Monday, February 22, 2010

Beast Master Final Volume

I read Beast Master, Vol. 2

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin.  This is the final volume of the series.


I Reads You Review: DETECTIVE COMICS #854

Detective Comics #854
DC COMICS

WRITER: Greg Rucka
ARTISTS: J.H. Williams III, Cully Hamner (backup)
COLORS: Dave Stewart, Laura Martin (backup)
LETTERS: Todd Klein, Jared K. Fletcher (backup)
40pp, Color, $3.99

Elegy Part One, “Agitato”

The Katherine Kane Batwoman began her reign over her very own Batman title in Detective Comics #854. Written by Greg Rucka, this issue is apparently part of the “Batman: Reborn” event, which, if I remember correctly, had something to do with the original Robin (Dick Grayson who now uses the first name, Richard) becoming Batman and Damien Wayne (Batman and Talia al Ghul’s lovechild) becoming the new Robin.

Apparently because Batman and Robin were busy at the time, Gotham City’s newest caped crusader, Batwoman, took on the responsibility of fighting the 13 covens that make up something called the Religion of Crime. Yes, DC Comics is now the “House of Ideas (Not).” That aside, what is now of note about Detective Comics is that Katherine Kane is a lesbian. Rucka even writes a rather dull scene in which Katherine and her lover have a very hetero you-don’t-bring-me-flowers slash you-don’t-sing-me-love-songs-anymore moment.

Dull is the word to describe Detective Comics #854. The fights are uninspired; the character drama falls flat, and the villains are just the latest in the mostly monotonous line of colorful, DC Comics baddies. Thank heavens for the art by J.H. Williams III (pencils and inks) and Dave Stewart (colors).

Williams and Stewart shine on the pages with Batwoman in action scenes. Their inspired art and graphical storytelling present Batwoman as a wraith, depicted in painted art against a backdrop of characters and settings whose colors are all muted to some extent by gray. These scenes look so pretty that I could eat them like candy. The Williams/Stewart art team also does good work on the Kathy Kane-civilian scenes, but even they seem a bit lackluster next to the visually striking superhero scenes.

Rucka redeems himself (a little) on the backup feature, which stars The Question. The venerable character, formerly a white man, is now a Latina named Renee Montoya. In the “Pipeline” story arc, she searches for a missing young Mexican woman. This looks to be the familiar human trafficking/Mexican mafia story, but at least it is better storytelling than the main feature.

B-

AAM/Markosia Announces "Growing Up Enchanted" Trade and Free Preview

Young! Old! ‘Growing Up Enchanted’ is back in print in one action-packed collection!


AAM/Markosia is proud to bring back to print the 2003 Eisner-nominated all ages fantasy adventure series, Growing Up Enchanted, newly re-lettered in a complete collection of the delightful four-issue miniseries.

FACT: Growing up is hard to do. Fictional FACT: Growing up ENCHANTED is even harder to do!

Join young Olianna and her family & friends as she tries to learn life's mundane lessons while practicing magic in a world of giants, trolls, and dragons! Lessons like: enjoying the finer points of school, bullies and all; getting along with her sorceress mother and knightly father while not getting along too well with family friends, The Three Stooges, I mean, Knights!; and finally, last but not least, controlling her urges to kill her baby brother a.k.a. pain-in-the-butt, Anto...and making sure none of them get eaten alive by the dragons they encounter in the process!

Creators Jack Briglio (DC's Legion of Super-Heroes in the 31st Century, Scooby-Doo, IDW's Digger & Friends) and Alex Serra are excited to have their story collected for new fans to enjoy. "Growing Up Enchanted is an adventure story about growing up for all ages; with this collection and the upcoming mobile phone game due out in May, it's wonderful that our story is getting out to a new and broader audience. Even those who have already read our story will appreciate it collected for the first time and completely re-lettered. With the re-lettering, Alex and I feel like we're looking at the story and art with fresh eyes again - what a difference!"

A Diamond staff pick, here is what Keith Davidsen had to say - "It's adorable. Really, really adorable. It looks and feels like an animated film. You know when you walk out of a movie theater after having seen a particularly enjoyable flick aimed at kids and adults alike? That extra hop in your step, an almost uncontrollable grin on your face? That’s what it feels like to read Growing Up Enchanted. I highly encourage readers of all ages to pick up this book and embrace that euphoric sense of fantasy and wonder."

