Showing posts with label Mike Allred. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mike Allred. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Review: GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #1

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY (2015) No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review originally appeared on Patreon.]

WRITER: Brian Michael Bendis
ART: Valerio Schiti
COLORS: Richard Isanove
LETTERS: VC’s Cory Petit
COVER: Art Adams with Dave Stewart
VARIANT COVERS: Valerio Schiti with Richard Isanove; Jason Latour; Shawn Crystal with Chris Brunner; Mike and Laura Allred; John Tyler Christopher; Contagious Costuming and Judy Stephens
28pp, Color, $3.99 (December 2015)

Rated “T”

The Guardians of the Galaxy are a Marvel Comics superhero team.  Created by writer Arnold Drake and artist Gene Colan, the team first appeared in Marvel Super-Heroes #18 (cover dated: January 1969).  However, the best known version of the Guardians of the Galaxy first appeared in 2007.  Created by writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, the team's initial roster included Star-Lord, Rocket Raccoon, Quasar, Adam Warlock, Gamora, Drax the Destroyer, and Groot.

Star-Lord, Rocket Raccoon, Gamora, Drax the Destroyer, and Groot would go on to be the stars of Marvel Studios' surprise 2014 hit film, Guardians of the Galaxy.  With the launch of the “All-New, All-Different Marvel,” there is a new Guardians of the Galaxy comic book.  The series is written by Brian Michael Bendis; drawn by Valerio Schiti; colored by Richard Isanove; and lettered by Cory Petit.

Guardians of the Galaxy #1 features the team of Kitty Pryde as Star-Lord, Drax, Rocket Raccoon, Groot, The Thing, and Venom.  A run-in with the Chitauri leaves the group with a mysterious item and no knowledge of how powerful or dangerous that object is.  Meanwhile, on Planet Spartax, Peter Quill, the original Star-Lord, finds his new life as King to be an utter bore.  He does not realize that excitement is bound to return in many ways...

I last read Guardians of the Galaxy during the story arc, “The Trial of Jean Grey,” a crossover event with All-New X-Men.  Then, I didn't find a reason to keep reading.  I am not sure that this first issue gives me a reason to keep reading this new series, now.  It is not as if this new Guardians of the Galaxy #1 is awful or anything; besides, I am a fan of writer Brian Michael Bendis.  New series artist Valerio Schiti delivers some pretty art and solid storytelling.

I guess it is just that I got this first issue because I am trying to read as many #1 issues in the “All-New, All-Different Marvel” as I can.  I don't plan on reading as many #2 issues, I can tell you that, dear reader.  This is not a bad comic book... I reiterate.  I think fans of the modern incarnation of the Guardians of the Galaxy will enjoy this comic book.  It is just that if money is tight for you, dear reader, this comic book is not worth $3.99 if you are not a fan.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.


Sunday, January 25, 2015

I Reads You Review: ALL-NEW MIRACLEMAN Annual #1

ALL-NEW MIRACLEMAN ANNUAL #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITERS: Grant Morrison, Peter Milligan
ART: Joe Quesada, Mike Allred
COLORS: Richard Isanove, Laura Allred
LETTERS: Chris Eliopoulos, Travis Lanham
COVER: Gabriele Dell'Otto
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (February 2015)

Mature Content – Parental Advisory for Strong Language & Content

Miracleman (Marvelman) created by Mick Anglo

All-New Miracleman Annual #1 is a one-shot comic book published on New Year's Eve 2014 (Wednesday, December 31, 2014).  It contains two stories set in the world of Alan Moore and Gary Leach's revived and re-imagined version of Marvelman, the 1950s and early 1960s British superhero character created by British comic book writer-artist, Mick Anglo.

When Alan Moore's Marvelman was brought to America and reprinted by the late Eclipse Comics, it was renamed Miracleman.  After acquiring the rights to the Marvelman characters, Marvel Comics is currently reprinting the material produced by Warrior and reprinted by Eclipse and also, Eclipse's own Miracleman comics that it began publishing in the mid-1980s.

The first story in All-New Miracleman Annual #1 is The Priest and the Dragon: “October Incident: 1966.”  It is a Marvelman-related story written by Grant Morrison for the British comic magazine, Warrior, the home of Moore's Marvelman revival.  No art was produced for the story after it was originally written, and it was put on hiatus when Warrior ceased publication (according to the “Behind the Scenes” section of All-New Miracleman Annual #1).

The story finally sees light with art by former Marvel Comics Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada (now Chief Creative Officer of Marvel Worldwide, Inc.).  The story centers on an elderly priest who had an encounter, three years before this story begins, with Johnny Bates a.k.a. Kid Miracleman.  The story, really, is a vignette, but it is the kind of vignette that can be very powerful and effective with the right artist.  Joe Quesada is an effective graphical storyteller, so this story allows us to see Quesada working as a storytelling comic book artist, which he has not been for much of the last decade and a half.  Even the lettering by Chris Eliopoulos for this story is potent.

The second story features the Miracleman Family (the Marvelman Family):  Miracleman, Young Miracleman, and Kid Miracleman.  The story, entitled “Seriously Miraculous,” is written by Peter Milligan and is drawn by Mike Allred with colors by Laura Allred and letters by Travis Lanham.  I think that this is an entirely new story.

The story pits the Miracleman Family against the Dictator of Boromania and his hired gun, Gargunza, a Miracleman adversary.  While constantly foiling assorted diabolical, but weird plots, Miracleman notices something strange about the places where he and his family have fought.

“Seriously Miraculous” is a hugely enjoyable story.  Peter Milligan's name is not often mentioned among the great British comic book writers who started producing work for U.S. comic book publishers in the 1980s and 90s, but it should be.  I don't think that I have ever read something by him that was not interesting or inventive or both.  He may not have created a Watchmen or a Sandman, but he is never ordinary.

In “Seriously Miraculous,” he has written a story that perfectly plays to Mike Allred's retro-modern style, but not just in terms of style.  Milligan and Allred come together for a story that pays homage to Mick Anglo's old Marvelman comics, but also hints at Alan Moore and Gary Leach's revival, while allowing Allred to add his ironic and surreal touches.

Milligan and Allred are a good team, and Quesada brings Morrison's decades-old story to life with the kind of power that it might not have had it been drawn when it was originally intended.  All-New Miracleman Annual #1 is a must-have in this second revival of Marvelman/Miracleman.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.



Friday, June 20, 2014

I Reads You Review: BATMAN ’66 MEETS THE GREEN HORNET #1


BATMAN ’66 MEETS THE GREEN HORNET #1
DC COMICS/DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT – @DCComics and @dynamitecomics

WRITERS: Kevin Smith and Ralph Garman
ARTIST: Ty Templeton
COLORS: Tony Avina
LETTERS: Wes Abbott
COVER: Alex Ross
VARIANT COVER: Michael Allred and Laura Allred
28pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (August 2014)

Rated E (Everyone)

Starring Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin, the television series, “Batman,” debuted on the ABC television network in January 1966 and was an immediate success.  That apparently encouraged Greenway Productions and 20th Century Fox Television, the company’s behind “Batman,” to bring another costumed superhero to network television.

Later that same year, ABC debuted “The Green Hornet,” a television series based on The Green Hornet, a character that first appeared on radio.  Van Williams starred as the Green Hornet and his civilian identity, Britt Reid, and the legendary Bruce Lee played the Hornet’s martial-artist partner, Kato.  The series ran for one season from 1966 to 1967.

Van Williams and Bruce Lee made cameo appearances as the Green Hornet and Kato on the Batman TV series, during the second season.  Later that same season, the Green Hornet and Kato appeared in the two-part episode, “A Piece of the Action” and “Batman's Satisfaction” (first aired on March 1–2, 1967).  The episodes feature the Green Hornet and Kato in Batman’s Gotham City, trying to foil a counterfeit stamp ring run by Colonel Gumm.

Debuting in 2013, Batman ’66 is a comic book series that is inspired by the classic 1960s “Batman” TV series.  Now, DC Comics is publishing a Batman ’66 miniseries that teams Batman and Robin of that show with the Green Hornet and Kato of the 1966-67 television program.  Entitled Batman ’66 Meets The Green Hornet, the six-issue comic book miniseries is written by Kevin Smith and Ralph Garman, drawn by Ty Templeton, colored by Tony Aviña, and lettered by Wes Abbot.

