I Reads You Juniors July 2020 - Update #100

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Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON 2020 - VIRTUAL:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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COMIC BOOK INDUSTRY SEXUAL MISCONDUCT SCANDAL:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



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I Reads You Juniors December 2019 - Update #78

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

Support Leroy on Patreon.

Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

From Newsarama:  U.S. Rep. John Lewis (George's 5th Congressional District), the star of Top Shelf Productions' graphic novel trilogy, "March" (based on Lewis' life), has announced that he was Stage IV pancreatic cancer.

From CBR:  Kohei Horikoshi already has plans for the end of his smash hit manga, "My Hero Academia."

DC CINEMA - From ScreenRant:  Actor Michael B. Jordan says that if he played Superman (which he is rumored to be), the character would be authentic to comic book history.

From WCCFTech:  Valiant Comics is partnering with Blowfish Studios for the latter to produce games based on Valiant's characters.

COMICS-TO-FILM - From Newsarama:   Sony Pictures has moved the release date for its "Bloodshot" film (based on the Valiant Comics titles) from Feb. 21, 2020 to March 13, 2020.  The film stars Vin Diesel in the title role.

DC CINEMA - From Collider:  Director Patty Jenkins said that "Wonder Woman: 1984" is complete done - six months before its release.

REVIEWS - From Patreon:  My review of "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker."

From Newsarama:  Apparently, Jeff Kinney's comics slash illustrated books hybid series, "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" sold 10 million copies in 2019.  It has sold 200 million copies since the first book made its hardcover debut in 2007.

FOX X-MEN MOVIES - From Newsarama:  The X-Men film, "The New Mutants," is one of the films Disney inherited when it bought 20th Century Fox.  It has had numerous release date changes, from both Fox and Disney.  The film's director, Josh Boone, hints that there will be a new trailer for the film in January 2020.

From TheHollywoodReporter:  IDW Publishing is partnering with Dark Horse Comics for the four-issue comic book mash-up miniseries, "Transformers vs. The Terminator."  The series is due in comic book stores March 2020.

MEMORIAM - From Newsarama:  Comic book artist, Gerry Alanguilan, has died at the age of 51.

From BleedingCool:  So Mark Millar's secret "Project X-mas" turned out to be "American Jesus," which is apparently a reworking of a Millar series once published by Dark Horse Comics.

DC CINEMA - From Newsarama: "Bird of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)" has received an R-rating from the American movie ratings board, the MPAA.

IMAGE COMICS CINEMA - From Newsarama:  Oscar-nominated director Lee Daniels will direct a film adaptation of Robert Kirkman and Marc Silvestri's "Stealth" for Universal Pictures.

From Newsarama:   Marvel's "Free Comic Book Day 2020" offering, an "X-Men" comic book, will reportedly lead to Marvel Comics' next mega crossover event.

From Newsarama:  The "Free Comic Book Day" Committee has announced the "Gold Titles" for "Free Comic Book Day 2020" (May 2, 2020).

DC CINEMA - From CinemaBlend:  Gal Gadot explains why Wonder Woman does not have a sword and shield in "Wonder Woman: 1984.

DC CINEMA - From GamesRadar:   Here are some stills from the upcoming film, "Bird of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)," with the ridiculous title.

From AcadianaAdvocate:  Baton Rouge, Louisiana newspaper, "The Advocate," offers this feature on Louisiana comic book artist, "Farmhand."

DC TV - From BleedingCool:  Are HBO DC Comics adaptations or announcements of future ones fueling the bookstore sales of certain DC Comics graphic novels and trade paperbacks.

From SoraNews:  A Japanese manga artist shows the difference between erotic manga for men vs. women in a simple side-by-side comparison.

From BleedingCool:  Writer Alan Brennert and artist Jerry Ordway to launch the "Marvel Snapshots" series.

DC TV - From Variety:  Showrunner Damon Lindelof and cast and crew talk about the smash hit HBO series, "Watchmen."

From Newsarama:  Barry Windsor-Smith's long-awaiting project, "Monsters," will debut as a 250-page-plus graphic novel in 2020.

DC CINEMA - From Variety:  "Shazam 2" gets a new release date, April 1, 2022.

From BleedingCool:  Long at odds, "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird are reuniting to work on a new TMNT comic book.

