Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for August 28 2013

Digital Comics: Digital new releases available from your local comic book shop are marked below. [DIG] = Digital version available. [DIG/P+] = Print-Plus digital/print combo pack available. For more information, go to www.digitalcomicsreader.com.

IMAGE COMICS

JUN138142 LAZARUS #2 2ND PTG (MR) $2.99
JUN130548 LAZARUS #3 (MR) [DIG] $2.99
MAY130564 MIND THE GAP #13 CVR A ESQUEJO [DIG] $2.99
MAY130565 MIND THE GAP #13 CVR B MCDAID $2.99
JUN130554 MORNING GLORIES #30 (MR) [DIG] $3.50
APR130462 PROGENY TP VOL 01 [DIG] $16.99
JUN130457 SECRET #3 (RES) [DIG] $3.50
JUN130560 SEX #6 (MR) [DIG] $2.99
JUN130461 SKULLKICKERS #24 [DIG] $3.50
APR130472 SPAWN DARK AGES COMPLETE COLL HC $59.99
JUN130488 SPAWN ORIGINS HC VOL 09 $29.99
FEB130469 SUPER DINOSAUR #20 [DIG] $2.99
JUN130567 THINK TANK #9 [DIG] $3.99
MAY130517 WALKING DEAD EZEKIEL HAS A TIGER T/S MENS XL $19.99
MAY130521 WALKING DEAD EZEKIEL HAS A TIGER T/S WOMENS LG $19.99
MAY130520 WALKING DEAD EZEKIEL HAS A TIGER T/S WOMENS MED $19.99
MAY130519 WALKING DEAD EZEKIEL HAS A TIGER T/S WOMENS SM $19.99
MAY130522 WALKING DEAD EZEKIEL HAS A TIGER T/S WOMENS XL $19.99

IMAGE COMICS/MCFARLANE TOYS

JUN131930 TMP MLB BUSTER POSEY AF PI
JUN131931 TMP MLB JOSH HAMILTON AF PI
MAY131860 TMP NFL SMALL PROS MINI FIG SER 1 PI
MAY131841 TMP SPORTS NFL SERIES 32 AF PI
MAY131847 TMP SPORTS NFL SERIES 32 ARIAN FOSTER AF PI
MAY131849 TMP SPORTS NFL SERIES 32 PEYTON MANNING AF PI
MAY131843 TMP SPORTS NFL SERIES 32 RGIII AF PI
MAY131846 TMP SPORTS NFL SERIES 32 VERNON DAVIS AF PI
APR130582 WALKING DEAD COMIC SER 2 GLENN AF PI
APR130581 WALKING DEAD COMIC SER 2 GOVERNOR AF PI
APR130583 WALKING DEAD COMIC SER 2 MICHONNE PET AF PI
APR130584 WALKING DEAD COMIC SER 2 PENNY AF PI
APR130580 WALKING DEAD COMIC SERIES 2 AF PI

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 5 2013

Digital Comics: Digital new releases available from your local comic book shop are marked below. [DIG] = Digital version available. [DIG/P+] = Print-Plus digital/print combo pack available. For more information, go to www.digitalcomicsreader.com.

