I Reads You Review: ROCKETEER ADVENTURES #3

ROCKETEER ADVENTURES #3
IDW PUBLISHING

WRITERS: Ryan Sook, Joe R. Lansdale, Bruce Timm, Jonathan Ross
ARTISTS: Ryan Sook, Bruce Timm, Tommy Lee Edwards
COLORS: Tommy Lee Edwards
LETTERS: Ryan Sook, John Workman
PIN-UPS: Stephanie Buscema, Joe Chiodo
EDITOR: Scott Dunbier
COVER: Alex Ross (alternate cover by Dave Stevens)
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.

First appearing in 1982, The Rocketeer is a superhero created by the late writer/illustrator Dave Stevens. The Rocketeer takes inspiration from the Saturday movie heroes of the 1930s and 1940s, and his exploits are mainly set in Los Angeles in and after the year 1938. The Rocketeer is Cliff Secord, a stunt pilot who discovers a mysterious jet pack that allows him to fly, and Secord’s girlfriend, Bettie Page, is based upon real life, 1950s pin-up and fetish model, Bettie Page.

Over a 30 year period, The Rocketeer made infrequent comic book appearances in several publications from several publishers. The character debuted as a backup feature in the comic book, Starslayer, from the now-defunct Pacific Comics and made two appearances in Pacific's anthology, Pacific Presents. Afterwards, there was the Rocketeer Special Edition (Eclipse Comics), the Rocketeer Adventure Magazine (Comico Comics) and finally graphic novel collection from Dark Horse Comics

The Rocketeer is back in Rocketeer Adventures, a new anthology series from IDW Publishing. Edited by Scott Dunbier, Rocketeer Adventures features Rocketeer short stories (about 7 to 8 pages in length) from some of the premiere creators in American comic books.

Rocketeer Adventures #3 opens with “A Rocketeer Story” by Ryan Sook, which finds the Rocketeer taking on robbers at the premiere of a new film in which Bettie has a major speaking role. Writer Jonathan Ross and artist Tommy Lee Edwards introduce the “Junior Rocketeers” as girl power flexes its muscles. Stephanie Buscema and Joe Chiodo offer pin-ups. Writer and novelist Joe R. Lansdale and artist Bruce Timm present an illustrated prose short story and faux pulp tale, “Heaven’s Devils.”

“A Rocketeer Story” and “Junior Rocketeers” are nice, but nothing special. How does one follow up an issue that had a Darwyn Cooke Rocketeer story? Scott Dunbier somehow wrangled a Joe R. Lansdale/Bruce Timm joint – a short fiction piece with illustrations. I’ve always hated/dreaded finding a prose story in a comic book. I like short stories, but I don’t want to read one in a comic book. Am I obligated to read it, I always ask myself.

The seven-page story features a cover-like illustration and wide black and white illustrations by Timm, but Lansdale holds up his end. “Heaven’s Devils is a fun read with lots of salty language, and it features the subtly vivid prose that is a hallmark of the usually excellent Lansdale. Once again, the contributors to Rocketeer Adventures do right by Dave Stevens.

B+

CLiNT #1 Goes Back to Press with New Cover

MARK MILLAR’S CLiNT #1 SELLS OUT, SECOND PRINTING ANNOUNCED BY TITAN!

 

The first issue of Mark Millar's brand new comic anthology, CLiNT, has sold out! To meet retailer demand, Titan publishing has announced a second printing with a fabulous new Kick-Ass cover, that is sure to become a collector’s item.

CLiNT is the brand new 100-page monthly magazine from Kick-Ass creator Mark Millar and leading entertainment publisher Titan, showcasing brand new comics alongside news, features and interviews, with a mix of celebrity contributors and hot new talent.

CLiNT #1, which launched early September, boasting the first-look at Mark Millar and John Romita Jr.'s Kick-Ass 2, has flown off shelves. This first hit issue also includes the start of Nemesis, by Millar and Steve McNiven, and sees two of the UK’s most outspoken TV personalities present their comic debuts.

Turf, by Jonathan Ross and acclaimed artist Tommy Lee Edwards, mixes vampires, aliens and gangsters in a slick period thriller. While Rex Royd, by comedian Frankie Boyle, introduces “The Renaissance Man of Madness” in a spectacular supervillain strip.

Retailers will be able to order copies of the second printing of CLiNT #1 with this fabulous new Kick-Ass cover from this weeks PREVIEWS Plus and December’s Diamond PREVIEWS. For more information visit www.previewsworld.com.

Orders for CLiNT issue #6, which includes the latest installment of Kick-Ass 2 is also listed in December’s Diamond PREVIEWS and retailers are advised to increase their orders to meet the anticipated demand.

For more information on CLiNT, visit: http://www.clintmag.com/

CLiNT #1 trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCRL5PLM7Yo

Connect with CLiNT: http://www.twitter.com/CLiNTmag and http://www.facebook.com/CLiNTmag

Promotional Trailer for Mark Millar's CLiNT on YouTube

The following is a press release about Mark Millar's upcoming anthology magazine, entitled CLiNT:

PROMO TRAILER FOR MARK MILLAR'S NEW COMIC BOOK, CLiNT!


CLiNT is a new comic book from the creator of Kick-Ass, Mark Millar!