MANGA CINEMA - From Newsarama:  The film version of the legendary manga, Akira, to be directed by Taika Waititi has been bumped from Warner Bros. film release schedule.

DC TV - From Deadline:  Actor Thomas Lennon, best known for the TV series, "Reno 911," will play classic Superman villain, Mr. Mxyzptlk, in the fifth season of The CW's "Supergirl."

From ClevelandMagazine:  Writer Mike Sangiacomo feels that the city of Cleveland, Ohio isn't embracing its comic book heritage, which includes being the birth of Superman.

MARVEL STUDIOS - From ComicBook:  Here is a look at the action figures for Marvel Studios' "Black Widow" movie.

From CBR:  The 10 best historical manga as ranked by CBR's John Witiw.

From Newsarama:  Here is a two page preview of the "Dylan Dog/Batman #0," the first issue of the crossover event between DC Comics and Italian publisher, Sergio Bonelli Editore (Dylan Dog).

From BleedingCool:  Hot gossip says the new Batman writer will be a Black man, Oscar-winner John Ridley, and that the new Batman will be Luke Fox, a young Black man.

From Newsarama:  Marvel Entertainment has moved to a new location... partially by President Trump's organization.

DC CINEMA TRAILER - From YouTube:  Here is the first official trailer for "Wonder Woman 1984," which is due June 5, 2020.

DC CINEMA - From THR:   "Wonder Woman 1984" director Patty Jenkins says that she and "Wonder Woman" actress, Gal Gadot, already have a story for a third "Wonder Woman" film.  She said that the two of them are already considering a spinoff film focusing on the Amazons.
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DC CINEMA - From ComicBook:  Apparently, the plan for The Rock's "Black Adam" movie is to be "inventive" and "reshape what the comic book movie is."  That is according to its cinematographer, Lawrence Sher, who also shot Todd Phillip's "Joker."

DC TV - From Newsarama:  HBO's acclaimed "Watchmen" TV series has received two nominations at the Writers Guild Awards.

SONY MARVEL U - From Deadline:   Actor Stephen Graham, currently appearing in "The Irishman," has been cast in an unknown role in "Venom 2."

DC CINEMA - From THR:  Actor Peter Sarsgaard has been cast in Matt Reeves' "The Batman," possibly to play Harvey Dent (the Gotham City district attorney who would become the villain, Two-Face).

From Newsarama:  Oscar-winning filmmaker and "Mad Max" mastermind, George Miller, defends superhero films... in response to the criticism of superhero cinema from Martin Scorsese, among others.

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics will publish "The James Jean Poster Portfolio" in August 2020, highlighting the art of the award-winning artist, James Jean.

From Newsarama:  Stout Club Entertainment – the powerhouse creative group composed of comic book creators Rafael Albuquerque, Eduardo Medeiros, Mateus Santolouco, and Rafael Scavone – announced a multi-book deal for four new comic book series to debut exclusively through the comiXology Originals program.

DC CINEMA - From TheNewYorker: "The Incendiary Aims of HBO’s 'Watchmen”'"

From WeGotThisCovered:  Crystal Dynamics, creator of "Tomb Raider," is producing a prequel comic book to "Marvel's Avengers."  It is due Summer 2020.

DC CINEMA - From WeGotThisCovered:  British actor Henry Cavill may still want to be the current "Superman" of the cinema, but "sources" say that Warner Bros. is eyeing actor American actor, David Corenset, best known for the Netflix series, "The Politician."

From RSN:  Acclaimed author, Margaret Atwood ("The Handmaid's Tale") extols the life lessons of the classic newspaper comic strip, "Little Lulu."

From BleedingCool:  Yoe Press will delve into the history of Black comic book artists in "Invisible Men: Black Artists of the Golden Age of Comics."

From CBR - Manga reading tips and tricks.

From BleedingCool:  Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips, and Jacob Phillips will launch the original graphic novel, "Pulp," in May 2020.