Batman ’66 Meets The Green Hornet #1 (“On the Wrong Track’) finds millionaire Bruce Wayne, who is Batman, and his young ward, Dick Grayson, who is Robin, at home in stately Wayne Manor.  Bruce and Dick are discussing Dick’s date with a young woman for later in the evening, but this domestic scene is about to be interrupted.

A call from Commissioner Gordon of the Gotham City Police Department alerts Bruce to potential trouble.  Soon, Bruce is aboard the Gotham Express, accompanying a priceless fossil collection as it is being transported to another city.

Once aboard, Bruce discovers that he is acquainted with two other passengers:  playboy and media mogul Britt Reid, the owner and publisher of the big city newspaper, The Daily Sentinel, and Kato, Reid’s valet.  It seems that they are also concerned about the safety of the fossil collection.  They are about to discover, however, that a villain, familiar to Batman and the Green Hornet, wants the fossils, and it will take the combined effort of Batman and Robin and The Green Hornet and Kato to stop him.

As a child, I was a huge fan of the 1960’s ABC Batman program; as an adult, I like the series, but not as much as I once did.  I like ABC’s similar series, “The Green Hornet,” but I doubt that I have seen even half the episodes that aired during the series’ single season, which numbers at 26, I think.

I don’t know how to describe what I think or even how I feel about Batman ’66 Meets The Green Hornet.  Perhaps, I am mildly entertained.  It is like an homage to the original television series that is not sure if it should send up the originals or pen a love letter.  I can see the heavy-hand of Kevin Smith, the movie director who has been writing comic books since the 1990s.  I think Smith wants this comic book to seem like the old TV shows, but also seems as if he is not sure if the politically correct thing to do is mock the television shows or to slavishly imitate them.

I have been an admirer of artist Ty Templeton, but his work on Batman ’66 Meets The Green Hornet is mechanical.  Even the coloring is unimaginative.  Will I read more of this?  If I am overcome by nostalgic love for the old TV shows, I might.

C+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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


Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 18 2014

MARVEL COMICS

MAR140766 ALL NEW X-FACTOR TP VOL 01 NOT BRAND X $17.99
MAR140762 AMAZING X-MEN TP VOL 01 QUEST FOR NIGHTCRAWLER $17.99
APR140645 AVENGERS #31 SIN $3.99
MAR140781 AVENGERS EPIC COLLECTION TP JUDGMENT DAY $34.99
APR140662 AVENGERS WORLD #8 ANMN $3.99
MAR140767 AVENGERS WORLD TP VOL 01 AIMPIRE $16.99
APR140709 DAREDEVIL #4 $3.99
APR140704 ELEKTRA #3 $3.99
MAR140779 GALACTUS DEVOURER TP $24.99
MAR140685 GEORGE ROMEROS EMPIRE OF DEAD ACT ONE #5 $3.99
APR140685 IRON MAN #28 ANMN $3.99
APR140708 IRON PATRIOT #4 $3.99
APR148147 MILES MORALES ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #1 2ND PTG MARQUEZ VAR $3.99
APR148152 MOON KNIGHT #1 3RD PTG SHALVEY VAR ANMN $3.99
APR148153 MOON KNIGHT #2 3RD PTG SHALVEY VAR ANMN $3.99
APR148148 MOON KNIGHT #3 2ND PTG SHALVEY VAR ANMN $3.99
APR148154 MS MARVEL #2 3RD PTG MCKELVIE VAR ANMN $2.99
APR140636 NOVA #18 SIN $3.99
APR140630 ORIGINAL SIN #4 $3.99
APR140698 PUNISHER #7 $3.99
APR148155 SHE-HULK #1 3RD PTG WADA VAR ANMN $2.99
APR148149 SILVER SURFER #2 2ND PTG ALLRED VAR ANMN $3.99
MAR140654 SILVER SURFER #3 ANMN $3.99
APR148150 SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN #31 2ND PTG CAMUNCOLI VAR ANMN $5.99
MAR140765 SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN TP VOL 06 GOBLIN NATION $19.99
APR140691 THOR GOD OF THUNDER #23 $3.99
APR140695 THUNDERBOLTS #27 $2.99
APR140675 ULTIMATE FF #3 $3.99
APR140720 UNCANNY X-MEN #22 $3.99
APR140734 WOLVERINE AND X-MEN #5 $3.99
APR140728 X-MEN #15 $3.99


Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Archie Andrews to Get Cap in Ass - The Official Announcement

Legendary Comic Book Character Archie Andrews Dies in July

Future “Life with Archie” storyline reveals redheaded icon’s heroic final moments

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Archie Comics, the acclaimed and bestselling comic book publisher that is home to some of the best-known pop culture creations in the world, including Archie, Jughead, Betty & Veronica, Josie & The Pussycats, Sabrina the Teenage Witch and the hit AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE series, announced the unthinkable today: Legendary comic book character Archie Andrews will die to conclude the hit LIFE WITH ARCHIE comic series.

The iconic comic book character, beloved by millions around the globe for over 70 years, will sacrifice himself heroically while saving the life of a friend in the pages of July’s LIFE WITH ARCHIE #36, the final issue in the flash-forward series, which spotlights Archie’s adventures after high school and college.

“We’ve been building up to this moment since we launched LIFE WITH ARCHIE five years ago, and knew that any book that was telling the story of Archie’s life as an adult had to also show his final moment,” said Archie Comics Publisher/Co-CEO Jon Goldwater. “Archie has and always will represent the best in all of us—he’s a hero, good-hearted, humble and inherently honorable. This story is going to inspire a wide range of reactions because we all feel so close to Archie. Fans will laugh, cry, jump off the edge of their seats and hopefully understand why this comic will go down as one of the most important moments in Archie’s entire history. It’s the biggest story we’ve ever done, and we’re supremely proud of it.”

The story will be available in multiple formats, including an extra-large magazine-size LIFE WITH ARCHIE #36, two comic-sized issues—LIFE WITH ARCHIE #36 and #37—and a trade paperback collecting the entire story, written by regular LIFE WITH ARCHIE writer Paul Kupperberg, with art by Pat & Tim Kennedy and Fernando Ruiz.

While LIFE WITH ARCHIE #36 shows readers Archie’s final moments, #37 leaps a year into the future, showcasing how the remaining members of the Riverdale gang—including Jughead, Betty & Veronica and Reggie—have honored the legacy of their dear friend. Both stories will be collected in the double-sized LIFE WITH ARCHIE #36 magazine and upcoming trade paperback.

In addition to the acclaimed regular LIFE WITH ARCHIE creative team, the two comic book issues—sold exclusively at comic shops in July—will feature a pantheon of artistic luminaries contributing covers to the historic issue, including Francesco Francavilla, Fiona Staples, Ramon Perez, Walt Simonson, Jill Thompson, Mike Allred, Cliff Chiang, Adam Hughes, Tommy Lee Edwards and Alex Ross.

ABOUT ARCHIE COMICS:
Archie Comics is the leading mass market comic book publisher in the world and the home to a wide array of the most popular humor, action-adventure and superhero characters in entertainment, including Archie, Jughead, Betty and Veronica, Reggie, Kevin Keller, Josie and the Pussycats, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Afterlife With Archie, The Fox, The New Crusaders, The Shield, Li’l Jinx and many more. Archie Comics have sold 2 billion comics worldwide and are published around the world in a number of languages. In addition to comics, Archie characters have been featured prominently in animation, television, film and music.



Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 9 2014

MARVEL COMICS

FEB140700 ALL NEW DOOP #1 ANMN $3.99
FEB140867 ALL NEW DOOP #1 BY ALLRED POSTER $8.99
FEB140751 ALL NEW GHOST RIDER #2 ANMN $3.99
FEB140776 ALL NEW ULTIMATES #1 $3.99
FEB140816 ALL NEW X-FACTOR #6 $3.99
FEB140817 ALL NEW X-MEN #25 $4.99
FEB140866 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1 75TH ANNIV BY ROSS POSTER $8.99
FEB140865 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1 BY RAMOS POSTER $8.99
JAN140806 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 PRELUDE TP $14.99
FEB140789 AVENGERS AI #11 $2.99
JAN140797 AVENGERS TP VOL 02 LAST WHITE EVENT $19.99
FEB140712 AVENGERS UNDERCOVER #2 ANMN $2.99
JAN140787 CAPTAIN AMERICA PREM HC VOL 03 LOOSE NUKE $24.99
FEB140725 CAPTAIN MARVEL #2 ANMN $3.99
FEB140702 DAREDEVIL #1.50 $4.99
JAN140810 DAREDEVIL BY MARK WAID TP VOL 05 $16.99
JAN140809 DAREDEVIL EPIC COLLECTION TP FALL FROM GRACE $44.99
FEB140735 DEADPOOL #27 ANMN $9.99
NOV130709 INFINITY COMPANION HC $99.99
FEB140673 IRON FIST LIVING WEAPON #1 ANMN $3.99
FEB140709 IRON MAN #24 ANMN $3.99
NOV130702 KICK-ASS 3 #7 (MR) $3.99
FEB140864 MARVEL 75TH ANNIV BY DEODATO OVERSIZED POSTER $34.99
FEB140804 MARVEL UNIVERSE AVENGERS ASSEMBLE #7 SYU $2.99
DEC130767 MARVEL UNIVERSE HULK AGENTS OF SMASH DIGEST TP $9.99
FEB140782 MIGHTY AVENGERS #9 $3.99
FEB140691 NIGHTCRAWLER #1 $3.99
FEB140718 SECRET AVENGERS #2 ANMN $3.99
JAN140765 SUPERIOR FOES OF SPIDER-MAN #11 $3.99
FEB140800 THUNDERBOLTS #24 $2.99
FEB140761 WHAT IF AGE OF ULTRON #2 $3.99


Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 20 2013

MARVEL COMICS

SEP130681 A PLUS X #14 $3.99
AUG130880 A PLUS X TP VOL 02 EQUALS AMAZING $17.99
AUG130895 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN EPIC COLL TP COSMIC ADVENTURES $39.99
SEP130667 AVENGERS #23 INF $3.99
SEP130682 AVENGERS AI #6 $2.99
SEP130768 CABLE AND X-FORCE #16 $3.99
SEP130822 CAPTAIN AMERICA LIVING LEGEND BY ALLRED POSTER $8.99
SEP130691 CATACLYSM ULTIMATES #1 $3.99
SEP130728 DAREDEVIL #33 $2.99
SEP130736 DEXTER #5 $3.99
SEP130729 FANTASTIC FOUR #14 $2.99
SEP130714 INDESTRUCTIBLE HULK #15 $3.99
SEP130821 INHUMANITY BY COIPEL POSTER $8.99
SEP130739 LONGSHOT SAVES MARVEL UNIVERSE #2 $2.99
SEP130675 SECRET AVENGERS #11 INF $3.99
AUG130890 SECRET AVENGERS BY RICK REMENDER TP VOL 03 $19.99
SEP130820 SPIDER-MAN VS VENOM BY CAMPBELL POSTER $8.99
SEP130695 SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #1 $4.99
SEP130700 SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN TEAM UP #6 NOW $3.99
FEB130606 TAKIO 2 GN HC $16.99
SEP130674 THUNDERBOLTS #18 INF $2.99
AUG130884 UNCANNY X-FORCE TP VOL 02 TORN AND FRAYED $17.99
SEP130756 UNCANNY X-MEN #14 $3.99
SEP130770 WOLVERINE MAX #13 (MR) $3.99
SEP130819 WOLVERINE ORIGIN II BY KUBERT POSTER $8.99
SEP130747 X-MEN #7 $3.99
SEP130764 X-MEN LEGACY #20 $2.99
AUG130899 X-MEN TP SKINNING OF SOULS $29.99
AUG130885 X-MEN TP VOL 01 PRIMER $17.99
SEP130684 YOUNG AVENGERS #12 $2.99


Saturday, July 27, 2013

I Reads You Review: BATMAN '66 #1

BATMAN ’66 #1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

WRITER: Jeff Parker
ARTIST/COLORS: Jonathan Case
LETTERS: Wes Abbott
COVER: Michael Allred and Laura Allred
VARIANT COVER: Jonathan Case
36pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (September 2013)

Rated E (Everyone)

Batman ’66 is one of DC Comics’ digital-first comics.  These digital comics are initially released in a digital format to be read on computers, smart phones, and other handheld devices.  Print editions follow digital publication.

Batman ’66 is inspired by the classic American TV series, “Batman,” from 20th Century Fox Television and Greenway Productions.  Batman was a live action television series based on the DC Comics comic book character, Batman, and starred Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin, the two crime-fighting heroes who defend Gotham City.  “Batman’s” original run on television lasted for three seasons, from January 12, 1966 to March 14, 1968, for a total of 120 episodes.

Batman ’66 #1 is the print comic book edition of the opening story, “The Riddler’s Ruse,” from writer Jeff Parker and artist Jonathan Case.  The story opens in Gotham Park, where millionaire Bruce Wayne and his “youthful ward,” Dick Grayson, are on hand for the awarding of the Lady Gotham statuette to the Gotham Police Department.

The festivities are interrupted by The Riddler, who is determined to steal the Lady Gotham, professing a need to protect the work of the statuette’s creator, the late artist, Oskar Villkoop.  Is he really an art lover?  The Dynamic Duo will need the help of another arch-nemesis, the slinky Catwoman, to solve The Riddler’s latest baffling crime conundrum.  Holy Strange Bedfellows, Batman!

I first discovered the “Batman” TV series ages ago when a local television station began airing the show in syndication.  I instantly fell in love with the series, and that the show did not resemble the Batman comic books I was reading at the time did not bother me.  I was surprised to discover that quite a few comic book fans hated “Batman.”  The editors of the Comics Buyers Guide, a weekly publication of comic book news, features, and collectibles, once claimed that “Batman” was the primary reason the public at large did not take comic books seriously.

With DC Comics’ recent announcement of Batman ’66, a comic inspired by the series, I had the opportunity to discover that there are many comic book fans who loved the show.  And we have reason to cheer.  Batman ’66 is the decades-old TV show embodied in comic book form.

Batman ’66 is not a great work of comic book art, but it is a great comic book.  Please, allow me to explain.  Batman ’66 is not Batman: The Dark Knight Returns in terms of its impact on Batman the character and on superhero comics (as TDKR has been for the last quarter-century).  However, for me, Batman ’66 and TDKR are alike because the latter was the kind of comic book that was so much fun for me to read that I read it over and over again.  The first time I read TDKR, it so stunned me that I immediately read it again.  My copy could not be in “Mint” or “Near Mint” condition just from the wear I put on that comic book through repeated readings.

I can’t stop flipping through Batman ’66.  I had so much fun reading it.  That it is so much like the old TV show makes me think Jeff Parker and Jonathan Case are in need of an exorcism.  Surely, they made a deal with some kind of supernatural entity to pull this off.  The witty asides, the droll humor, the campy style, the colorful milieu, the corny moralizing, and Batman’s let’s-all-follow-the-rules approach to everything:  it’s all here; “Batman” is back.

I love Jonathan Case’s eye-popping, pop art aesthetic.  It references “Batman” without being slavish to it.  The composition and graphic design form a wild style that recalls Neal Adams and also the angular photography of the television show.  The art moves and grooves, and Case makes the coloring mimic an old-fashioned two or three-color 3D comic book.  Give that man an Eisner nod.

Jeff Parker and Jonathan Case have put fun first in this new comic.  Digital or print: Batman ’66 is a winner.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


Tuesday, May 14, 2013

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for May 15 2013

DC COMICS

JAN130293 AQUAMAN HC VOL 02 THE OTHERS (N52) $22.99

FEB130206 AQUAMAN TP VOL 01 THE TRENCH (N52) $14.99

JAN130305 AUTHORITY HC VOL 01 $29.99

MAR130214 BATGIRL #20 $2.99

FEB130221 BATMAN BEYOND 10000 CLOWNS TP $16.99

MAR130216 BATWOMAN #20 $2.99

MAR130215 BIRDS OF PREY #20 $2.99

MAR130218 CATWOMAN #20 $2.99

MAR130300 FABLES #129 (MR) $2.99

MAR130288 GREEN LANTERN THE ANIMATED SERIES #13 $2.99

MAR130292 HE MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE #2 $2.99

MAR130260 JSA LIBERTY FILES THE WHISTLING SKULL #6 $2.99

FEB130222 JUSTICE LEAGUE BEYOND KONSTRICTION TP $16.99

MAR130171 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICAS VIBE #4 $2.99

