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Monday, November 11, 2024
Image Comics from Diamond and Lunar Distributors for November 13, 2024
Monday, October 21, 2024
Image Comics from Diamond and Lunar Distributors for October 23, 2024
Monday, October 14, 2024
Image Comics from Diamond and Lunar Distributors for October 16, 2024
Monday, September 23, 2024
Image Comics from Diamond and Lunar Distributors for September 25, 2024
Monday, September 16, 2024
Image Comics from Diamond and Lunar Distributors for September 18, 2024
Monday, August 19, 2024
Image Comics from Diamond and Lunar Distributors for August 21, 2024
Friday, May 31, 2024
I Reads You Juniors: May 2024 - UPDATE #48
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Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like these, BOOKS PAGE, GRAPHIC NOVELS, or MANGA PAGE and BUY something(s).
NEWS:
MANGA - From BleedingCool: Graphic novel and manga publisher, TOKYOPOP, joins Marvel, IDW, and Dark Horse, as exclusive publishing clients of Penguin Random House Publishing Services.
IMAGE - From BleedingCool: Original Image Comics series, "Cyber Force," from one Image studio, Top Cow Productions, is being revived... again. The next version arrives via a one-shot, "Cyber Force Shootout," which is due Aug. 7th.
ELFQUEST - From SalonFutura: According to this site, Fox has given a "script commitment" to its previously announced hour-long animated series based on Wendy and Richard Pini's long-running comic book, "Elfquest." The cautious optimism can continue because this announced adaptation seems to have made it past the point others reached.
From YouTube: Sicangu Lakota and Cherokee artist con organizer, Kristina Maldonado Bad Hand, talks to "Elfquest" creators, Richard and Wendy Pini, about "Indigenous knowledge" and "social justice" in "Elfquest."
DC COMICS - From YouTube: DC Comics has created a comics trailer for its all-new "DC Elseworlds" comic book series.
EISNER AWARDS - From IGN: The nominations for the 2024 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards have been announced. Winners will be announced July 26th during San Diego Comic-Con 2024.
DC COMICS - From BleedingCool: DC Comics might reveal a new logo at San Diego Comic-Con 2024.
SONY MARVEL U - From THR: Amazon has dropped Sony's Marvel drama, "Silk: Spider Society." Sony will shop it to other streamers.
EN MEMORIAM - From ComicBook: Comic book writer, artist, and editor, Don Perlin, has died at the age of 94, Tuesday, May 14, 2024. He co-created the character "Moon Knight" for Marvel Comics with writer Doug Moench, and he created the character "Bloodshot" for Valiant Entertainment with artists Kevin VanHook and Bob Layton. Perlin drew long runs on such Marvel titles as "The Defenders," "Ghost Rider," and "Werewolf by Night." Perlin was also very involved in the early years of Valiant Comics.
DC STUDIOS - From Deadline: "Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow" will be the second film released from James Gunn and Peter Safran's DC Studios. It is scheduled for a Summer 2026 theatrical release.
DC COMICS - From DCBlog: Writer-artist Juni Ba talks about his "DC Black Label" miniseries, "The Boy Wonder," which reimagines Robin/Damian Wayne.
TITAN - From BleedingCool: Titan Comics is uniting numerous characters from the prose fiction of the late author, Robert E. Howard. That includes two of his signature character, Conan the Cimmerian and Solomon Kane. The crossover event is entitled "Battle of the Black Stone."
BOOKS - From BleedingCool: Puffin, Penguin's British children's book line, is launching "Puffin Graphics," a children's graphic novel line.
DC STUDIOS - From Variety: James Gunn has revealed a first-look photo of actor David Corenswet in his "Superman" suit for Gunn's film, "Superman," which is due July 11, 2025.
DC COMICS - From 13thDimension: DC Comics' legendary-among-fans "1982 DC Comics Style Guide" will finally be released to the general public as a hardcover art book. Featuring the art of Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, it has long been sought out by fans and collectors. Details are scare, but DC will reportedly publish it with "Standards Manual," an independent publishing imprint that says it "archives and preserves artifacts of design history and makes them available for future generations."
FCBD - From FCBD: Today, Saturday, May 4th is "Free Comic Book Day."
DC ANIMATION - From GamesRadar: The Cartoon Network/Adult Swim animated series, "My Adventures with Superman," gets a Season 2 preview trailer, which teases a new character. There is currently no release date for the next season, which will consist of 10 episodes.