IMAGE COMICS

APR130524 68 JUNGLE JIM #3 CVR A ZORNOW & FOTOS (MR) [DIG] $3.99

APR130525 68 JUNGLE JIM #3 CVR B JONES & FOTOS (MR) $3.99

MAR130452 ALL NEW SECRET SKULLKICKERS #1 CVR A HUANG & CAMPBELL [DIG] $3.50

MAR130453 ALL NEW SECRET SKULLKICKERS #1 CVR B OH $3.50

MAR130463 BEDLAM #7 (MR) [DIG] $3.50

APR130529 BLACKACRE #7 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

JAN130580 DARKNESS #113 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

MAR138383 EAST OF WEST #1 4TH PTG $3.50

MAR130566 EAST OF WEST #3 [DIG] $3.50

MAR130505 HACK SLASH OMNIBUS TP VOL 05 $34.99

APR130542 INVINCIBLE UNIVERSE #3 [DIG] $2.99

MAR138318 JUPITERS LEGACY #1 2ND PTG (MR) $2.99

APR130551 MICE TEMPLAR IV LEGEND #3 CVR A OEMING [DIG] $2.99

APR130552 MICE TEMPLAR IV LEGEND #3 CVR B SANTOS & FREE $2.99

APR130564 PERHAPANAUTS DANGER DOWN UNDER #5 CVR A ROUSSEAU [DIG] $3.50

APR130565 PERHAPANAUTS DANGER DOWN UNDER #5 CVR B SIMONSON $3.50

APR130566 PERHAPANAUTS DANGER DOWN UNDER #5 CVR C GOLDEN $3.50

MAR130588 SAVAGE DRAGON #188 [DIG] $3.99

APR130571 SON OF MERLIN #5 [DIG] $2.99

APR130572 SPAWN #232 [DIG] $2.99

MAR138353 TEN GRAND #1 2ND PTG (MR) $2.99

APR130574 TEN GRAND #2 CVR A TEMPLESMITH (MR) [DIG] $2.99

APR130575 TEN GRAND #2 CVR B SIENKIEWICZ (MR) $2.99

APR130482 WALKING DEAD TP VOL 18 WHAT COMES AFTER $14.99

IMAGE COMICS/MCFARLANE TOYS

FEB131629 TMP MLB SERIES 31 FELIX HERNANDEZ AF PI

FEB131630 TMP MLB SERIES 31 MIKE TROUT AF PI

Cross Game: The Final Volume

I read Cross Game, Vol. 8

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin.

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for May 29 2013

Digital Comics: Digital new releases available from your local comic book shop are marked below. [DIG] = Digital version available. [DIG/P+] = Print-Plus digital/print combo pack available. For more information, go to www.digitalcomicsreader.com.

IMAGE COMICS

FEB130439 CHEW #34 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

MAR130561 CLONE #7 [DIG] $2.99

MAR130493 CLONE TP VOL 01 [DIG] $12.99

MAR138295 EAST OF WEST #2 2ND PTG $3.50

MAR130567 ELEPHANTMEN #48 (MR) [DIG] $3.99

MAR130498 ELEPHANTMEN REVISED & EXPANDED HC VOL 01 (MR) [DIG] $39.99

MAR130569 FIVE WEAPONS #4 [DIG] $3.50

MAR130575 LOST VEGAS #3 CVR A LEE [DIG] $3.50

MAR130576 LOST VEGAS #3 CVR B FLEECS $3.50

JAN130600 MIND THE GAP #10 CVR A ESQUEJO [DIG] $2.99

JAN130601 MIND THE GAP #10 CVR B OBACK $2.99

MAR130473 MORNING GLORIES #27 CVR A EISMA (MR) [DIG] $3.99

MAR138122 MORNING GLORIES #27 CVR B FRISON (MR) $3.99

MAR138123 MORNING GLORIES #27 CVR C GUILLORY (MR) $3.99

MAR138124 MORNING GLORIES #27 CVR D MARTINBROUGH (MR) $3.99

MAR138125 MORNING GLORIES #27 CVR E MCKELVIE (MR) $3.99

MAR138126 MORNING GLORIES #27 CVR F PITARRA (MR) $3.99

MAR138127 MORNING GLORIES #27 CVR G RIOS (MR) $3.99

MAR138128 MORNING GLORIES #27 CVR H WARD (MR) $3.99

MAR130478 THIEF OF THIEVES #14 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

IMAGE COMICS/MCFARLANE TOYS

FEB131623 TMP MLB SERIES 31 AF (RES) PI

FEB131627 TMP MLB SERIES 31 BRYCE HARPER AF PI

FEB131628 TMP MLB SERIES 31 CLAYTON KERSHAW AF PI

FEB131624 TMP MLB SERIES 31 DEREK JETER AF (RES) PI

FEB131625 TMP MLB SERIES 31 STRASBURG AF (RES) PI

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 6 2013

IMAGE COMICS

JAN130486 ART OF TODD MCFARLANE DEVILS IN THE DETAILS TP $39.99

DEC120548 BEDLAM #5 (MR) [DIG] $3.50

JAN130574 BLACKACRE #4 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

JAN130583 EPIC KILL #9 [DIG] $2.99

DEC120563 GLORY #33 [DIG] $3.99

JAN130587 GREAT PACIFIC #5 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

JAN130593 I LOVE TROUBLE #4 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