MAR130250 LEGION OF SUPER HEROES #20 $2.99

MAR130220 NIGHTWING #20 $2.99

MAR130222 RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #20 $2.99

MAR130195 SUPERGIRL #20 $2.99

MAR130236 SWORD OF SORCERY #8 $3.99

MAR130181 WONDER WOMAN #20 $2.99

DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES

FEB130260 BATMAN BLACK & WHITE STATUE BY MIKE ALLRED $79.95

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 12 2012

IMAGE COMICS

AUG120498 ACTIVITY #10 [DIG] $3.50

OCT120510 AGE OF BRONZE #32 (RES) [DIG] $3.50

AUG120500 ARTIFACTS #23 [DIG] $3.99

OCT120477 BODY BAGS TP VOL 02 (MR) [DIG] $12.99

OCT120458 CHANGE #1 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

OCT120514 CLONE #2 [DIG] $2.99

SEP120431 COURIERS COMPLETE COLLECTION TP (MR) [DIG] $24.99

NOV120487 ELEPHANTMEN TP VOL 05 DEVILISH FUNCTIONS (MR) $24.99

AUG120513 HACK SLASH #21 CVR A SEELEY & MARCO (MR) [DIG] $3.50

AUG120514 HACK SLASH #21 CVR B CASAGRANDE (MR) $3.50

OCT128200 IMAGE FIRSTS CHEW CURR PTG #1 (MR) $1.00

OCT128196 IMAGE FIRSTS FATALE CURR PTG #1 (MR) $1.00

OCT128197 IMAGE FIRSTS MANHATTAN PROJECTS CURR PTG #1 $1.00

OCT128211 IMAGE FIRSTS REVIVAL CURR PTG #1 $1.00

OCT128195 IMAGE FIRSTS SAGA CURR PTG #1 (MR) $1.00

OCT128198 IMAGE FIRSTS THIEF OF THIEVES CURR PTG #1 $1.00

OCT128199 IMAGE FIRSTS WALKING DEAD CURR PTG #1 (MR) $1.00

OCT120529 IT GIRL & THE ATOMICS #5 [DIG] $2.99

OCT128202 MULTIPLE WARHEADS ALPHABET TO INFINITY #1 2ND PTG (MR $3.99

AUG120487 NANCY IN HELL (ON EARTH) TP (MR) $12.99

OCT120490 PERHAPANAUTS TP VOL 02 TREASURE OBSCURA [DIG] $14.99

OCT120539 POINT OF IMPACT #3 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

OCT120493 REVIVAL TP VOL 01 YOU'RE AMONG FRIENDS [DIG] $12.99

OCT120547 WALKING DEAD #105 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

OCT120556 WALKING DEAD NO WAY OUT POSTER (MR) $9.99

OCT120495 WALKING DEAD OMNIBUS HC VOL 04 (MR) $100.00

IMAGE COMICS/MCFARLANE TOYS

AUG121828 TMP NBA SERIES 21 AF PI

AUG121829 TMP NBA SERIES 21 CHRIS PAUL 2 AF PI

AUG121832 TMP NBA SERIES 21 JEREMY LIN AF PI

AUG121830 TMP NBA SERIES 21 LEBRON JAMES 2 AF PI

AUG121831 TMP NBA SERIES 21 NOWITZKI 3 AF PI

AUG121834 TMP NBA SERIES 21 WESTBROOK AF PI

AUG120539 WALKING DEAD TV SERIES 2 SHANE WALSH AF PI

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 14 2012

MARVEL COMICS

SEP128092 ALL NEW X-MEN #1 2ND PTG IMMONEN VAR NOW $3.99

SEP120542 ALL NEW X-MEN #1 NOW $3.99

SEP120620 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #697 $3.99

SEP120605 AVENGERS ASSEMBLE #9 NOW $3.99

AUG120719 AVENGERS BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS TP VOL 03 $24.99

AUG128337 AVENGERS VS X-MEN BY YOUNG POSTER $8.99

SEP120721 CAPTAIN AMERICA BY JRJR POSTER NOW $8.99

AUG120698 DEADPOOL MAX HC (MR) $34.99

SEP120586 FANTASTIC FOUR #1 NOW $2.99

AUG120732 FEAR ITSELF TP HULK DRACULA $24.99

SEP120723 FF BY MIKE ALLRED POSTER NOW $8.99

SEP120670 FIRST X-MEN #4 $3.99

SEP120655 GAMBIT #5 $2.99

SEP120722 INDESTRUCTIBLE HULK BY LEINIL YU POSTER NOW $8.99

SEP120724 MARVEL NOW AVENGERS POSTER NOW $8.99

SEP120654 MARVEL UNIVERSE AVENGERS EARTHS HEROES #8 $2.99

SEP120618 MARVEL UNIVERSE VS AVENGERS #2 $3.99

JUN120710 MMW FANTASTIC FOUR HC VOL 14 $69.99

SEP120612 NEW AVENGERS #33 $3.99

AUG120700 NEW AVENGERS BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS PREM HC VOL 04 AVX $29.99

SEP120639 RED SHE-HULK #59 NOW $2.99

AUG120697 SPIDER-MEN HC $24.99

SEP120562 THOR GOD OF THUNDER #1 NOW $3.99

AUG120711 TOY STORY DIGEST TP TALES FROM TOY CHEST $9.99

JUN120709 ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN DOSM OMNIBUS HC $75.00

SEP120630 ULTIMATE COMICS ULTIMATES #18 $3.99

SEP120725 UNCANNY X-FORCE POSTER $8.99

SEP120624 VENOM #27 $2.99

SEP120659 WOLVERINE AND X-MEN #20 $3.99

AUG120727 X-MEN CURSE IS BROKEN TP $19.99

SEP120580 X-MEN LEGACY #1 NOW $2.99

SEP120657 X-TREME X-MEN #6 $2.99

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 17 2012

IMAGE COMICS

JUL120482 ACTIVITY #9 [DIG] $3.50

JUL120392 BLOODSTRIKE TP VOL 01 REBORN UNDER A BAD SIGN $14.99

JUL120489 CHEW #29 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

AUG120460 CYBER FORCE #1 [DIG] PI

JUL120494 DARKNESS #107 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

AUG120511 GLORY #29 [DIG] $3.99

AUG120520 IT GIRL & THE ATOMICS #3 [DIG] $2.99

AUG120486 MIND THE GAP TP VOL 01 INTIMATE STRANGERS (MR) $9.99

MAY120569 MUDMAN TP VOL 01 $9.99

APR120550 NO PLACE LIKE HOME #5 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

AUG120476 NOT MY BAG GN [DIG] $12.99

MAR120500 SAVAGE DRAGON #182 [DIG] $3.50

AUG110541 SHINKU #5 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

AUG120492 SKULLKICKERS TP VOL 03 SIX SHOOTER ON THE SEVEN SEAS [DIG] $16.99

AUG128028 WALKING DEAD #100 3RD PTG (MR) $3.99

AUG120472 WALKING DEAD #103 (MR) [DIG] $2.99



Friday, October 5, 2012

Albert Avilla Reviews: Wolverine and the X-Men #17

Wolverine and the X-Men #17
Marvel Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Michael Allred
Colors: Laura Allred
Cover: Michael and Laura Allred

Just the other day I was thinking, “Hey, the X-Books have not done a good humor issue in a while.” I like Wolverine, and I like the X-Men. Logic dictates that I should like Wolverine and the X-Men. I start reading: Deathlok is giving Wolverine an evaluation of the school. Tongue in cheek stuff is going on. I turn the page, and I have my first encounter with Doop. That page alone lets me know that I may have stumbled across a goldmine. Let the hilarity begin.

There was not a page that didn't make me laugh; some pages, every panel. Who can defeat the devil and a nun and every other menace in between in one issue? My boy Doop can. Doop is a pimp. I don't have enough words and time to describe every comic scene. Trust me, it is some good material. I'm not going to separate the art from the story, because everything works together in this riotous romp.