MANGA - From BleedingCool: Abrams ComicsArt is starting a manga imprint named "Kana." In addition to publishing English-language editions of actual manga, Kana will release the trade collection of Frank Miller's "Ronin: Book Two," which will be retitled, "Ronin Rising."
MARVEL - From BleedingCool: Marvel has released a checklist for its "Infinity Watch" annuals. There will be 9 annuals, with the first, "Thanos Annual," which is due in June.
COMICS TO FILM - From Deadline: Warner Bros is negotiating to close a seven-figure film-rights deal for "Avengelyne," a film project based of a comic book by Rob Liefeld (the co-creator of the character, "Deadpool"). "Avengelyne" is an angel who fights the forces of evil. Margot Robbie reportedly wants to star as the title character, if she likes the script, and Olivia Wilde is set to direct.
ALAN MOORE - From BleedingCool: October 2024 sees the release of Alan Moore's new book, "The Great When" (from Bloomsbury UK), the first in the "Long Line" series. The month will also see the publication of Moore's final graphic novel project, "The Moon and Serpent Bumper Book of Magic," from Knockabout in the UK and IDW/Top Shelf Productions in the U.S. The book was co-written by the late Steve Moore with art by the late Kevin O'Neill.
From GamesRadar: Bloomsbury, the book publisher of legendary comic book scribe, Alan Moore, is teasing something new that is coming from Moore. It may be the first in a series of novels he's been planning.
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Tuesday, August 16, 2022
#IReadsYou Review: CYBERFORCE #1 30th Anniversary Edition
CYBERFORCE #1 30TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION
IMAGE COMICS/Top Cow Productions
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
STORY: Eric Silvestri
ART: Marc Silvestri
COLORS: Joe Chiodo
LETTERS: Mike Heisler
EDITOR: Cynthia Sullivan
COVER: Marc Silvestri and Scott Williams with Joe Chiodo
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Priscilla Petraites; Brett Booth
46pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (June 2022)
Rated T+/Teen Plus
Cyberforce created by Marc Silvestri
“The Tin Men of War” Part One
Cyberforce was one of Image Comics debut titles, and it was created by one of Image Comic' founding members, Marc Silvestri. Cyberforce #1 (cover dated: October 1992) was the first issue of a four-issue miniseries. It introduced a team of mutants who had their mutant abilities enhanced with cybernetic implants as the result of experimentation. Volume 2 of Cyberforce ran for 35 issues from 1994 to 1997. Since then, Cyberforce has returned in 2006, 2012, 2015 and 2018.
Image Comics has published a commemorative edition of that first Cyberforce #1 from 1992. Cyberforce #1 30th Anniversary Edition reprints the story contents of Cyberforce #1 and also includes an illustrated sixteen page section focusing on the early history of Image Comics. Cyberforce #1 is written by Eric Silvestri; drawn by Marc Silvestri; colored by Joe Chiodo; and lettered by Mike Heisler.
Cyberforce #1 opens in New York City – the inner city. Velocity, a young woman who is a mutant, is on the run. It seems that she is being hunted by “C.O.P.S.” (Cybernetic Operatives for Protection and Security), and their leader, Ballistic, a female cybernetic operative. These operatives are in the service of Cyberdata, a monolithic multinational conglomerate which creates cybernetically enhanced resistance fighters.
Luckily for Velocity, there is a team made up of such fighters who escaped from Cyberdata. They are Ripclaw, Heatwave, Stryker, Cyblade, and Impact. They are known as “Cyberforce,” and they may be Velocity's only hope to avoid the clutches of Cyberdata.
THE LOWDOWN: Initially, Cyberforce was not my favorite Image Comics superhero title. That was Jim Lee's WildC.A.T.s, but over the years, I have come to really like Cyberforce. I think the original Cyberforce miniseries is the best early Image Comics' title and is also one of the best superhero comic books of the early 1990s.
Cyberforce is obviously inspired by Uncanny X-Men. Cyberforce creator, Marc Silvestri, was the lead artist on that title from 1987 to 1990. I think Cyberforce once had the potential to rival the X-Men, but in the end, average writing and mediocre Silvestri copycat artists, as well as middling spin-offs dragged this potential franchise down.