From XinhuaNet:  Chinese sci-fi comic strips to be published in France

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DECEMBER 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for December 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for December 2019
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Red 5 for Comics for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for December 2019
From BleedingCool:  Storm King Productions for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for December 2019
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for December 2019

JANUARY 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  January 2020 comics solicitations from 26 publishers
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for January 2020
From BleedingCool:  Amigo Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for January 2020
From BleedingCool:  Black Box for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Black Mask Studios for January 2020
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for January 2020
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Fantagraphics Books for January 2020
From Newsarama:  HarperCollins for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Humanoids for January 2020
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Red 5 Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Seven Seas Entertainment for January 2020
From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Titans Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Vertical Comics solicitations for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Yen Press for January 2020

FEBRUARY 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  01: First Second for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Albatross Funnybook for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Action Lab Entertainment for February 2020
From Newsarama:  AfterShock Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Black Mask Studios for February 2020
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for February 2020
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Fantagraphics Books for February 2020
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Lion Forge for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Random House for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Rebellion for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Red 5 Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Titan Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for February 2020

MARCH 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  Action Lab Entertainment for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Artists, Writer and Artisans for March 2020
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Fantagraphics Book for March 2020
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for March 2020
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for March 2020

MAY 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS
From Newsarama:  A full-list of titles available for "Free Comic Book Day 2020" on May 2, 2020.


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Review: MARCH Book Three

MARCH: BOOK THREE
TOP SHELF PRODUCTIONS – @topshelfcomix

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITERS: John Lewis and Andrew Aydin
ARTIST: Nate Powell
EDITOR: Leigh Walton
ISBN: 978-1-60309-402-3; paperback with French flaps – 6.7" x 9.7" (August 2, 2016)
256pp, B&W, $19.99 U.S.

Congressman John Lewis is a member of the United States House of Representatives as Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District Representative (GA-5, Democrat).  During the 1960s, Lewis was also one of the “Big Six” leaders of the American Civil Rights movement (with the others being Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., James Farmer, A. Philip Randolph, Roy Wilkins, and Whitney Young).  Before such fame and accomplishments, he was born John Robert Lewis in February 1940 to sharecropper parents, Willie Mae (Carter) and Eddie Lewis.

In 2013, Top Shelf Productions began publishing a series of three graphic novels, entitled March, that would chronicle Congressman Lewis' time as a Civil Rights activist.  March begins with his childhood and moves onto his time as a college student who is a participant in and organizer of dangerous protests.  The story ultimately shits into Lewis' years as a leader in the Civil Rights movement and as someone who shapes and influences change, politically and socially.  March is written by Congressman Lewis and Andrew Aydin, one of Lewis' top advisers, and is drawn and lettered by Nate Powell, an award-winning book illustrator and comic book creator.

March: Book Three (August 2016), like March Book One and March Book Two, uses the inauguration of President Barack Obama (January 20, 2009) as a kind of framing sequence from which a 68-year-old Lewis looks back on the events of the past.  Book Three opens on September 15, 1963 and depicts the terrorist bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama.

By the fall of 1963, the Civil Rights movement has found its way into the consciousness of the American people.  As the chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), John Lewis is one of the people that have made this happen.  SNCC continues to force the nation to confront its own blatant injustice, but as the movement grows more successful, its enemies grow bolder and more dangerous.  The supporters of segregation and of Jim Crow use everything from courtroom tactics via friendly judges to intimidation via violence.  Even more worrying, racists like the Ku Klux Klan and segregationist become more violent and seem to deal out death with impunity.

However, the Civil Rights movement, with Dr. Martin Luther King as its leader and most famous face, decides that in order for black Americans to be truly free and equal, they must be able to vote as freely as any white American.  It is time to end the voter suppression that silences so many Americans.  The cry becomes “One Man, One Vote!”  Lewis and an army of young activists launch their nonviolent revolution with innovative campaigns such the “Freedom Vote” and “Mississippi Freedom Summer,” and with an all-out battle for the soul of the Democratic Party waged live on national television.

There are new struggles, new allies, new opponents, and an unpredictable new president (Lyndon B. Johnson – the 36th) who might be both an ally and an opponent at the same time.  Even SNCC begins to fracture.  For 25-year-old John Lewis, however, there is no turning back as he and his fellow activists risk everything on a historic march that will begin in the town of Selma, Alabama.

