Moonstone Books' "Rotten" a BINnie Honoree

If you visit the Comic Book Bin, the website for which I've been writing for over 7 years, you know that the site launched the BINnies, a new comic book award that are the Academy Awards of comic books.

Moonstone Books took notice that one of the Bin writers, Pat Oliver, chose their horror comic book, Rotten, for a "Best New or Miniseries" award.  Here, is the press release:

Moonstone Entertainment, Inc. announces that the wildly eclectic, genre busting comic 'ROTTEN' from writers Mark Rahner and Robert Horton and Artist Dan Dougherty continues to receive accolades and notice, this time from writers at the Comic Book Bin (http://www.comicbookbin.com/). Writers for the comic book centered site instituted their own awards this year. Calling them 'The Binnies', writers established several comic book oriented categories and then chose the winners for each category. ROTTEN was named as one of the six winners of Best New or Mini Series for 2010. Comic Book Bin writer Pat Oliver selected the Moonstone title for this recognition and wrote-

I quite liked Rotten (Moonstone) this year. Created by Mark Rahner and Robert Horton, with artwork by Dan Dougherty, it evoked memories of the old TV series Wild Wild West, and was a nice new twist on both the western and zombie genres. Its two main protagonists are likeable, ethical men and experts in their own fields. One may be more cerebral than the other, but neither is a stranger to action, both being army men. It is a many layered comic book. For instance, it can be read as a good adventure horror story with thriller elements, or it can viewed as holding up a mirror to events in Modern society. Zombie Detective piece or political allegory, either

This excellent description and recognition of this trail blazing tale exploring new frontiers in both genre and comic storytelling is the latest in a series of compliments and praise for ROTTEN and its creative team. Others include-

"A super-cool approach." FANGORIA

"A must-buy ... 5 George Romeros out of 5." Ain't It Cool News

"One of the strongest and strangest concepts I've ever heard, executed with horrific precision." ED BRUBAKER

"It's Deadwood by way of Stephen King. It's Undeadwood. It's witty, it's disturbing, and it's a must-read." MARK WAID

ROTTEN also made #5 on the Top Ten Comics of 2010 list at Pop Culture Zoo! (http://popculturezoo.com/2010/12/pop-culture-zoos-best-of-2010/)

ROTTEN is a multilayered event that at times is a western, a zombie tale, a detective story, an exploration of conspiracies, a horror masterpiece, and even a satirical comment on modern politics. This fantastic comic adventure is now available in trade paperback from Moonstone! Order from your favorite comic retailer today or order directly from Moonstone Entertainment, Inc. at http://www.moonstonebooks.com/

It's time for you to get ROTTEN.

ROTTEN
Story by Mark Rahner and Robert Horton
Art by Dan Dougherty
Single Issues and ROTTEN TPB #1 available now!
http://www.moonstonebooks.com/ [END]

Go to the BINnies home page here.

Top Shelf Announces 2011 Lineup

From Chris Staros:

Top Shelf announces 2011 lineup!

Hey friends,
Happy new year to you all! We hope your 2011 is off to a great start. Here at Top Shelf, we have a wonderful year planned -- and after much preparation, we're finally ready to announce our complete 2011 lineup!

It's a wide assortment that includes new books from your favorite Top Shelf authors (including Alan Moore, Jeffrey Brown, Robert Venditti, and Nate Powell), amazing new authors from all over the world (including Ludovic Debeurme, Jessica Fink, Jennifer Hayden, Kagan McLeod, and Eric Skillman), and a huge number of all-ages books to celebrate the official launch of the Top Shelf Kids Club!

EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!
In fact, we're so proud and excited about these books, we decided to share some of the fun with you as well! That's why we've whipped up a special treat: the 2011 Top Shelf Tribune. So, not only is our complete 2011 line of books available for browsing and pre-order in our web catalog, but all year long we'll be giving away the tongue-in-cheek Tribune at conventions and through your local comic shop! It's packed with news, jokes, charts, facts, teaser images, and more, all about the Top Shelf books & authors coming out this year. And the whole thing is up on our web site as well, for you to enjoy and share with your friends! The 2011 Top Shelf Tribune : Real Books. Fake News.