Cyberforce #1 30th Anniversary Edition is a celebration of a particular time, when the debut of Image Comics offered so much promise for creator-owned superhero comic books. Over time, Image Comics would gradually become a home for a wide variety of genres of creator-owned comic books, especially in the science fiction, fantasy, horror, and action genres. However, Cyberforce #1 30th Anniversary Edition remembers the beginnings of Image Comics, and for some of us, those beginnings will always be special.
Also, 1992's Cyberforce #1 is just a damn good first issue. Yes, writer Eric Silvestri seems to be squeezing a tad too much information into the first issue, but he makes this first issue and the world it introduces seem like the place to be. Marc Silvestri's art lacks the polish that it would usually get from the inks of Scott Williams. Still, his dynamic layouts and the steadiness of his drama make for engaging graphical storytelling.
Joe Chiodo's muted colors add a sense of realism to the story. Mike Heisler's letters catch the shifting tones and intensity of the narrative that sell the story. The result is a memorable first issue.
Sometimes, I dream that Cyberforce will be mine, and I will finally bring them to the heights they deserve. Well, while a fanboy is dreaming, older fans can celebrate with Cyberforce #1 30th Anniversary Edition and new readers can discover something they might like.
I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Top Cow and of the early years of Image Comics will want to read Cyberforce #1 30th Anniversary Edition.
A
★★★★+ out of 4 stars
[The comic book includes 16-page section of back matter:
“30 Years of Cyberforce” by Lisa Wu looks back at the early days of Image Comics and Top Cow. It is comprised of a Q&A with Marc Silvestri, Scott Williams, David Wohl, and Brian Haberlin. It also includes examples of original art and color guides.
“Cyberforce Through the Years”: this is comprised of a cover gallery from various Cyberforce publications; character sketches by Marc Silvestri; art related to trading cards; storyboards for an unproduced Cyberforce animated television series; photos of toys; and miscellaneous images.]
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
www.topcow.com
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The text is copyright © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
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Monday, August 15, 2022
Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for August 17, 2022
Monday, June 6, 2022
Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 8, 2022
Monday, April 12, 2021
Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 14, 2021
IMAGE COMICS
FEB210177 BIRTHRIGHT #48 $3.99
OCT208593 COMP WITCHBLADE HC VOL 02 (MR) $49.99
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FEB210032 HOME #1 (OF 5) CVR A STERLE $3.99
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FEB210191 HOME SICK PILOTS #5 CVR A WIJNGAARD (MR) $3.99
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FEB210038 JULES VERNE LIGHTHOUSE #1 (OF 5) CVR A HABERLIN & VAN DYKE ( $4.99
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FEB210192 KARMEN #2 (OF 5) CVR A MARCH (MR) $3.99
FEB210142 NORROWAY TP BOOK 02 QUEEN ON HIGH MOUNTAIN (RES) $14.99
FEB210206 SCUMBAG #7 CVR A MOBILI & DINISIO (MR) $3.99
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
#IReadsYou Review: THE DARKNESS #1 25th Anniversary Commemorative Edition
IMAGE COMICS/Top Cow Productions, Inc.
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
STORY: Garth Ennis
PENCILS: Marc Silvestri
INKS: Batt (inking assistants: Joe Weems, Nathan Cabrera, Victor Llamas and various)
COLORS: Steve Firchow
LETTERS: Dennis Heisler
EDITOR: David Wohl
COVER: Marc Silvestri and Batt with Steve Firchow
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (November 2020)
Rated M / Mature
The Darkness created by Marc Silvestri, Garth Ennis, and David Wohl
“Coming of Age”
The Darkness is a long-running comic book series created by artist Marc Silvestri, writer Garth Ennis, and editor David Wohl. The Darkness focuses on Jackie Estacado, a mafia hit man who inherits “the curse of the Darkness.” The character made his debut in Witchblade #10 (November 1996) before making his solo debut in his own series.
In celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of The Darkness #1 (December 1996), Image Comics and Top Cow Productions, Inc. are publishing The Darkness #1 25th Anniversary Commemorative Edition. This one-shot comic book reprints the story contents from The Darkness #1 and also includes an interview, an essay, a five-page section reprinting select cover illustrations produced during the series first 16 years, and other material.