I never doubted that March Book Two could be as powerful as March Book One, but then, I found that Book Two surpasses the first book in terms of intensity.  So, would March Book Three be the typical trilogy fail – the week final entry in a storytelling triplet?  Never fear, dear readers; there is no failure here.  Book One depicts the awakening or the full rising of Civil Rights tide.  Book Two took the readers into the trenches and to the front lines of a non-violent war in which one side uses peace and the other employs senseless, ceaseless, and wanton acts of violence.

March Book Three depicts many infamous acts of violence against Civil Rights activists.  The Sixteenth Street Baptist Church bombing; the kidnapping and murder of three Civil Rights workers (Mickey Schwerner, Andrew Goodman, and James Chaney), and “Bloody Sunday” are some of the most infamous acts of violence, murder, and mayhem that occur against the movement from the Fall 1963 to Spring 1965.

However, Book Three gets into the details and process of forcing change through politics and political action.  The emphasis is the movement's focus on the federal government, particularly on the Presidency of the United States and the U.S. Department of Justice.  The narrative of this book focuses more on political wrangling, with violence often as backdrop, and there is a sense that something is coming to an end.  Gaining the right to vote for Black people nationwide feels like the end of one story, the close of an iteration of the Civil Rights movement.

Whatever comes next for the movement will be different, but for now, there can be some joy in what is gained by the end of March Book Three.  That is the best thing about March Book Three; Lewis, Aydin, and Powell convey the sense of hope, and no matter what happens next, the victory of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery, Alabama voting rights marches offers hope no matter how good or bad things get from that point going forward.

On the last page of March: Book Three, Congress John Lewis and Andrew Aydin give us a depiction of the two of them talking about that “comic book idea.”  Lewis says “We'll have to find a great artist – someone who can make the words sing.”  Lewis and Aydin's words have the depth and detail of prose and convey the lyrical flow of poetry.

Well, they did find the great artist who could make their words sing in the person of Nate Powell.  Comic books are a storytelling medium that uses graphics to convey, communicate, and tell a story, and Powell makes the words sing “Hallelujah!”  That boy can sang!  In the end, Powell, with pencil, pen, and brush, creates a comic book that lifts him, as well as the readers, to the heights.  None of the greats – not Crumb, not Kirby, not Moebius, not Eisner, not Los Bros., not Wood, not Kurtzman; none of them are above him.  Now, he is their equal.

Nate Powell has marched on up to the mountaintop, and he sits on high with the masters, old and new.  John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, Dr. Martin Luther King, and the named and unnamed of the American Civil Rights movement deserve nothing less in the comic book artist who would tell their story.

10 out of 10

For more information about the March trilogy, visit here or at http://www.topshelfcomix.com/march

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


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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Review: MARCH: Book Two

MARCH: BOOK TWO
TOP SHELF PRODUCTIONS – @topshelfcomix

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITERS: John Lewis and Andrew Aydin
ARTIST: Nate Powell
EDITOR: Leigh Walton
ISBN: 978-1-60309-400-9; paperback with French flaps – 6.5" x 9.5" (January 20, 2015)
192pp, B&W, $19.95 U.S., $25.95 CAN

Congressman John Lewis is Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District Representative (GA-5, Democrat).  Lewis was also one of the “Big Six” leaders of the American Civil Rights Movement (with the others being Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., James Farmer, A. Philip Randolph, Roy Wilkins, and Whitney Young).  Before such fame and accomplishments, he was born John Robert Lewis in February 1940 to sharecropper parents, Willie Mae (Carter) and Eddie Lewis.

In 2013, Top Shelf Productions began publishing a series of three graphic novels, entitled March, that would chronicle the life of Congressman Lewis, from his childhood to his college-age youth as a participant in and organizer of dangerous protests.  The story ultimately moves into Lewis' years as a leader in the Civil Rights movement and as someone who shaped and influenced change, politically and socially.  March is written by Congressman Lewis and Andrew Aydin, one of Lewis' top advisers, and is drawn and lettered by Nate Powell, an award-winning illustrator and comic book creator.

March Book Two (January 2015), like March Book One, uses the inauguration of President Barack Obama (January 20, 2009) as a framing sequence.  The story then moves back to November 1960.  After the success of the Nashville sit-in campaign to desegregate lunch counters, the Nashville Student Movement is ready to make its next moves.  The students want to desegregate fast food restaurants and cafeterias and movie theaters so that that black people can receive the same service that white people do.  John Lewis is more committed than ever to changing the world through nonviolence — but he is about to become involved in his most perilous venture yet.

