Monday, June 7, 2010

Announcing the Return of McKenzie and Argondezzi's "The Next Man"

Veteran Super Heroes find new life

The Next Man, a comic book by writer Roger Mc Kenzie (Hulk, Ghost Rider) and Vince Argondezzi ( Racer X, Speed Racer, Cosmos' Commandoes), revives the story of the most traumatic post war syndrome of all...

The Next Man is the story of David Boyd, an American soldier and hero. Super hero.

25 years have elapsed since David Boyd, Boonie, Doctor Cross, and a host of other characters first graced the pages of comics.Now these characters are being revived, in print and soon to be online.

The nowadays discussed subjects like Euthinasia, and the aftermath of the Vietnam war were not talked about too much in the mid eighties in comics. Roger Mc Kenzie and Vince Argondezzi brought the eclectic Next Man to the independent comics realm in the those heady days, and in doing so, opened up the subject matter to these and many other issues, in quite a dramatic fashion. It's where the award winning writer, Mc Kenzie, of the Hulk, Captain America and Ghost Writer, and cartoonist/commercial artist/ illustrator Argondezzi, later to lend his skills to the majors also, brought about a cacophony of racing motorcycles, government agents,computers, and secret projects into a thoughtful and introspective romp into the Unknown.

"In the light of America's more recent military conflicts, these storylines and concepts are more important than ever," Argondezzi states. "The super hero has always been a fantastic vehicle, an excellent metaphor for the super heroic efforts and problems that our men and women in the military services have to deal with every day, in war, and after these battles are consumated. Rog and I have used Next Man as an analogy for the journey of these brave folks. It is by their sacrifices and determination that we as artists and free people are given the privilege of exploring the future; it's only through the freedom that they graciously secure for us, can that future and it's positive possibilities also be secure."

Look for Next Man info at nextman.com and other media outlets.


Sunday, June 6, 2010

Radical Publishing Offers "Earp" Preview

RADICAL PREMIERE - EARP: SAINTS FOR SINNERS

Creators MATT CIRULNICK & DAVID MANPEARL
Writer M. ZACHARY SHERMAN
Artist MACK CHATER & MARTIN MONTIEL
Colorist KYUSHIK SHIN
Cover BORKUR EIRIKSSON
32 pages, FC, $1.00

From Matt Cirulnick and David Manpearl comes a modern-day reimagining of the classic western hero, Wyatt Earp, in a special $1.00 issue #0 preview of the upcoming, 3-issue miniseries.

In a world where the American economy has all but collapsed to the levels of the Great Depression, infamous bandits roam the country and the law is as corrupt as the criminals its sworn to stop. Yet one lawman remains a steadfast moral compass for the people: WYATT EARP. Earp has collared more most-wanted men than anyone in history – but after a violent assignment claims the life of his brother, Wyatt sets out to forge a simple life in the only boomtown left: Las Vegas. With gorgeous women and free-flowing money on endless tap, Sin City attracts more people than a modern gold rush. Though Earp no longer wears a U.S. Marshall’s badge, his past is about to catch up to him. With nearly everything to lose, Earp will have to beat the odds stacked against him in order to bring old-fashioned justice to Sin City.

Image Comics Teases "The Guardians of the Globe"


Publisher with no monthly comic book series from African-American creators continues to exploit Black President of the United States.

 

Haunt #7 Back to Press

CAPULLO'S DEBUT SENDS HAUNT BACK TO PRESS

Image Comics to reprint HAUNT #7 after same-day sellout

GREG CAPULLO was warmly welcomed as the full-time penciler on HAUNT during a same-day distributor-level sellout of HAUNT #7! Image Comics is rushing a second printing of this first issue of an all-new story arc, written by ROBERT KIRKMAN and inked by series co-creator TODD McFARLANE.

Due to his unique ability to bond with his brother Kurt's ghost, priest Daniel Kilgore joins forces with an undercover agency. In the second story arc of HAUNT, Daniel Kilgore is now firmly entrenched in his brother's life of espionage and intrigue... but is he ready for it? Just as Daniel begins to get his life in order, it appears it might suddenly end.

