACTION COMICS #39     $3.99
OCT140366     AME COMI GIRLS TP VOL 03 EARTH IN CRISIS     $14.99
JUL140268     AMERICAN VAMPIRE SECOND CYCLE #6 (MR)     $2.99
DEC140272     AQUAMAN AND THE OTHERS #10     $2.99
NOV140286     BATMAN 66 #19     $2.99
NOV140307     BATMAN ARKHAM UNHINGED TP VOL 04     $14.99
DEC140321     BATMAN ETERNAL #44     $2.99
NOV148199     DEATHSTROKE #1 2ND PTG     $2.99
DEC140342     DETECTIVE COMICS #39     $3.99
DEC140345     DETECTIVE COMICS #39 COMBO PACK     $4.99
DEC140278     EARTH 2 #31     $2.99
DEC140274     EARTH 2 WORLDS END #18     $2.99
DEC140370     FLASH SEASON ZERO #5     $2.99
DEC140340     GRAYSON #7     $2.99
DEC140286     GREEN ARROW #39     $2.99
DEC140356     GREEN LANTERN #39     $2.99
DEC140358     GREEN LANTERN #39 COMBO PACK     $3.99
DEC140417     HINTERKIND #15 (MR)     $2.99
NOV140290     INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US YEAR THREE #8     $2.99
OCT140400     INVISIBLES HC BOOK 03 DELUXE EDITION (MR)     $29.99
DEC140291     LOBO #5     $2.99
DEC140402     LOONEY TUNES #223     $2.99
DEC140419     NAMES #6 (MR)     $2.99
DEC140294     NEW 52 FUTURES END #40 (WEEKLY)     $2.99
NOV140223     SUPERMAN #38     $4.99
NOV140227     SUPERMAN #38 COMBO PACK     $5.99
OCT140340     SUPERMAN EARTH ONE HC VOL 03     $22.99
OCT140360     SUPERMAN HC VOL 05 UNDER FIRE (N52)     $24.99
NOV140301     SUPERMAN TP VOL 04 PSIWAR (N52)     $16.99
DEC140365     SWAMP THING #39     $2.99
NOV140302     TEEN TITANS TP VOL 05 THE TRIAL OF KID FLASH (N52)     $17.99
DEC140422     WOLF MOON #3 (MR)     $3.99

DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES
JUN140331     RED LANTERN 1:1 SCALE POWER BATTERY PROP W RING     $199.95
AUG140373     THRONE OF ATLANTIS AQUAMAN AF     $19.95
AUG140374     THRONE OF ATLANTIS BLACK MANTA AF     $19.95
AUG140375     THRONE OF ATLANTIS MERA AF     $19.95
AUG140372     THRONE OF ATLANTIS OCEAN MASTER AF     $19.95

Review: SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE Volume Two

SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE VOLUME TWO
DC COMICS – @DCComics

WRITER: J. Michael Straczynski
PENCILS: Shane Davis
INKS: Sandra Hope
COLORS: Barbara Ciardo
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
ISBN: 978-1-4012-3196-5; hardcover (October 2012)
136pp, Color, $22.99 U.S., $26.99 CAN

Superman: Earth One re-imagines various Superman stories, setting them on a new Earth with an all-new continuity. Superman: Earth One Volume Two is the second in this series of original graphic novels that depict the early years of Superman. It is written by J. Michael Straczynski and drawn by Shane Davis, the authors of the first book, Superman: Earth One.

As Superman: Earth One Volume Two opens, 20-something Clark Kent is basking in the glow from the journalistic scoop that earned him a job at the Daily Planet, the top newspaper in Kent’s new home, the city of Metropolis. This “beginner’s luck,” however, has earned him the scrutiny of fellow (rival?) Planet reporter, Lois Lane. Lane is not the only complication. Kent has moved into a new apartment, where he captures the attention of a lusty neighbor, a young woman named Lisa LaSalle, who starts turning his world upside down and inside out. Lisa awakens in Clark feelings and emotions he thought that he had tamed.

Clark is also struggling with how to use his power as Superman. How can he be effective? Can he make sure that he won’t inadvertently hurt any? But Clark isn’t the only man struggling with power. Raymond Maxwell Jensen is a stone-cold killer, but when an accident turns him into a thing called Parasite, he cannot get enough power. Only Superman can stop him, but the cost of stopping a monster for this still-new hero is a level of vulnerability he has never experienced.

Where as Superman: Earth One was like an action movie that introduced a new take on the origin of Superman, Superman: Earth One Volume Two delves into Clark Kent’s character and personality. In fact, writer J. Michael Straczynski approaches every character he places in this story from a personality/motivation point of view, even if he is ultimately vague about motivation.

With an opportunity to build a version of Superman from the ground up, Straczynski seems determined to start with Clark Kent, the man. His new Kent, like practically all the other Clark Kents, keeps secrets. Straczynski’s Kent not only keeps secrets, but he also constructs a life in which he does not stand out. Kent makes no waves and makes sure no one really notices him, so few people will realize that there is even a personality with secrets to keep. Straczynski is clever in the way he writes this new Clark Kent, but sometimes it becomes too anal and detailed. There are a few passages in Superman: Earth One Volume Two that read like fan fiction. This is balanced, however, by wonderful scenes such as the one in which Pa Kent and teen Clark have an awkward conversation about sex that rings with authenticity.