A 100-page monthly magazine featuring comic strips from Mark Millar, John Romita JR, Steve McNiven, Tommy Lee Edwards, Jonathan Ross, Frankie Boyle and exclusive stories from the best new comic talent! Plus, interviews & features from movies, games, TV and more!

Click here to view the trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCRL5PLM7Yo

CLiNT #1
On-sale September 2, 2010. Available from all good retailers and specialist comic stores.

For future exclusive information on CLiNT, join:
http://www.twitter.com/CLiNTmag
http://www.facebook.com/clintmag

Second Issue of Ross and Edwards' "Turf" Gets a Second Printing

GANGSTERS, VAMPIRES, ALIENS, OH MY!

TURF #2 sold out at distribution level; Image Comics takes it to press again

Jonathan Ross and Tommy Lee Edwards' TURF -- a Prohibition-era tale of vampires, gangsters, and aliens -- is a certified hit with the sell out of issue #2! Image Comics is reprinting the issue, and it will be available on July 21, 2010.

"We're just knocked out by the response the first two issues have gotten,” exclaims Ross. “To get so much positive feedback and to sell out again is totally rad, as they used to say in the eighties. Turf three is just around the corner and the ride gets even bumpier, so stick around!”

"Creating TURF with Jonathan has been one of the most time-consuming yet rewarding experiences of my career,” adds Edwards. “I'm glad to see how much the readers are appreciating our hard work and that they enjoy seeing TURF's story-lines converge to become even more exciting, scary, funny and challenging."

TURF: New York, 1929. The height of Prohibition. The cops turn a blind eye while the mobs run the city, dealing in guns, girls and illegal liquor. But the arrival of the mysterious Dragonmir Family from Eastern Europe with more of a taste for blood then booze coincides with a series of brutal attacks on the gangsters themselves. As the gangs fall before the fangs, only a handful of mobsters survive. But an unlikely alliance formed between tough guy Eddie Falco and a character from a LONG way from New York City -- a long way from Earth in fact -- offers the humans a glimmer of hope. As the strong willed young reporter Susie Dale from the Gotham Herald tries to survive in the middle of the maelstrom and an ancient prophecy unfolds, no one can guess who's going to win the battle for this particular slice of Turf.

TURF #2 Second Printing (MAY108162), a 32-page full color comic book for $2.99, will be in stores July 21, 2010.

Ross and Edwards will be joining Image Comics at Comic-Con International 2010 in San Diego on Thursday, July 22, and Friday, July 23, for a pair of exclusive signings from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. both days (booth #2729). Don't miss your chance to pick up a signed convention exclusive of sold out issue #1!


Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of four major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.

Ross and Edwards' "Turf" Sells Out First Issue

TURF #1 SOLD OUT

Second printing of TURF #1 to be available with TURF #2

The first issue of writer Jonathan Ross and artist Tommy Lee Edwards' critically acclaimed miniseries is sold out at the distributor level, and publisher Image Comics is rushing a second printing to press.

"This is so cool!" Ross exclaims. "Hope everyone who bought this debut issue is going to stick with us to the end because we have some insane stuff planned for this book!"

"I am so proud of the work that Jonathan and I have put into TURF and am really glad that the first issue has been received so well," adds Edwards. "Doing a second printing will hopefully ensure that our series gets into enough readers' hands and get them hooked, because the whole thing just gets better and better with each following issue."

Image Publisher Eric Stephenson says, "I'm ecstatic that the first issue of TURF has sold out. Jonathan and Tommy have worked so hard on this book, and they deserve all of the praise they've received for TURF."

TURF: New York, 1929. The height of prohibition. The cops turn a blind eye while the mobs run the city, dealing in guns, girls and illegal liquor. But the arrival of the mysterious Dragonmir Family from Eastern Europe with more of a taste for blood then booze coincides with a series of brutal attacks on the gangsters themselves. As the gangs fall before the fangs, only a handful of mobsters survive. But an unlikely alliance formed between tough guy Eddie Falco and a character from a LONG way from New York City -- a long way from Earth in fact -- offers the humans a glimmer of hope. As the strong willed young reporter Susie Dale from the Gotham Herald tries to survive in the middle of the maelstrom and an ancient prophecy unfolds, no one can guess who's going to win the battle for this particular slice of Turf.

TURF #1 Second Printing, a 32-page full color comic book for $2.99, will be in stores May 19, 2010, the same day as TURF #2 (MAR100405).

Some praise for TURF #1:

"This is a striking debut by Ross into comic book writing! ...Ross and Edwards have created such vibrant characters that they extend past any sort of cliché that they might have otherwise been stuck in. " --Comic Book Resources

"TURF spins a great tale that mixes genres perfectly." --Major Spoilers

"Ross creates a living, breathing world in which fantasy and reality blend together with a true sense depth, and it acts as an anchor for all of the characters and the actions that take place on the page... Don't miss a truly original piece." --Multiversity Comics

"The story suggests it's ready to spring to weird life, which is a good thing for a first issue to do. And perhaps most importantly, the issue took me a lot longer to read than the typical five minutes it takes me to read a comic these days..." --IGN

"Edwards' lines make the NYC of TURF seem very real, it's down and dirty, it's corrupt, but yet he also makes the more fantastical elements feel like they fit. Vampires and Aliens, Edwards makes it all seem like one, very real world." --The Outhouse

"TURF is a hugely impressive debut that, as unlikely as it sounds, may possibly mark the entrance of a major new talent on the scene." --Paradox Comics Group