Showing posts with label Joe Quesada. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joe Quesada. Show all posts

Friday, March 25, 2022

#IReadsYou Review: THE ULTIMATES #1

THE ULTIMATES #1
MARVEL

STORY: Mark Millar
PENCILS: Bryan Hitch
INKS: Andrew Currie
COLORS: Paul Mounts with Bongotone
LETTERS: Chris Eliopoulos
EDITOR: Ralph Macchio
EiC: Joe Quesada
COVER: Bryan Hitch
32pp, Color, $2.25 U.S., $3.50 CAN (March 2002)

 

The Ultimates created by Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch; Avengers created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee

“Super Human”

The Ultimates was a superhero comic book series published by Marvel Comics as part of its “Ultimate Marvel” imprint.  The series ran for thirteen issues, cover date: March 2002 to April 2004.  Created by writer Mark Millar and artist Bryan Hitch, The Ultimates were both a modernization and re-imagining of Marvel's Avengers comic-book franchise.  Organized by the United States government, the “Ultimates” were an elite military task-force of super-humans and special agents.

The regular creative team of The Ultimates was comprised of writer Mark Millar; artists Bryan Hitch (pencils) and Andrew Currie (inks); colorists Paul Mounts and Bongotone; and letterer Chris Eliopoulos. The Ultimates' mission was to combat the growing threats – human and non-human – to the United States and also to the Earth in general.

The Ultimates #1 (“Super Human”) opens over the North Atlantic, 1945, where the 101st Airborne division streaks towards Iceland.  There, inside a seemingly impregnable fortress, the Nazis are building their “super weapon,” which could end the war in days.  Aboard one of the troop transports is America's own super weapon, the “super-soldier” known as “Captain America.”  With him is an entire division of American soldiers … and his friend, Bucky Barnes, a war photographer.  What neither Rogers nor Barnes realizes is that this mission is so dangerous that it might be his last.

THE LOWDOWN:  It has been two decades since I first read The Ultimates #1, and reading it again for the first time since then, I find it to be about eighty percent different from how I remember it.

Except for the last three pages, The Ultimates #1 is entirely about Captain America's final World War II mission.  So, I must admit that I find this first issue to be one of the best Captain American comic books that I have read in years – although it was published twenty years ago.

Millar's storytelling is slick, but brings the grit one would expect of a “real war story” type comic book.  It is dark and sad, mostly because Millar makes it clear that a lot of American servicemen are going to die on this mission.  Bryan Hitch's photo-realistic pencil art gets a smooth finishing from Andrew Currie's lush inks.  The colors are beautiful, but are a tad too dark for my tastes.  Luckily, Chris Eliopoulos' quirky lettering work stands out and helps to establish and reinforce Millar's moody tale.

Over the course of this series' thirteen issues, it is clear that Mark Millar made Steve Rogers/Captain America the centerpiece.  The Ultimates #1 isn't a prologue; it is the foundation of the series, and that is a good thing.  Millar's Captain America is the most human, the most heroic, and the most idealistic of the Ultimates.  He is the standard that his teammates cannot achieve, if for no other reason than that they are too broken to match Steve Rogers.  Captain America brings color to this dark re-interpretation of the Avengers.  He is the one holdover from the early Marvel Comics' sense of wonder and fantasy in this series that is dark and edgy, though not cynical.

The Ultimates #1 was the kind of first issue that encourages readers to come back for more, which they indeed did for this series.  I originally did come back for a few more issues, but, back then, I never finished The Ultimates.  I didn't even bother with its follow up, The Ultimates 2.  I rectified that this year and read the entire first series over a few days.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of the team of Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch will want to read The Ultimates.

A
9 out of 10

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



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Friday, December 31, 2021

I Reads You Juniors: December 2021 - Update #100

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon.

NEWS:

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Marvel Executive Vice-President Joe Quesada has denied that he is drawing writer Donny Cates' "rumored "Miracleman" project, but Quesada says that he does have a superhero project brweing for 2022.

IN MEMORIAM - From BleedingCool:  Attorney, crime novelist, and comic book writer, Andrew Vachss, has died at that age of 79, Monday, December 27, 2021.  His comics career began in 1992 with the ten-issue series, "Hard Looks," published by Dark Horse Comics.  Vachss was also know for his work with abused and exploited children.

RUMORS - From ScreenGeek:  Rumors suggest that Marvel Studios' "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" (May 6th, 2022) will introduce the X-Men to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

MARVEL STUDIOS - From CBR:  Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige explains why the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Spider-Man did not fight past movie villains until "Spider-Man: No Way Home."

MARVEL - From THR:  Marvel Comics legend, Stan Lee, was born today, December 28, 1922.  According to the article, Lee knew early on that collecting comic books would be a smart investment.

RUMORS - From CBR:  Is actor Norman Reedus ("The Walking Dead") fueling rumors that he is the Marvel Cinematic Universe's new "Ghost Rider?"

DC CINEMA - From CBR:  Warner Bros. has dropped a new trailer for director Matt Reeves' "The Batman" that focuses on Batman and Catwoman.

DARK HORSE - From CBR:   Dark Horse Comics and "Hellboy" creator Mike Mignola warns fans about buying unauthorized "Hellboy" NFTs.

DARK HORSE - From BleedingCool:   Writer Mike Mignola and artist Greg Hinkle present the two-issue miniseries, "Radio Man," with the first issue arriving March 2nd.

DC TV - From BleedingCool:  Actor Tom Welling talks about his time as Clark Kent on The WB/The CW's television series, "Smallville" (2001-11).

IMAGE - From BleedingCool:  Image Comics is going to publish writer-artist Liam Sharp's "StarHenge."

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  A new line of Marvel statues is coming from Diamond Select Toys.  it begins with Professor X and Green Goblin statues.

