Showing posts with label Scott Dunbier. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scott Dunbier. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 31, 2023

I Reads You Juniors: January 2023 - Update #50

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon.

NEWS:

DC STUDIOS - From YouTube:  Here is DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn's video announcement about Chapter One: Gods and Monsters of the new DC Studios film and TV slate.

From DCBlog:  Here is a run down on the next generation of DC Comics movies and television, according to DC Studios co-bosses, James Gunn and Peter SafranChapter One (not Phase One) is entitled "Gods and Monsters."

From DCBlog:  DC Studios Co-Chairmen and co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran talk about building a new DC Universe.

DC COMICS - From CBR:  Writer Mark Waid explains why DC Comics' latest event comic book series, "Lazarus Planet," focuses on Damian Wayne/Robin.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:  Writer Josh Trujillo talks about the six-issue, Blue Beetle limited series, "Blue Beetle: Graduation Day."

MARVEL STUDIOS - From Variety:  Actor Stephen Dorff, who starred in the 1998 "Blade" film as the villain, "Deacon Frost," is criticizing Marvel Studios again and mocking its current attempt at rebooting the "Blade" film franchise.

OSCARS - From DigitalSpyAngela Bassett becomes the first actor in a Marvel Cinematic Universe film to earn an Oscar nomination in an acting category. Bassett was nomination for "Best Supporting Actress" for "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" at the 2023 / 95th Academy Awards.

From BatmanNews:  Director Matt Reeves' "The Batman" received 3 nominations at the 2023 / 95th Academy Awards.  The categories were "Sound Design," "Make-Up & Hairstylying," and "Visual Effects."

DC STUDIOS - From Deadline:  Social media rumors suggest that actor Jason Momoa will stop playing DC Comics character, "Aquaman." in film so that he can start playing another DC character, "Lobo."  Momoa seems to hint that he could play more than one role...

IDW - From BleedingCoolIDW Publishing will publish a new comic book starring the late Dave Stevens' comic book character, "The Rocketeer."  The one-shot, entitled "The Rocketeer," will feature the work of Adam Hughes and Jae Lee and will be edited by Scott Dunbier.

COMIXOLOGY - From BleedingCool:  As part of major layoffs at Amazon, reports indicate that 50 percent to 75 percent of the staff at digital comics company, comiXology, has been laid off (fired).

EN MEMORIAM - From BleedingCool:  Apparently on comic book artist, Jason Pearson, died at the age of 52, Monday, December 19, 2022.  According to his family, he passed away of a heart attack.  Pearson was best known for his creator-owned comic book, "Body Bags."  He also drew, Batman, Deadlpool, and X-Men comic books, to name a few.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Prolific comic book writer, Cullen Bunn, is launching his own horror imprint, "Outer Shadows," via Outland Entertainment.  It will publish comics, games, and prose fiction.

MARVEL - From GameSpot:  The X-Men's Storm returns to her punk rock days in a new five-issue miniseries from 1980s "X-Men" editor, writer Ann Nocenti, and artist Sid Kotian, who drew Chris Claremont's recent "Gambit" miniseries.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:  DC Comics prepares readers for the "Dawn of DC" in this article.

IMAGE - From CBR: The site offers a profile of Mark Millar/Netflix's upcoming crossover event, "Big Game," that will involve 24 different comic book/media franchises that Millar has created, from "Kick-Ass" to Kingsman.

DC STUDIOS - From Variety:  The rise and fall of Dwayne Johnson and "Black Adam" at Warner Bros. Discovery.

COMICS - From BleedingCoolJimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner are planning to revive their comic book series, "Painkiller Jane," in 2023.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  A Pennsylvania man allegedly killed his wife because she would not support him opening a comic book store...

DC STUDIOS - From GameSpot:  Director Patty Jenkins talks about the "Wonder Woman 3" situation, by which she means that her idea for the film was rejected on the way to the film being cancelled.

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DECEMBER 2022 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Action Lab for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Bad Kids Press for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Bad Moon Comics for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Frank Miller Presents for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Kodansha Comics for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Cold War" event for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for December 20211
From BleedingCool:  Opus Comics for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Red 5 Comics for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Seven Seas Entertainment for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Sumerian Comics for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  WhatNot Publishing for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for December 2022

JANUARY 2023 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze Publishing for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Band of Bards for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Black Mask Studios Entertainment
From BleedingCool:  Blood Moon Comics LLC for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  CEX Publishing for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainent for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Frank Miller Presents for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Kodansha Comics for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Opus Comics for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion Comics for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Seven Seas Entertainment for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Sumerian Comics for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  TOKYOPOP for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Whatnot Publishing for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for January 2023

FEBRUARY 2023 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  AWA for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Kodansha Comics for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Spider-Man" and "Dark Web" for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Opus Comics for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion Developments Ltd for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Red 5 Comics for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Seven Seas Entertainment for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Silver Sprocket Press for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Storm King Productions, Inc. for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Sumerian Comics for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Whatnot Publishing for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for February 2023

MARCH 2023 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Asylum Press for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Band of Bards for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Blood Moon Comics LLC for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  BOOM Studios for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  CEX Publishing for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Frank Miller Presents LLC for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Opus Comics for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion / 2000 AD for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Sumerian Comics for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Udon Entertainment for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Whatnot Publishing for March 2023

APRIL 2023 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for April 2023
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for April 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for April 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel's "Captain America: Cold War event solicitations for April 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel's "Sins of Sinister" solicitations and checklist for April 2023
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for April 2023

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Monday, April 25, 2022

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for April 27, 2022

IDW PUBLISHING

OCT210369 DAVE STEVENS ROCKETEER ARTISTS ED HC $150.00
SEP210458 FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE COMP LIBRARY HC VOL 06 $49.99
JAN220458 GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO COBRAAAA $7.99
OCT210380 GODZILLA RIVALS VS KING GHIDORAH ONESHOT #1 CVR A SU $7.99
FEB220416 GODZILLA VS MMPR #2 (OF 5) CVR A FREDDIE WILLIAMS II $3.99
FEB220417 GODZILLA VS MMPR #2 (OF 5) CVR B NETHO DIAZ $3.99
JUN210471 LOCKE & KEY GOLDEN AGE HC $29.99
FEB220420 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #49 CVR A  ADAM BRYCE THOMAS $3.99
FEB220421 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #49 CVR B GIGI DUTREIX $3.99
DEC210503 TMNT THE LAST RONIN #5 (OF 5) CVR A EASTMAN $8.99
FEB220434 TRANSFORMERS #42 CVR A BLACKY SHEPHERD $3.99
FEB220435 TRANSFORMERS #42 CVR B EVAN GAUNTT $3.99
FEB220442 TRANSFORMERS WARS END #3 (OF 4) CVR A SEBASTIAN PIRIZ $3.99
FEB220443 TRANSFORMERS WARS END #3 (OF 4) CVR B MARGEVICH $3.99
FEB220445 USAGI YOJIMBO LONE GOAT & KID #4 (OF 6) $3.99