Find it on page 186 of the APRIL shipping issue of the Diamond Previews catalogue where the Diamond order code is -

FEB10 0643 Growing up Enchanted GN - 30 Pages of the Graphic Novel are available to view online: http://www.myebook.com/index.php?option=ebook&id=27282 [END]

DMP Announces Tatsumi Kaiya's "Physical Attraction (Yaoi)"

Press release Digital Publishing Manga:

Physical Attraction (Yaoi)

Title: Physical Attraction (Yaoi)
ISBN: 1569706050
ISBN13: 9781569706053
Publisher: Digital Manga Publishing
Imprint Name: June
Price USD: $12.95
Writer/Artist:: Tatsumi Kaiya
Release Date: January 13, 2010
Size: 6” x 8.5”
Format: Trade Paperback
Page Count: 200
Series Volumes: Oneshot
Recommended Age: Mature 18+
Genre: Yaoi, Romance

Summary
“When I met the cool stud Narusawa at college I said half-jokingly, "Screw me next!" Before the day was out, he had. Our relationship was supposed to be just physical, but now I realize I'm falling in love with Narusawa. Looking back on it, it's a one-way love I brought upon myself. I'm much too embarrassed to tell the purely physical Narusawa "I love you" now!”

Other works by creator:
Party (DMP: 9781569707791)
Love Training (DMP: 9781569707814)
Hot Steamy Glasses (DMP: 9781569707456). [END]

Sunday, February 21, 2010

The Live-Action Graphic Novel Comes to Life in "The Intergalactic Nemesis"

The Intergalactic Nemesis

Story by Jason Neulander, Art by Tim Doyle

Unveils a Sinister Plan for a Transmedia Universe

The Big Live Show Details, Live Shorts Serial, The Radio Drama, Mobile App, The Comic Book Series, Signings, Comic Conventions, Partnerships, and more

AUSTIN, Texas– Show Dates Announced: The eagerly anticipated Intergalactic Nemesis Live-Action Graphic Novel Spectacular fulfills its destiny debuting in the new state-of-the-art 2,400-seat, Dell Hall at the Long Center on September 3 and 4 over Labor Day weekend 2010. In what might be a revelation to both theater goers and comic book fans alike, an unparalleled theatrical experience will take place with beautifully illustrated comic book artwork projected panel-by-panel on a huge 42' x 24' screen while three actors, one sound effect artist, and one keyboardist perform the voices, sound effects and music live. Buzz Moran's sound effects and music by Graham Reynolds is sure to captivate audiences. Ticket availability will be announced in the coming months. Let the countdown begin!

This cult hit began as a coffeehouse theatre experiment and has gone on to tour the country, selling out houses and winning rabid fans ages 9 to 90. In the latest, epic adventure of transmedia entertainment, Neulander boldly challenges how people consume theater, comics, and stories in a serial format by crafting a clever mix of artistry, technology, community partnerships, and good old-fashioned pizzazz. A series of sneak peaks and alternative formats will all culminate in a theatrical, Sci-Fi experience like none other, Labor Day weekend 2010.

Sneak Peak: For those who are eager to catch an early glimpse of the phenomenon, Live Shorts will take place at various Alamo Drafthouse locations every month through the summer. Episode One will be performed during opening weekend 7 p.m. performances of Alice in Wonderland, March 5, 6 and 7. Episode Two will play out during the opening weekend of Kick-Ass on April 16, 17 and 18.

Tune In: Towards the end of summer, fans can lean in and listen to The Intergalactic Nemesis Radio Drama on KUT. This audio version of the story in serial form will broadcast throughout the month of August as part of KUT's “O Dark 30” original series. The Radio Drama showcases a new cast recording featuring the script that toured the country from 2006 to 2009. (Flashback: KUT broadcast the original 10-episode version of the series in 1997 on Soundsight as well as broadcast a digital recording in 2002 for “Best of Public Radio.")

Take It To Go: The Intergalactic Nemesis Mobile app is coming in late spring. The app will allow avid followers the ability to enjoy Intergalactic Nemesis on the go with a downloadable version of the comic book artwork with studio recordings of the voices, sound effects, and music. The prologue will be a free download, with each of the seven issues thereafter costing 99 cents. Each issue includes an additional commentary track, plus a “making of…” extra.