SONY/MARVEL - From WeGotThisCovered:  Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios are making  a serious Academy Award PR push for "Spider-Man: No Way Home."

BOOKS - From BleedingCool:  The winners of the 2021 Hugo Awards were announced at "Discon III" (the 79th Worldcon).  "Parable of the Sower: A Graphic Novel Adaptation" won the Hugo Award for "Best Graphic Story or Comic."

DC CINEMA - From CinemaBlend:   Michael Keaton ("Batman," "Batman Returns") will return as Batman for Warner Bros./DC Films' "Flash." Reports day he has signed on to also appear as Batman in the "Batgirl" movie.

DARK HORSE - From BleedingCoolDark Horse Comics/Entertainment has been bought by holdings company, Embracer Group, a Swedish entertainment company comprised of many video game subsidiaries like THQ Nordiq, Gearbox Software, and others

SONY/MARVEL - From THR:  Sony and Marvel’s "Spider-Man: No Way Home" spun a record-breaking web in its box office debut, grossing $253 million from 4,336 theaters to secure the third-biggest domestic opening of all time at the box office despite growing worries over the COVID-19 omicron variant.

From IReadsYou:  My review of "Spider-Man: No Way Home."

From ComicBook:   Jon Favreau's Marvel Cinematic Universe character, "Happy Hogan," is a hit in "Spider-Man: No Way Home," but he was almost killed off in "Iron Man 3" (2013).

From WeGotThisCovered:  Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige talks about bring back iconic villains for "Spider-Man: No Way Home."

From IGN:  Spider-Man producer Amy Pascal says that she threw a sandwich at Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige when he first suggested bringing Spider-Man to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

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MANGA - From BleedingCool:  Yen Press announces six new titles for June 2022, five manga and one novel.

DYNAMITE - From Comicon:   Here is David Avallone's writer's commentary for "Elvira Meets Vincent Price #3" from Dynamite Entertainment.

MARVEL COMICS - From BleedingCool:  After long absence, Chris Claremont is writing an X-Men comic book series, "Gambit." The titles arrives in 2022 with art by Sid Kotian.

DC CINEMA - From ComplexMatt Reeves, director of "The Batman," says that actor Robert Pattison's Batman is based on the late "Nirvana" frontman, Kurt Cobain.

MARVEL STUDIOS - From TheDirect:   There have been conflicting reports about Sony and Marvel developing a "Spider-Man 4."  In a recent interview, Marvel's Kevin Feige and Sony's Amy Pascal, the producers of "Spider-Man: No Way Home," say that the film is in early development.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Writer Tom King and artist David Marquez launch "Batman: Killing Time" in March 2022.

From DCBlog:  A look at the legacy of Dick Grayson/Nighwing.

COMICS - From BleedingCoolDan Slott ("The Amazing Spider-Man") will be writing a few "Doctor Who" one-shot comic books for Titan Comics.

DC CINEMA - From Variety:  Warner Bros./DC Films' "Blue Beetle" was to be an HBO Max exclusive, but now it will be exclusive to movie theaters when it debuts August 18, 2023.  The film will focus on Jaime Reyes, the Blue Beetle that debuted in 2006.

FCBD 2022 - From BleedingCool:  The site has a list of titles that will be available for Free Comic Book Day 2022.

COMICS TO TV - From DeadlineNetflix and writer Michael Starrbury may adapt writer David F. Walker's comic, "The Hated," into a live-action Western series.

MARVEL STUDIOS - From Variety:   "Spider-Man: No Way Home" looks to set box office records this weekend.  At the very least, it could be the first pandemic-era movie to gross over 100 million dollars at the domestic box office in a single weekend.

DC TV - From PopSugar:  The site offers a profile of The CW television series, "Naomi," which is based on the DC Comics series and character.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:   Alex Ross will publish the first original graphic novel of his career, "Fantastic Four: Full Circle," a hardcover graphic novel published in the size of the 1980s "Marvel Graphic Novels."  Abrams ComicsArts in collaboration with Marvel Comics will publish it August 2022 at $24.99

DC COMICS - From Polygon:  Writer Mark Waid and artist Dan Mora launch "Batman/Supeman: World's Finest #1" in March 2022.

MARVEL COMICS - From BleedingCool:  On March 2nd, 2022, Marvel Comics' "Strange #1" will introduce the "Sorceress Supreme," who is the former wife of Dr. Stephen Strange, Clea Strange.

COMICS TO FILM - From THR:   Netflix is adapting Donny Cates and Geoff Shaw's comic book, "God Country," into a film.

IDW - From Deadline:  Top Shelf Productions' graphic novel series, "The Surfside Girls" will be adapated into a 10-episode live-action series for Apple TV+.

DC TV - From Variety:  Three writers from The CW's "Batwoman" are developing a "Gotham Knights" TV series for the network.

DC CINEMA/THE BATMAN - From Collider:  Warner Bros. is reportedly testing two cuts of its highly anticipated superhero film, "The Batman," from director Matt Reeves.  One of those cut may contain an appearance by The Joker.

From TheNews:  A new Japanese trailer for Matt Reeves' "The Batman" reveals new footage from the film, not revealed in previous trailers for the film.

From Movieweb:   Hot rumor: Is Barry Keoghan "The Joker" in Matt Reeves' upcoming film, "The Batman?"

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IMAGE - From THR:   Skybound, the Image Comics imprint run by "The Walking Dead" creator Robert Kirkman, is in negotiations with Hasbro to acquire the publishing license for two Hasbro propwrties, "G.I. Joe" and "Transformers."

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:  A look inside "The DC Book" (DK Books) by Stephen "Win" Wiacek.

INTERVIEW - From YouTube:  Daniel Fee33 interviews acclaimed comic book writer, Grant Morrison, who reveals some shocking information about plans for Superman that they foiled.