I rate Wolverine and the X-Men #17 Buy Your Own Copy.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for August 8 2012

IMAGE COMICS

NOV110379 ARTIFACTS DELUXE S&N LTD ED HC $109.99
APR120528 BLOODSTRIKE #29 [DIG] $2.99
MAR120476 BLUE ESTATE #12 (MR) [DIG] $2.99
MAY120537 BOMB QUEEN TP VOL 07 END OF HOPE (MR) $15.99
JUN120450 COMIC BOOK LETTERING THE COMICRAFT WAY ONE SHOT SC $9.95
JUN120542 CREATOR OWNED HEROES #3 (MR) [DIG] $3.99
JUN120544 DANCER #4 [DIG] $3.50
JUN120557 HOAX HUNTERS #2 [DIG] $2.99
JUN120428 IT GIRL & THE ATOMICS #1 [DIG] $2.99
MAR128108 NIGHTMARE WORLD TP VOL 01 13 TALES OF TERROR NEW PTG $16.99
JUN128065 REVIVAL #1 2ND PTG $2.99

IMAGE COMICS/MCFARLANE TOYS
APR120484 SUPER DINOSAUR SHIRT ADULT LG $24.99
APR120482 SUPER DINOSAUR SHIRT ADULT SM $24.99
APR120485 SUPER DINOSAUR SHIRT ADULT XL $24.99
APR120481 SUPER DINOSAUR SHIRT YOUTH LG $24.99
APR120480 SUPER DINOSAUR SHIRT YOUTH MED $24.99
APR120479 SUPER DINOSAUR SHIRT YOUTH SM $24.99

IMAGE COMICS/TOP COW PRODUCTIONS
MAY120596 ARTIFACTS #20 [DIG] $3.99

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 6 2011

IMAGE COMICS

FEB110384 BLUE ESTATE #1 (MR) $2.99

JAN110566 BUT I CANT DO ANYTHING ELSE ART OF ROB SCHRAB HC $24.99

DEC100477 CHEW #18 (MR) $2.99

FEB110455 DAOMU #3 (MR) $2.99

NOV100458 FIREBREATHER HOLMGANG #2 (OF 4) (NOTE PRICE) $2.99

FEB110386 GREEN WAKE #1 (OF 5) (MR) $3.50

FEB110472 INTREPIDS #2 (MR) $2.99

SEP100466 MADMAN ATOMICA HC $125.00

FEB110414 MADMAN NEW GIANT SIZE SUPER GINCHY SPEC ONE SHOT #0 $5.99

JAN110612 MEMOIR #3 (OF 6) $3.50

FEB110397 NONPLAYER #1 (OF 6) (MR) $2.99

JUN100467 ORC STAIN #6 (MR) $2.99

DEC100454 POSEURS GN $16.99

JAN110624 WALKING DEAD HOODIE RICK LG $44.99

JAN110623 WALKING DEAD HOODIE RICK MED $44.99

JAN110622 WALKING DEAD HOODIE RICK SM $44.99

JAN110625 WALKING DEAD HOODIE RICK XL $44.99

JAN110626 WALKING DEAD HOODIE RICK XXL $47.99

FEB110410 WALKING DEAD WEEKLY #14 (MR) $2.99

MAY100490 WEIRD WORLD OF JACK STAFF #6 $3.50

JAN110633 WHO IS JAKE ELLIS #3 (NOTE PRICE) $2.99

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Vertigo Unleashes Horror Avalanche for Halloween

This October Vertigo is publishing a slew of titles to send chills down readers’ spines including, AMERICAN VAMPIRE Volume 1, original graphic novels: THE GREEN WOMAN and A SICKNESS IN THE FAMILY, a new mini-series: HELLBLAZER-City of Demons, and the ongoing series: iZOMBIE, AMERICAN VAMPIRE, HELLBLAZER, HOUSE OF MYSTERY and the HOUSE OF MYSTERY Halloween ANNUAL #2.

AMERICAN VAMPIRE Vol. 1
This first hardcover volume of the critically acclaimed series collects issues #1-5 and follows two stories: one written by Scott Snyder and one written by Stephen King, both with art by Rafael Albuquerque. Snyder’s tale follows Pearl, a young woman living in 1920s Los Angeles, while King’s story is set in the days of America’s Wild West and tells the origin of Skinner Sweet, the first American vampire—a stronger, faster creature who can walk in the sun.

(Vertigo, Hardcover, 192pg., $24.99, ISBN: 978-14012-2830-5, on sale September 29 comic stores, October 5 book stores)

THE GREEN WOMAN
New York Times bestselling horror novelist Peter Straub resurrects his most sinister creation, Fielding "Fee" Bandolier, the unstoppable serial killer from his acclaimed “Blue Rose Trilogy.” Co-written by Michael Easton, most notably John McBain on ABC’s One Life to Live and illustrated and painted by the award winning comic artist John Bolton, THE GREEN WOMAN is a graphic novel of horror and unrelenting suspense that takes readers deep into the minds of both a serial killer and the police detective whose mission is to bring this monster to justice.

(Vertigo / 152 pgs / color / $24.99 HC / ISBN: 978-1-4012-1100-4 / on sale October 6, 2010 comic store, October 12, 2010 book stores)

A SICKNESS IN THE FAMILY
Internationally acclaimed crime novelist Denise Mina and Italian artist Antonio Fuso make their debut with the Vertigo Crime novel A SICKNESS IN THE FAMILY. The Usher family struggles to keep up a facade of normalcy that cannot mask a deep and disturbing dysfunction. As they gut their house in the U.K. during a remodeling designed to increase the home’s value, their tenuous family ties quickly tear apart as well. And when the Ushers start dying one by one, of most unnatural causes, A SICKNESS IN THE FAMILY takes the reader on a bizarre and often gruesome path leading to a profoundly shocking twist that will haunt you long after the book is done.

(Vertigo / 184 pgs / B&W / $19.99 HC / ISBN: 978-1-4012-1081-6 / On sale October 13, 2010 comic stores, October 19 book stores)

JOHN CONSTANTINE: HELLBLAZER-City of Demons
A 5-issue miniseries from writer Si Spencer and red-hot artist Sean Murphy (JOE THE BARBARIAN). When John Constantine is run over by a truck, it takes a little while for England's nicotine-fueled magus to realize that he's perched between life and death. After a few weeks of hospital rehab, Constantine finds the London streets VERY different from when he left them behind as a series of occult murders and mutilations demands his attention. The common denominator points back to the ER where he was admitted…

(Vertigo / 32 pgs / color / $2.99 / Issue #1 on sale October 13, 2010, Issue #2 on sale October 27, 2010)

I, ZOMBIE
Author Chris Roberson (Cinderella: From Fabletown with Love) and illustrator Michael Allred (Madman) give their unique take on the Zombie Mythos. Told from a female zombie’s perspective I, ZOMBIE is a smart, witty detective series with a mix of urban fantasy and romantic dramedy. Gwendolyn “Gwen” Dylan is a 20-something gravedigger in an eco-friendly cemetery. Once a month she must eat a human brain to keep from losing her memories, but in the process she becomes consumed with the thoughts and personality of the dead person until she eats the next brain. Along with her best friend Eleanor, a swinging 60s ghost, a posse of vampires who play paintball, a smitten weredog, and a sexy but demented mummy, Gwen ‘zombie girl detective’ sets out to fulfill the dead person’s last request, solve a crime, or right a wrong.

(Vertigo / 32 pgs / color / $2.99 / Issue #6 on sale October 6, 2010)

HOUSE OF MYSTERY Halloween Annual #2
The haunting began last Halloween, but this year, Matt Sturges, Peter Milligan, Mike Carey, Jill Thompson and a hoary host of guest creators deliver even more spine-tingling thrills in the HOUSE OF MYSTERY HALLOWEEN ANNUAL #2! The annual House of Mystery Halloween Party is in full swing when the doorbell rings, which is unusual because a) it's never happened before and b) there isn't a doorbell at the House of Mystery! What does Fig find when she opens the door? A warped trio of kids cursed to trick or treat until the end of time who will spin a tale spanning the years involving many Vertigo favorites such as Hellblazer, Lucifer, Madame Xanadu, iZombie and loads of others!

(Vertigo / 48 pgs / color / $4.99 / on sale October 13, 2010)


Thursday, September 30, 2010

Crack Comics #63 Appears 61 Years Later

THE NEXT GOLDEN AGE

Image Comics continues the NEXT ISSUE PROJECT with CRACK COMICS #63

In December, another Golden Age classic will get its next issue with the NEXT ISSUE PROJECT: CRACK COMICS #63.