In 1961, the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) plans to test a recent favorable Supreme Court ruling, Boynton v. Virginia, which outlawed racial segregation on buses and in bus terminals.  CORE called this program Freedom Ride 1961, and the young activists involved are dubbed “Freedom Riders.”  However, these “Freedom Riders” plan to go into the heart of the deep south in order to segregate bus terminals in cities like Birmingham, Alabama and New Orleans, Louisiana, and they will be tested as never before.  They must face beatings from vicious white devils... (I mean) civilians, police brutality, imprisonment, arson, and even murder.  With their lives on the line, these young activists also face internal conflicts that threatens to tear them apart.

I never doubted that March Book Two could be as powerful as March Book One, but now, I think that Book Two passes the first book in terms of intensity.  Book Two also chronicles how John Lewis and his fellow activists attracted the notice people like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, who would become powerful allies.  We also witness Lewis get elected chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), thrusting the 23-year-old into the national spotlight.  We see Lewis become one of the “Big Six” leaders of the civil rights movement and a central figure in the landmark 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.  March Book Two also depicts the speech that Lewis gave at that historic march, and, at the back of this graphic novel, the original version of Lewis' speech is reprinted.  The section of the story that deals with the “negotiations” involved in getting Lewis to make changes to his speech is riveting.

However, the spine of March Book Two is the harrowing depiction and recounting of “Freedom Ride 1961.”  Lewis and Andrew Aydin's script, narration, and dialogue are some of the most powerful that I have ever read in a comic book.  As I read those glorious pages, I felt as if my blood was freezing, at the same time that my heart was a'pounding.  If Lewis and Aydin's text about the Freedom Riders was reprinted without the art, it would still be compelling and effective.

I could say the same thing about the art.  If Nate Powell's illustrations and graphics for March Book Two were reprinted without the text and word balloons in an art book, they would still be all-powerful and potent storytelling.  Even as pantomime comics, Powell's work here would force us to understand every bit of Lewis' story as told by the Congressman and Mr. Aydin.  Powell is easily one of the very best comic book illustrators of the still young twenty-first century.  He is in my Top 10.

Fortunately for us, Lewis, Aydin, and Powell work as one almighty comic book creative team.  On that ride back through time, they transport us onto the buses for the most perilous bus rides in American history.  Because of the felicity with which they tell this story, Lewis, Aydin, and Powell honor not only Lewis' story, but they also honor the men and women, black and white, who put everything on the line for freedom and equality.  March Book Two was and still is 2015's best original graphic novel and best work of comics.

10 out of 10

For more information about the March trilogy, visit here or at http://www.topshelfcomix.com/march

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


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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

I Reads You Juniors February 2018 - Update #65

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Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet webcomic episode #154 in English.
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From TheGuardian:  "Marvel comics' Fresh Start looks like a return to old cliches" by David Barnett

From SupermanHomepage:  DC Comics may be cancelling the titles, "Supergirl" and "Super Sons"

From CBR:  Marvel Comics Solicitations for May 2018

From BleedingCool:  Marvel offers "A Fresh Start."

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From BleedingCool:  May 2018 solicitation for Devil's Due/1st Comics

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #154 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #154 in French.

From JapanToday:  Manga creators association says pirate sites could bring about collapse of Japanese culture

From BleedingCool:  Writer Rodney Barnes will unite with a still unknown superstar artist to produce a Lando Calrissian miniseries that ties into the film, "Solo: A Star Wars Story."

From CNN:  Keita Sagaki reproduces classic paintings using hundreds of tiny manga characters.

From ComicBook:  Dan Jurgens and the team of Peter J. Tomasi & Patrick Gleason say good-bye to their respective runs on Superman in one-shots that will be published this coming May.

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From ComicsReporter:  Talent Relations Department At DC Sends Out Social Media Guidelines - the text as sent to TCR.

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics issues social media and press guidelines to comics creators.
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From BleedingCool:  DC Comics Sending “Brian Michael Bendis is Coming” Promo Posters to Comic Stores

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BLACK PANTHER - From BleedingCool:   Black Panther is topping Amazon's comics sales.

