Review: STAR WARS: Age of Rebellion - Darth Vader #1

STAR WARS: AGE OF REBELLION – DARTH VADER No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Greg Pak
ART: Ramón Bachs
COLORS: Stéphane Paitreau
LETTERS: VC's Travis Lanham
EDITOR: Mark Paniccia
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida a.k.a. C.B. Cebulski
COVER: Terry Dodson with Rachel Dodson
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Gabriele Dell'Otto; Mike McKone with Guru eFX; Tommy Lee Edwards; Ralph McQuarrie (Concept Design Variant Artist)
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2019)

Rated T

“To The Letter”

Darth Vader is one of the most beloved and feared characters in the Star Wars film series.  Many fans think that he has the most fascinating character arc in the Star Wars films (although some, like myself, dear readers, would argue Luke Skywalker does).  Darth Vader debuted in the original 1977 Star Wars film, but he appears as Anakin Skywalker in the “prequel trilogy” films, and as Darth Vader in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (also known as Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith).

Marvel Comics is currently publishing a new Star Wars maxi-series project that is comprised of three series:  Star Wars: Age of Republic (which has been completed), Star Wars: Age of Rebellion, and Star Wars: Age of Resistance.  This project will span 30 issues in total (reportedly), with each issue spotlighting one hero or villain from one of three particular Star Wars eras:  Republic (prequel trilogy), Rebellion (original trilogy), and Resistance (sequel trilogy).

Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Darth Vader #1 is a new release in the Age of Rebellion series.  It is written by Greg Pak; drawn by Ramón Bachs; colored by Stéphane Paitreau, and lettered by Travis Lanham.  This issue, which is set after the events depicted in Revenge of the Sith, finds Vader having to bend his knee to an Imperial bureaucrat.

Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Darth Vader #1 (“To the Letter”) opens on the “Mid Rim” world of Namzor.  Aboard a Star Destroyer, its commander, Governor Ahr, seethes after Darth Vader goes against his wishes.  When he takes his complaint against Vader to Emperor Palpatine, Ahr is surprised by the result.  Vader, however, realizes that he has something left to prove and to learn.

The few “Age of” Star Wars comic books that I have read have been average, good, and really good.  Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Darth Vader #1, like the recent Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Luke Skywalker #1, is one of the really good issues.  The best entries in this series offer insight into the characters or into their relationships or focus on some stage of character development.  Darth Vader does both.  Without spoiling the story, I can say that writer Greg Pak presents a nifty tale showcasing the badness we expect from Vader and Palpatine.

Artist Ramón Bachs is an interesting choice for this story.  For one, his graphical style is appropriate for science fiction comics.  Secondly, his graphical interpretation of Darth Vader recalls the designs for the villain executed by the late Ralph McQuarrie.  It is as if the earliest version of Darth Vader has finally come to life, and Bachs presents him as a tall, dark, menacing figuring.  In this story, Vader is a black wraith stomping through this story to bring death.

Colorist Stéphane Paitreau adds layers of hues that have a threatening aura.  Letterer Travis Lanham have been providing excellent work on these AOR titles, and continues to do so here.  Lanham especially strikes a dark note on Palpatine's dialogue.  Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Darth Vader #1 is a thoroughly enjoyable read, and I hope the next arc, Age of Resistance, can offer a least one or two issues as good a this Darth Vader comic book.

8 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: MOTHER PANIC #2

MOTHER PANIC No. 2
DC COMICS/Young Animal – @DCComics

STORY: Jody Houser
ART: Tommy Lee Edwards
COLORS: Tommy Lee Edwards
LETTERS: John Workman
COVER: Tommy Lee Edwards
VARIANT COVER: Paul Rentler
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (February 2017)

Mature Readers

Mother Panic created by Gerard Way, Jody Houser, and Tommy Lee Edwards

“A Work in Progress” Part 2

Young Animal is a recently-launched DC Comics imprint.  It is curated by rock musician (My Chemical Romance) and comics creator, Gerard Way (The Umbrella Academy).  The first three Young Animal titles that were released were remakes and re-imaginings of two Silver Age DC comics series (Doom Patrol, Cave Carson Has a Cybernetic Eye) and one cult property (Shade the Changing Man has become Shade the Changing Girl).

