Leroy Douresseaux on RYDER ON THE STORM #3

RYDER ON THE STORM #3

RADICAL PUBLISHING

 

WRITER: David Hine

ARTIST: Wayne Nichols and Hugo Petrus
COLORS: Feigan Chong and Sansan Saw of Sixth Creation
LETTERS: Richard Starkings and Comicraft’s Jimmy Betancourt
COVER: Francesco “Matt” Mattina
56pp, Color, $4.99 U.S.

Ryder on the Storm is a three-issue comic book miniseries from Radical Publishing. The concept rides several subgenres: supernatural-detective, horror fantasy, and action comic.

Written by David Hine and drawn by Wayne Nichols, the series focuses on Ryder, a private eye hired by a mysterious beauty to investigate the bizarre suicide of her lover. The crime is apparently tied to the Daemons, an ancient race that once ruled over the entire world, but now rules the city from behind the scenes and from beneath the streets.

As Ryder on the Storm #3 begins, the truth about the case that Ryder is investigating, the murder of Michael Hudson, is revealed. The number one suspect is Ryder’s client, Hudson’s lover, Katrina Petruska, and she has a gun pointed at Ryder. But the real action is yet to come. Ryder joins Charles Monk, the last Daemon hunter, in a final showdown with Rebecca Danton, the matriarch of the Dantons, a Daemon clan. Secrets, lies, and family ties are revealed.

Because of its smooth Film-Noir detective story and dark, urban fantasy vibe, Ryder on the Storm shocks with its sudden violent ending. As he did with FVZA: The Federal Vampire and Zombie Agency, writer David Hine delivers grit and edgy horror and slick action side by side. Hine can take a hokey concept and use his dark imagination to transform it into an inventive, engaging comic book.

However, in the praise department, I cannot short artist Wayne Nichols. Nichols is quickly becoming one of the best artists of horror comic books. Nichols visualizes all the aspects of Hine’s script through his art, while making Ryder on the Storm’s gross horror go down smoothly like an extra-creamy milkshake

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http://www.radicalpublishing.com/

Kingo Used Books Meet Nekotama-do

I read Kingyo Used Books, Vol. 3

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.

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http://www.wilfredsantiago.com/

Bluewater Productions Announces Superhero Line

THE NEXT WAVE OF HEROES TO STRIKE BLUEWATER UNDER NEW BANNER

This Fall Bluewater Productions brings you a brand new world of superheroes. Art Director Gregg Paulson (Judo Girl, Paparazzi) and Line Editor AE Stueve (The Legend of Isis, The ABCs of Dinkology), along with a slew of artists and writers, are launching The Wave #0, Bluewater Productions' take on a shared universe. The line starts with The Wave #0 and leads into four four-issue mini-series revolving around mythological heroes and gods in modern times.

Bluewater intends to grab the serious attention of superhero fans. Though you've heard the names before, this is a brand new take, brand new concept, and brand new world. The upcoming titles include Artemis, Orion, Hercules, and Trident: The Power of Poseidon. Are you ready for The Wave?

"These comics will show the world that Bluewater Productions is not just about biography and property comics, but it can produce well written, beautifully drawn superhero stories as well. I think what the coolest thing though is that we are using the 'shared universe' formula familiar to fans of Marvel and DC, but right now we don't have a convoluted back-story of characters who, in some cases, have been around for nearly 100 years. That's not to say that it wouldn't be cool to create characters that are so awesome that in nearly 100 years the universe they share will be a convoluted mess. Because that would be cool. But hey, why not mention in our PR announcement one of the best advantages we've got over several other superhero comics these days?" --AE Stueve, line editor/writer Orion

Bluewater was founded on creating updated versions of different types of mythological characters such as 10th Muse (which launched at the 6th highest selling comic book) and Legend of Isis and Atlas ten years ago. “This is just another branch of books we are doing,” said Bluewater President Darren G. Davis. “As a kid I was fond of mythology, so I am excited to see what they are going to do with it.”


About Bluewater Productions
Bluewater Productions Inc. is one of the top independent production studios of comic books, young adult books and graphic novels. Its extensive catalog of titles includes the bestsellers 10th Muse and The Legend of Isis Bluewater publishes comic books in partnership with entertainment icon William Shatner (TekWar Chronicles), legendary filmmaker Ray Harryhausen (Wrath of the Titans, Sinbad: Rogue of Mars, Jason and the Argonauts, et al) and celebrated actor Vincent Price (Vincent Price Presents), Additionally, Bluewater publishes a highly successful line of biographical comics under the titles Female Force and Political Power.

Bluewater aims to unite cutting-edge art and engaging stories produced by its stable of the publishing industry's top artists and writers.

For more information, visit http://www.bluewaterprod.com/.

VIZ Kids Adds Five New Titles

VIZ MEDIA EXPANDS VIZ KIDS IMPRINTWITH A FULL SLATE OF NEW ACQUISITIONS

New Titles Include Global Blockbuster Franchises MR. MEN AND LITTLE MISS, POKÉMON And VOLTRON FORCE, And Rising Stars MAMESHIBA and HERO 108

San Francisco, CA, April 11, 2011 – VIZ Media, the largest distributor of anime and manga in the United States, announced a full slate of acquisitions for its kids imprint, VIZ Kids. The acquisitions include DVD, Download-To-Own, and graphic novel licenses for a wide range of well-established global franchises.