JAN130473 LOST VEGAS #1 CVR A LEE WRAPAROUND [DIG] $3.50

JAN130474 LOST VEGAS #1 CVR B MCDAID $3.50

DEC120576 MARA #3 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

JAN130503 MICE TEMPLAR TP VOL 03 $17.99

JUN120479 NO PLACE LIKE HOME TP VOL 01 (MR) $9.99

DEC128267 PETER PANZERFAUST #7 2ND PTG $3.50

JAN130603 REPOSSESSED #3 [DIG] $2.99

AUG120527 SAVAGE DRAGON #185 [DIG] $3.99

JAN130513 SEVERED TP $14.99

JAN130476 SEX #1 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

JAN130607 SNAPSHOT #2 [DIG] $2.99

JAN130608 SON OF MERLIN #2 [DIG] $2.99

DEC128210 WALKING DEAD MICHONNE SPECIAL 2ND PTG (MR) $2.99

DEC120594 WITCHBLADE #164 CVR A CHRISTOPHER [DIG] $2.99

DEC120595 WITCHBLADE #164 CVR B BERNARD & BENES $2.99

JAN130485 YOUNGBLOOD #77 [DIG] $3.99

NOV128133 YOUNGBLOOD #77 CVR B $3.99

IMAGE COMICS/MCFARLANE TOYS

DEC121652 TMP NBA SERIES 22 AF PI

DEC121653 TMP NBA SERIES 22 BLAKE GRIFFIN AF PI

DEC121655 TMP NBA SERIES 22 DWIGHT HOWARD AF PI

DEC121656 TMP NBA SERIES 22 KEVIN DURANT AF PI

DEC121657 TMP NBA SERIES 22 KYRIE IRVING AF PI

DEC121658 TMP NBA SERIES 22 STEVE NASH AF PI

Cross Game: Mizuki Asami

I read Cross Game, Vol. 4

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which has FREE smart phone apps).

Leroy Douresseaux on Wilfred Santiago's 21 (OGN)

21: The Story of Roberto Clemente

FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS

CARTOONIST: Wilfred Santiago

ISBN: 978-1-56097-892-3; hardcover
126pp, 2-color, $22.99 US

The comic book biography is alive and well in 21: The Story of Roberto Clemente, a new graphic novel from Wilfred Santiago. Santiago worked for Milestone Media early in his career and is also the author of the graphic novel, In My Darkest Hour.

21 is the comic book biography of legendary Major League Baseball player, Roberto Clemente, a native of Puerto Rico. The graphic novel takes its title from the uniform number Clemente wore as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates, for whom he played his entire 18-year career. Clemente was also a tireless advocate for the poor and was involved in humanitarian work in Puerto Rico and Latin America.

Born in Puerto Rico in 1934, Robert Clemente Walker would grow up to become the dominant baseball player of the 1960s. Roberto Clemente joined the Pittsburgh Pirates of the National League in 1954. He led them to World Series victories in 1960 (over the American League powerhouse, the New York Yankees) and 1971, when he also won the World Series Most Valuable Player award.

As a Latin American and person of color, Clemente faced prejudice throughout his career, but ultimately, the haters had to back down. Clemente’s intensity on the field won over the public and his athletic brilliance and aesthetic grace captured the imagination of baseball fans (and continues to do so). Tragically, Clemente died on December 31, 1972 when his plane went down in the Caribbean Sea. Ever the humanitarian, Clemente was on a relief mission to Nicaragua, which had been devastated by an earthquake.

In March of 1973, Clemente became the first Latin elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame. That year, the Pirates also retired Clemente’s number, 21. Major League Baseball also gives the “Roberto Clemente Award” annually to the player who best exemplifies Clemente’s spirit as a humanitarian.