NO GROWN-UPS ALLOWED! WELL, MAYBE IF YOU BEHAVE YOURSELVES...
For years, some of our greatest books have been graphic novels for all ages: Owly, Korgi, Johnny Boo, and more. In 2011, we're taking the plunge and expanding that line in a big way, with the official launch of the TOP SHELF KIDS CLUB! Our Free Comic Book Day book will kick things off in May (featuring Owly, Korgi, Johnny Boo, as well as the all-new Okie Dokie Donuts, Pirate Penguin vs. Ninja Chicken, and Upside Down: A Vampire’s Tale ), followed by an amazing EIGHT new releases for kids! You can meet them all on page 3 of the Top Shelf Tribune, or visit them online in the Top Shelf Kids Club section of our web catalog!

I Reads You Review: CHAOS CAMPUS SORORITY GIRLS VS ZOMBIES #10

CHAOS CAMPUS SORORITY GIRLS VS ZOMBIES #10
APPROBATION COMICS

WRITER/LETTERS: B. Alex Thompson
ARTIST: Cary Lee Baker
COLORS: Schimerys Baal
POST-SCRIPTING/POLISH: S.W.O.L. Unlimited
COVER: Quinton Bedwell
24pp, Color, $4.99

“Patient X”

Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies is a comic book series from Approbation Comics and creator B. Alex Thompson. Chaos Campus is a horror comic that follows the adventures of Jaime Schaeffer, Paige Patton, and Brittany Miller, who are three members of a sorority named Epsilon Alpha Zeta Upsilon (EAZY).

The terror begins on the night of a volleyball tournament between EAZY and its partner, Alpha Zeta Zeta. Zombies invade the EAZY sorority house. Jamie, Paige, and Brittany escape only to discover that zombies have taken over The City, and the trio is probably humanity’s only hope to end this zombie apocalypse. Since their escape from the sorority, the girls have been on a series of crazy adventures that strangely resemble such classic horror movies as The Evil Dead and Hellraiser.

After escaping the clutches of the gamer demon, Nihilism, Brittany, Paige, and Jamie begin Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies #10 on a lush world full of zombie corpses?! Muscular slasher Kurtis Kasey (created by Phantom Avri) still stalks them, but now they also have to deal with “Patient X.”

As usual, B. Alex Thompson and company have produced another winning issue of Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies. With art by Cary Lee Baker and references to Aliens, Dead of the Dead (1985), Resident Evil, Chaos Campus #10 finds a way to freshen a “Dead” concept. Chaos Campus is the kind of thing that isn’t often done very well (certainly not done as often as some would thing). That thing is comic horror (or horror comedy), and these are zombies I enjoy seeing on a regular basis.

B+

http://www.approbationcomics.com/

Wizard World New Orleans to Feature 12 Eisnter Winners

Press release:

Twelve Eisner Award Winners, Nominees To Attend Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con, Jan. 29-30

Rob Guillory, John Layman, Kevin Maguire, Terry Moore, Cameron Stewart, Bill Sienkiewicz, Tony Harris Among Top Writers And Artists At Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

NEW YORK and NEW ORLEANS, December 27, 2010 – Twelve Will Eisner Comics Industry Awards winners or nominees are among the more than 90 comic creators already scheduled to attend Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con, part of North America’s largest pop-culture tour, January 29-30 at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Superstar artists and writers who have won the prestigious Eisner Award who will be on site include Rob Guillory (“Chew”), John Layman (“Chew,” “Puffed”), Kevin Maguire (“Justice League,” “Batman Confidential,” Cameron Stewart (“Batman & Robin,” “Catwoman”), Tony Harris (“Starman,” “Ex Machina”) and Bill Sienkiewicz (“Elektra”).

Eisner nominees scheduled to appear include Kaare Andrews (“Astonishing X-Men,” “Iron Man,” John Dell (“JLA,” “Adventure Comics”), David Mack (“Kabuki”), Ethan Van Sciver (“Green Lantern,” “Superman/Batman”) and Dexter Vines (“Ultimate Thor,” “Superman/Batman”).

The creators will be on hand to meet fans, sign autographs and sketch. Many Louisiana-based artists will be in attendance as well.