Mother Panic is a brand new comic book creation about a brand new vigilante who calls Gotham City (Batman's hometown) her stomping grounds.  The series stars wealthy prodigal daughter, Violet Paige, who returns to Gotham to clean up the city's filthy, disturbed underbelly while pretending to be a “celebutante.”  Mother Panic is written by Jody Houser; illustrated by Tommy Lee Edwards; and lettered by John Workman.

Mother Panic #2 opens as Violet prepares to take down Mr. Hemsley and to trace a sex trafficking ring to its source.  First, she will have to find Hemsley, and what better place than the 2017 Gotham Victims Fund Gala.  However, Violet's mission is tied to her own troubled past, which may affect her ability to... ahem... execute her plan.  Plus, a Gotham hero makes a cameo.

From reading different web articles, I gather that the point of Mother Panic is to present stories from Batman's hometown that are too disturbing to be told in Batman comic books that are marketed to readers of all-ages.  Mother Panic is basically a quasi Batman-related title for adult readers.  I was only mildly interested after reading the first issue, but I feel different after reading Mother Panic #2.

In my review of the first issue, I said that Mother Panic might turn out to be a really good title, but I found that the first issue teased the reader and only offered standard superhero fare (violence).  However, I am starting to find Violet Paige to be an intriguing and likable character.  There is something cool about her costume and “flying” motorcycle, but there is something even cooler, Violet's emerging personality.  I am reviewing Mother Panic #2 via a PDF that DC Comics makes available to reviewers.  I feel confident in recommending Mother Panic because I will read the next PDF and may eventually start buying the comic book.

[This issue includes a bonus story “Gotham Radio Scene One: The Morning After” by Jim Krueger, Phil Hester, Ande Parks, Trish Mulvihill, and Deron Bennett.]

B+

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: MOTHER PANIC #1

MOTHER PANIC No. 1
DC COMICS/Young Animal – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Jody Houser
ART: Tommy Lee Edwards
COLORS: Tommy Lee Edwards
LETTERS: John Workman
COVER: Tommy Lee Edwards
VARIANT COVERS: Paul Pope; Bengal
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2017)

Mature Readers

Mother Panic created by Gerard Way, Jody Houser, and Tommy Lee Edwards

“A Work in Progress” Part 1

Young Animal is a DC Comics imprint curated by rock musician (My Chemical Romance) and comics creator, Gerard Way (The Umbrella Academy).  The first three Young Animal titles released are remakes and re-imaginings of Silver Age (Doom Patrol, Cave Carson) or cult DC Comics properties (Shade the Changing Man, a Steve Ditko character).

Mother Panic is a brand new comic book creation about a brand new vigilante who calls Gotham City (Batman's hometown) her stomping grounds.  This latest Young Animal series is written by Jody Houser; illustrated by Tommy Lee Edwards; and lettered by John Workman.

Mother Panic #1 (“A Work in Progress”) opens as Violet Paige returns to Gotham City, and the press is nearly in full force for the return of a prodigal daughter.  Why is Violet's return so noteworthy?  She is a member of Gotham's elite glitterati, but she did not return home in order to play “celebutante.”  There is filthy, disturbed underbelly in Gotham City, and Violet is back to begin cleaning it.

Apparently, the point of Mother Panic is to present stories from Batman's hometown that are too disturbing for Batman comic books that are marketed to Batman fans of all-ages.  Mother Panic is basically a quasi Batman-related title for adult readers.  I say good for them – them being DC Comics and the Young Animal imprint, although I can't say that I'm particularly interested.

Mother Panic might turn out to be a really good title, but once again, we have a first issue that teases the reader and features standard superhero fare (violence), this time with a vague Vertigo Comics haze over the story.  I am reviewing Mother Panic #1 via a PDF that DC Comics makes available to reviewers.  I can guarantee you, dear reader, that if I review the second issue that it will also be via a PDF.  I wouldn't spend money on this – at least not now.