COMICS TO VIDEO GAMES - From BleedingCool:  During "The Game Awards 2021," Rocksteady Games dropped a game play trailer for the video game, "Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League."

MARVEL STUDIOS - From ETCanada:  On Wednesday, Florence Pugh claimed on her Instagram Story that she had been blocked from posting about her appearance in the Marvel series “Hawkeye” on her main feed, after fans complained about spoilers.

COMICS TO VIDEO GAMES - From BleedingCool:   During "The Game Awards 2021," DC Comics announced that it is working with Monolith Productions on a new "Wonder Woman" video game.

ANIME TO LIVE-ACTION - From THR:  Netflix has cancelled its ambitious "Cowboy Bebop" series after only one season.

GEORGE PEREZ - From THR:  Legendary DC Comics and Marvel artist, George Perez, has announced that he has Stage 3 pancreatic cancer and that he has between six months and one year to live.  Perez is known for his work on "New Teen Titans," "Crisis on Infinite Earths," and "Wonder Woman" for DC and "The Avengers" and "Infinity Gauntlet" for Marvel.

From BleedingCool:  Comic book professionals talk about the life of George Perez.

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MARVEL - From Marvel:   Marvel Comics has announced the next era of X-Men storytelling: "Destiny of X." One of the new titles emerging from that is Kieron Gillen and Lucas Werneck’s "Immortal X-Men," which will focus on the current leaders of mutantkind known as "The Quiet Council."

IMAGE - From BleedingCool:  Could "G.I. Joe" and "Transformers" end up at Image Comics?

VIZ MEDIA - From ANN:  Manga creator Inio Asano plans to end his current manga, "Dead Dead Demon's Dededededestruction" in the next ten chapters or sometime with the year.

DC TV - From VarietyColin Farrell is playing "The Penguin" in "The Batman" film, and he will also star in and executive produce a Penguin spin off series for HBO Max.

DC CINEMA - From Deadline:  Director Patty Jenkins is no longer directing Gal Gadot's "Cleopatra" film, so that she can focus on "Wonder Woman 3" with Gadot and also on the Star Wars "Rogue Squadron" film.

MARVEL STUDIOS - From DeadlineDestin Daniel Cretton, the director of "Shang-Chi and the Legends of the Ten Rings," has signed an overall deal which Marvel Studios with involves him writing and directing a sequel to "Shang-Chi."

COMICS TO ANIMATION - From CBRAmazon has announced "Diabolical," an animated spinoff to its hit live-action series, "The Boys," which is based on the comic book by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson.

SONY MARVEL U - From THR:  At Brazil Comic Con (CCXP Worlds 21), Sony Pictures releases "first look" footage from "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Part One)."  The film is due October 7, 2022, and is the sequel to the Oscar-winning, "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse," which starred Miles Morales Spider-Man.

MARVEL COMICS - From CBR:  Marvel Comics has announced a digital comic book miniseries, "Spider-Bot."

MARVEL COMICS - From THR:  Rob Liefeld says he is channeling the film, "Saving Private Ryan" (1998) for his one-shot comic book, "X-Force Killshot."

MARVEL STUDIOS - From BuzzFeed:  "Spider-Man" star Tom Holland reveals that an American driver told him that he might land the role because he was just unattractive enough.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Little, Brown has picked up the worldwide publishing rights to "Art Club," a graphic novel from cartoonist Rashad Doucet, who is known for his other graphic novels, "Alabaster Shadows" and "Pax Samson."

COVID-19 - From THR:  The second U.S. case of the COVID-19 variant, "omicron," is someone who attended the Anime NYC 2021 convention.

DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:  "Newsarama" takes a look at "the Retaliators," DC Comics' latest take on Marvel Comics "Avengers."

ONI PRESS - From Nerdist:   Oni Press' "Rick and Morty" comic books will parody "Dune," "Logan's Run," and "Star Wars" in 2022.

MANGA - From CBR:  CBR takes a look at the best selling manga for the year beginning 11/23/2020 and ending 11/21/2021.  "Demon Slayer: Volume 23" apparently has the top spot.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  "Shadow War" is a "Batman" event story line for 2022.

DC COMICS - From TeenVogue:  Writer Stephanie Williams talks about living a comic book fan's dream as writer of "Nubia and the Amazons" and about making Wonder Woman's home, Themyscira, an accessible utopia.

SONY MARVEL U - From Deadline:  Spider-Man producer Amy Pascal says that a new Marvel Cinematic Universe Spider-Man trilogy with Tom Holland is in the early works, one that keeps Sony Pictures and Disney’s Marvel working together beyond their already contracted Spider-Man: No Way Home.

DC ANIMATION - From DCBlog:  DC Comics has released the first official trailer for its animated "DC League of Super-Pets," which is due May 2022, probably on HBO Max.

PREVIEWS:

From DCBlog:  A 7-page preview of "Justice League Incarnate #2" which is due from DC Comics, Tues., Dec. 21st, 2021

From BleedingCool:  1 cover and 5 interior pages from "Miles Morales: Spider-Man #33," which is due from Marvel Comics Wed., Dec. 15, 2021.

From BleedingCool:  1 cover and 7 interior pages from "Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #9," which is due Tues., Dec. 12th, 2021 from DC Comics.

From GamesRadar:  A preview of "Batman: Urban Legends #10," due Tues., Dec. 14, 2021 from DC Comics.

From BleedingCool:  3 covers and 6 pages previewed from "Batman #118." It arrives Tues., Dec. 7th from DC Comics.

From BleedingCool:  4 covers and 6 pages previewed from "Star Wars: Crimson Reign #1."  It arrives Wed., Dec. 8th.

From BleedingCool:  3 covers and 5 pages previewed from "World of Krypton #1."   It arrives Tues, Dec. 7th from DC Comics.