In 21, Wilfred Santiago, who was also born in Puerto Rico, uses the language of comic books to tell the story of Clemente’s life as something like the arc of the hero’s journey or as a heroic epic. In Chapter I, Santiago’s uses a graphical storytelling language that emphasizes simple shapes to create compositions. Circles, spheres, and straight lines dominate as Santiago creates characters as well as sets and background objects. This gives the first chapter a look similar to a children’s storybook, which in turns presents Clemente’s early life as a universal tale. His youth is a story like that of other children, but it also portends greater things.

In Chapter II, Santiago allows draftsmanship to take over the art as he chronicles Clemente’s journey to the United States and to his life as a professional baseball player. Clemente has left the idyllic youth of Puerto Rico behind for the “real” world where race defines a person’s status in society. Here, bigotry and prejudice even determine how people judge another’s accomplishments. Skin color even dictates if, where, and how a person of color can use public facilities. Here, the hero faces obstacles and enemies, overcoming one and winning over the others.

In Chapter III, 21’s shortest chapter, Santiago turns to graphic design and the use of graphics more so than traditional comic book page design. In this way, he creates a Clemente that is more than just a Major League Baseball player and who is larger than mere baseball superstar. The superstar is ultimately mortal, but by that for which he stood, the sports star rises and is eternal. In this final chapter, the story is as much symbolic and mythical as it is literal and real.

21 captures what made Clemente unique. However, Santiago uses the medium of the comic book in a unique way to tell the story of man who represents the best of us.

A-

http://www.wilfredsantiago.com/

Cross Game 3 is Cross Games 6 and 7

I read Cross Game, Vol. 3

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which has FREE smart phone apps).

Boise State Football Team to the White House?

Sounds like a good idea from Senator Orrin Hatch, as related in this Fanhouse article.

Tiger Woods Alleged Ho Stars in Two Vivid Entertainment Flicks

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Mean Joe Gets Clio... Finally!

Pittsburgh Steelers "Mean" Joe Greene won advertising's prestigious Clio Award for his famous toss-the-jersey-at-the-kid commercial, but he'd never received the trophy, until recently. Who had that damn trophy for three decades! - L

Press release from Business Wire:

Coca-Cola Presents Steelers Legend “Mean” Joe Greene with Overdue Accolade for Iconic Commercial

Greene Reunites with Co-Star from Classic 1979 Ad

PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--“Mean” Joe Greene, star defensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers during the team’s first four Super Bowl championships, was honored before the Steelers-Bengals game on Nov. 15 for some of his most celebrated work OFF the field.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the iconic “Mean Joe” TV ad for Coca-Cola, which featured the feared lineman limping down a tunnel to the locker room, followed closely by then-nine-year-old Tommy Okon, who offered a battered Greene his ice-cold bottle of Coca-Cola. As a gesture of thanks, Greene tossed his coveted jersey to the boy, who stood in amazement after encountering his hero.

For his role in the commercial, Greene earned the prestigious Clio award in 1980, recognizing creative excellence in advertising. However, he wasn’t available to accept the award at the time and never received the hardware during the ensuing 30 years. Coca-Cola recently secured the trophy and joined Steelers President Art Rooney II in presenting it to Greene in a special pre-game ceremony at Heinz Field. As part of the event, Greene and Okon, the former child actor who co-starred in the commercial, reunited for the first time in years.

“It was a special moment when we were able to finally present this Clio award to Joe,” said Bea Perez, senior vice president of integrated marketing, Coca-Cola North America. “His work in our 1979 commercial tugged at people’s heartstrings and created tremendous affection for both Joe and Coca-Cola. His accolades are well-deserved and long-overdue, and we’re proud to help get the award in the hands of its rightful owner.”

“The Coca-Cola commercial was a defining point in my life,” said Greene.

“Before, football fans knew who I was and talked about my performance on the field. Afterward, all of America seemed to know who I was and people still talk to me about it nearly every day. It was a great experience, and finally receiving the Clio is the icing on the cake.”

