Sunday, July 5, 2015

Stephan Franck's "Silver #5" Due July 8th


Issue #5 of Award-Nominated Stephan Franck's SILVER Coming July 8, 2015

Los Angeles, CA – Dark Planet announced that “Night Of The Duvaliers”, the 5th issue in Stephan Franck’s acclaimed mini-series SILVER, will become available on ComiXology Submit on July 8th (https://www.comixology.com/Silver/comics-series/10508).  ComiXology recently ranked SILVER number 2 on its well respected “ESSENTIAL READS” list (http://dark-planet-comics.com/blog/2015/5/17/silver-makes-comixology-submits-essential-reads-list).

A direct continuation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula universe, set forward 50 years into the pulp/noir era of the 1930's, SILVER introduces James Finnigan, a con man, who endeavors to separate the vampires from their precious silver.  Personal entanglements and character comedy ensue, as Finnigan assembles the team of talented but broken misfits needed to pull off a heist for the ages.  Released last year, the first volume in the series earned Stephan Franck a 2014 Russ Manning Award nomination at San Diego Comic Con.

While the new 31-page extended issue continues the series’ trademark character explorations, in particular the inevitable bonding between Finn and Tao, it is also an exciting feat in WORLD-BUILDING. As the train reaches its final destination, we enter the hidden world of vampires--a culture of intrigues, vanity, decadence and ancient traditions.

“I couldn’t wait to present my take on Dracula’s legendary castle and to start lifting the veil on our unique mythology” says Franck, “everything we’ve seen and heard so far in the story has been leading up to this.”

Since the series’ inception, SILVER has been noted for its strong female characters, in particular troubled vampire-hunter and fans favorite Rosalynd “Sledge” Van Helsing. In issue #5 we  discover vampire princess Liilian, described by Finnigan as “A real troublemaker, someone with an agenda. A bonafide nutball”, with whom Sledge is on a collision course.

As with previous installments in the series, comic books luminaries have been vocal supporters of Franck’s storytelling:

“With SILVER, Stephan Franck cuts right to the bone of the story and masterfully drives his narrative home. A breath of fresh air in the world of comics!”--TOMMY LEE EDWARDS (Marvel 1985, The Question, Turf)

“Why was I not reading this before?  Why? Why? Why?  It’s everything I love about comics.  And everything I miss about a lot of comics these days. Hey Stephan Franck, I want more.” — JIM KRUEGER (Earth X, Justice, The Runner)

Single issues SILVER 1 to 5 as well as SILVER Vol. 1 (which compiles the first 3 issues) are available digitally on ComiXology. The trade paperback print edition of Silver Volume 1 is available at comic shops everywhere, on Amazon, and from the Dark Planet Webstore (http://dark-planet-comics.com/shop-1/). Print editions of all Dark Planet products are available from the Dark Planet booth at comic book conventions (http://dark-planet-comics.com/dates/) across the US, where the company maintains a dynamic presence.

While the digital edition debuts same day as print, Franck we be signing and drawing original sketches inside the print copies of the book at San Diego Comic Con, at the Dark Planet booth (2204).


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Stephan Franck is an award-nominated animator/writer/director/comic book creator. He was a supervising animator on the cult classic THE IRON GIANT, and contributed story to DESPICABLE ME. He co-created the animated TV series CORNEIL & BERNIE (Nicktoons - Hub Network), and received an Annie Award nomination for Best Director In a TV Program for the special SMURFS: THE LEGEND OF SMURFY HOLLOW, which presented the Smurf for the first time in 2D animation at a feature-animation level of quality. Stephan’s graphic novel debut, SILVER Volume 1 earned him a nomination for the prestigious Russ Manning Award at San Diego Comic Con 2014, and landed on ComiXology Submit’s ESSENTIAL READS list.