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DECEMBER 2021 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Action Lab Entertainment for December 2021
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze artbooks and manga for December 2021
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for December 2021
From BleedingCool:  American Mythology Press for December 2021
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for December 2021
From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for December 2021
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for December 2021
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for December 2021
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for December 2021
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for December 2021
From BleedingCool:  Fantagraphics Books for December 2021
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for December 2021
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for December 2021
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for December 2021
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for December 2021
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for December 2021
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion for December 2021
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for December 2021
From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for December 2021
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for December 2021
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for December 2021
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for December 2021
From BoundingIntoComics:  VIZ Media for December 2021

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

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

MARCH 2022 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Aardvark-Vanaheim for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Humanoids for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion for March 2022
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for March 2022

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Sunday, February 14, 2021

#28DaysofBlack Review: BLACK PANTHER BY JACK KIRBY Volume 1

[The late comic book maestro, Jack Kirby, is, of course, not an African-American comics creator.  However, Kirby was instrumental in creating the greatest Black comic book character of all time, the Black Panther. The character has become an icon in American culture, and, I suspect, will eventually become an iconic figure in world popular culture.  So, as far as I'm concerned, Jack Kirby deserves a little spot of his own in Black History Month.]

BLACK PANTHER BY JACK KIRBY, VOL. 1
MARVEL COMICS

STORY: Jack Kirby
PENCILS: Jack Kirby
INKS: Mike Royer
COLORS: Dave Hunt; Petra Goldberg; Irene Vartanoff; Sam Kato
COLOR RECONSTRUCTION: Jerron Quality Color.
LETTERS: Mike Royer
EDITOR: Jack Kirby; Archie Goodwin (consulting); Jeff Youngquist (collection)
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Joe Quesada
COVER: Jack Kirby with Matt Milla
ISBN: 978-1-7851-1687-7; paperback (August 11, 2005)
136pp, Color, $19.99 U.S., $32.00 CAN

Black Panther created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee

Black Panther is a Marvel Comics superhero.  He was created by artist Jack Kirby and writer Stan Lee and first appeared in Fantastic Four #52 (cover dated: July 1966).  Black Panther is T'Challa, the king and protector of the (fictional) African nation of Wakanda.  Black Panther was also the first Black superhero in mainstream American comic books.

After his debut, Black Panther made guest appearances in other comic books and with The Avengers #52 (cover dated: May 1968) became a member of the Avengers.  Black Panther received his own feature in the title, Jungle Action, beginning in 1973.

Jack Kirby returned to Marvel Comics after working at rival DC Comics for several years.  One of his assignments upon his return was a new ongoing Black Panther comic book series.  Beginning with Black Panther #1 (January 1977), Jack Kirby began chronicling new adventures for the King of Wakanda, and which he continued doing until Black Panther #12.

Published in 2005 by Marvel Comics, Black Panther by Jack Kirby Vol. 1 reprints Black Panther #1 to #7.  These seven issues combine to form a story arc that sees Black Panther pitted against “the Collectors,” a group of powerful eccentrics that hunt the greatest treasures of history, fable, and myth.  Black Panther finds himself coerced into taking the lead in finding two treasures – one incredibly dangerous and the other capable of granting immortality.

Black Panther by Jack Kirby Vol. 1 opens with Black Panther #1, which is entitled “King Solomon's Frog.”  Black Panther and his companion, Mister Abner Little, have found a brass frog … and a dead man … and a strangely garbed warrior wielding a strange sword.  The brass frog turns out to be “King Solomon's frog,” and while the Black Panther manages to chase of the warrior, he isn't the only one after the frog.

Black Panther and Mister Little are captured by one of the latter's fellow Collectors, Princess Zanda.  It is Zanda who discovers the brass frog's true nature.  It is a time machine, and she proves that by bring forth a super-powered creature from six million years in Earth's future, the “Six Million Year Man.”  This “man” is nearly impossible to defeat.  Black Panther, Mister Little, and Zanda must travel to King Solomon's burial chamber.  There, they believe this will find King Solomon's Frog's twin, which will give them the power to return the Six Million Year Man to his own time.

Next, Zanda is joined by fellow Collectors:  Count Zorba, Colonel Pigman, and Silas Mourner in blackmailing Black Panther and Mister Little into traveling to the mysterious and hidden “Samurai City.”  There, they will find the “Sacred Water-Skin,” which holds the “water of immortality.”  And the Collectors want them some immortality.

Meanwhile, back in Wakanda or, as it is called in this series, “the Wakandas,” there is trouble.  Black Panther's half-brother, General Jakarra, has staged a coup.

THE LOWDOWN:  Supposedly, Jack Kirby was not happy writing and drawing the Black Panther comic book.  Apparently, he wanted to work on new characters, believing that he had already worked extensively on Black Panther material.

Kirby's alleged unhappiness did not show in the material reprinted in Black Panther by Jack Kirby Vol. 1.  This was not Kirby's best work, neither as a writer nor an artist, but his imagination remained powerful.  Odd characters, lavish and outlandish costumes, lunatic technology, and weird, wild, and wondrous lost civilizations:  Kirby was an idea machine, and he certainly was one in this strange Black Panther series.

Once again, as he had done with Wakanda, Kirby imagined a mystically powerful and highly technological African civilization, this time in the form of Princess Zanda and her denizens.  Also, Zanda herself is special.  Her facial features are powerful and strong like those of actress-singer Grace Jones, but also softer.  Her costumes look as if they were created for a Fashion Week runway, but are dotted with odd patters and shapes.  Zanda is one of the most beautiful Black female comic book characters that I have ever seen.

Kirby, however, was not hugely imaginative in his characterization of Black Panther/T'Challa in this series.  Kirby played T'Challa as a stalwart hero, but he gave him a sense of right-and-wrong that was similar what writer-artist Steve Ditko did with some of his characters, such as the Question.