From PublishersWeekly:  Comics retailers hope to rebound in 2018.

From Complex:  DC Comics' "New Super-Man" becomes "New Super-Man and The JLC" (Justice League of China) with issue #20.

From TheAVClub:  A preview of "New Super-Man and The JLC #1"

From BleedingCool:  The Top 100 Most-Ordered Comics and Graphic Novels by Comic Stores in January 2018.

BLACK PANTHER - From Philly:  The African American Museum in Philadelphia has "Black Pulp," an exhibit of comic book art that shatters stereotypes about Black people, including some art from "Black Panther" comics.

From CBLDF:  There will be an exhibit of the original art that Nate Powell produced from the graphic novel trilogy, March (Top Shelf), which chronicles the life of Civil Rights legend, Congressman John Lewis.  Entitled "The Art of MARCH: A Civil Rights Masterpiece" will exhibit at the Museum of Illustration at the Society of Illustrators (New York City), February 28 – June 30, 2018.

From TheStage:  Naoko Urasawa has brought to stage in London his manga, Pluto.  Here is a review of it.

From BleedingCool:  450 people sign a letter asking for the New York Times Graphic Novel Bestseller List Back.

From TheVerge:  Joss Whedon's beloved sci-fi TV series, "Firefly," is coming back in a series of novels.

From NextShark:  Chinese pirates reportedly cost Japan billions of dollars per year in illegally translating manga.

From ComicBook:  One Punch manga artist, Yusuke Murata, is working on a manga based on the beloved film franchise, "Back to the Future."  He offers a preview illustrations from the manga.

From BleedingCool:  Marvel will bring Darkhawk back in a new miniseries related to "Infinity Countdown."

From THR:  Venerable British comics magazines, "2000 AD," announces an all-female creators issue for the summer, "2000 AD Sci-Fi Special."

From Quartz:  Japan is hunting illegal video game and manga translators.

From Forbes:  This is the feature article which announced Brian Michael Bendis' Superman plans, beginning with a six-issue miniseries and then Bendis' takeover of "Superman" and "Action Comics."

From Geek:  A look at the history of computer art in comics, starting with First Comics' "Shatter" by artist Mike Saenz and writer Peter B. Gillis.

From Newsarama:  Bill Sienkiewicz will be the variant cover artist on "The Walking Dead," apparently for 2018.

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From GoFundMe:  Charlton Neo Comics needs help.

From CreatorsforCreators:  The 2018 submissions for a $30,000 grant are open.

From BleedingCool:  Artist Lee Weeks will join Tom King on the ongoing Batman comic book sometime after issue #45.

From NYTimes:  DC Comics joins forces with Young Adult authors.

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics unveils details about its new young reader imprints, DC Zoom and DC Ink.

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #153 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #153 in French.

From PreviewsWorld:  BOOM! Studios has announced "Planet of the Apes: Visionaries."  This new original graphic novel that will adapt the first screenplay for the original "Planet of the Apes" film into comics.  Rod Serling, the creator of "The Twilight Zone," wrote the first draft of the "Planet of the Apes" screenplay, but his first draft was drastically altered by the time of filming.

From BleedingCool:  See the Black Panther and Wonder Woman parody T-shirts.

From ICv2:  Marvel Co comics will publish a six-issue comic book adaptation of "Star Wars: The Last Jedi," with issue #1 debuting May 2nd, 2018.

From Kotaku:  See the warehouse where unwanted manga is turned into toilet paper.

From BleedingCool:  Brian Michael Bendis is apparently taking over as writer of DC Comics titles, "Superman" and "Action Comics."

From BleedingCool:  Just draw, Ethan Van Sciver.

From BleedingCool:  Brian Michael Bendis' "Jinxworld" library of graphic novels and trade paperbacks is moving to Bendis' new home, DC Comics.

From NPR:  Four years ago, NPR had some of its favorite comics artists illustrate some of the poems of revered African-American poet, Langston Hughes.  Today, we look back at Afua Richardson's take on Hughes' poem, The Negro Speaks of Rivers."

From JapanToday:  As many as 4,000 homeless people may be finding shelter at 24-hour internet and manga cafes in Tokyo on any given weekday, according to the first survey on the issued by the Tokyo metropolitan government.