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Monday, November 2, 2020

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for November 4, 2020

IDW PUBLISHING

DEC180778    BATMAN THE MAXX ARKHAM DREAMS #5 (OF 5) CVR A KIETH    $4.99
DEC180779    BATMAN THE MAXX ARKHAM DREAMS #5 (OF 5) CVR B KIETH    $4.99
MAR200791    MICHAEL GOLDEN MICRONAUTS ARTIST ED HC (NET) (C: 0-1-2)    $150.00
MAR200695    MY LITTLE PONY TRANSFORMERS #4 (OF 4) CVR A FLEECS    $3.99
AUG200558    SONIC THE HEDGEHOG BAD GUYS #2 (OF 4) CVR A HAMMERSTROM (C:    $3.99
AUG200559    SONIC THE HEDGEHOG BAD GUYS #2 (OF 4) CVR B SKELLY (C: 1-0-0    $3.99
AUG200552    STAR WARS ADV SHADOW OF VADERS CASTLE CVR A FRANCAVILLA (C:    $7.99
AUG200553    STAR WARS ADV SHADOW OF VADERS CASTLE CVR B CHARM (C: 1-0-0)    $7.99
SEP200443    TMNT JENNIKA II #1 (OF 6) CVR A REVEL (C: 1-0-0)    $4.99
SEP200444    TMNT JENNIKA II #1 (OF 6) CVR B EASTMAN (C: 1-0-0)    $4.99


Monday, June 22, 2020

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for June 24, 2020

IDW PUBLISHING

OCT190848    DAVE COCKRUM X-MEN ARTIFACT ED HC    $125.00
APR200781    LOCKE & KEY #1 FACSIMILE ED    $3.99
FEB200715    MARVEL ACTION SPIDER-MAN TP BOOK 04 VENOM    $9.99
FEB200626    MY LITTLE PONY FEATS OF FRIENDSHIP TP VOL 01    $9.99
JUL190817    RADICAL SHIFT OF GRAVITY TP    $24.99
FEB200607    SLEEPING BEAUTIES #1 (OF 10) CVR A WU    $3.99
FEB200608    SLEEPING BEAUTIES #1 (OF 10) CVR B WOODALL    $3.99
FEB200697    SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #28 CVR A BULMER    $3.99
FEB200698    SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #28 CVR B CURRY    $3.99
FEB200700    SONIC THE HEDGEHOG TP VOL 06 LAST MINUTE    $15.99
FEB200614    STAR WARS ADVENTURES CLONE WARS #2 (OF 5) CVR A CHARM    $3.99
FEB200722    STAR WARS ADVENTURES TP VOL 09 FIGHT THE EMPIRE    $9.99
FEB200742    THEY CALLED US ENEMY TP SPANISH ED NOS LLAMARON ENEMIGO    $19.99
FEB200662    TMNT JENNIKA #3 (OF 3) CVR A REVEL    $4.99
FEB200668    TMNT ONGOING #105 CVR A CAMPBELL    $3.99
FEB200669    TMNT ONGOING #105 CVR B EASTMAN    $3.99
FEB200659    TRANSFORMERS VS TERMINATOR #2 (OF 4) CVR A FULLERTON    $3.99
FEB200660    TRANSFORMERS VS TERMINATOR #2 (OF 4) CVR B COLLER    $3.99

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Review: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Volume 1

THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN, VOL. I
DC COMICS/Vertigo – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Alan Moore
ARTIST: Kevin O’Neill
COLORIST: Ben Dimagmaliw
LETTERER: Bill Oakley
EDITOR: Scott Dunbier
ISBN: 978-1-56389-858-7; paperback – Seventeenth printing
176pp, Color, $16.99 U.S., $22.99 CAN

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen created by Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Volume One is a six-issue comic book limited series published in 1999 and 2000 (cover dated: March 1999 to September 2000).  The series was created by writer Alan Moore and artist Kevin O'Neill and was published by America's Best Comics, an imprint of Wildstorm Productions, itself an imprint of DC Comics.  The first League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (abbreviated as “LoEG”) miniseries was initially collected in a single volume in 2001 in a trade paperback entitled The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Volume One.

The story takes place in 1898 and is set in a fictional world where all of the characters from Victorian literature are real and coexist, and the events, adventures, and drama depicted in that literature actually occurred.  Alan Moore borrowed LoEG's main characters and plot elements primarily from the works of writers Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Robert Louis Stevenson, Bram Stoker, Jules Verne, and H.G. Wells.

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen is a secret task force created to protect the British Empire from potential, extraordinary threats.  The League's de facto leader is Wilhelmina “Mina” Murray (from Bram Stoker's Dracula), charged with gathering extraordinary people to this task force.  Mina recruits Allan Quatermain (the great white hunter created by author H. Rider Haggard); Captain Nemo; the terror of the seas in his submarine, “The Nautilus” (from Jules Verne's Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea); Dr. Henry Jekyll and his monstrous alter-ego, Mr. Edward Hyde (from Robert Louis Stevenson's novella, Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde) and Hawley Griffin, (known as “Griffin” the title character of H.G. Wells' The Invisible Man).

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Volume One opens in 1898.  It is one year after Mina Murray's encounter with the vampire, Dracula, and Mina has divorced her husband and now works for the British government.  She meets with MI5 agent, Campion Bond.  [Alan Moore means for Campion to be the grandfather of Ian Fleming's James Bond, although for intellectual property reasons, James Bond is not mentioned].  Bond gives Mina the task of gathering certain men for the task force known as the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.  Campion is vague about MI5's leader, the mysterious “M,” whom Mina assumes is Mycroft Holmes, the brother of Sherlock Holmes.

After Mina gathers her extraordinary gentlemen and the LoEG is formed, Bond gives them their mission.  He wants the League to recover a stolen supply of “Cavorite,” a man-made element that can power and levitate heavier-than-air machines.  The thief is the crime lord of the “East End” of London, a mysterious figure known as “The Doctor” (a stand-in for the fictional character, Fu Manchu, which is not in the public domain).  While “The Doctor” has indeed stolen the Cavorite, the League does not realize that there is more to their mission than recovering a stolen item and that there is a bigger conspiracy against London than one crime lord.

The people who only know The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen through that mediocre 2003 film that was loosely adapted from the comic book are unlucky.  I think many of those people would love Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill's fantastic original comic book series.  I have already praised Moore and O'Neill as geniuses in a review of a later LoEG comic book.  For Moore: I praised his inventive concept, his imaginative story, and his ingenious execution of the narrative.  For O'Neill, I praised his original illustrative style, his eye-popping graphics, and his stunning graphic design.

What new readers will discover is how funny this first LoEG comic book is, especially compared to the fake wittiness of the hapless film adaptation.  My recent re-reading is the first time I have read the original series since it original publication.  I did not remember its sense of humor, so I was delighted to discover it.  It was like finding something new.

Whether you look for literary references or whether you want to enjoy its unique spin on classic fiction, LoEG seems to always offer something new to discover.  I noticed I was finding new things when I reread certain pages during this second reading.  The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Volume One has not so much stood the test of time as it has proved to be timeless.  I now consider it a comic book that I would share with anyone inclined to read comic books.