The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards are considered the "Oscars" of the comic book industry. Established in 1987, they are named for renowned cartoonist Will Eisner (creator of "The Spirit" and several award-winning graphic novels).

New Orleans Comic Con will bring together thousands of fans of all ages and dozens of celebrities and industry professionals to celebrate the best in pop culture, movies, comics, toys, video gaming, television, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. Among the celebrities scheduled to attend are James Marsters, Julie Benz, Louis Gossett Jr., Ray Park, Adam West, Burt Ward, Billy Dee Williams and Peter Tork.

The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is located at 900 Convention Center Blvd. in New Orleans. New Orleans Comic Con is the first stop on Wizard’s 2011 North American tour, which to date has 13 events scheduled. Hours are Saturday, Jan. 29, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Jan. 30, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.. Tickets are available in advance or by calling 1-866-882-5860 and online at www.wizardworld.com/neworleans.html at up to a 15% savings over tickets purchased at the door. Advance adult single-day tickets are $25 ($30 on site); two-day weekend tickets are $40 ($45 on site), and tickets are free for children age 10 and under when accompanied by a paid adult (limit two children per adult). VIP packages with special entry and exclusive items are also available.


About Wizard Entertainment:
Gareb Shamus founded Wizard Entertainment in 1991. Today, Shamus publishes consumer magazines Wizard, ToyFare, FunFare and numerous books about pop-culture’s top talent, comic books and toys. Shamus also produces a North American Comic Con tour. Wizard World Comic Con – The Pop-Culture Capital of the World!

For the most recent event information please visit www.wizardworld.com and become a New Orleans Comic Con Fan on Facebook.

Full Lineup of "Indie Comics Magazine" Announced

Aazurn Publishing has announced the full lineup of the first edition of the new Indie Comics Magazine, scheduled for preorder in Diamond Comic Distributors' January 2011 Previews catalog and available ONLY through Previews.

"We've been saying that Indie Comics Magazine is 64 pages of the best story and art from today's independent comic book creators," said Editor Gary Scott Beatty. "The first issue proves that assertion with a talented lineup that reads like a who's who of the indy comic movement."

Appearing in the first issue is Tom Kelly (DC's Zuda), Tim Vigil (Faust), David Branstetter (Straw Man), K.J. Kolka (The Cardinal), Gary Scott Beatty (Jazz: Cool Birth), Anthony Cacioppo (Kaso Comics), Terry Cronin (Students of the Unusual) and Douglas Paszkiewicz (Arsenic Lullaby).

The cover to #1 features a full color painting by Marcus Boas (Heavy Metal).

"We're different than other books," Beatty explained. "We feature done-in-one stories so readers can get a feel for what these creators can do. Short biographies and contact information are included with the stories so readers can easily seek out more of the creators' work. These details make Indie Comics Magazine a valuable resource for anyone interested in the world of independent comics."

The number of comic books, graphic novels and online entertainment available today can be overwhelming to a casual reader, said Beatty. "We help readers cut through the reviews and hype to experience these creators' raw talent."

Beatty said he's pleased with the variety of art styles and mix of genres in Indie Comics Magazine. "We were lucky to land different creators with a diverse range of storytelling styles. This is a real cross section of indy comic book genius!"

Indie Comics Magazine is available ONLY through the Previews order magazine at your local comic shop. The first issue is offered in January, 2011's Previews. Information about Indie Comics Magazine is online at http://indiecomicsmagazine.com/.

Jolly Rogue Studios to Publish New "Sky Pirates" Miniseries

Press release:

 

Jolly Rogue Studios Set to Publish Sky Pirates of Valendor

 

Everett Soares, creator and writer of the small press comic book title Sky Pirates of Valendor, announced today that Jolly Rogue Studios will assume publishing responsibilities for the upcoming 6-issue second chapter, set to launch January 14, 2011.

 

As Uncle Ben wisely once said “With great power comes great responsibility,” Soares has made some big decisions in a short amount of time. Among them, Sky Pirates of Valendor will be simultaneously released digitally as well as print. The release event, timed with the studio’s first convention appearance of 2011, will take at Arisia, a Boston-based science fiction convention. The digital release will occur on drivethrucomics.com. Additionally, mobile device users will be able to download upcoming issues of Sky Pirates of Valendor very soon. The creative studio turned publisher is currently in the contract-signing stage with two different vendors, with announcements coming shortly.