[This issue includes a bonus story “Gotham Radio Scene One: 1621” by Jim Krueger, Phil Hester, Ande Parks, Trish Mulvihill, and Deron Bennet.]

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


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: MAD MAX: FURY ROAD: Furiosa #1

MAD MAX: FURY ROAD: FURIOSA #1
DC COMICS/Vertigo – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: George Miller
SCRIPT: Nico Lathouris and Mark Sexton
ART: Mark Sexton; Tristan Jones; Szymon Kudranski
COLORS: Michael Spicer
LETTERS: Clem Robins
COVER: Tommy Lee Edwards
40pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (August 2015)

Suggested for mature readers

In 1979, an Australian science fiction film, entitled Mad Max, introduced audiences to the character, Max Rockatansky (played by a young Mel Gibson).  Mad Max is set in a dystopian future that takes place “a few years from now,” and finds the roads of Australia plagued by motorcycle gangs and other high-speed drivers.  Trying to keep the roads safe are the police officers of the MFP – Main Force Patrol – who pursue reckless road criminals.  After his family and partner are destroyed by a motorcycle gang, Max becomes “Mad Max,” seeking revenge against the gang.

Mad Max yielded two sequels.  The first was 1981's Mad Max 2, which was known as The Road Warrior when it was originally released in the United States in 1982.  The second sequel was Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, which featured legendary singer, Tina Turner, as the villain.

All three films were directed by George Miller, who spent the better part of the last two decades trying to revive the Mad Max film franchise.  Warner Bros. Pictures finally gave the go-ahead, and a fourth film, Mad Max: Fury Road, debuted earlier this year and starred Thomas Hardy as Mad Max.

DC Comics' Vertigo imprint has been publishing a series of Mad Max: Fury Road comic books that are prequels to the film.  These comic books are produced by George Miller and Nico Lathouris (who co-wrote Fury Road), and Mark Sexton (the lead storyboard artist on Fury Road).

On the recommendation of Mad Max super-fan, Erik Larsen (my VIZ Media PR rep), I recently obtained a copy of Mad Max: Fury Road: Furiosa #1.  This one-shot comic book is written by George Miller (story) and Nico Lathouris and Mark Sexton (script).  Furiosa is drawn by Mark Sexton; Tristan Jones; and Szymon Kudranski, with colors by Michael Spicer and letters by Clem Robins.  Tommy Lee Edwards provides the cover art.

Mad Max: Fury Road: Furiosa #1 opens in the vault, an edifice where the warlord Immortan Joe keeps five young women prisoner.  They are “The Five Wives,” his “Breeders,” whom he plans to use to sire healthy male heirs.  Joe believes these heirs will be future warlords, who will help repopulate the world in his image.

Joe introduces two women into the wives' living environment.  To guard against depression and mental ills, Joe gives his wives a teacher, Miss Giddy, a woman who will provide the wives with an education via books and music.  To protect them, Joe assigns one of his lieutenants, a mysterious woman named Imperator Furiosa, who moves in to live with the girls.  Things will never ever be the same.

Mad Max: Fury Road: Furiosa #1 really does not have a plot, so much as it is a prologue to the main event, which is, of course, the film, Mad Max: Fury Road (which I have not seen as of this writing).  For the most part, this comic book is frustratingly reticent about giving up Imperator Furiosa's past.  However, the story does convey, in a quiet way, Furiosa's growing discontent with the way things are under Immortan Joe.

The overall design layout of this story is excellent.  From the beginning, the design and layout of each page serves to convey the sense that some big change is simmering and that when it comes, it will be sudden and explosive.  As for the drawing styles, Tristan Jones and Szymon Kudranski encapsulate the idea of a slave pit of the post-apocalyptic, especially with the aid of Michael Spicer's colors.