10 out of 10

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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Friday, October 20, 2017

Review: BLOOM COUNTY: Brandy Spanking New Day


BLOOM COUNTY: BRAND SPANKING NEW DAY
IDW PUBLISHING – @IDWPublishing

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

CARTOONIST: Berkeley Breathed
EDITOR: Scott Dunbier
ISBN: 978-1-68405-097-0; paperback – 9.5” x 11.5” (September 26, 2017)
144pp, B&W and color, $19.99 U.S., $25.99 CAN

Bloom County was an American newspaper comic strip which ran from December 8, 1980 until August 6, 1989.  Created by Berkeley Breathed, Bloom County commented upon, examined, and satirized the events in politics, culture, and pop culture that occurred during its run on newspaper comics pages.  For his work on Bloom County, Breathed won the 1987 Pulitzer Price in editorial cartooning.  He also went on to create two Bloom County follow-up newspaper comic strips, Outland and then Opus.

In July 2015, Breathed revived Bloom County and posted new episodes on his Facebook page.  In September 2016, IDW Publishing released the first print collection of the Bloom County revival, Bloom County Episode XI: A New Hope.  This week sees the release of the second collection, Bloom County: Brand Spanking New Day.  This color paperback (9.5” x 11.5”) collects strips #180 to #386 (if my count is not off).  IDW provided me with a copy of Brand Spanking New Day for review.

Milo Bloom, Michael Binkley, Opus, Bill the Cat, Steve Dallas, Cutter John, Oliver Wendell Jones, and Tom Binkley are back for a second helping of the Bloom County revival.  New characters like Abby, Sam the Lion (a child suffering from leukemia), and Sue (Sam's mother), join the familiar Bloom County characters to take on Donald Trump, biker chicks, sticky buns, penguin-killing animals, Star Wars, phoning and Segway-ing; and an ugly dog.  Plus, it's the return of Billy and the Boingers.

One wag/reviewer/critic said that the return of Bloom County was like the return of a Ronald Reagan-hair band.  The truth is that there was nothing remotely like Bloom County when it debuted in 1980 and there was still nothing like it when Breathed discontinued the strip in 1989.  A little over a quarter-century later when Breathed revived the strip there is still nothing like it.  That is saying a lot because it seemed as if quite a few popular newspaper comic strips and webcomics (web-based comic strips) that debuted in the decade or so after Bloom County's conclusion were heavily influenced by Breathed's strip.

Bloom County remains whimsical, its satire pointed, but sometimes indirect.  It has soul and imagination, and is subject to flights of fancy.  Breathed is often sublime when it would be easier to be clever, and where so many struggle to find a balance between droll and snarky, Breathed is simply philosophical about our and his characters' messy natures.

So Bloom County is not a retro tour; it is most certainly a revival.  Brand Spanking New Day is not all classic material, although some come close, and Breathed's illustrations remain things of beauty.  Unlike some revivals, Bloom Country remains stubbornly iconoclastic.  There is nothing like Bloom County, and it often confounds – its readers and and it characters.  Fans of Bloom County and of exceptional comic strips will want Bloom County: Brand Spanking New Day.

A
8.5 out of 10

https://www.facebook.com/berkeleybreathed/
https://www.berkeleybreathed.com/

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


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: BLOOM COUNTY LIBRARY Volume 1: 1980-82


THE BLOOM COUNTY LIBRARY VOL. 1: 1980-82
IDW – @IDWPublishing

[A version of this review was originally posted at the ComicBookBin in 2009.]

WRITERS: Berkeley Breathed, Scott Dunbier
CARTOONIST: Berkeley Breathed
ISBN: 978-1600105319; hardcover (October 2009)
288pp, B&W and color, $39.99 U.S.

Bloom County was an American newspaper comic strip created by Berkeley Breathed.  It ran from December 8, 1980 until August 6, 1989.  Bloom County commented upon, examined, and satirized the events in politics, culture, and pop culture that occurred during its run on newspaper comics pages.  Breathed would go on to win the 1987 Pulitzer Price in editorial cartooning for his work on Bloom County, and after ending Bloom County, he would create two follow-up strips, Outland and Opus.

Readers can return to the pastoral world of that fanciful small town called Bloom County in The Bloom County Library Volume 1: 1980-82.  This is the first of a five-volume project that reprinted the entire run of Bloom County for the first time.  Breathed and series editor, Scott Dunbier, offer commentary, printed in the margins of the pages, that illuminate Bloom County’s numerous references to real-life personalities and events.

Bloom County was born out of The Academia Waltz, the comic strip Breathed produced for the University of Texas’ student newspaper, The Daily Texan.  In The Academia Waltz (13 episodes of which are included in this book), Breathed’s irreverent attitude about American life comes through in episodes about the politics of dating and of interpersonal relationships in general.  By the time Bloom County debuted on December 8th, 1980, Breathed was ready to take on what was then the current state of America.

However, Breathed was not merely poking fun at the usual suspects in politics (corrupt politicians), family relationships (old-fashioned, chauvinistic husbands), and business (fast food restaurants).  In Bloom County, Breathed was a slayer of all sacred cows, and in order to do this the best, Breathed apparently understood that what Americans were doing and how they were living at the time was also rooted in the past.  Breathed’s work recognized the dynamic of the past, present, and future.  In individual episodes and in story arcs, he found humor in current events, but told them in a way that was timeless.  In a narrow sense, he gave us comedy, but in a broader sense, he made observations and told truths that reached beyond the moment.  An example of this is Breathed’s depiction of the real-life Moral Majority.

The character, Otis Oracle, was the leader of Bloom County’s local branch of the Moral Majority.  The Moral Majority was founded in 1979 by arch-segregationist and Teletubby hater, the late Jerry Faldwell, who was an evangelical Christian pastor and televangelist.  Like Faldwell’s group, Otis Oracle’s ideas and notions about what America should be were rooted in the belief that the United States had lost its “moral compass” (probably in the 1960s).

Oracle, whom Breathed made an older man (perhaps, late middle ages) whose life was clearly shaped in a time long since past.  In various episodes, Oracles battles were against the Moral Majority’s demons of the 1980s: rock music, sexual freedom, women’s liberation (especially wives who wouldn’t submit to their husbands’ authority).  However, Oracle was more than just a one note joke about conservative and religious values.  Rather than being a mere punch line, he was just another hapless guy, confused by change.  We recognize Oracle’s basic struggles – to make sense of a world that no longer made sense and to have a measure of control in an out of control world – because they are timeless universal struggles.

In these first two years of the strip presented in The Bloom County Library Volume 1: 1980-82 are the seeds of what would make Bloom County arguably the definitive comic strip of the 1980s.  Readers unfamiliar with Bloom County and those born after the strip’s run should not assume that Bloom County is dated.  An American cartoonist examining and poking America is a time-honored tradition.  Bloom County worked so well and was so popular because readers back then recognized their nation and their people in this strip.  As this collection reveals, readers will still recognize their county, and they’re still going to be laughing.

A
9 out of 10

https://www.facebook.com/berkeleybreathed/
https://www.berkeleybreathed.com/

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


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Friday, November 20, 2015

review: DANGER GIRL: Renegade #1

DANGER GIRL: RENEGADE No. 1
IDW PUBLISHING – @IDWPublishing

[This review was originally published on Patreon.]