As the cover copy says on two issues of Black Panther, Black Panther #1-7 offers “action in a mystic  realm...”  This is more weird fiction than typical superhero comics, but, as unpopular as Kirby's Black Panther apparently was, these stories did seem to influence future Black Panther comic book writers.  The sense of the mystic and weird remain, even a little, in modern Black Panther tales.

A year or so after Jack Kirby embarked on this Black Panther ongoing comic book, he left the title.  Less than a year after his last issue, Black Panther #12, Kirby left Marvel Comics for good.  Personally, I look at Black Panther by Jack Kirby Vol. 1 as a chance to enjoy the wonderful work that Kirby did for Marvel Comics, an entity that exists mainly because of Kirby's imagination and hard work.

Before we go, dear readers, I want to note two things.  First, there was a Vol. 2 collection of Kirby's Black Panther comic books.  Secondly, Jerron Quality Color's “color reconstruction” and restoration of the art reprinted in this book is simply gorgeous.  Jerron restores the original rich, flat colors and makes them pop off the page of this collection.  So I will give Black Panther by Jack Kirby Vol. 1 a grade that reflects what I feel about the story and about the quality of this trade paperback.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Jack Kirby will want to read Black Panther by Jack Kirby Vol. 1.

[This book includes a seven-page gallery of cover art, sketches, and unused art committed by Jack Kirby in the creation of the Black Panther.]

A-
7.5 out of 10

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


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Saturday, February 6, 2021

#28DaysofBlack Review: Eric Jerome Dickey's STORM

[The 2006 miniseries, "Storm," was basically a reboot of the story of Storm's relationship with the young man who would become the Black Panther when both were young. The series remains strong, and I wish the late Eric Jerome Dickey would have written more comic books featuring Marvel Comics' African and African-American characters.]

Get #28DaysofBlack review links here.

ERIC JEROME DICKEY'S STORM
MARVEL COMICS

WRITER: Eric Jerome Dickey
PENCILS: David Yardin; Lan Medina
INKS: Jay Leisten; Sean Parsons
COLORS: Matt Milla
LETTERS: VC’s Randy Gentile
EDITOR: Axel Alonso
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Joe Quesada
COVER: Mike Mayhew

Storm created by Len Wein and Dave Cockrum

Eric Jerome Dickey (1961-2021) was a New York Times bestselling African-American author.  He was best known for his novels about contemporary African-American life, such as Sister, Sister and Milk in My Coffee.  Dickey, who died January 3rd, also wrote crime novels that were international in their casts and settings, like A Wanted Woman.

Storm a/k/a Ororo Munroe is a Marvel Comics super-heroine and longtime member of the X-Men.  She was created by writer Len Wein and artist Dave Cockrum and first appeared in Giant-Size X-Men #1 (cover dated: May 1975).

Storm is also the former queen consort of Wakanda, a title she held when she was married to King T’Challa, better known as the superhero, Black Panther.  Before the two were married (in Black Panther #18 cover dated: September 2006), Marvel published several stories and comic books under the tagline, “Prelude to the Wedding of the Century.”

One of those series was Storm, a 2006, full-color, six-issue comic book miniseries.  It was written by Eric Jerome Dickey; drawn by David Yardin and Lan Medina (pencils) and Jay Leisten and Sean Parsons (inks); colored by Matt Milla; and lettered by Randy Gentile.  In the Storm miniseries, Dickey re-imagines the first meeting between the younger versions of both Ororo Munroe and T'Challa.

Storm #1 “Chapter One” (April 2006):

The story opens in an outdoor market in an unnamed African country.  Ororo Munroe, our future “Storm,” is among a number of street urchins that prowl the market looking for things they can steal from the shoppers and shopkeepers and even from those simply passing through the market.  Goaded by her compatriots, Ororo steals a camera from a white man.  What she does not realize is that this white man is de Ruyter, a South African and a ruthless hunter and poacher who is also a racist.  He is determined to track Ororo using any brutal means necessary.  Zenja, a jealous rival of Ororo’s, watches the situation, making plans of her own.

Flashbacks also show Ororo with her parents, her African-American father, David Munroe, and her African (Kenya) mother, N'Dare.  With the upheaval of change causing so much turmoil in America, N’Dare wants to return to her home country in Africa.  David does not believe that they will be better off in Africa.  Will their marriage survive this crucial disagreement?

Meanwhile, Ororo’s strange powers began to manifest themselves.  Plus, Teacher arrives to tell Ororo that the lessons in picking pockets and thievery she learned from her first teacher, Achmed El-Gibar, are not enough to suit his purposes.

Storm #2 “Chapter Two” (May 2006):

The issue first offers series cover artist, Mike Mayhew's haunting cover painting of the shattered Munroe family photo.  The racist South African poacher continues to stalk Ororo, determined to capture her for the mysterious powers he has discovered she possesses.  A jealous rival turns out to be more ally than enemy.  Plus, a mysterious young man comes to the rescue.

Storm #3 “Chapter Three” (June 2006):

The mysterious young man is T'Challa, son of the King of Wakanda, T'Chaka.  T'Challa is on his “walkabout,” a “journey into manhood,” and he finds himself in a serious philosophical debate with “Teacher,” the man who teaches Ororo and the other “urchins” to be thieves.  T'Challa is drawn to Ororo, who is recovering from the poison of a tranquilizer dart used on her by de Ruyter.  Speaking of the white hunter, he calls his brother, Andreas de Ruyter a.k.a. “the Bull,” to help him capture Ororo, whom he calls the “Wind Rider.”

Storm #4 “Chapter Four” (July 2006):

Ororo has left with young T'Challa, and their romance begins in earnest.  Elsewhere,  Andreas de Ruyter learns who T'Challa is, and the Bull's past as an adversary of Wakanda is revealed.

Storm #5 “Chapter Five” (August 2006):

Ororo and T'Challa struggle with what they mean to each other in the wake of consummating their relationship.  Then, they are captured.