HAUNT #7 Second Printing (APR108137), a 32-page full-color comic book, will be available June 16, 2010. Retailers still have time to increase orders of HAUNT #8 (MAR100380) and HAUNT #9 (APR100460).

Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of four major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.

Announcing "The Boy with Nails for Eyes"

From Shaun Gardiner:

The Boy with Nails for Eyes is a part-animated fantasy web-comic. The story is set in a grey town, grimy and grim, trapped by a half-ring of factories hard by the sea. It follows a boy named Bobby as he sets out to save the girl he loves, who is threatened by a monstrous hunger lurking at the town’s heart. As his quest progresses he is drawn into a wider conflict, a battle not just for his love, but for the fate of the town itself.

Unlike a great deal of online animated comics, The Boy with Nails for Eyes retains reader control of pacing that is a central feature of printed comics; in effect, the viewer is in control of the story, rather than the other way round. It also makes use of minimal navigation, allowing full immersion in the narrative.

Part 1 and Part 2.

"...it's already obvious that [The Boy with Nails for Eyes] is going to be an extraordinary comic... [the] art is nothing short of amazing..." ~ Brigid Alverson, Robot 6: Comic Book Resources


"...in terms of experimenting with the notion of a comic embedded in the web, this is fantastic stuff... The art is fantastic." ~ Xaviar Xerxes, Comixtalk

The Eagles Awards "Eagles Initiative" Judges

THE EAGLES INITIATIVE Judges as of May 31, 2010

Ellen Abramowitz, Chairman/President, Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art, New York (aka MOCCA) http://www.moccany.com/

Scott Allie, Editor, Dark Horse
http://www.darkhorse.com/

Gabriel Bá, Artist/Writer, Daytripper
http://fabioandgabriel.blogspot.com/

Peter Bagge, Artist/Writer, Hate
http://www.peterbagge.com/

Karen Berger, Executive Editor, Vertigo
http://www.dccomics.com/vertigo/

Dan Berry, Senior Lecturer, Visual Communication/Illustration for Graphic Novels Course, North Wales School of Art and Design
http://nwsad.com/index.php?id=20

Tom Brevoort, Editor, Marvel
http://marvel.com/

Steve Brezzo, MOCCA trustee and former Director of the San Diego Museum of Art
http://www.moccany.com/

Riccardo Burchielli, Artist: DMZ, Garrett
http://ricxx.blogspot.com/

Olivier Cadic, Publisher, Cinebook
http://www.cinebook.co.uk/

David Campbell, Director, 2D Comics festival
http://www.2dfestival.com/

Mike Carey, Writer: The Unwritten
http://mikeandpeter.com/

Shane Chebsey, Publisher, Smallzone
http://www.smallzone.co.uk/

Howard Chaykin, Writer/Artist, American Flagg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Chaykin

Chris Claremont,Writer: X-Men Forever
http://www.chrisclaremont.com/

Becky Cloonan, Writer/Artist: Demo, Pixu
http://www.estrigious.com/becky/

Alex De Campi, Creator, Valentine
http://alexdecampi.livejournal.com/

Mike Deodato Jr,Artist: Secret Avengers
http://www.glasshousegraphics.com/ghgartistwebsite/deodato/

Scott Dunbier, Editor: IDW
http://www.idwpublishing.com/

Jay Eales, Publisher/Director of Caption Festival
http://www.factorfictionpress.co.uk/
http://caption.org/

Steve Epting, Artist: Marvels Project
http://steveepting.blogspot.com/

Alex Fitch, Podcaster
http://panelborders.wordpress.com/

Dave Gibbons, Writer/Artist: Watchmen, The Originals
http://www.davegibbons.net/

Paul Gravett, Editor/Writer/journalist: Ctrl.Alt.Shift Unmasks Corruption
http://www.paulgravett.com/

Milton Griepp, Chief Executive Officer, ICV2.com
http://www.icv2.com/about/

Geoff Johns, Writer/DC Chief Creative Officer
http://www.geoffjohns.com/

Nick Landau, Co-owner Titan Entertainment Group
http://titanmagazines.co.uk/app

Selina Locke, Publisher/Director of Caption Festival
http://www.factorfictionpress.co.uk/
http://caption.org/