WRITER:  Andy Hartnell
ARTIST: Stephen Molnar
COLORS: John Rauch
LETTERS: Neil Uyetake
EDITOR: Scott Dunbier
COVER: J. Scott Campbell with Laura Martin
VARIANT COVERS: J. Scott Campbell; Jamie Tyndall with Stacy Raven; Juan N. Cabal with Jordi Escuin; Casey Heying with Admira Wijaya; Casey Heying
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (September 2015)

Created by J. Scott Campbell, Danger Girl was one of the three inaugural comic book series that launched Cliffhanger, an imprint of the former Image Comics “house,” Wildstorm Studios.  Danger Girl #1 (cover dated: March 1998) introduced a group of female secret agents whose adventures were a mixture of Indiana Jones and James Bond.  In fact, Danger Girl’s young female stars were like Bond Girls, except that the girls were the ones getting to be James Bond in action.  Danger Girl focused on one girl in particular, Abbey Chase.

Scott Dunbier, the Wildstorm editor of the original series, has guided Danger Girl back to life in recent years via a series of miniseries published by IDW Publishing.  The latest mini is Danger Girl: Renegade, which is written by Andy Hartnell, drawn by Stephen Molnar, colored by John Rauch, and lettered by Neil Uyetake, with cover art by J. Scott Campbell.

Danger Girl: Renegade #1 opens with a prologue, set in Cairo, Egypt, 12 years before the main story.  Thirteen-year-old Abbey Chase is set upon by three men, but she proves more than capable of escaping them and leaving them in danger.  However, Abbey is a target because of her father, and men won't stop trying to kidnap her in order to use her as leverage against him.

Danger Girl: Renegade is apparently a miniseries that will reveal how Abbey Chase became who she is on the way to becoming a member of the super-secret spy organization known as “Danger.”  Danger Girl, since its beginning, has been lighthearted, superfluous entertainment, but it has been surprisingly good at being, lighthearted, superfluous entertainment.  Danger Girl remains Indiana Jones meets James Bond, more Roger Moore, even if the creators might have Sean Connery in mind.  As a comic book, Danger Girl is a narrative in which the graphical storytelling is dressed in pin-up illustration and good girl art.

Renegade does not change that the formula, and, once again, the result is a fun comic book.  I don't know what else Andy Hartnell has written in his time as a comic book writer, but I know that Harley Quinn and a few other “ladies of DC Comics” could use his deft comic touch.  Also, Renegade series artist Stephen Molnar makes sure readers don't miss J. Scott Campbell... too much.

So, dear readers, does this review make you think that I like Danger Girl: Renegade and that I will read more?  Well, I hope many of you will give Danger Girl: Renegade a try so that we can get more Danger Girl.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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


Friday, November 6, 2015

Review: THE SPIRIT #1

THE SPIRIT #1 (2007)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

WRITER/PENCILS: Darwyn Cooke
INKS: J. Bone
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Jared Fletcher
EDITOR: Scott Dunbier
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S., $4.00 CAN (February 2007)

The Spirit created by Will Eisner

“Ice Ginger Coffee”

Beginning in 2007, DC Comics brought Will Eisner’s classic comics character, The Spirit, back with a new monthly comic book series, the first of two DC published over a five-year period.  The first 12 issues of the first series were written and drawn by acclaimed cartoonist and writer/artist, Darwyn Cooke.  I reviewed the first issue for the 105th edition of my old “Mr. Charlie” column for the ComicBookBin.

Here’s is that review:

In 1997-98, the now-defunct Kitchen Sink Press published eight issues of The Spirit: New Adventures.  It was an anthology title wherein a number of writers, artists, and cartoonists chronicled new, post-Eisner Spirit tales.  Over the course of those eight issues, Alan Moore wrote two stories:  an issue-length tale drawn by Dave Gibbons and a short story drawn by Daniel Torres.  Neil Gaiman teamed with Eddie Campbell.  Paul Chadwick and Paul Pope were two of the many artists who drew stories for the new series.  Perhaps, it was The Spirit: New Adventures that opened my mind to the idea of new Spirit tales from modern comic book creators.  I was saddened when Kitchen Sink Press troubles meant the cancellation of this series, and if I remember correctly, at least a nine issues was published.

Now, it’s DC Comics' turn to launch a new Spirit comic book.  When I learned that Darwyn Cooke would write and draw The Spirit in a new ongoing series, I instantly knew that I was likely going to like this book, and after reading the first issue, I look forward to #2, #3, #4…

I think I like this because so far it seems as if Cooke doesn't plan on making major changes to Will Eisner's famous costumed hero.  Even in this first issue, Cooke eschews "making the character his own," by transforming The Spirit into something else.  He's modernized the setting, the sets, and backdrops, but the characters are basically the same.  The plots are similar in style, but Cooke takes more pages to do what Eisner did in fewer pages (and need I say better).

The sole major change Cooke makes is to Eisner's lovable Sambo, Ebony White, The Spirit's "colored" sidekick for much of the 1940's.  The character, a thick-lipped, black kid who spoke the way many White people still think African-Americans speak (broken, minstrel English), remains hugely controversial.  Eisner apologists and/or racists defend Ebony's characterization as being acceptable at the time Eisner and others wrote Spirit stories (well, at least it was acceptable to White folks).  Now, Ebony is a sassy, young Negroid who spouts the kind of witty banter that might make him safe for The Disney Channel.  He's urban and hip-hop-ish, but not so dangerous that he couldn't date Raven of the Disney’s Channels’ “That’s So Raven.”

This first issue story, entitled "Ice Ginger Coffee" finds The Spirit racing to rescue a cable news network anchor.  Ginger Coffee (a light-skinned African-American type who blends Halle Berry and Gabrielle Union) has just been promoted to anchor of National News Network.  Her big expose to celebrate her rise is an interview of a mystery guest with insider information on the criminal organization of Amos Weinstock, aka "The Pill."  The Pill, whose obese body is covered in pustules that secrete flesh-dissolving fluids, has Ginger kidnapped.  It's The Spirit to the rescue, but Ginger, ever determined to break news, has found a way to give her audience an insider's view of her precarious situation, much to The Spirit's chagrin.  She may cost her and The Spirit their lives.

Cooke's art (inked by J. Bone) is a close relative of the style Eisner and his studio used on The Spirit back in the 1940's.  Dave Stewart's coloring is good, but comes across as a candy-coated version of Batman's dreary world.  The Spirit's world is vibrant and four-colored, and I'm hoping to see more of that in future issues.  In the meantime, I'm a satisfied fanboy and I'm curious about the future of this new series. [END]

So that’s what I had to say about The Spirit #1.  You can see the original version of this review at this link: http://www.comicbookbin.com/thespirit200701.html

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, September 27, 2015

2015 Harvey Award Winners Announced; Dark Horse, Fiona Staples Lead the Pack

The Harvey Awards recognize outstanding work in comics and sequential art.  The Harvey Awards are named in honor of the late comic book creator, editor, and publisher, Harvey Kurtzman, one of the industry's most innovative talents.  Nominations for the Harvey Awards are selected exclusively by creators - those who write, draw, ink, letter, color, design, edit, or are otherwise involved in a creative capacity in the comics field. They are the only industry awards both nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals.

The 2015 Harvey Awards were presented, Saturday, September 26, 2015 in Baltimore, MD, in conjunction with the 2015 Baltimore Comic-Con (September 25-27, 2015).  This is the tenth year for the Harvey Awards in Baltimore, MD.