Storm #6 “Chapter Six” (September 2006):

Ororo settles matters with her rival, Zenja.  In a high-flying helicopter chase, T'Challa and Ororo have their final battle with the de Ruyter brothers.  Then, the young couple continue their journey together – one a warrior and one both a warrior and a woman.

THE LOWDOWN:  Black writers can bring different perspectives and diverse points-of-view to comic book storytelling.  In one single issue, Storm #1, Eric Jerome Dickey shows what different perspectives on storytelling and diverse points-of-view can mean to the mythology of one X-Men in particular, Storm, and to the X-Men, in general.  Dickey really puts Ororo through her paces, forcing her to endure many challenges and obstacles if she is to survive her life as a thief and as a denizen of a jungle refuge.

Over the course of the six issues that comprise the Storm miniseries, Dickey creates a coming-of-age story that resonates with African themes, but is also an universal story of a young person finding  herself and her place.  Ororo’s life is not difficult just because she is an orphan, but also because she is, in some ways, a stranger in Africa.  Dickey, as a Black man, understands the stress fractures that exist in what it means to be Black in a larger culture and how it relates to heritage.  When Ororo’s fellow thieves insist that she is not one of them, Dickey brings a sense of authenticity and realism to those accusations.  He hits right at the heart of the matter.  Africans may see Ororo as a Black American and not at all as an African, no matter what her mother, N’Dare’s origins are.  This is another way that Dickey makes Ororo's story a universal tale.  Storm is a story that is also about the search for identity, and everyone, regardless of his or her group origins, can identity with that.

I would be remiss if I did not also praise artists David Yardin and Lan Medina and their inkers, Jay Leisten and Sean Parsons.  Throughout this series, the art is consistently beautiful, and the storytelling is dramatic, action-packed, bracing, and romantic.  The art and graphical storytelling deftly conveys the setting, making it both exotic and familiar.  Matt Milla's colors glow and sparkle, and also make Storm shimmer, giving her blue eyes an otherworldly quality.  The high drama and action would fall flat without Randy Gentile's dynamic and dynamite lettering.

Eric Jerome Dickey had a superb creative team for Storm.  They are the reason that the one work of comics that he left behind is brilliant and hopefully will delight readers for a long time to come.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Eric Jerome Dickey and fans of the X-Men's African weather goddess, Storm, will want to read Dickey's Storm miniseries.

A
8 out of 10

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


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The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Thursday, April 30, 2020

I Reads You Juniors April 2020 - Update #84

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Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

DIAMOND - From Newsarama:  This link reveals a list of comic books titles that publishers (including DC Comics) are going to release through Diamond Comic Distributors for May 20, 2020.

DC COMICS - From Newsarama:  DC Comics shipping for May 19 and May 26, 2020.

COVID-19 AND COMICS:

From BleedingCool:  "Flaming Carrot" creator, Bob Burden, had been hospitalized with COVID-19, but is better now.

From Newsarama:  DC Comics explains why it began distributing its comic books through distributors other than Diamond Comic Distributors during the Diamond-COVID-19 shutdown.

From Newsarama: (4/25) - Diamond Comic Distributors will reportedly resume shipping comic books for the week of Wednesday, May 20, 2020.

From Newsarama: (4/17) -  In the wake of the COVID-19 comic book industry shutdown, DC Comics plans to resume releasing a limited number of print comic books, Tuesday, April 28, 2020, with those comic books also being available in digital editions.

From Newsarama: (4/17) -  Newsarama's Chris Arrant takes a look inside DC Comics' new print distribution plan, which involves two new distributors, "Lunar" and "UCS."

From BleedingCool: (4/17) - Here is a list of comic books that DC Comics will be distributing for the weeks of Tues., April 28th, Tues., May 5th, and Tues., May 12th via Lunar Distribution and USC Comic Distributors.

From Newsarama: (4/17) - Retailer reaction to DC Comics' new distribution model is... mixed.

From BleedingCool: (4/21) - New DC Comics distributor, UCS Comic Distributors, will waive credit card fees and reorder fees for 2 months for comic book retailers ordering from them.

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From Newsarama:  African-American comic book writer-editor and New Yorker, Joseph Illidge ("Heavy Metal"), talks about surviving COVID-19.

From CNN:  Concerns over COVID-19 has led to the cancellation of San Diego Comic-Con International 2020.  This is the first cancellation in the 50-year history of the event.

From Newsarama:  So it is official:  Diamond Comic Distributors has targeted mid to late May 2020 to resume distribution of comic books and other products.

From BleedingCool:  The 2020 installments of BookExpo and BookCon have been cancelled.  Both will return in 2021... hopefully.

From ICv2:  Comic book sales may be cold because of COVID-19, but the graphic novel trade continues via a mix retailers.

From BleedingCoolDiamond Comic Distributors could start distributing comic books to comic book shops sometime around Sunday, May 17th, 2020... unless things change with current lock down orders.

From Newsarama:  Director James Gunn says that COVID-19 issues will not delay his upcoming comic book films.  "The Suicide Squad" is still due August 2021, and he still plans to start filming "Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3" later this year.

From BleedingCool:  Post-COVID-19, a group of comic book retailers have come up with a plan to change the way things work in "Direct Market" comic books.

From ComicBook:  Todd McFarlane has said that he is open to a Spawn/Spider-Man/Venom comic book crossover.  Fans have long requested a Spawn/Spider-Man crossover, but McFarlane has long resisted.  He says he would do it now to help the comics industry, in crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

From Newsarama:  Humanoids publisher Mark Waid announces the company's revised publishing schedule in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

From Newsarama:  TOKYOPOP announces its adjusted print and digital comics publishing schedule during the COVID-19 pandemic.