Jim McLauchlin, President of the Hero Initiative
http://heroinitiative.blogspot.com/

Fabio Moon, Writer/artist: Casanova; Daytripper
http://fabioandgabriel.blogspot.com/

Terry Moore, Writer/artist: Echo; Strangers In Paradise
http://www.strangersinparadise.com/

Denny O’Neil, Editor/writer: Marvel/DC
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_O%27Neil

Guiseppe Palumbo, Artist: Diabolik
http://www.giuseppepalumbo.blogspot.com/

Trina Robbins, Writer/Historian: From Girls to Grrrlz
http://www.trinarobbins.com/

Bob Shreck, Editor: IDW
http://www.idwpublishing.com/

Diana Schutz, Editor: Dark Horse
http://www.darkhorse.com/

Gilbert Shelton, Writer/artist: The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers
http://www.fabulousfurryfreakbrothers.com/

Gail Simone, Writer: Wonder Woman
http://happystains.blogspot.com/

Jeff Smith, Writer/Artist: Bone, Rasl
http://www.boneville.com/

Matt Smith, Editor: 2000 AD, Judge Dredd The Megazine
http://www.2000adonline.com/

Eric Stephenson, Publisher: Image
http://www.imagecomics.com/

Vicky Stonebridge, Artist/Director: Hi-Ex Festival
http://www.hi-ex.co.uk/

Kev F Sutherland, Artist/Educator: Comic Art Masterclass
http://utproductions.co.uk/masterclass.html

Bryan Talbot, Writer/Artist: Tale Of One Bad Rat, Luther Arkwright
http://www.bryan-talbot.com/

Roy Thomas, Editor/Writer: Red Sonja
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Thomas

Jim Valentino, Editor/writer/artist: Image Comics
http://www.valentinocomics.com/

Ethan Van Sciver, Artist: Green Lantern, The Flash
http://www.dccomics.com/dccomics/

Mark Waid, Writer/Editor in Chief: Boom Comics
http://markwaid.com/

Sean Michael Wilson, Writer/Publisher: Boychild Productions
http://www.boychildproductions.co.uk/

Brian Wood,Artist/writer: DMZ, Demo
http://www.brianwood.com/


All judges have agreed to participate subject to work commitments. More to come.

Eagle Awards Attract Top Creators for "Eagles Initiative"

EAGLES INITIATIVE ATTRACTS EXTENSIVE SUPPORT FROM TOP NAME CREATORS

Having recently announced the Eagles Initiative, Barry Renshaw and Cassandra Conroy are delighted to announce that the initial line-up of judges for their global talent search includes a wide range of major names from across the world and from all quarters of the comics industry.

Those writers and artists already committed to the project are: Gabriel Bá, Peter Bagge, Riccardo Burchielli, Mike Carey, Howard Chaykin, Chris Claremont, Becky Cloonan, Alex De Campi, Mike Deodato Jr, Steve Epting, Dave Gibbons, Geoff Johns, Fabio Moon, Terry Moore, Denny O’Neil, Guiseppe Palumbo, Trina Robbins, Gilbert Shelton, Gail Simone, Jeff Smith, Bryan Talbot, Roy Thomas, Jim Valentino, Ethan Van Sciver, Mark Waid and Brian Wood. In addition other aspects of the industry are represented by Ellen Abramowitz, Scott Allie, Karen Berger, Dan Berry, Tom Brevoort, Steve Brezzo, Olivier Cadic, David Campbell, Shane Chebsey, Scott Dunbier, Jay Eales, Alex Fitch, Paul Gravett, Milton Griepp, Nick Landau, Selina Locke, Jim McLauchlin, Bob Shreck, Diana Schutz, Matt Smith, Eric Stephenson, Vicky Stonebridge, Kev F Sutherland and Sean Michael Wilson.