The 2015 Harvey Awards winners:

BEST LETTERER
Jack Morelli, AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE, Archie Comic Publications

BEST COLORIST
Dave Stewart, HELLBOY IN HELL, Dark Horse Comics

BEST SYNDICATED STRIP or PANEL
DICK TRACY, Joe Staton and Mike Curtis, Tribune Media Services

BEST ONLINE COMICS WORK
THE PRIVATE EYE, Brian K. Vaughan, Marcos Martin, and Muntsa Vicente, panelsyndicate.com

BEST AMERICAN EDITION of FOREIGN MATERIAL
BLACKSAD: AMARILLO, Dark Horse

BEST INKER
Danny Miki, BATMAN, DC Comics

BEST NEW SERIES
SOUTHERN BASTARDS, Image Comics

MOST PROMISING NEW TALENT
Chad Lambert, "KILL ME" FROM DARK HORSE PRESENTS, Dark Horse Comics

SPECIAL AWARD FOR HUMOR IN COMICS
Chip Zdarsky, SEX CRIMINALS, Image Comics

BEST ORIGINAL GRAPHIC PUBLICATION FOR YOUNGER READERS
LUMBERJANES, BOOM! Box (BOOM! Studios)

BEST GRAPHIC ALBUM PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED
MOUSE GUARD: BALDWIN THE BRAVE AND OTHER TALES HC, Archaia/BOOM!

BEST ANTHOLOGY
DARK HORSE PRESENTS, Dark Horse Comics

BEST DOMESTIC REPRINT PROJECT
STERANKO NICK FURY AGENT OF S.H.I.E.L.D. ARTIST'S EDITION, IDW

BEST COVER ARTIST
Fiona Staples, SAGA, Image Comics

BEST BIOGRAPHICAL, HISTORICAL, or JOURNALISTIC PRESENTATION
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: THE ULTIMATE VISUAL HISTORY, Andrew Farago, Insight Editions

SPECIAL AWARD for EXCELLENCE IN PRESENTATION
LITTLE NEMO: DREAM ANOTHER DREAM, Andrew Carl, Josh O'Neill, and Chris Stevens, Locust Moon Press

BEST GRAPHIC ALBUM ORIGINAL
JIM HENSON'S THE MUSICAL MONSTERS OF TURKEY HOLLOW, Archaia/BOOM! Studios

BEST CONTINUING OR LIMITED SERIES
SAGA, Image Comics

BEST WRITER
Mark Waid, DAREDEVIL, Marvel Comics

BEST ARTIST
Fiona Staples, SAGA, Image Comics

BEST CARTOONIST
Terry Moore, RACHEL RISING, Abstract Studios

BEST SINGLE ISSUE OR STORY
"Breaking Out", DARK HORSE PRESENTS #35, Dark Horse Comics

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


Sunday, July 12, 2015

2015 Eisner Award Winners - Complete List; "Lumberjanes" and "Little Nemo" Big Winners

The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, also simply know as the “Eisner Awards,” are awards annually given for creative achievement in American comic books.  The awards are named for pioneering comic book writer, artist, and publisher, Will Eisner.  Some consider the Eisner Awards to be the preeminent awards that honor American comic books, even referring to the awards as “the Oscars of comic books.”

The Eisner Awards also include the Comic Industry's Hall of Fame.  The Eisner Awards are associated with the annual Comic-Con International convention held in San Diego, California, in July.  The Eisner Awards have been given annually since 1988, with the exception of 1990.

The 2015 Eisner Award winners were announced Friday, July 10, 2015 at a gala ceremony held during San Diego Comic-Con International (2015).

The 2015 Eisner Awards judging panel:
Carr D’Angelo – comics retailer: Earth-2 Comics, Los Angeles
Richard Graham – librarian at University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Sean Howe – author Marvel Comics: The Untold Story
Susan Kirtley – academic/scholar at Portland State University)
Ron McFee – a Comic-Con International volunteer
Maggie Thompson – writer/editor, best known for her work on the Comics Buyers Guide

2015 EISNER AWARDS Winners:

Best Short Story
“When the Darkness Presses,” by Emily Carroll, http://emcarroll.com/comics/darkness/ (link is external)

Best Single Issue (or One-Shot)
Beasts of Burden: Hunters and Gatherers, by Evan Dorkin & Jill Thompson (Dark Horse)

Best Continuing Series
Saga, by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples (Image)

Best Limited Series
Little Nemo: Return to Slumberland, by Eric Shanower & Gabriel Rodriguez (IDW)

Best New Series
Lumberjanes, by Shannon Watters, Grace Ellis, Noelle Stevenson, & Brooke A. Allen (BOOM! Box)

Best Publication for Early Readers (up to age 7)
The Zoo Box, by Ariel Cohn & Aron Nels Steinke (First Second)

Best Publication for Kids (ages 8-12)
El Deafo, by Cece Bell (Amulet/Abrams)

Best Publication for Teens (ages 13-17)
Lumberjanes, by Shannon Watters, Grace Ellis, Noelle Stevenson, & Brooke A. Allen (BOOM! Box)

Best Humor Publication
The Complete Cul de Sac, by Richard Thompson (Andrews McMeel)

Best Digital/Web Comic
The Private Eye by Brian Vaughan & Marcos Martin http://panelsyndicate.com/ (link is external)

Best Anthology
Little Nemo: Dream Another Dream, edited by Josh O’Neill, Andrew Carl, & Chris Stevens (Locust Moon)

Best Reality-Based Work
Hip Hop Family Tree, vol. 2, by Ed Piskor (Fantagraphics)

Best Graphic Album—New
This One Summer, by Mariko Tamaki & Jillian Tamaki (First Second)

Best Graphic Album—Reprint
Through the Woods, by Emily Carroll (McElderry Books)

Best Archival Collection/Project—Strips (at least 20 years old)
Winsor McCay’s Complete Little Nemo, edited by Alexander Braun (TASCHEN)

Best Archival Collection/Project—Comic Books (at least 20 Years Old)
Steranko Nick Fury Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. Artist’s Edition, edited by Scott Dunbier (IDW)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material
Blacksad: Amarillo, by Juan Díaz Canales & Juanjo Guarnido (Dark Horse)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia
Showa 1939–1943 and Showa 1944–1953: A History of Japan, by Shigeru Mizuki (Drawn & Quarterly)

Best Writer
Gene Luen Yang, Avatar: The Last Airbender (Dark Horse); The Shadow Hero (First Second)

Best Writer/Artist
Raina Telgemeier, Sisters (Graphix/Scholastic)

Best Penciller/Inker
Fiona Staples, Saga (Image)

Best Painter/Multimedia Artist (interior art)
J. H. Williams III, The Sandman: Overture (Vertigo/DC)

Best Cover Artist
Darwyn Cooke, "DC Comics Darwyn Cooke Month Variant Covers" (DC)

Best Coloring
Dave Stewart, Hellboy in Hell, BPRD, Abe Sapien, Baltimore, Lobster Johnson, Witchfinder, Shaolin Cowboy, Aliens: Fire and Stone, DHP (Dark Horse)

Best Lettering
Stan Sakai, Usagi Yojimbo: Senso, Usagi Yojimbo Color Special: The Artist (Dark Horse)

Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism
Comics Alliance, edited by Andy Khouri, Caleb Goellner, Andrew Wheeler, & Joe Hughes, www.comicsalliance.com (link is external)

Best Comics-Related Book
Genius Animated: The Cartoon Art of Alex Toth, vol. 3, by Dean Mullaney & Bruce Canwell (IDW/LOAC)

Best Scholarly/Academic Work
Graphic Details: Jewish Women’s Confessional Comics in Essays and Interviews, edited by Sarah Lightman (McFarland)

Best Publication Design
Little Nemo: Dream Another Dream, designed by Jim Rugg (Locust Moon)


The Eisner Awards judges previously selected two individuals to automatically be inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Awards Hall of Fame for 2015. Those inductees were Marjorie ”Marge” Henderson Buell (creator of Little Lulu) and Bill Woggon (creator of Katy Keene).