The Darkness #1 (“Coming of Age”) opens at night on the Lower East Side of New York City. Tall, dark, and handsome mafia hit man, Jackie Estacado, has just executed his latest target in service of his boss, Don Franchetti. This latest bloody move by the Franchetti mob starts a bloody skirmish with rival mobster, Don Tommy Marchianni. Jackie, Don Franchetti's top enforcer, is caught in the middle.
But the young killer has bigger problems. He is about to turn 21-years-old, and “The Darkness” is about to start calling for him. And the “Angelus” is coming for him.
THE LOWDOWN: I read the first 10 or 12 issues of the original run of The Darkness back in 1996-97, but I eventually grew bored with this comic book and stopped reading it. I have to admit that I had high expectations for it. After all, the writer was Garth Ennis, red-hot in the mid-1990s because of his DC Comics/Vertigo series, Preacher. I was a huge fan of post-Marvel Comics Marc Silvestri. I thought many the comic books that Silvestri drew for Marvel Comics looked awful because of his chicken-scratch drawing style. But Image Comics-Marc Silvestri seemed like an entirely different artist, especially when Silvestri's pencils were inked by the great Scott Williams.
Yet every time I read The Darkness, I felt like Ennis and Silvestri were not really delivering on this concept's potential. I understood that the universe of Silvestri's Top Cow Productions, Inc. was obsessed with some kind of angelic vs. demonic rivalry, similar to that of Jim Lee's Wildstorm Productions universe. However, I didn't think that Ennis and Silvestri really understood where they could take The Darkness in terms of narrative. In The Darkness, Ennis delivered a stillborn version of the usual outtakes from his ultra-violence wheelhouse. Silvestri's art was an unimaginative spin on the grim-and-gritty riffs that everyone was stealing from Frank Miller's Batman comics.
I don't know if The Darkness every reached its potential. Frankly, I didn't give a crap after I stopped reading the series, but on occasion, I would see an issue of The Darkness and wonder about it … I have to admit.
The Darkness #1 25th Anniversary Commemorative Edition commemorates an anniversary that is only important to Top Cow because … let's be frank … it does not have much to commemorate. The original Image Comics creators, Marc Silvestri among them, turned their studios into vanity project factories that produced poorly written comic books that featured the kind of art that only the artists and their sycophantic fans thought was great. This is something that can be said of many of the artists associated with Image Comics first decade, for instance Rob Liefeld and J. Scott Campbell.
It is only in the last 15 years or so that Image Comics has delivered on the promise that the birth of the publisher offered to both comic book creators and readers. The Darkness represents a placeholder in the evolution of Image Comics. After the fanfare for their first wave of comic book series faded, some of Image's founders moved on to offering exciting new concepts. For Jim Lee, it was Divine Right, and for Silvestri, it was The Darkness. At least, The Darkness ran much longer than Divine Right.
The Darkness #1 25th Anniversary Commemorative Edition, as a package, is nothing special, but – and there is a big but – reading it again did remind me that The Darkness still has great potential. I enjoyed re-reading this reprint of the first issue, and I might reread a few more of the original issues. I still think that The Darkness is an outside-the-box comic book concept that could be an exceptional dark fantasy comic book. But will it ever be that? Does it matter?
I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Top Cow Productions' comic books will want The Darkness #1 25th Anniversary Commemorative Edition.
6 out of 10
This issue contains the feature “Say Good Night to the 'Good Guy'” by Henry Barajas and Claire Napier. This feature includes illustrations; an questions-and-answer session with Marc Silvestri and David Wohl; a bullet-point presentation about the publication, licensing, and merchandising success of The Darkness.
This issue also includes a gallery of cover art produced by the following artists and art teams for The Darkness: Marc Silvestri, Joe Weems, and Peter Steigerwald; Joe Benitez, Joe Weems, and Dean White; Nathan Cabrera and Victor Llamas; Greg Hildebrandt and Tim Hildebrandt; Michael Turner, Joe Weems, and JD Smith; Joe Benitez, Joe Weems, and Richard Isanove; Clarence Lansang, Victor Llamas, and Matt Nelson; David Finch, Jason Gorder, and Matt Nelson; Brian Ching, Victor Llamas, and Matt Nelson; Mark Pajarillo, Danny Miki, and Matt Nelson; Dale Keown and Matt Milla; Lee Bermejo; Dale Keown; Rafael Albuquerque; Todd McFarlane; Jeremy Haun and John Rauch
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
www.topcow.com
https://twitter.com/ImageComics
https://imagecomics.com/
The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.
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