In Print: Intergalactic Nemesis the Comic Book is über-cool with a script from Jason Neulander, illustrations from Tim Doyle and color art from Paul Hanley and Lee Duhig. Issue #1 of seven hit the shelves in January and the remaining issues will roll out every six-to-eight weeks. Be among the first to grab these hot-off-the-presses comics and have them signed by Jason and Tim. Look for special signing events at Austin Books & Comics, Dragons Lair, Tribe Comics, Rogue Gallery and many more stores around Texas.

Group Experience: In addition, the comic book will be available at upcoming Comic Book Conventions STAPLE! in Austin on March 6 and Comicpalooza in Houston March 26 – 28. Not only will the comic book be sold at these events, but the Live-Action Graphic Novel Spectacular will be featured as a special event.

Partnership: Intergalactic Nemesis is proud to announce a partnership with the Library Foundation, who will distribute copies of the comic books to local libraries and organize reading groups for families over the summer. "We feel this is the perfect pairing," noted Jason Neulander. "This will extend our outreach into the community in an impactful way. Plus, Ben Wilcott, one of the major characters in The Intergalactic Nemesis, is a librarian!"

Back to School: Further strengthening ties in the community, The Intergalactic Nemesis will be presented in elementary schools. A live performance of portions of the show in the schools, followed by hands-on workshops with 3rd, 4th and 5th graders will take place in May at Bryker Woods, Casis and Spicewood Elementary schools. Students will have the chance to perform the voices and sound effects from a selection of the show themselves.

The Intergalactic Nemesis is made possible in part by Investor group, led by Marc Seriff, co- founder of America Online. Other investors include entrepreneur Scott Reichardt and realtor Cord Shiflett.


ABOUT INTERGALACTIC NEMESIS:
The premise for The Intergalactic Nemesis is a period-action-sci-fi-horor-space-opera-adventure. The year is 1933. The Pulizter-winning reporter Molly Sloan and her intrepid assistant Timmy Mendez have stumbled across a series of murders foiled by a mysterious librarian from Flagstaff named Ben Wilcott. Together, the three heroes trek across Europe, North Africa, and beyond to thwart world-famous mesmerist Mysterion the Magnificent and what turns out to be an invasion of sludge-monsters from the planet Zygon.

The story was originally created in 1996 as a radio drama inspired by Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and the classic pulp serials. [END]

I Reads You Review: PANIC X PANIC, VOL. 1

Creator: Mika Kawamura; Joshua Weeks (translation and adaptation Publishing Information: Del Rey Manga, paperback, 202 pages, $10.99 (US), $13.99 CAN
Ordering Numbers: ISBN: 978-0-345-51463-9 (ISBN-13)

Panic X Panic, a new manga series from Del Rey Manga and created by Mika Kawamura, is not aimed at any demographic group to which I belong. So I imagine that I enjoyed it so much because it is simply a delight to read.

Panic X Panic, Vol. 1 introduces childhood friends/rivals, Mitsuki Kamishiro and Kakeru Kuon. Mitsuki’s family operates a shrine and Kakeru’s family runs a church across the street from the Kamishiro Shrine. What neither knows is that each is descended from a group called the “Holy Workers,” who banished demons back to their world and sealed them there 2000 years ago.

Well, the demons are back, and when one attacks Mitsuki, Kakeru comes to the rescue. Mitsuki discovers that she, like Kakeru, has magical powers, but she and Kakeru must work together to save the world from the demon invasion. The question is can they work together when they bicker so much?

Although it fronts a teen love story featuring a bickering couple, Panic X Panic presents Mitsuki Kamishiro as the true lead. Readers experience the story through her eyes, and Mike Kawamura tells the story in such a way that the readers share Mitsuki’s sense of wonder, her confusion and fear, her ignorance, etc. about the supernatural that has suddenly come into her life.

The Supernatural aside, Panic X Panic is high school shojo manga, with all the social and political aspects
that entails. This series also has an interesting and eclectic supporting cast, which includes some demons as “good guys.” Even this early in the series, it is clear that the supporting players will drive much of this series, both in terms of storytelling and tone. It looks like a fun time will be had.

http://www.delreymanga.com/

Buy Panic X Panic 1


The Penny Arcade Magic is Indeed Splendid

I read The Splendid Magic of Penny Arcade: The 11 1/2 Anniversary Edition

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin.  This book may turn some people into fans of the webcomic, Penny Arcade (http://www.penny-arcade.com/)