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Friday, July 3, 2015

"Spider-Gwen #3" is Pretty and Amazing

SPIDER GWEN #3 - Reviewed by Albert Avilla

STORY: Jason Latour
PENCILS: Robbi Rodriguez
COLORS: Rico Renzi
LETTERS: VC's Clayton Cowles

SPOILER ALERT

When I saw the title of this book, I said, “Spider what? Huh?”  Then, the old saying came back to me, “Don't judge a book by the cover.”  My new saying is don't judge a comic book by its title, because the covers have been awesome.

I have been enjoying this reality where Peter Parker dies and everyone lives.  The direction that the characters' lives have taken is compelling.  It's like the old “What If” stories on steroids.  My favorite is “What If... the Punisher was a cop?”  I can't wait to see what direction that is going.  Are there any police brutality considerations?

The relationship dynamic between Gwen and her father is interesting.  You raise a child to stand up for what is right; then, when she has the power to make a difference, you are concerned about her safety.  Uncle Ben and Aunt May are hinted at being more than the elderly-couple-next-door.  Gwen is going to have all these righteous people influencing her.

While I am reading, I am imagining all of these story lines that can arise from all of these fragments, but I know this is all going on a completely different tangent.  That is what makes this book so intriguing; there is so much potential for fascinating stories.

The action scenes in the story are thrilling.  You get a different style of Spider-Man fight.  Shout out to whoever came up with the idea of getting Gwen to use bowling pins and a trophy as nunchucks.  This is a story that keeps the neurons in your brain firing and your breath short.

Robbi Rodriguez has a unique style of art.  The art is just as important as the text in the storytelling.  Spider-Gwen's costume is amazing.  When she is in a panel, your attention is drawn to the character; the character is glowing in the panel.  The use of white and red is artistic brilliance.  It gives Spider-Gwen a unique look in the “Spider World.”  The covers have been beautiful with Gwen in some cool “Spider-poses.”

I rate Spider Gwen #3 Buy Your Own Copy (#2 on the Al-o-Meter)

The text is copyright © 2015 Albert Avilla. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.



Wednesday, July 1, 2015

I Reads Independence - July 2015

It's July 2015.  Welcome to I Reads You, a ComicBookBin web and sister publication (www.comicbookbin.com).  We write about the things we read:  mostly comic books, comics, and related books.  Sometimes, we’ll write about or link to other topics:  typically books, politics, and entertainment.

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Tuesday, June 30, 2015

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 1, 2015

DC COMICS

DEC140420    ABSOLUTE Y THE LAST MAN HC VOL 01 (MR)    $125.00
MAY150183    ACTION COMICS #42    $3.99
FEB150277    AMERICAN VAMPIRE SECOND CYCLE #8 (MR)    $3.99
MAR150264    AQUAMAN HC VOL 06 MAELSTROM (N52)    $24.99
APR150283    AQUAMAN TP VOL 05 SEA OF STORMS    $16.99
MAY150196    BAT MITE #2    $2.99
MAY150205    BATMAN ARKHAM KNIGHT #6    $3.99
APR150288    BATMAN ARKHAM ORIGINS TP    $14.99
MAY150197    BATMAN BEYOND #2    $2.99
MAY150185    BIZARRO #2    $2.99
MAY150201    DETECTIVE COMICS #42    $3.99
MAR150305    DMZ DELUXE EDITION HC BOOK 04 (MR)    $29.99
MAY150264    FBP FEDERAL BUREAU OF PHYSICS #22 (MR)    $3.99
MAY150150    FLASH SEASON ZERO #10    $2.99
MAY150151    GREEN ARROW #42    $2.99
MAY150221    GREEN LANTERN #42    $3.99
APR150278    HE MAN THE ETERNITY WAR #7    $2.99
MAY150158    LOBO #8    $2.99
MAY150162    MIDNIGHTER #2    $2.99
MAY150227    MORTAL KOMBAT X #8 (MR)    $3.99
MAY150168    OMEGA MEN #2    $2.99
MAY150229    SCOOBY DOO TEAM UP #11    $2.99
MAY150273    VERTIGO QUARTERLY SFX #2 (MR)    $7.99