Mad Max: Fury Road: Furiosa #1 has made it that I can't wait for my next trip to a comic book shop to pick up the other Mad Max: Fury Road prequel comics.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

Stephan Franck's "Silver #5" Due July 8th

Issue #5 of Award-Nominated Stephan Franck's SILVER Coming July 8, 2015

Los Angeles, CA – Dark Planet announced that “Night Of The Duvaliers”, the 5th issue in Stephan Franck’s acclaimed mini-series SILVER, will become available on ComiXology Submit on July 8th (https://www.comixology.com/Silver/comics-series/10508).  ComiXology recently ranked SILVER number 2 on its well respected “ESSENTIAL READS” list (http://dark-planet-comics.com/blog/2015/5/17/silver-makes-comixology-submits-essential-reads-list).

A direct continuation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula universe, set forward 50 years into the pulp/noir era of the 1930's, SILVER introduces James Finnigan, a con man, who endeavors to separate the vampires from their precious silver.  Personal entanglements and character comedy ensue, as Finnigan assembles the team of talented but broken misfits needed to pull off a heist for the ages.  Released last year, the first volume in the series earned Stephan Franck a 2014 Russ Manning Award nomination at San Diego Comic Con.

While the new 31-page extended issue continues the series’ trademark character explorations, in particular the inevitable bonding between Finn and Tao, it is also an exciting feat in WORLD-BUILDING. As the train reaches its final destination, we enter the hidden world of vampires--a culture of intrigues, vanity, decadence and ancient traditions.

“I couldn’t wait to present my take on Dracula’s legendary castle and to start lifting the veil on our unique mythology” says Franck, “everything we’ve seen and heard so far in the story has been leading up to this.”

Since the series’ inception, SILVER has been noted for its strong female characters, in particular troubled vampire-hunter and fans favorite Rosalynd “Sledge” Van Helsing. In issue #5 we  discover vampire princess Liilian, described by Finnigan as “A real troublemaker, someone with an agenda. A bonafide nutball”, with whom Sledge is on a collision course.

As with previous installments in the series, comic books luminaries have been vocal supporters of Franck’s storytelling:

“With SILVER, Stephan Franck cuts right to the bone of the story and masterfully drives his narrative home. A breath of fresh air in the world of comics!”--TOMMY LEE EDWARDS (Marvel 1985, The Question, Turf)

“Why was I not reading this before?  Why? Why? Why?  It’s everything I love about comics.  And everything I miss about a lot of comics these days. Hey Stephan Franck, I want more.” — JIM KRUEGER (Earth X, Justice, The Runner)

Single issues SILVER 1 to 5 as well as SILVER Vol. 1 (which compiles the first 3 issues) are available digitally on ComiXology. The trade paperback print edition of Silver Volume 1 is available at comic shops everywhere, on Amazon, and from the Dark Planet Webstore (http://dark-planet-comics.com/shop-1/). Print editions of all Dark Planet products are available from the Dark Planet booth at comic book conventions (http://dark-planet-comics.com/dates/) across the US, where the company maintains a dynamic presence.

While the digital edition debuts same day as print, Franck we be signing and drawing original sketches inside the print copies of the book at San Diego Comic Con, at the Dark Planet booth (2204).


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Stephan Franck is an award-nominated animator/writer/director/comic book creator. He was a supervising animator on the cult classic THE IRON GIANT, and contributed story to DESPICABLE ME. He co-created the animated TV series CORNEIL & BERNIE (Nicktoons - Hub Network), and received an Annie Award nomination for Best Director In a TV Program for the special SMURFS: THE LEGEND OF SMURFY HOLLOW, which presented the Smurf for the first time in 2D animation at a feature-animation level of quality. Stephan’s graphic novel debut, SILVER Volume 1 earned him a nomination for the prestigious Russ Manning Award at San Diego Comic Con 2014, and landed on ComiXology Submit’s ESSENTIAL READS list.

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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.

I Reads You Review: ROCKETEER ADVENTURES #3

ROCKETEER ADVENTURES #3
IDW PUBLISHING

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

B+

CLiNT #1 Goes Back to Press with New Cover

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Promotional Trailer for Mark Millar's CLiNT on YouTube

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

GANGSTERS, VAMPIRES, ALIENS, OH MY!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

Ross and Edwards' "Turf" Sells Out First Issue

TURF #1 SOLD OUT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Some praise for TURF #1:

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

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

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

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

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

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