The judges also chosen 13 nominees from which voters were to select 4 to be inducted into the Hall of Fame this summer. The 4 selected are John Byrne, Chris Claremont, Denis Kitchen, Frank Miller.

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


Tuesday, April 28, 2015

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for April 29, 2015

IDW PUBLISHING

JAN150553     COMPLETE CHESTER GOULD DICK TRACY HC VOL 18     $39.99
FEB150355     GARBAGE PAIL KIDS FABLES FANTASY & FARTS (ONE SHOT)     $3.99
FEB150356     GARBAGE PAIL KIDS FABLES FANTASY & FARTS (ONE SHOT) DLX ED     $4.99
FEB150375     GI JOE (2014) #8     $3.99
FEB150452     HAUNTED HORROR #16     $3.99
FEB150469     HEADSPACE TP     $19.99
JAN150559     IDW SPRING 2015 SCI-FI & ADVENTURE SAMPLER     PI
FEB150329     JEM & THE HOLOGRAMS #2     $3.99
FEB158135     JEM & THE HOLOGRAMS #2 PLUGGED IN ED     $3.99
FEB150429     JUDGE DREDD #29     $3.99
OCT148389     MARVEL COVERS ARTIST ED HC 2ND PTG     PI
FEB150316     MY LITTLE PONY FIENDSHIP IS MAGIC #1-5 COMP 5 CVR BOX SET     $19.99
FEB150323     MY LITTLE PONY FIENDSHIP IS MAGIC #5 QUEEN CHRYSALIS     $3.99
DEC140588     SECRET AGENT X9 DASHIELL HAMMETT AND ALEX RAYMOND HC     $49.99
FEB150409     TMNT NEW ANIMATED ADVENTURES #22     $3.99
FEB158328     TMNT ONGOING #44 3RD PTG     $3.99
FEB150405     TMNT ONGOING #45     $3.99
FEB150392     TRANSFORMERS MORE THAN MEETS EYE #40     $3.99


Tuesday, April 21, 2015

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for April 22, 2015

IDW PUBLISHING

FEB150335     ANGRY BIRDS #10     $3.99
NOV140487     BEST OF EC ARTIST ED HC VOL 02     PI
DEC140593     BORDERLANDS FALL OF FYRESTONE #8 TANNIS & THE VAULT PT 4     $3.99
JAN150503     CARTOON NETWORK ALL-STAR OMNIBUS TP     $24.99
DEC140589     COMPLETE LITTLE ORPHAN ANNIE HC VOL 11     $49.99
JAN150552     CREEPLE PEEPLE #3     $3.99
FEB150450     DRONES #1     $3.99
FEB150325     EDWARD SCISSORHANDS #7 WHOLE AGAIN     $3.99
FEB150345     EMPIRE UPRISING #1     $3.99
FEB150353     FLY OUTBREAK #2     $3.99
FEB150327     GALAXY QUEST JOURNEY CONTINUES #4     $3.99
FEB150379     GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO #213     $3.99
FEB150433     GODZILLA RULERS OF THE EARTH #23     $3.99
FEB150348     INFINITE LOOP #1     $3.99
FEB150332     LITTLEST PET SHOP SPRING CLEANING (ONE SHOT)     $7.99
FEB150333     LITTLEST PET SHOP SPRING CLEANING (ONE SHOT) SUBSCRIPTION VA     $7.99
DEC142561     MACHI KORO GAME MAT     $19.99
FEB150423     MAXX MAXXIMIZED #18     $3.99
FEB150372     MIAMI VICE REMIX #2     $3.99
FEB150321     MY LITTLE PONY FIENDSHIP IS MAGIC #4 NIGHTMARE MOON     $3.99
FEB150453     POPEYE CLASSICS ONGOING #33     $3.99
FEB150343     POWERPUFF GIRLS SUPER SMASH-UP #4     $3.99
FEB150440     ROBERT HEINLEINS CITIZEN OF THE GALAXY #3     $3.99
FEB150418     ROT & RUIN TP WARRIOR SMART     $19.99
JAN150504     SAMURAI JACK #18     $3.99
FEB150339     SKYLANDERS #8 RTN OF DRAGON KING     $3.99
OCT140520     STARLING HC ASHLEY WOOD BOOK 01     $17.99
FEB150404     TMNT COLOR CLASSICS SERIES 3 #4     $3.99
DEC140535     TRANSFORMERS CLASSICS TP VOL 08     $29.99
FEB150398     TRANSFORMERS WINDBLADE COMBINER WARS #2     $3.99
FEB150309     UNCLE SCROOGE #1     $3.99
NOV140416     WILD BLUE YONDER HC     $29.99
FEB150415     WINTERWORLD TP VOL 02 STRANDED     $17.99
JAN150548     WORMWOOD GENTLEMAN CORPSE HC THE FIRST FEW PINTS     $49.99
FEB150361     X-FILES SEASON 10 HC VOL 04     $24.99
FEB150427     ZOMBIES VS ROBOTS #4     $3.99

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for April 15, 2015

IDW PUBLISHING

FEB150468     7TH SWORD TP     $19.99
JAN150546     ARMY OF DOCTOR MOREAU TP     $19.99
FEB150425     D4VE #3     $3.99
FEB150377     GI JOE SNAKE EYES AGENT OF COBRA #4     $3.99
FEB150435     GODZILLA RULERS OF EARTH TP VOL 05     $17.99
FEB150431     JUDGE DREDD CLASSICS DARK JUDGES #4     $3.99
FEB150455     MICHAEL KALUTA SKETCHBOOK SERIES SC VOL 05     $9.99
FEB150365     MILLENNIUM #4     $3.99
JAN150547     MONSTER MOTORS CURSE OF MINIVAN HELSING #2     $3.99
FEB150319     MY LITTLE PONY FIENDSHIP IS MAGIC #3 SIRENS     $3.99
FEB150421     OCTOBER FACTION #6     $3.99
JAN150498     POWERPUFF GIRLS CLASSICS TP VOL 05 BLESS THIS MESS     $19.99
FEB150367     STAR TREK ONGOING #44     $3.99
OCT148390     STERANKO NICK FURY AGENT OF SHIELD ARTIST ED HC 2ND ED     PI
FEB150395     TRANSFORMERS #40 COMBINER WARS     $3.99
JAN150446     TRANSFORMERS SPOTLIGHT OMNIBUS TP VOL 01     $24.99
FEB150358     X-FILES SEASON 10 #23     $3.99