The NEXT ISSUE PROJECT: CRACK COMICS #63 picks up where Quality Comics' CRACK COMICS #62 left off in 1949, with all-new stories by modern day creators. The all-star line up includes ALAN WEISS (Captain America, Amazing Spider-Man, Tom Strong), ERIK LARSEN (SAVAGE DRAGON, Amazing Spider-Man), HERB TRIMPE (The Incredible Hulk, BPRD: The War on Frogs), PAUL MAYBURY (POPGUN, COMIC BOOK TATTOO), TERRY AUSTIN (Uncanny X-Men, Superman Adventures, Green Lantern), ADAM McGOVERN (Dr. Id), PAOLO LEANDRI (Dr. Id) & CHRIS BURNHAM (OFFICER DOWNE, ELEPHANTMEN). Weiss provided the cover, and MIKE ALLRED (MADMAN) contributed a gorgeous variant cover.

"The NEXT ISSUE PROJECT is for any fan of comics, not just fans of Golden Age books," says editor Erik Larsen. "Often, the promise of Golden Age comics -- where creators were making up the rules as they went along and were blazing new trails -- was more exciting than the reality of Golden Age comics, where creators were essentially mimicking some of the same dull formulaic writing found in other mediums at the time. Everyone who contributed to CRACK COMICS #63 was intent on fulfilling the promise of the Golden Age and delivering a book that was more than a mere homage, but also a thrilling glimpse of what comics could be -- if only creators were allowed to run wild with the characters they were handed! These creative dynamos jumped at the chance to present their own take on these Golden Age heroes and demonstrate comics' true potential!"

NEXT ISSUE PROJECT: CRACK COMICS #63: Captain Triumph! The Clock! Spitfire! Molly the Model! Alias the Spider! Space Legion! Some of the greatest creations from yesterday are brought back to life by some of the greatest creators of today! Fans have marveled over the years as, one by one, characters from comics' Golden Age have been revived for a modern audience. The NEXT ISSUE PROJECT is an ongoing series that continues a classic discontinued title for a modern audience! All stories are complete, self-contained and cool as all hell! All books are Golden Age sized, but these aren't simply an homage to Golden Age comics: They're updated classics by modern masters for a new generation!

NEXT ISSUE PROJECT: CRACK COMICS #63 (Weiss: OCT100451; Allred: OCT100452), a 48-page full-color Golden Age sized comic book for $4.99, will be in stores December 22, 2010. Previous issues of Next Issue Project -- NEXT ISSUE PROJECT #1: FANTASTIC COMICS #24 (OCT071967) and NEXT ISSUE PROJECT #2: SILVER STREAK COMICS #24 (OCT090364) -- are available now.


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 five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound 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 http://www.imagecomics.com/.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Baltimore Comic-Con Panel Schedule

Baltimore Comic-Con 2010 Panel Announcements, Guests, and Portfolio Reviews!

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - August 19, 2010 - You've been clamoring for it, we've been working on it, and now we're ready to announce it -- the 2010 Baltimore Comic-Con Panel Schedule!

Room 307 (Saturday)
11:00-12:00 - Spotlight on Terry Moore - Terry Moore is the award-winning creator of "Strangers in Paradise" and "Echo" and has also written such comics as Marvel's "Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane" and "Runaways." This panel shines the spotlight on Moore and his work and is a must-see for all his fans.

12:00-1:00 - IRREDEEMABLE/INCORRUPTIBLE Panel - Mark Waid's Harvey and Eisner nominated, best-selling, multiple sell-out IRREDEEMABLE has taken comic fans by storm since its debut, becoming one of the top-selling independent comics published today. Join Mark Waid as he takes a look back at IRREDEEMABLE's beginnings, the future of the series, and its sister series -- INCORRUPTIBLE. A not-to-be-missed panel for any fan of these books! (PSSSSST: Mark will also talk a little bit about his new BOOM! book with Stan Lee called THE TRAVELER. Don't miss it!)

1:00-2:00 - Spotlight on Thor - With the THOR feature film from Marvel Studios premiering in May, 2011, and his adventures featured across both the Marvel and Ultimate Universes, Thor is one of Marvel's hottest characters. Chroniclers of the Thunder God's adventures from the past, present, and future - Walter Simonson, John Workman, Bryan J.L. Glass, and Jonathan Hickman - join Marvel's Vice President - Executive Editor Tom Brevoort to discuss all things Thor.

2:00-3:00 - Spotlight on Denis Kitchen - Denis Kitchen is a cartoonist and founder of Kitchen Sink Press where he published work by such creators as Will Eisner, Harvey Kurtzman, and Robert Crumb. A book of his art "The Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen" was recently published by Dark Horse; a new art book, "Denis Kitchen: Chipboard Sketchbook", is on the way from BOOM!; and a book he co-authored, "Art of Harvey Kurtzman: The Mad Genius of Comic" is nominated for a Harvey Award. Don't miss this opportunity hear about the work of a true comics original.

3:00-4:00 - Spotlight on Michael Allred - Michael Allred is the creator of "Madman" ,"Atomics", "Red Rocket 7," and has worked on such comics as the "Golden Plates," "X-Statix," and "Sandman" and is currently drawing "iZombie" from DC/Vertigo. Allred and "iZombie" scribe, Chris Roberson, take a look at his career in a spotlight you dare not miss!

Room 308 (Saturday)
11:00-12:00 - comiXology and the Future of Digital Comics - comiXology has become the leader in the digital comics revolution while maintaining great services for brick and mortar retailers. This past year has seen an explosion of digital comics, and comiXology has been on the forefront of the movement with a massive comics library, online aids for collectors, podcasts, and apps for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod. On comiXology's one year anniversary, CEO David Steinberger takes a look at the events of this past year and what the future holds for digital comics in this enlightening panel.

12:00-1:00 - Spotlight on Todd McFarlane - From SPAWN to HAUNT, Image Comics founder and partner Todd McFarlane has been the driving force behind the biggest creator-owned titles in the industry. Join McFarlane for exclusive sneak peeks of his upcoming projects and a Q&A session that shouldn't be missed!

1:00-2:00 - Top Cow: We Create... Universes - Join Top Cow Publisher Filip Sablik, Top Cow Universe architect and writer Ron Marz, and Artifacts artist Michael Broussard for a frank and lively discussion of upcoming events in the Top Cow Universe spinning out of the world-shattering event series - Artifacts! Questions will be answered, early sneak peeks shown, and perhaps even a hilarious anecdote will be told. Plus every attendee will receive a free gift just for attending.

2:00-3:00 - DC NATION - The DC NATION returns to Baltimore! We're always looking for new recruits, so be sure to come on by as DC Comics' Senior Story Editor, Ian Sattler, and some of the industry's top talent lead the way to give you the inside scoop to all current and future NATION members!

3:00-4:00 - Mondo Marvel - From the Marvel U to the Ultimate U and everything in between, Vice President - Executive Editor Tom Brevoort, and superstar writers Jonathan Hickman (S.H.I.E.L.D., Fantastic Four) and Jeff Parker (Hulk, Thunderbolts) are on hand to talk about all of your favorite heroes and villains as well as make a few surprise announcements!

4:00-5:00 - IDW ON THE MOVE! - Join IDW Senior editor Bob Schreck, Steve Niles, Bernie Wrightson, Chris Moreno, and Stuart Sayger in this lively look at the company's current and upcoming releases to be followed by a Q&A session.

Room 301-303 (Saturday)
4:00-5:00 - Artist's Workshop Art Dissection - Klaus Janson and Howard Chaykin open their Artist's Workshop to all convention guests at this time. A few lucky students from their professional seminar will have their work honestly dissected by these two masters. This is a panel no artist should miss!

Room 307 (Sunday)
11:00-12:00 -Creating Comic Art Digitally - Daniel Govar, creator/artist of AZURE along with Matt Zolman, co-creator and artist of Epic, show you the benefit and shortfalls of creating comic art with the use of computer software. From best practices, to resolutions and file formats, they will demonstrate how they create stunning comics using popular software, and answer questions you may have about making comics digitally.

12:00-1:00 - Spotlight on Sergio Aragones - Sergio Aragones has been called the "fastest cartoonist in the world," has drawn thousands of cartoons for "Mad Magazine," created Bat Lash and Groo the Wanderer, and kept us laughing for years. Join the award-winning cartoonist for a look at his work that will leave you smiling!

1:00-2:00 - Comics Rewind: The 1980s - The 1980s were a time of growth for comics with the direct market and new publishers offering creators the opportunity to present their creations as never before. And the results were spectacular. Join Louise Simonson ("Power Pack," "X-Factor"), Walter Simonson ("Thor," "X-Factor"), Timothy Truman ("GrimJack," "Scout"), Matt Wagner ("Mage," "Grendel"), Marv Wolfman ("New Teen Titans," "Crisis on Infinite Earths"), John Workman ("Heavy Metal", "Thor"), and moderator Mark Waid as they take a look back at the comics of the 1980s.