From Newsarama:  Diamond Comic Distributors announces that it will resume making payments - partial payments - to its vendors which includes comic book publishers.  Last week, Diamond announced that it was withholding payments due to the industry chaos caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

From TheDailyBeast:  The site says "The Coronavirus Outbreak Has Plunged the Comics World into Existential Chaos"

From TheObserver:  Big name Marvel and DC Comics artists are auctioning drawings to help comic book retailers hurt by COVID-19.

From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics has announced that it is pausing work and release on one-third of its planned publications for May and June 2020.

From Newsarama:  So ComicHub isn't happening...

From CBR:  New details have emerged regarding ComicHub's role in distributing new comics during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

From TheConversation:  COVID-19 has shutdown the comic book industry.

From Newsarama:  Voice actor Phil LeMarr reprises his role as "Green Lantern/John Stewart" ("Justice League" and "Justice League Unlimited") to recite Green Lantern's oath as a gift to fans who will not set him at conventions this summer because of COVID-19.

From Newsarama:  Diamond Comic Distributors warns the comic book industry that it is having cash flow problems.

PENCILS DOWN - Comic book creators use the term "pencils down" to refer to an order from a comics publisher to cease work on a title.  The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the comic book industry practically to a standstill with "pencils down" orders flying fast and furious:

From BleedingCoolMarvel Comics has informed more freelance creators to pause their work on Marvel assignments.

From Newsarama:  Writer-artist Sophie Campbell says that IDW has instructed her to stop producing work on its "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" comic book series "for now," with work stop with issue #105.  TMNT #105 to 107 have been solicited

From Newsarama:  Writer Larry Hama says that IDW has told him to suspend any current writing he is doing on the long-running "G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero" comic book, which IDW currently publishes.

COVID-19 COMICS IN MEMORIAM:

From Newsarama:  Legendary Argentine comic book writer and artist, Juan Gimenez, died at the age of 76, Wednesday, April 2, 2020.  He is best known for drawing "The Metabarons," for writer Alejandro Jodorowsky.  His other series include "The Fourth Power" and "Leo Roa."  He designed the "Harry Canyon" segment for the animated feature film, "Heavy Metal" (1981).  He had been diagnosed with COVID-19.

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OTHER NEWS:

EUROCOMICS - From BleedingCool:  There is one more "Asterix" graphic novel coming from the original creative team, the late writer Rene Goscinny and the recently deceased artist Albert Uderzo.  "Asterix and the Golden Menhir" arrives on October 21st by Albert René Editions in France and Belgium and by Panini in other territories.

COMICS - From Newsarama:  Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird are returning to their creations, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, for "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin."  It is an adaptation of an unpublished story from 1987.

NEWSPAPER COMICS - From TulsaWorldRussell Myers reflects on the 50-year history of his newspaper comic strip, "Broom-Hilda," and its Tulsa Oklahoma roots.

MANGA - From BleedingCool:  Yen Press announces a new manga title, "I'm a Behemoth, an S-Ranked Monster, but Mistaken for a Cat, I Live as an Elf Girl's Pet."

DC COMICS - From Newsarama:  DC Comics announces new "digital first" comics for Monday, April, 27th.

MARVEL - From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics confirms that it will not publish any new print or digital comic books the week of April 27th, although its rival, DC Comics, will resume publishing new print comic books that week.

BRITISH COMICS - From Newsarama:  The U.K. comics franchise, "Tank Girl," is moving from Titan Publishing to American publisher, Albatross Funnybooks.

NEWSPAPER COMICS - From WashPostSteenz and Bianca Xunise become rare examples of African-American women drawing newspaper comic strips.

COMICS - From NewsaramaTodd McFarlane talks bout the development of his art style.

DC COMICS - From Newsarama:  Does DC Comics' "expansion" of its "digital first" line of comics foreshadow bigger changes.

MANGA TO FILM - From Variety:  Sony is developing a live-action film based on the superhero-monster manga, "One-Punch Man."

SONY MARVEL U - From THR:  The "Venom" sequel has an official title, "Venom: Let There Be Carnage," and a new release date, June 25, 2021 (from October 2, 2020).

DC CINEMA - From Variety:  Matt Reeves' film, "The Batman," is among the films that Warner Bros. are giving a release date change.

DC CINEMA - From YahooEntertainmentAlicia Silverstone portrayed "Batgirl" in the much maligned 1997 Batman film, "Batman & Robin."  In an interview, Silverstone says that some of the criticism for the film that was leveled at her involved "body-shaming," including some critics calling her "Fatgirl."

WEBCOMICS - From BleedingCool:  TV actor ("In the Heat of the Night") and writer ("Law and Order: Criminal Intent") and comic book writer ("Solo" and "Mosaic" for Marvel Comics), Geoffrey Thorne, talks to "Bleeding Cool" about his upcoming webcomics.

IMAGE COMICS TV - From DeadlineRodney Barnes and Jason Shawn Alexander's killer of a comic book series, "Killadelphia," is being developed for television.

DC TV - From Variety:  One of the TV series that J.J. Abrams will be producing for HBO Max will be based on DC Comics' "Justice League Dark" franchise.

WEBCOMICS - From Newsarama:  Writer Ed Brubaker and artist Marcos Martin have launched a new digital comic, "Friday," at the site, "Panel Syndicate."

COMICS HISTORY - From ScreenRant:  The site offers a history of the American comic book "Direct Market."

COMIC SHOP - From CoolHunting: A Brooklyn, NY comic shop, Loot, turns children's drawings of superheroes into action figures.

MANGA - From ComicBook:  Junji Ito, the master of horror manga and horror comics, has a new manga and it has an appropriate title - "Disturbing Zone."

MARVEL TV - From Newsarama:  ABC says the "Agents of SHIELD" will return for the beginning of its final season May 27th.

