IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for February 27, 2019

IDW PUBLISHING

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Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for February 27, 2019

IMAGE COMICS

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Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for February 27, 2019

MARVEL COMICS

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Comics, Books and Magazines from Diamond Distributors for February 27, 2019

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

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Fantagraphics to Republish Four Tomi Ungerer Books

Honoring A Legend

Fantagraphics To Resurrect Tomi Ungerer Classics

SEATTLE, WA—The international art and literary communities recently suffered a huge blow with the loss of legendary artist and writer Tomi Ungerer (1931–2019). Readers of all ages have been enchanted by his vast oeuvre, from his masterpieces of children’s literature (such as the internationally beloved and award-winning The Three Robbers, Moon Man, and Otto) to his equally masterful satirical and erotic work for adults. In his lifetime he was recognized for the extraordinary breadth of his creative vision, receiving both the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for Children’s Book Illustration and the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Sexual Freedom Awards.

Fantagraphics Books is honored to play a part in preserving the legacy of this creative genius with the re-publication of four Ungerer books for adults: The Underground Sketchbook, The Party, Babylon, and Adam and Eve.

Due out in Fall 2019, Tomi Ungerer’s infamous 1969 Underground Sketchbook is a tour de force glimpse into the artist’s id. A shocking departure from his children’s book illustration, each page seethes with coruscating social commentary, dada-esque observations, and existential angst. Underground Sketchbook is revered for its audacious visual wit, absurdist humor, and scathing satire, and this long-awaited reprint will be a visual treat for both fans of Ungerer and appreciators of fine cartooning unfamiliar with his work.

“While preparing for my career-spanning interview with Tomi Ungerer that appears in the new print edition of The Comics Journal, I was astonished to discover that many of his best satirical works were only available as used books at exorbitant prices,” explains Fantagraphics Publisher Gary Groth. “In an attempt to right this wrong, I chose four of his books to reprint, all trenchant commentaries on the folly of our relationships and the absurdity of our social order."

The publication dates of The Party, Babylon, and Adam and Eve are TBD.

Underground Sketchbook by Tomi Ungerer
Introduction by Steve Brodner
On-sale: October 2019
$19.99 Hardcover
160 pages, two-color, 10 ¼” x 7 ¼”
ISBN: 978-1-68396-262-5

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Review: SIDEWAYS #1

SIDEWAYS No. 1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Dan DiDio and Kenneth Rocafort
DIALOGUE: Dan DiDio and Justin Jordan
ART: Kenneth Rocafort
COLORS: Daniel Brown
LETTERS: Carlos M. Mangual
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (April 2018)

Rated “T” for Teen

Sidways created by Kenneth Rocafort and Dan DiDio

“Fun and Games”

DC Comics has launched a new superhero comics initiative, “The New Age of DC Heroes,” coming out of its Dark Nights: Metal event miniseries.  This line of comic books will consist of eight new comic book series:  The Curse of Brimstone, Damage, The Immortal Men, New Challengers, The Silencer, The Terrifics, The Unexpected, and the subject of this review, Sideways.

Sideways is written by co-creator Dan DiDio, co-creator Kenneth Rocafort and Justin Jordan; drawn by Rocafort; colored by Daniel Brown; and lettered by Carlos M. Mangual.  Sideways focuses on a Puerto Rican high school junior who can create rifts in midair to leap through dimensions at will.

He accidentally fell through a rift into the dark matter dimension (as seen in Dark Nights: Metal).  Sideways #1 finds Derek James invading the personal space of his girlfriend, Ernestine a.k.a. “Ernie.”  She knows about Derek's power to create rifts in midair.  She is the one who designed and created the uniform that allows Derek to become the new superhero, “Sideways.”  Derek dons his new costume and goes “rifting,” introducing the world to what it means to go “Sideways.”  Not everyone or every entity is exciting about that.

I enjoyed the first “New Age of DC Heroes!” comic book, Damage, but I did not enjoy the second one, The Silencer.  “Sideways” is a little better than The Silencer.  I am overly fond of artist Kenneth Rocafort's overly cute drawing style.  However, the story has some potential.  All I can tell you is that I am genuinely curious about Sideways.  I don't think that it will be a great comic book, but if the creators try something different from the same-old-DC/Marvel-Comics, this could be unique.

Seriously, y'all, we can hope.

5.5 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: STAR WARS: Thrawn #1

STAR WARS: THRAWN No. 1 (OF 6)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Jody Houser
ART: Luke Ross
COLORS: Nolan Woodard
LETTERS: VC's Clayton Cowles
COVER: Paul Renaud
VARIANT COVERS: Francesco Mattina; John Tyler Christopher
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (April 2018)

Rated “T”

Based on the novel by Timothy Zahn

Grand Admiral Thrawn is a character in the Star Wars media franchise.  An Imperial military commander, Thrawn was introduced in the 1991 novel, Heir to the Empire, written by Timothy Zahn and also known as the first novel in the “Thrawn trilogy.”  Zahn also wrote a two-novel set known as the “Thrawn duology” that brought the character back, seemingly from the dead.

After the Walt Disney Company bought Lucasfilm, the owner of the Star Wars franchise, Thrawn became a “Star Wars Legends” character – meaning he was not part of Star Wars canon, also known as “official Star Wars lore.”  Thrawn became a cannon character when he appeared in the third season of the animated television series, “Star Wars Rebels” (Disney XD).

Now, Marvel Comics is adapting Timothy Zahn's 2017 novel, Star Wars: Thrawn, as a six-issue miniseries.  Like the novel, the comic book adaptation chronicles the origins of Grand Admiral Thrawn.  The comic book miniseries is written by Jody Houser; drawn by Luke Ross; colored by Nolan Woodard; and lettered by Clayton Cowles.

Star Wars: Thrawn #1 opens in that area of the galaxy that is beyond the “Outer Rim” and that is referred to as “Wild Space.”  Captain Parck of the Imperial Navy leads a squad of Myomar Imperial Academy cadets on a mission to an unnamed planet in Wild Space to search for a possible new alien species.  What they find is a highly-skilled non-human that calls itself “Thrawn.”  Being the only member of the mission who can speak to Thrawn, Cadet Vanto soon finds himself ensnared in Thrawn's surprising Imperial ambitions.

I am not familiar with the original novel of the same name upon which this comic book, Star Wars: Thrawn, is based.  I can say that writer Jody Houser has fashioned an excellent first issue in this adaptation of the novel.  The pacing is excellent, and the dialogue is evocative and detailed in conveying the machinations and personalities of the characters, especially Thrawn.  Houser creates a comic book that is a joy to read and also does not feel like another Star Wars retread.

As always, artist Luke Ross delivers strong compositions and page design.  Ross arranges the panels in a way that allows the story to flow while it presents the characters, plots, and settings in rich detail.  Nolan Woodard's vivid colors, especially the blue and green hues not only make the art sparkly, but also heighten the sense of mystery and danger about Thrawn.

Clayton Cowles' lettering make the story hum with energy and creates a sense that a surprise is coming around every corner on the way to the next panel.  All of this wonderful graphical storytelling simmers underneath another striking example of Paul Renaud's art – the cover illustration for this first issue.

I was merely interested in Star Wars: Thrawn; now I can't wait for the next issue.

9 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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