“VIZ Media is excited to expand our kids imprint to include a variety of fun new properties,” said Elizabeth Kawasaki, Senior Editorial Director of VIZ Media. “These new titles use strong storytelling, eye-popping graphics and empowering themes to engage a younger generation of fans.”

• HERO 108 – VIZ Kids will be distributing DVDs of this popular series which airs on Cartoon Network. HERO 108 chronicles the battle for peace in the Hidden Kingdom. In addition, VIZ Kids will make the episodes available for download through iTunes. DVDs will be available in May 2011 while downloadable episodes will launch in June 2011.

• MAMESHIBA – The irresistibly cute and irrepressibly curious Mameshiba are not quite beans, not quite dogs--they’re a hybrid of both! VIZ Kids will release a graphic novel, MAMESHIBA: ON THE LOOSE!, and a character guide, MEET MAMESHIBA, in July 2011.

• POKÉMON BLACK AND WHITE: VIZ Kids will release manga, a travel activity kit, and other select merchandise based on the most recent incarnation of the juggernaut POKÉMON™ video game franchise, Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version. Meet all-new Pokémon from the fastest-selling Pokémon video games in history. The travel activity kit will be available in May 2011; Volumes 1 and 2 of the manga will be available in July 2011.

• MR. MEN AND LITTLE MISS – Mr. Happy, Little Miss Sunshine and all their Dillydale friends are about to take the graphic novel world by storm! Under the VIZ Kids imprint, VIZ Media will create and distribute original graphic novels starring the lovable MR. MEN and LITTLE MISSES. Little Miss Sunshine, Mr. Bump, Mr. Strong and Little Miss Daredevil books will be available in Spring 2012.

• VOLTRON FORCE – Voltron®, the ultimate space adventure from the 1980s, is ready to take the world by storm again! VIZ Kids will produce and distribute original graphic novels based on the all-new animated series VOLTRON FORCEÔ, set to debut on Nicktoons this summer. VOLTRON FORCE reignites the story of five brave space explorers who pilot mighty robot lions that combine to form Voltron, Defender of the Universe. Joining the team are three new cadets, who have the opportunity of a lifetime to fight alongside their heroes and unlock incredible new powers. Let’s Voltron! The books will be available in Spring 2012.

HERO 108, MAMESHIBA, MR. MEN, and VOLTRON FORCE are unique acquisitions because they are properties not owned by any of VIZ Media’s parent companies, Shueisha, Shogakukan and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions. These acquisitions join an already robust manga and anime VIZ Kids library, which includes THE LEGEND OF ZELDA, PANDA MAN, TARO, BEYBLADE and DINOSAUR KING.

For more information on VIZ Kids, visit http://www.vizkids.com/.

House of Five Leaves Indebted

I read House of Five Leaves, Vol. 3

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

"Black Dynamite" the Movie Screens to Promote Black Dynamite Comic Book

The Crest: Black Dynamite Screening

ASR Innertainment to host film screening of Black Dynamite to promote Black Dynamite Comic Book from Ape Entertainment

April 13, 2011: Released in 2009, Black Dynamite quickly became a cult smash and received a comic book treatment from Ars Nova and Ape Entertainment. Black Dynamite: Slave Island, everyone’s favorite Blaxploitation sensation will appear in a one-shot, bringing his Kung-Fu fighting skills in this sequential page as he shuts down the mysterious island where Black slavery still exists.

“Fans of the film will feel right at home with the comic,” states Ape Entertainment founder and co-publisher Brent E. Erwin. “It has all of the elements that made the movie a cultural phenomenon, and Black Dynamite himself is still as much of a bad dude on the page as he is on the screen.”

Black Dynamite was directed by Scott Sanders and premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2009. The film stars Michael Jai White as Black Dynamite, a Kung-Fu fighting, gun blasting ladies’ man willing to fight from the ghetto streets all the way to the White House in his efforts to take down “The Man”.

“Although written for film, Black Dynamite was always meant to move beyond the camera,” continues Sanders. “As a medium, comic books seemed like such a logical step in Black Dynamite’s development as a character, and what better way to start then having him bring down the infamous Slave Island.”

Black Dynamite: Slave Island is based on a story by Michael Jai White, Myron Minns and Scott Sanders. Written by Brian Ash with pencils by Jun Lofamia, the 48-page on shot hit stores in February 2011.

As part of ASR Innertainment’s The Crest: Movie Series, the company will be holding two screenings of Black Dynamite. The first screening will be at the Crossroads Theater 2590 Washington Street Denver, CO. on Friday, April 15, 2011, from 6:00pm to 11:00pm, film starting at 7:45pm sharp. A reception will precede the first screening with food and beverages, with sounds provided by DJ Cavem (http://www.djcavem.com/).

The second screening with be next door at Coffee at The Point 710 East 26th Avenue, from 10:00pm to 2:00am for a midnight screening of Black Dynamite. Sounds will be provided by The Girl Grabbers (www.facebook.com/girlgrabbers) from 10:30pm to 11:30pm. A closing reception will follow the second screening with food, beverages and promotional materials, including limited copies of the limited edition comic book, Black Dynamite: Slave Island, as well as Black Dynamite merchandise for purchase at booth screenings.

For More Information on ASR Innertainment, visit http://www.facebook.com/pages/ASR-Innertainment/132894606761823?sk=wall

For More Information on Black Dynamite, visit http://www.blackdynamite.com/.

For More Information on Ape Entertainment, visit http://www.ape-entertainment/

For More Information on Ars Nova, visit http://www.arsnovaent.com/