Since its original airing, the ad has been universally lauded. TV Guide named it one of the best commercials of all time, and it was listed among the most innovative, creative and effective commercials by the American Association of Advertising Agencies. Tens of thousands of people sent letters to The Coca-Cola Company in response to the ad, leading Coca-Cola to launch a promotion called “Win the Shirt Off My Back” which gave replica jerseys to fans by the thousands. Hollywood producers also capitalized on its popularity and developed a made-for-TV-movie called “The Steeler and the Pittsburgh Kid.” In it, Greene and his fictional football team adopt a nine-year-old boy who dreams of one day becoming quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In fact, the ad struck such a chord with fans in the United States, Coca-Cola repeated the concept with sports standouts in nations around the world, including Italy, Thailand, Argentina and Brazil. In January 2009, Coke Zero took a new twist on the beloved spot, creating an ad featuring current Steelers great Troy Polamalu which debuted during the Super Bowl.

“Mean” Joe Greene
Greene, who made up one quarter of the vaunted Steel Curtain in the 1970s, has six championship rings with the Pittsburgh Steelers – four as a player and two as a special assistant for player personnel. Following his Hall of Fame playing career, Greene spent 16 years as an assistant coach for the Steelers, Dolphins and Cardinals.

About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with nearly 500 sparkling and still brands. Along with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world's most valuable brand, the Company's portfolio includes 12 other billion dollar brands, including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, POWERADE, Minute Maid and Georgia Coffee. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate of nearly 1.6 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. For more information about our Company, please visit our Web site at http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/. [END]

Basketball Great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Has Cancer

Los Angeles Lakers great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar announced that he has been diagnosed with a form of blood cancer - chronic myeloid leukemia - according to the CNN. Although Abdul-Jabbar won't give the details of his prognosis, the disease was apparently caught early.

Abdul-Jabbar was the legendary 7-foot-2 center who led the UCLA Bruins to three NCAA men's basketball championships. In the NBA, he won one title with the Milwaukee Bucks and five with the Los Angeles Lakers before retiring in 1989. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1995.

Cincinnati Bengals Defensive Coordinator Suffers Family Tragedy

Vikki Zimmer, the wife of Mike Zimmer, died on Thursday, October 8th at the couple's home of still undetermined causes. The couple had been married for 27 years and have three children: two daughters and a son, Adam Zimmer, who is a defensive assistant for the New Orleans Saints.

Mike Zimmer is the current Defensive Coordinatory for the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals, and was the defensive backs coach when the Dallas Cowboys won Super Bowl XXX. I Reads You offers its prayers to Mike Zimmer and his family.

You mean his halo didn't protect him?!

Tim Tebow suffers a concussion in the Florida at Kentucky game.

Phony Romo?! Good one!!!

I am not a fan of sportwriter Jay Mariotti, national columnist for Fanhouse.com and a regular panelist on ESPN's "Around the Horn" (and formerly of the Chicago Sun-Times). He irritates and annoys me. Maybe it's the whiny, nasally voice. Still, he's often dead-on in his commentary and opinions, as he is in his "Phony Romo is Bust" column for Fanhouse.

Tony Romo, the starting quarterback for the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, was annoited as the next-big-thing by a sports media always looking to discover the next great Cowboys quarterback. One of my best pals said that years ago, but I must admit that I was also taken by Romo's come-out-nowhere, from-nobody-to-somebody, overnight sensation story, and I was in denial every time my friend criticized Romo.

I don't particularly care anymore whether Romo does turn out to be a big deal or not. I'm a Pittsburgh Steelers fan anyway.

Rest in Peace, Mile Brand

Myles Brand, the president of the NCAA, died Wednesday of pancreatic cancer at the age of 67. Brand was the first former university president to run college sports' largest governing body. Brand, the former President of Indiana University, will likely be best remembered for firing legendary Indiana Hossiers men's basketball coach Bobby Knight.

In May 2000, Brand put celebrity coach and chair-throwing bully Knight on a zero tolerance policy after shocking allegations about Knight's behavior towards a former player surfaced. Four months later, Brand fired Knight after an Indiana student claimed that the coach grabbed him.

I offer my prayers and condolences to Mr. Brand's family.

2009 NFL Season Begins Tonight

The National Football League (NFL) begins its 2009 season tonight in Pittsburgh with a game between the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers and the visiting Tennessee Titans. The game will be broadcast on NBC (7:30 pm eastern) - check you local listings.

Need to know more about the upcoming season? Try NFL Fanhouse for their preview of all 32 teams.

By the by, I'm a super duper Steeler fan!