 

Back in 2007, Soares was faced with one of the biggest decisions of his life. Having spent the previous 5 months engrossed in an intense competition for comic book creators, Soares finished Small Press Idol in 2nd place, just a few votes shy of a 4-issue contract with Dimestore Productions. Where would Soares take the series now?

 

For the sake of the series, Soares did not wait very long to answer that question. With Brian Brinlee as penciler, Michael W. Kellar as inker and Jet Amago as toner, Soares received the opportunity most creators dream of – Sky Pirates of Valendor would be published by Free Lunch Comics. Three years later and a full miniseries of Sky Pirates completed, Soares faced another major and life-altering decision. Free Lunch Comics informed Soares they would not be extending their publishing contract for another miniseries. After briefly considering the option of finding another publisher, Soares along with his creative team, now consisting of Alex Rivera as inker, made the decision and commitment to publish Sky Pirates of Valendor under the studio name created back in 2007.

Sky Pirates of Valendor, an ongoing fantasy comic book series, recounts the adventures of Captain Tobin Manheim and the crew of the Rogue’s Revenge in the shattered world of Valendor. Riddled with political intrigue, death warrants and high adventure, Sky Pirates of Valendor appeals to fans of multiple genres and mediums. For more information on Sky Pirates of Valendor or its creative team, visit their website at www.skypiratesofvalendor.com.

Jolly Rogue Studios, formed by Everett Soares in September 2007, is best known for its flagship title, Sky Pirates of Valendor. The studio was formed as a result of Soares’ successful completion of Small Press Idol 2007. Jolly Rogue Studios currently employs three series artists, as well as numerous freelance artists for the purpose of producing high-quality comics. In addition to its flagship title, Jolly Rogue Studios plans to release Barbed Wire, a multi-genre anthology involving over 20 artists and writers.

I Reads You Review: VANILLA, VOL. 2 (YAOI)

Creator: Riyu Yamakami (cartoonist); Sachiko Sato (translation)

Publishing Information: June Manga/DMP, paperback, 200 pages, $12.95 (US)

Ordering Numbers: ISBN: 978-1-56970-755-5 (ISBN-13); 1-56970-755-3 (ISBN-10)

 

Drama/Romance; Rated “M” for “Mature 18+”

Originally published in Japan in the late 1990s, Vanilla is a yaoi graphic novel from creator Riyu Yamakami. Under its Juné Manga imprint, Digital Manga Publishing released Vanilla in two trade paperbacks a few years ago. Vanilla is the story of a high school student, 17-year-old Ichiro Morio, who falls deeply in love with a new teacher, Yoshitaka Saeki, who doesn’t believe in declarations of love.

As Vanilla, Vol. 2 opens, Morio has broken past Mr. Saeki’s rough exterior, or has he? They knocked boots, but afterwards, Mr. Saeki is as callous as ever. Now, Kazuki Nakajima, a former lover of Saeki’s, has decided to make things even more difficult between Morio and Saeki by hitting on Morio!

This volume also includes a Vanilla Extra Episode, entitled “Pink Diamond.” This story takes place after Vanilla and tells the tale of how Kazuki Nakajima and Saeki’s butler, Yajima, became the pair known as the “Jima Duo.” Both discover that two people who seem to be very different are actually quite similar.

After a strong start, Vanilla doesn’t race to a passionate conclusion. It skips to a soft happily-ever-after ending. It’s still fun to read about the lovesick student pining away for his aloof, lover boy teacher, but as I read this, I got the idea that it was too short and that something was missing. What? I don’t know, perhaps, some heat. The chapter that leads off Vol. 2, “Scene 5” starts off with some passion, but the narrative quickly cools. The “Pink Diamond” novella is a bit livelier, mainly because Nakajima is so petulant and stubborn – in a charming way.

Vanilla isn’t exactly vanilla. In some ways it works like a romance novel, but there is just enough nuttiness and crunchiness to make Vanilla a bit different from everything else.

B+