2:00-3:00 - Spotlight on Cuba: My Revolution - Artist Dean Haspiel and colorist Jose Villarrubia discuss their new Vertigo graphic novel collaboration. Dean Haspiel is a native New Yorker who created BILLY DOGMA and STREET CODE and has collaborated on great superhero and semi-autobiographical comic books, helped pioneer personal webcomics with the invention of ACT-I-VATE, and draws for HBO's "Bored To Death." Jose Villarrubia is a renowned artist/colorist/photographer who has worked on such books as Alan Moore's "Voice of the Fire" and "Promethea" among many, many others. He is also the chair of the Illustration Department at MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art).

3:00-4:00 - PAUL POPE VS BOB SCHRECK - A CAGED EVENT - Don't miss this satisfaction-guaranteed, fists-a-flying blood match by joining award-winning multi-talented storyteller, Paul Pope, in an examination of his creative process and how he suffers under the heel of his terrifying editor.

Room 308 (Sunday)
11:00-12:00 - Marvel Your Universe - Join Vice President - Executive Editor Tom Brevoort, as he leaves his Marvel ID at the door and enters as a fan! Want to know how things work at the House of Ideas? Got some things to get off your chest about a Marvel character or story? Well here's your chance True Believer! It's the panel for fans BY fans with no spin, no marketing, and just a friendly chat amongst fans!

12:00-1:00 - DC SUNDAY CONVERSATION - All are welcome to join Senior Story Editor Ian Sattler for a relaxed Sunday afternoon discussion. Share your thoughts, or be enthralled, as the group share their stories and love for this medium.

1:00 - Costume Contest - The wildly popular costume contest returns for a second year! The $1,000 grand prize will be awarded to the best over-all costume at the event, including pro and amateur costumes. Other award categories will win DVD prize packages, comic book packages, Orioles baseball tickets, gift certificates to Cards, Comics and Collectibles of Reisterstown, Maryland, and special last minute prizes from top comic book companies. Everyone who enters the contest will win passes to the advance screening of Summit Entertainment's newest film, RED, starring Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, and Helen Mirren (based on the Wildstorm graphic novel by Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner) which opens nationwide on Friday, October 15th.

Rooms 301-303 (Sunday)
3:00 - Art Auction - Art fans, don't miss this opportunity to see and bid on art from your favorite comic artists! You're sure to find something here you like!

Janson & Chaykin Offer Art Seminar
With over seventy five years of cumulative experience in the comic book industry, Klaus Janson and Howard Chaykin are all-too-well-versed in the ins and outs of making a career in our inkstained - and now, with all that digital stuff, carpal tunneled - business. For the past few years, Klaus and Howard have been conducting an Artist's Workshop for Marvel, offering invaluable insights, gleaned from those decades of experience, on narrative, storytelling, page design, and career management.

They've developed a fluid and comprehensive take on the inside game played by successful cartoonists - and a series of direct and vital techniques intended to drag newer talents out of a hobby and into a profession - without ever losing the joy all of us experience when we ply our craft.

Klaus and Howard have taken their seminar on the road to the renowned Savannah College of Art & Design, to great acclaim from students and faculty alike, and now they're bringing a customized version of the workshop to the 2010 Baltimore Comic-Con. On Saturday, August 28th, from 1pm to 4pm, Messrs. Janson and Chaykin will entertain and enlighten with a lively, spirited, and very likely prickly and opinionated dissertation, followed, from 4 PM to 5 PM, by an hour of honest dissection of the work of several lucky attendees. All class registrants will be eligible for the dissection lottery, so bring some of your work if you want to hear from these two very honest men!

To register for this very special class, please call our host store, Cards, Comics, & Collectibles @ 410-526-7410. The cost for this professional seminar is $75. Major credit cards will be accepted for payment. The hour of honest dissection from 4pm-5pm will be exciting programming available to all ticketed attendees of the Baltimore Comic-Con. Register now while space is still available!

Portfolio Reviews
Mark Chiarello, Art Director at DC Comics, will be doing portfolio reviews from 11am to 1pm at the Mark's booth on both Saturday and Sunday. Think you've got the chops to make it as a pro at DC Comics? Come and find out first-hand!

Todd McFarlane Signing
Attending the show on Saturday only this year, Todd McFarlane will be featured in a Spotlight panel session (room 308) from 12pm-1pm. Following his panel, he will be signing in booth 2403 from 1:30pm-3:30pm.

Added Guests:
We are pleased to announce the addition of the following guests to the 2010 Baltimore Comic-Con: Danna Bremer (Zuda Comics Crew), Buzz (JSA), Kevin Colden (I Rule The Night), Ian Edginton (Victorian Undead), Steve Ellis (High Moon), John Gallagher (Buzzboy), David Gallaher (High Moon), Dan Govar (Azure), Randy Green (New X-Men), Brad Guigar (Evil Inc.), Matthew Petz (War of the Woods), Chris Staros (Publisher, Top Shelf), and Bobby and Peter Timony (The Night Owls).

Regretfully, Cully Hamner is unable to attend the show this year.

Publishers exhibiting in 2010 include Archaia Comics, Adhouse Books, Boom! Studios, IDW, Image Comics, Top Cow Productions, and Top Shelf Comix.

In coming weeks, look for more announcements from the Baltimore Comic-Con. We are looking forward to highlighting our guests, the Harvey Awards, industry exclusives, and programming. The latest developments can always be found at our website (http://www.baltimorecomiccon.com/), Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/baltimorecomics), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/baltimorecomiccon), MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/baltimorecomics), and ComicSpace (http://www.comicspace.com/baltimorecomicon) pages.

This year's Baltimore Comic-Con will be held August 28-29, 2010. Convention hours are Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM. The ceremony and banquet for the Harvey Awards will be held Saturday night, August 28th.

Contact Information
Please use the following e-mail addresses to contact the Baltimore Comic-Con:
press@baltimorecomiccon.com - for any general press inquiries or to be added to our PR distribution
promoter@baltimorecomiccon.com - for requesting exhibitor, publisher, and Artist Alley applications
registrar@baltimorecomiccon.com - for inquiries about submitted registrations
harveys@baltimorecomiccon.com - for communications regarding the Harvey Awards ceremony and banquet
general@baltimorecomiccon.com - for general Baltimore Comic-Con inquiries


About The Baltimore Comic-Con
The Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating its 11th year of bringing the comic book industry to the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area. With a guest list unequaled in the industry, the Baltimore Comic-Con will be held August 28-29, 2010. For more information, please visit www.baltimorecomiccon.com.

About The Harvey Awards
The Harvey Awards are one of the comic book industry's oldest and most respected awards. With a history of over 20 years, the last 5 in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con, the Harveys recognize outstanding achievements in over 20 categories. They are the only industry awards nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals. For more information, please visit www.harveyawards.org.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Howard Chaykin, Klaus Janson Workshop at Baltimore Comic-Con

Klaus Janson & Howard Chaykin Offer Artist's Workshop at the 2010 Baltimore Comic-Con

With over seventy five years of cumulative experience in the comic book industry, Klaus Janson and Howard Chaykin are all-too-well-versed in the ins and outs of making a career in our inkstained - and now, with all that digital stuff, carpal tunneled - business.

For the past few years, Klaus and Howard have been conducting an Artist's Workshop for Marvel, offering invaluable insights, gleaned from those decades of experience, on narrative, storytelling, page design, and career management.

They've developed a fluid and comprehensive take on the inside game played by successful cartoonists - and a series of direct and vital techniques intended to drag newer talents out of a hobby and into a profession - without ever losing the joy all of us experience when we ply our craft.

Klaus and Howard have taken their seminar on the road to the renowned Savannah College of Art & Design, to great acclaim from students and faculty alike, and now they're bringing a customized version of the workshop to the 2010 Baltimore Comic-Con.

On Saturday, August 28th, from 1 PM to 4 PM, Messrs. Janson and Chaykin will entertain and enlighten with a lively, spirited, and very likely prickly and opinionated dissertation, followed, from 4 PM to 5 PM, by an hour of honest dissection of the work of several lucky attendees. All class registrants will be eligible for the dissesction lottery, so bring some of your work if you want to hear from these two very honest men!