Tuesday, March 31, 2015

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for April 1, 2015

IDW PUBLISHING

JAN152645     DRAGONS GOLD CARD GAME     $39.99
JAN150489     GALAXY QUEST JOURNEY CONTINUES #3     $3.99
JAN150453     GI JOE (2014) #7     $3.99
JAN150450     GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO #212     $3.99
JAN150457     GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO TP VOL 11     $19.99
JAN150432     JEM & THE HOLOGRAMS #1 COMP 5 CVR HOLOGRAPHIC FOIL BOX SET     $24.99
OCT140523     JOHN ROMITA AMAZING SPIDER MAN ARTIFACT ED HC     PI
JAN150544     MAXX MAXXIMIZED #17     $3.99
JAN150524     MILLENNIUM #3     $3.99
FEB150313     MY LITTLE PONY FIENDSHIP IS MAGIC #1 SOMBRA     $3.99
JAN150515     MY LITTLE PONY FRIENDS FOREVER TP VOL 03     $17.99
JAN150550     ROBERT HEINLEINS CITIZEN OF THE GALAXY #2     $3.99
JAN150539     SHADOW SHOW #5     $3.99
DEC140554     STAR TREK GOLD KEY ARCHIVES HC VOL 03     $29.99
DEC142562     STRING SAFARI BOARD GAME     $24.99
NOV140522     TARZAN RUSS MANNING NEWSPAPER STRIPS HC VOL 04 1974-1979     $49.99
JAN150464     TMNT COLOR CLASSICS SERIES 3 #3     $3.99
JAN150551     WEIRD LOVE #6     $3.99
JAN150521     X-FILES SEASON 10 #22     $3.99

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for March 18, 2015

IDW PUBLISHING

DEC140490     ANGRY BIRDS TRANSFORMERS #4     $3.99
DEC140568     BIGGER BANG #4     $3.99
NOV140417     BORDERLANDS FALL OF FYRESTONE #7 TANNIS & THE VAULT PT 3 OF     $3.99
DEC140553     DRAGONLANCE CHRONICLES TP VOL 01 DRAGONS OF AUTUMN TWILIGHT     $24.99
DEC140550     DUNGEONS & DRAGONS LEGENDS OF BALDURS GATE #5     $3.99
DEC140551     DUNGEONS & DRAGONS LEGENDS OF BALDURS GATE #5 SUBSCRIPTION     $3.99
JAN150480     FLY OUTBREAK #1     $3.99
DEC140493     GARBAGE PAIL KIDS LOVE STINKS (ONE SHOT) DLX ED     $4.99
DEC140524     GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO #211     $3.99
SEP140451     JACK KIRBY MISTER MIRACLE ARTIST ED HC     PI
JAN150532     JUDGE DREDD #28     $3.99
DEC140517     LITTLE NEMO RETURN TO SLUMBERLAND #4     $3.99
DEC140547     MILLENNIUM #2     $3.99
DEC140512     MY LITTLE PONY FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC #28     $3.99
JAN150458     ORPHAN BLACK #2     $3.99
JAN150496     POWERPUFF GIRLS SUPER SMASH-UP #3     $3.99
DEC140476     ROCKETEER THE COMPLETE ADVENTURES TP     $19.99
JAN150472     STAR TREK PLANET OF THE APES #4     $3.99
JAN150465     TMNT ONGOING #44     $3.99
JAN150434     TRANSFORMERS #39 COMBINER WARS OPENING SALVO     $3.99
APR140408     TRANSFORMERS ALL HAIL MEGATRON DLX LTD HC     $125.00
DEC140544     X-FILES SEASON 10 #21     $3.99

Saturday, August 16, 2014

2014 Eisner Award Winners - Complete List

[Yep, late with this, too.  Xaime and 'Beto won, Yea!]

2014 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Winners List

Best Short Story: “Untitled,” by Gilbert Hernandez, in Love and Rockets: New Stories #6 (Fantagraphics)

Best Single Issue: Hawkeye #11: “Pizza Is My Business,” by Matt Fraction and David Aja (Marvel)

Best Continuing Series: Saga, by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples (Image)

Best Limited Series: The Wake, by Scott Snyder and Sean Murphy (Vertigo/DC)

Best New Series: Sex Criminals, by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky (Image)

Best Publication for Early Readers (up to age 7): Itty Bitty Hellboy, by Art Baltazar and Franco (Dark Horse)

Best Publication for Kids (ages 8–12): The Adventures of Superhero Girl, by Faith Erin Hicks (Dark Horse)

Best Publication for Teens (ages 13–17): Battling Boy, by Paul Pope (First Second)

Best Humor Publication: Vader’s Little Princess, by Jeffrey Brown (Chronicle)

Best Anthology: Dark Horse Presents, edited by Mike Richardson (Dark Horse)

Best Digital/Webcomic: The Oatmeal by Matthew Inman, http://theoatmeal.com

Best Reality-Based Work: The Fifth Beatle: The Brian Epstein Story, by Vivek J. Tiwary, Andrew C. Robinson, and Kyle Baker (M Press/Dark Horse)

Best Graphic Album—New: The Property, by Rutu Modan (Drawn & Quarterly)

Best Adaptation from Another Medium: Richard Stark’s Parker: Slayground, by Donald Westlake, adapted by Darwyn Cooke (IDW)

Best Graphic Album—Reprint: RASL, by Jeff Smith (Cartoon Books)

Best Archival Collection/Project—Strips: Tarzan: The Complete Russ Manning Newspaper Strips, vol. 1, edited by Dean Mullaney (LOAC/IDW)

Best Archival Collection/Project—Comic Books: Will Eisner’s The Spirit Artist’s Edition, edited by Scott Dunbier (IDW)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material: Goddam This War! by Jacques Tardi and Jean-Pierre Verney (Fantagraphics)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia: The Mysterious Underground Men, by Osamu Tezuka (PictureBox)

Best Writer: Brian K. Vaughan, Saga (Image)

Best Writer/Artist: Jaime Hernandez, Love and Rockets New Stories #6 (Fantagraphics)

Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team: Sean Murphy, The Wake (DC/Vertigo)

Best Painter/Multimedia Artist: Fiona Staples, Saga (Image)

Best Cover Artist: David Aja, Hawkeye (Marvel)

Best Coloring: Jordie Bellaire, The Manhattan Projects, Nowhere Men, Pretty Deadly, Zero (Image); The Massive (Dark Horse); Tom Strong (DC); X-Files Season 10 (IDW); Captain Marvel, Journey into Mystery (Marvel); Numbercruncher (Titan); Quantum and Woody (Valiant)

Best Lettering: Darwyn Cooke, Richard Stark’s Parker: Slayground (IDW)

Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism: Comic Book Resources, produced by Jonah Weiland, www.comicbookresources.com

Best Comics-Related Book: Genius, Illustrated: The Life and Art of Alex Toth, by Dean Mullaney and Bruce Canwell (LOAC/IDW)

Best Scholarly/Academic Work: Black Comics: Politics of Race and Representation, edited by Sheena C. Howard and Ronald L. Jackson II (Bloomsbury)

Best Publication Design: Genius, Illustrated: The Life and Art of Alex Toth, designed by Dean Mullaney (LOAC/IDW)