Artist Shane Davis really improves from his work in the first book. His art is not pretty in terms of style, but as storytelling, it is gorgeous. Davis doesn’t alter his style when he needs to switch from romance to drama to action. The way he draws is good for everything, so without theatrics, he authors graphical storytelling that encompasses the human drama of struggling characters and also the theatre of fantastic beings locked in struggle. I don’t think that Sandra Hope’s inking does Davis’ pencils in any favors, but Barbara Ciardo’s colors augment the subtle intensity of Davis’ art.

Superman: Earth One Volume Two is more about the man than it is about the Superman. Superman does his super things, of course, but this new version of Superman wants to dig deeper into the myth and mythology that is the Man of Steel.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

#IReadsYou Review: SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE (OGN)

SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE
DC COMICS

WRITER: J. Michael Straczynski
PENCILS: Shane Davis
INKS: Sandra Hope
COLORS: Barbara Ciardo
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
ISBN: 978-1-4012-2468-4; hardcover
136pp, Color, $19.99 U.S., $23.99 CAN

Superman: Earth One is a graphic novel series that re-imagines and retells Superman’s early years. Written by J. Michael Straczynski and drawn by Shane Davis, the first volume of Superman: Earth One was first published in October 2010. It is a damn good read, and I consider it to be the best retelling of Superman’s early days since John Byrne’s still-excellent, Superman: Man of Steel.

Superman: Earth One focuses on a 20-year-old Clark Kent. This farm boy arrives in Metropolis, but he isn’t like other 20-somethings looking to begin their adult lives. Clark can fly, see through walls, and burn objects with his gaze. He goes on job interviews, and leaves his potential employers in shock and awe because of his talent, knowledge, and skills. Still, young Clark is alone and without purpose, but the arrival of otherworldly visitors will reveal his history and may give him purpose – if he so chooses.

I don’t want to say more about the plot and story details. I want the reader to be delightfully surprised over and over again as I was. I initially avoided reading about Superman: Earth One, partly because I thought it would be mildly entertaining, nothing more and certainly not worth my time. I used some Leroy mojo and got DC to give me a review copy, and the review copy put some hoo doo on me. After the first few pages, I really thought that this was just warmed over Smallville, but soon, I was dreading that this fun would end. I think Superman: Earth One does falter early on and in places at the end, but its strengths gloss over such imperfections.

J. Michael Straczynski gives everything about Superman and Clark Kent a sense of purpose and meaning. This is indeed a darker Superman, but not in a grim and gritty or cynical way. Clark Kent lives in a world where people use power, aggression, and self-centeredness to serve their ends. Young Kent is not only trying to figure out what he should do, but also why he should do it. He is looking for signs, but those signs most resonate with him. Plus, Straczynski writes a page-turning action yarn here, so this is thoughtful and explosive.

Shane Davis, who seems to be channeling Carl Potts-era Jim Lee, turns Straczynski’s script into a visually potent comic book. Davis captures Kent’s brooding, stubborn nature with clarity, and presents the science fiction elements and action scenes with energy, a sense of movement, and power that the static images of comic books usually don’t have.

Superman: Earth One is the Superman book that everyone who reads Superman should be reading. Or put it this way: if you know about Superman, you probably need this book in your hands.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

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

Is DC Comics Rebooting Via Original Graphic Novels? - An I Reads You Juniors Special

From the DC Comics's The Source blog:

Monday, December 7th, 2009
By Alex Segura

That major publishing event we mentioned earlier today? Well, here it is.

Original stories featuring Batman and Superman in graphic novel form from the biggest creators out there. But these aren’t one-offs. We’re talking ongoing series of OGNs in a new continuity, on a new Earth.

Sound appealing?

Starting next year, DC Comics will unveil SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE and BATMAN: EARTH ONE, two graphic novels spotlighting the most powerful heroes of the DC Universe, with their first years and earliest moments retold in a standalone, original graphic novel format, on a new earth with an all-new continuity.

Return to Smallville and experience the journey of Earth’s greatest adopted son, as he grows from boy to Superman in SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE by J. Michael Straczynski and artist Shane Davis.

Watch from the darkest corners of Crime Alley as a young boy is struck by unbelievable tragedy that will forge the greatest crime-fighter to ever stalk the rooftops of Gotham City in BATMAN: EARTH ONE, by writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank.

What does JMS have to say? Well, here’s a snippet from his first interview on the subject: “What I’m trying to do is to dig in to the character and look at him through modern eyes. If you were to create the Superman story today, for the first time, but keep intact all that works, what would it look like?”

“It is monumental for us as comic readers to see Superman birthed for the first time,” Davis said. “It’s a privilege to realize that you’re the artist that gets to draw it, better yet having the luxury to do it in an original graphic novel. This is going to be epic!”

What about Geoff Johns? Well, we happen to have a bit from his first interview as well: “BATMAN: EARTH ONE allows Gary and I to break the restraints of any continuity and focus on two things: character and story.”

Want more? Sure you do. Why not check out the interviews AIN’T IT COOL NEWS just posted with the previously mentioned Johns and Straczynski? [END]

MY TAKE: I wonder if DC Comics is using these original graphic novels (OGNs) as a way of rebooting its universe and/or core characters for readers outside the comic book store market. Are they modernizing these characters or starting from scratch as a way to entice new readers who don't have to be familiar with the comic books sold in comic book stores through the Direct Market?

If DC markets these well, they could sell a lot of books to people who like super heroes and don't buy comics books, but are not resistant to reading a comic book. Do a lot of people like superheroes? Well, superhero movies sure seem to be doing well at the box office...

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