“The name echoes the noble name of one of the great British comics papers... and the awards seek to honour new talent and good work,” stated Roy Thomas, declaring his support for the project. “So what's not to like? I'm honoured to be aboard!”

For his part, Tom Brevoort said, “It’s a chance to give a leg up to the next generation of talent, and possibly pave the way in some small manner for great works yet to come.”

The Initiative is an offshoot of the long-running Eagle Awards to which their founder Mike Conroy is serving as a consultant and publicist. Discussing the initial reaction to the project, he said, “I’m elated that so many of comicdom’s top professionals have got behind what Barry and my daughter are trying to achieve.

“They’ve already got writers, artists, editors, academics, convention organisers and UK small press publishers on board but want to expand the panel beyond America and Great Britain,” he continued. “Before judging commences next year, I know they plan to add European, African and Asian judges, including many who have worked outside the US/UK establishment so that the entries can be evaluated from a truly worldwide perspective.

“Sequential art is an international language. It’s only fitting that we should try to incorporate as many points of view as possible. The Initiative is ultimately a showcase for the entrant’s storytelling abilities and not every country approaches narrative in the same way,” he concluded.

For further details on the Initiative, a full list of judges and complete submission guidelines, go to http://www.eaglesinitiative.com/. For press enquiries, contact director Barry Renshaw: editor@enginecomics.co.uk. For further details on the Eagle Awards, contact Cassandra Conroy: eagleawards@gmail.com.


ABOUT THE EAGLES INITIATIVE:
Launched in May 2010, the Eagles Initiative provides a unique platform from which the next generation of writers and artists can promote their storytelling ability in an increasingly competitive market. The brainchild of Barry Renshaw, the Initiative is an unprecedented global talent search, entrants will be asked to submit an original self-contained illustrated story. The winner will be awarded a £1,000 cash prize; the runner up will win £500 with the third place submission being given £250. All three stories are to be included in the Initiative Anthology, which will be released as a print publication and in multiple languages across the digital media.

ABOUT THE EAGLE AWARDS:
Introduced in 1976, the Eagles are the comics industry's longest established awards. Unique in that they reflect the people's choice, they are awarded by fans who vote for their favourite in each category of the awards. They are named after the fondly remembered 1950's British comic anthology Eagle, and were originated by two British fans, Mike Conroy and Richard Burton. The awards proved to be successful, with American publishers such as Marvel Comics announcing their victories with pride. They have relaunched in 2010 with a new look, a new mandate and a new vision for the future.

ABOUT BARRY RENSHAW:
Barry Renshaw has been an active creator in the UK independent comics industry for over a decade, as publisher of his own Engine Comics imprint, the award winning Redeye Magazine, and the popular How to Self Publish - A Rough Guide, as well as running or appearing at various workshops, seminars and panels over the years. He was asked to join the Eagle Awards committee in 2009 to help reinvent the brand, and saw an opportunity for the Awards to play a more progressive and proactive role in the comics industry. The Initiative is the first part of that expanded role.

ABOUT CASSANDRA CONROY:
Cassandra Conroy has been a regular presence on the UK convention scene for several years. In 2008, her father Mike Conroy handed over the running of the Eagle Awards to Cassandra, who has worked on Eaglemoss’s Classic Marvel Figurine Collection and DC Comics Super Hero Collection.

ABOUT MIKE CONROY:
Formerly editor of Comics International, Europe's trade paper, veteran comics journalist and historian Mike Conroy is the founder of the Eagle Awards. Established in 1976, they are one of the comics industry’s earliest established and most coveted international prizes. Sought after to talk about comics and movies on TV and radio, Mike has written extensively on those subjects for various publishers and magazines. He is the author of 500 Great Comic Book Action Heroes its sequel 500 Comic Book Villains and War Stories: A Graphic History as well as a major contributor to Comix: The Underground Revolution. His former position on CI followed his 10-year reign as the magazine's news editor. For over 12 years, his monthly Frame to Frame – the comics industry’s longest-running column discussing the interaction between movies and comics – had been a feature in CI, which he had been associated with since the magazine's very beginnings in 1991. Contact him at: demigod@btconnect.com.