Hall of Fame:
Judges’ Choices: Orrin C. Evans, Irwin Hasen, Sheldon Moldoff

Recipients: Hayao Miyazaki, Alan Moore, Dennis O’Neil, Bernie Wrightson

Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award: Aaron Conley

Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award: Joe Field

Bill Finger Award for Excellence in Comics Writing: Robert Kanigher, Bill Mantlo, Jack Mendelsohn

Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award: Legend Comics & Coffee (Omaha, Nebraska), and All Star Comics (Melbourne, Australia)


Wednesday, June 25, 2014

I Reads You Review: DANGER GIRL: Mayday #2

DANGER GIRL: MAYDAY #2
IDW PUBLISHING – @IDWPublishing

WRITER:  Andy Hartnell
PENCILS: John Royle
INKS: Eeshwar
COLORS: Romulo Fajardo
LETTERS: Neil Uyetake
EDITOR: Scott Dunbier
COVER: John Royle and Eeshwar with Romulo Fajardo
VARIANT COVERS: John Royle and Eeshwar with Romulo Fajardo (subscription cover)
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (May 2014)

I loudly declared my return to reading Danger Girl comics with my review of the first issue of Danger Girl: Mayday.  Written by Andy Hartnell and drawn by John Royle, it is the latest entry in the comic book series created by artist J. Scott Campbell and Hartnell back in the 1990s.

Mayday focuses on one of the original Danger Girl stars, Natalia Kassle, revealed to be a traitor in the Danger Girl organization.  In the first issue of Danger Girl: Mayday, a team of rogue brigands finds an unconscious Kassle during a battle on Hammer Island.

Danger Girl: Mayday #2 opens in the Kingdom of Bhutan in South Asia.  There, Kassle lives among a group of women, a sisterhood, as she gradually regains her physical fitness.  Recovering her memories remains a problem.  However, she has a new ally, April Mayday, who seems to know quite a bit about Natalie and is determined to make her the most dangerous woman in the world… again.

As soon as I saw Danger Girl: Mayday #2 on the new release shelf of my “local” comic book shop, I grabbed it.  I wanted to see if I would like it as much as I liked the first issue.  I do.  I’m intrigued and want to know what is the big mystery, hiding behind Natalie’s return and those who want to control her.

Yeah, thus far, this comic book is pretty inconsequential and lacking in substance.  Comics should be good, of course, but comics should also be fun, and Danger Girl: Mayday is more of the latter than it is of the former – but it is, in a way, both.  John Royle’s art is a joy to behold, and I found myself flipping through the book several times just to look at the art.  I plan on finding the third issue of Danger Girl: Mayday.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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



Sunday, April 27, 2014

I Reads You Review: DANGER GIRL: Mayday #1

DANGER GIRL: MAYDAY #1
IDW PUBLISHING – @IDWPublishing

WRITER:  Andy Hartnell
PENCILS: John Royle
INKS: Jose Marzan, Jr.
COLORS: Romulo Fajardo
LETTERS: Neil Uyetake
EDITOR: Scott Dunbier
COVER: John Royle and Jose Marzan, Jr. with Romulo Fajardo
VARIANT COVERS: John Royle and Jose Marzan, Jr. with Romulo Fajardo (subscription cover); Jamie Tyndall with Ula Mos (Yesteryear Comics exclusive cover); Jamie Tyndall (Yesteryear Comics exclusive cover); “No art” (Yesteryear Comics exclusive cover)
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (April 2014)

I was not a fan of fan-favorite comic book artist, J. Scott Campbell (who once went by the name Jeffrey Scott), early in his career.  I thought his art was a poor imitation of Art Adams’ style and an even worse impersonation of Jim Lee’s art.  However, I became a fan of Campbell’s work over the course of his run on Image and Wildstorm Production’s Gen13 comic book series.

So when it was first announced all those years ago, I was thrilled by the news of Campbell’s first creator-owned series, Danger Girl, as part of the launch of Cliffhanger, a sort of “young guns” imprint from Wildstorm.  After the release of a preview comic, Danger Girl #1 (March 1998) introduced a group of female secret agents whose adventures were a mixture of Indiana Jones and James Bond.  In fact, Danger Girl’s young female stars were like Bond Girls, except that the girls were the ones getting to be James Bond in action.

I liked Danger Girl.  It was a comic book version of a big-budget, Hollywood action comedy – Lethal Weapon meets Charlie’s Angels.  However, I grew frustrated that Campbell, along with writer Andy Hartnell and inker Alex Garner, only produced seven issues of Danger Girl over a four-year period.  [If you want to give them credit for 10 issues because two of the seven issues were double-sized and because of the preview comic book, you can certainly do that.].

Scott Dunbier, the Wildstorm editor of the original series, has guided Danger Girl back to life in recent years through a series of miniseries.  I was visiting a “local” comic book shop when I spotted the first issue of the latest mini, Danger Girl: Mayday.  I would have ignored it, as I have been ignoring Danger Girl comic books for a decade, but that spectacular first-issue cover by John Royle (pencils), Jose Marzan, Jr. (inks), and Romulo Fajardo (colors) caught my eye.

If there is such a thing as classic Danger Girl art, Danger Girl: Mayday #1 has it.  Royle and Marzan recall the original Danger Girl art team of J. Scott Campbell (pencils) and Alex Garner (inks).  In fact, I think Royle and Marzan are doing better J. Scott Campbell than Campbell himself.  Royle has certainly mastered the Campbell good-girl art thing:  curvy hips, shapely breateses; and booty that recalls Vivica Fox’s stripper pole ass in Independence Day.  Gimme more.  Royle and Marzan, however, are not merely copying; the drawing and storytelling is polished, professional, and some of the year’s best art.

Oh, the story, you ask.  It involves Danger Girl traitor-ho, Natalia Kassle, if I’m correct.  But I’ll figure that out later, maybe by the second issue.  For now, I want to enjoy the art of Danger Girl: Mayday.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

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


Tuesday, April 22, 2014

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for April 23 2014

IDW PUBLISHING

FEB140371 24 #1 $3.99
FEB140462 7TH SWORD #1 $3.99
FEB140464 CITY THE MIND IN THE MACHINE #3 $3.99
FEB140411 DANGER GIRL MAYDAY #1 $3.99
FEB140460 DUNGEONS & DRAGONS FORGOTTEN REALMS OMNIBUS TP VOL 01 $29.99
FEB140347 GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO #201 $3.99
FEB140366 GODZILLA RULERS OF THE EARTH #11 $3.99
FEB140461 MAGIC THE GATHERING TP VOL 04 THEROS $19.99
FEB140401 POPEYE CLASSICS ONGOING #21 $3.99
SEP130468 PRINCESS OF MARS ILLUSTRATED PROSE HC $29.99
JAN140496 ROCKETEER SPIRIT PULP FRICTION HC $21.99
FEB140421 ROGUE TROOPER #3 $3.99
FEB140394 SAMURAI JACK CLASSICS TP VOL 02 $19.99
FEB140436 STAR TREK ONGOING #32 $3.99
FEB140385 TMNT ADVENTURES TP VOL 07 $19.99
FEB140382 TMNT NEW ANIMATED ADVENTURES #10 $3.99
FEB140387 TMNT ONGOING #33 $3.99
FEB140331 TRANSFORMERS ROBOTS IN DISGUISE #28 DAWN O/T AUTOBOTS $3.99
FEB140419 X-FILES SEASON 10 HC VOL 02 $24.99