COMICS - From Newsarama:  Jim Starlin has come out of retirement to produce a new entry in his classic creator-owned comic, "Dreadstar," the first in over 30 years.

COMICS - From Newsarama:  Penn State University (Pennsylvania State University) is launching its own comics imprint, "Graphic Mundi"

COMICS TO FILM - From Newsarama:  Comic book publisher BOOM! Studios signs a first-look deal with Netflix.

MARVEL COMICS -  From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics executive president and creative director Joe Quesada is showing artwork that he is drawing for an unannounced Marvel Comics project.

IMAGE COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Image Comics publisher, Eric Stephenson, has registered a trademark for "Pacific Comics PC," based on the old comic book store chain, publisher, and distributor.

ALAN MOORE - From BleedingCool:  Read Alan Moore's original proposal for the "America's Best Comics" line at Wildstorm.

COMICS TO FILM - From Newsarama:  Todd McFarlane says his "Spawn" movies, which he will write and direct, is still on track, despite rumors that the production has lost steam.

IN MEMORIAM - From Deadline:  The cartoonist, caricaturist, and comic book artist, Mort Drucker, has died at the age of 91, Wednesday, March 8, 2020.  Drucker is best known for drawing "Mad Magazine" for over five decades, where he specialized in satirizing films, television series, and their stars, actors, and filmmakers.

DC TV:  From Deadline:  Actor Erik Valdez (formerly of "General Hospital") has been cast as "Kyle Cushing," the husband of classic Superman character, "Lana Lang," in The CW's "Superman & Lois."

COMICS AWARDS - From Newsarama:  The nominees for the 2020 Hugo Awards, the most prestigious awards in science fiction, have been announced.  They have a comics category ("Best Graphic Story or Comic").

COMICS AWARDS - From Newsarama:  The nominees for the 2020 / 16th Annual Doug Wright Awards have been announced.  The Doug Wright Awards recognize English-language Canadian comics, although Canada is a bilingual nation (French and English).  The winners will be announced Sat., May 9, 2020.

FOX MARVEL U - From GamesRadar:  The runtime of "The New Mutants" is reportedly 94 minutes, which if true, would make it the shortest "X-Men" movie.

COMICS TO FILM - From Newsarama:  Netflix has debuted a trailer for "Extraction," a new film by Joe and Anthony Russo, the brothers behind the final two Avengers film.  Starring Chris Hemsworth ("Thor"), "Extraction" is based on the Russos' graphic novel, "Ciudad," which was published by Oni Press.

DC ANIMATION - From Newsarama:  Shazam joins the DC Comics' Lego animation line with "Shazam!: Magic and Monsters."  The film will get an April 28th digital release before a June 16th Blu-ray and DVD release.

DC TV - Deadline:  Actress Emmanuelle Chriqui has been cast "Lana Lang" in The CW's "Superman & Lois" series.

COMICS - From Brattleboro:  Longtime comic book writer, artist, creator, and publisher, Rick Veitch, has been named the state of Vermon's fourth "cartoonist laureate."

MANGA TO ANIME - From ComicBook:  The "Black Clover" anime will produce its first original story line outside of what is being produced for the "Black Clover" manga.

MANGA TO ANIME - From ScreenRant:  The "Bleach" anime enters its final season and will adapt the "Bleach" manga's "Thousand-Year Blood War" story arc.

COMICS TO FILM - From IndieWire:  Quentin Tarantino apparently once wanted to make a move featuring Marvel's "Luke Cage" with Laurence Fishburne in the lead role, but friends talked him out of it...

X-MEN - From BleedingCool:  It seems that once upon a time, almost five decades ago, X-Men artist John Byrne envisioned a different man behind Wolverine's mask.

DC TV - From Deadline:  The actor Dylan Walsh has been cast as "General Lane," the father of "Lois Lane" in The CW's upcoming TV series, "Superman & Lois."

MANGA - From Newsarama:  Kodansha USA Publishing announced that it will maintain release dates on some of its titles, release some in digital format, and change dates for others.  This involves its "Kodansha Comics" and "Vertical" imprints.

COMICS - From ScreenRant:  The auction house, Sotheby's, is selling Ian Levin's collection of every DC Comics published from 1934 to 2014.

DIGITAL COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Action Lab launches "Lucifer's Knight" on comiXology.

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APRIL 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze Media for April 2020
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for April 2020
From BleedingCool:  Amigo Comics for April 2020
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for April 2020
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for April 2020
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for April 2020
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for April 2020
From BleedingCool:  Devil's Due for April 2020
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for April 2020
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for April 2020
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot for April 2020
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for April 2020
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for April 2020
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for April 2020

MAY 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  A full-list of titles available for "Free Comic Book Day 2020" on May 2, 2020.
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for May 2020
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for May 2020
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for May 2020
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for May 2020
From BleedingCool:  Artists, Writers & Artisans for May 2020
From BleedingCool:  Aspen for May 2020
From Newsarama:  Behemoth Comics for May 2020
From BleedingCool:  Black Mask Studios for May 2020
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for May 2020
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for May 2020 [REVISED]
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for May 2020
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for May 2020
From BleedingCool:  Hero Complex for May 2020
From Newsarama:  Hero Tomorrow for May 2020
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publihsing for May 2020
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for May 2020
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for May 2020
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for May 2020
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for May 2020
From BleedingCool:  Red 5 Comics for May 2020
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for May 2020
From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for May 2020
From BleedingCool:  Storm King Productions for May 2020
From Newsarama:  Titan Comics for May 2020
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for May 2020
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for May 2020
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for May 2020
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for May 2020

JUNE 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for June 2020
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for June 2020 [REVISED]
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for June 2020
From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for June 2020
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for June 2020
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for June 2020
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Source Point Press for June 2020
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for June 2020
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for June 2020

JULY 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  Behemoth Comics for July 2020
From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for July 2020
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for July 2020


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