You'll come away informed, enthusiastic, or downright annoyed-but we guarantee you won't be bored, and that you'll never look at comics the same way again.

To register for this very special class, please call our host store Cards, Comics, & Collectibles @ 410-526-7410. The cost for this professional seminar is $75. Major credit cards will be accepted for payment. The hour of honest dissection from 4-5pm will be exciting programming available to all ticketed attendees of the Baltimore Comic-Con. Register now while space is still available!

Publishers exhibiting in 2010 include Archaia Comics, Adhouse Books Boom! Studios, Dark Horse Comics, IDW, Image Comics, Top Cow Productions, and Top Shelf Comix.

Our guests include: Dave Aikins (SpongeBob Squarepants), Mike and Laura Allred (Madman), Sergio Aragones (Groo), Ivan Brandon (Nemesis: The Imposters), Tom Brevoort (Executive Editor, Marvel Comics), Michael Broussard (The Darkness), Jim Calafiore (Secret Six), Eric Canete (New Avengers: Luke Cage), Bernard Chang (Prince of Persia), Howard Chaykin (Black Kiss), Sean Chen (Nova), Cliff Chiang (Greendale), Mark Chiarello (Editor, DC Comics), Frank Cho (Ultimate Comics New Ultimates), Mike Choi (X-Force), Steve Conley (Star Trek Omnibus: The Original Series), Amanda Conner (Power Girl), Shane Davis (Superman: Earth One), Francesco Francavilla (The Green Hornet: Year One), Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (Wednesday Comics), Ron Garney (Wolverine: Weapon X), Sterling Gates (Supergirl), Bryan J.L. Glass (Mice Templar), Michael Golden (Marvel 1602: Spider-Man), Cully Hamner (Detective Comics), Dean Haspiel (ACT-I-VATE), Jonathan Hickman (Fantastic Four), Greg Horn (Green Lantern), Adam Hughes (Wonder Woman), Jamal Igle (Supergirl), Georges Jeanty (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Van Jensen (Pinocchio: Vampire Slayer), Geoff Johns - Sunday only (Blackest Night, Chief Creative Officer, DC Comics), J.G. Jones (DC Universe Legacies), Denis Kitchen (Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen), Barry Kitson (Iron Man 2 Prequel), Rich Koslowski (BB Wolf and the 3 LPs), Greg LaRocque (The Exiled), Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon), Norman Lee (New Mutants), Steve Lieber (Underground), Joe Linsner (Dawn: Not To Touch The Earth), Luna Brothers (The Sword), David Mack (Kabuki), Clay Mann (X-Men Legacy), Laura Martin (Girl Comics), Ron Marz (Witchblade), Todd McFarlane - Saturday only (Spawn), Mark McKenna (Banana Tail), Mike McKone (Avengers Academy), Bob McLeod (New Mutants Forever), Pop Mhan (Ender's Game: Mazer In Prison), Terry Moore (Echo, SiP), Mark Morales (Siege), Chris Moreno (Toy Story), Sean Murphy (Joe the Barbarian), Steve Niles (30 Days of Night), Phil Noto (Avengers: The Origin), Ryan Ottley (Invincible), Jimmy Palmiotti (Jonah Hex), Jeff Parker (Thunderbolts), Lauren Perry (Blank-ees), David Petersen (Mouse Guard), Brandon Peterson (Ultimate Extinction), Chris Pitzer (Publisher, Adhouse Books), Paul Pope (Wednesday Comics), Eric Powell (The Goon), Jack Purcell (Gotham City Sirens), Mike Raicht (The Stuff of Legend), Tom Raney (Black Widow: Deadly Origin), Chris Roberson (I, Zombi), James Robinson (Justice League of America), Kenneth Rocafort (Velocity), Budd Root (Cavewoman), Don Rosa (Uncle Scrooge), Craig Rousseau (Marvel Her-Oes), Stephane Roux (Zatanna), Jim Rugg (Afrodisiac), Filip Sablik (The Asset, Top Cow Pubisher), Tim Sale courtesy of Hero Initiative (Captain America White), Ian Sattler (Editor, DC Comics), Stuart Sayger (Bram Stoker's Death Ship), Bob Schreck (Jurassic Park), Jim Shooter (Magnus, Robot Fighter), Louise Simonson (X-Factor Forever), Walter Simonson (Thor), Andy Smith (WildC.A.T.S.), John K. Snyder III (The A-Team: Shotgun Wedding), Allison Sohn (Star Wars sketchcard artist), Jim Starlin (Dreadstar), Brian Stelfreeze (The Authority: The Lost Year), Paul D. Storrie (Twilight Crusade: Gabriel), Karl Story (Zatanna), Billy Tan (Shadowland), Ben Templesmith sponsored by Laughing Ogre Comics (Choker), Mark Texeira (X-Men: Origins), Herb Trimpe (Incredible Hulk), Timothy Truman (Conan the Cimmerian), Billy Tucci (Shi), Dexter Vines (Ultimate Avengers), Neil Vokes (Superman Adventures), Doug Wagner (World of Warcraft: Horde), Matt Wagner (The Green Hornet: Year One), Mark Waid (Irredeemable, Chief Creative Officer, Boom! Studios), Marv Wolfman (New Teen Titans), John Workman (Heavy Metal), Bernie Wrightson (Swamp Thing), Kelly Yates (Doctor Who: 2010 Annual), and Chrissie Zullo (Cinderella: From Fabletown With Love).

In coming weeks, look for more announcements from the Baltimore Comic-Con. We are looking forward to highlighting our guests, the Harvey Awards, industry exclusives, and programming. The latest developments can always be found at our website (http://www.baltimorecomiccon.com/), Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/baltimorecomics), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/baltimorecomiccon), MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/baltimorecomics), and ComicSpace (http://www.comicspace.com/baltimorecomicon) pages.

This year's Baltimore Comic-Con will be held August 28-29, 2010. Convention hours are Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM. The ceremony and banquet for the Harvey Awards will be held Saturday night, August 28th.


Contact Information
Please use the following e-mail addresses to contact the Baltimore Comic-Con:
press@baltimorecomiccon.com - for any general press inquiries or to be added to our PR distribution
promoter@baltimorecomiccon.com - for requesting exhibitor, publisher, and Artist Alley applications
registrar@baltimorecomiccon.com - for inquiries about submitted registrations
harveys@baltimorecomiccon.com - for communications regarding the Harvey Awards ceremony and banquet
general@baltimorecomiccon.com - for general Baltimore Comic-Con inquiries

About The Baltimore Comic-Con
The Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating its 11th year of bringing the comic book industry to the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area. With a guest list unequaled in the industry, the Baltimore Comic-Con will be held August 28-29, 2010. For more information, please visit http://www.baltimorecomiccon.com/.

About The Harvey Awards
The Harvey Awards are one of the comic book industry's oldest and most respected awards. With a history of over 20 years, the last 5 in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con, the Harveys recognize outstanding achievements in over 20 categories. They are the only industry awards nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals. For more information, please visit http://www.harveyawards.org/.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Image Comics 2010 San Diego Comic-Con Yearbook Now Available - at Con

SIGN MY YEARBOOK!

Image Comics to offer exclusive pin up book at Comic-Con 2010

If there's one book that tops your Comic-Con 2010 exclusives list, the IMAGE COMICS 2010 SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON YEARBOOK should be it! Featuring 48 all new pinups from Image's most gifted artists, the YEARBOOK will be available for $30 only at Image Comics booth #2729 and only during Comic-Con 2010.

The gorgeous hardcover YEARBOOK features painted covers by CHARLIE ADLARD (The Walking Dead) and MORITAT (Elephantmen). On the inside, you'll find brilliant illustrations from MIKE ALLRED (Madman), NELSON BLAKE II (Magdalena), MARIAN CHURCHLAND (Beast), TOMMY LEE EDWARDS (Turf), JASON HOWARD (The Astounding Wolf-Man), SHAKY KANE (The Bulletproof Coffin), NIC KLEIN (Viking), RILEY ROSSMO (Proof, Cowboy Ninja Viking), THE LUNA BROTHERS (The Sword), JM KEN NIIMURA (I Kill Giants), KENNETH ROCAFORT (Velocity), ERIC SHANOWER (Age of Bronze), and many more!

Don't miss your only chance to pick up the IMAGE COMICS 2010 SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON YEARBOOK, a 48-page full-color harcover art book, during Comic-Con 2010 for $30 at Image Comics booth #2729.


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 five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound 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.