Indy Comics Specialists

CANADIAN SPOTLIGHT: KATE BEATON

2012-01-31T06:16:00.000-08:00

Hark! A Vagrant takes readers on a romp through history and literature - with dignity for few and cookies for all - with comic strips about famous authors, their characters, and political and historical figures, all drawn in Kate Beaton's pared-down, excitable style. This collection features favorite stories as well as new, previously unpublished content. Whether she's writing about Nikola Tesla, Napoleon, or Nancy Drew, Beaton brings a refined sense of the absurd to every situation.

In just four years, Beaton has taken the comics world by storm with her non sequiturs, cheeky comebacks, and irreverent punch lines. With 1.2 million monthly hits on her site - 500,000 of them unique - and comics appearing in Harper's Magazine, the National Post, and The New Yorker, her caricatures of historical and fictional figures filtered through a contemporary lens display a sharp, quick wit that knows no bounds.

Epic Kill!

2012-01-24T06:31:00.000-08:00

The best hitmen and assassins from around the globe are ordered by the President to bring down an eighteen-year-old super assassin named Song– but she’s going to turn the tables on them – and every kill is going to be epic!

Kill Bill meets Bourne Identity meets Hanna

Trained to be the most lethal assassin in history, Song’s first assignment is to take out the world’s most powerful leader – the President of the United States.
But a head injury suddenly has her questioning every move and action she takes.

Five issue first story arc
Written and Drawn by
Raffaele Ienco

More chase scenes (car chase, motorcycle, foot chase, helicopter, big rig) than any other comic!

2011-11-16T08:17:00.001-08:00

Image Comics' grisly high school drama, THE STRANGE TALENT OF LUTHER STRODE, the new series that combines elements of superhero comics and slasher movies in one fantastically gory comic book, has been getting tons of outstanding reviews and selling more copies than retailers can restock! Like their first issue, writer Justin Jordan, artist Tradd Moore, and colorist Felipe Sobreiro's THE STRANGE TALENT OF LUTHER STRODE #2 has already sold out at distribution level, prompting the publisher to rush the much sought after second issue back to press right away!

"Selling out one is awesome. Selling out again is... I don't know, double plus awesome?" said Jordan. "It's cool, regardless! Thanks to everyone for supporting the book, and I hope you all enjoy the rest!"

"I can't even express how excited and thankful we all are," added Moore. "This is the kind of reception that everyone dreams of having from their debut series, but to actually have so many people embrace an unknown series from a couple of newcomers has been an amazing experience."

The response has been unanimously enthusiastic, with reviewers such as Joey Esposito at IGN recommending, "If you haven't climbed on board the Luther Strode bandwagon yet, believe the hype. This series is good," and Greg McElhatton at Comic Book Resources describing this debut series as, "...a gory, awesome, nasty, gripping, crazy, fun comic. It's by the kind of new voices that comics needs, an energetic infusion of raw talent."

As the second issue of THE STRANGE TALENT OF LUTHER STRODE #2 begins, our titular character must now face being suspended from school for putting a bully in the hospital. However, that means Luther can spend his days figuring out his newfound abilities and getting to know Petra, his new girlfriend. Unfortunately, it’s not going to last long with The Librarian killing his way toward Luther and those that he loves!

A second printing of THE STRANGE TALENT OF LUTHER STRODE #2 (SEP118142), a 32-page full color comic book that will appeal to fans of Kick-Ass and INVINCIBLE, is available for order now and will be back in stores on December 7nd for $2.99, alongside THE STRANGE TALENT OF LUTHER STRODE #3 (OCT110572). For more information about this increasingly gruesome comic, THE STRANGE TALENT OF LUTHER STRODE, and its creators, visit www.thestrangetalentoflutherstrode.com.

FUBAR vol. 1

2011-10-03T08:13:00.000-07:00

We have nothing to fear, but fear itself...and Zombies.
FUBAR is just another old-fashioned World War II Zombie anthology featuring 15 stories from a virtual army of Small Press creators. This Zombie-Nazi smashing book spans the entire European theater from Sussex to Stalingrad as the Allies come face to face with the walking dead.
http://alternacomics.secure2cart.com/

2011-10-02T12:04:00.000-07:00

Josh Reyna is the new kid at school. He misses his friends and is miserable. One night during a meteor shower a small U.F.O lands in his yard. Inside the ship is Russ, a wisecracking green alien with a love for junk food. The two become best friends. As Russ learns about Earth life he begins to show a dark side that threatens to destroy their friendship.

http://www.tfaw.com/Profile/Fall-GN___393524

2011-09-19T06:26:00.000-07:00

We've got plenty more mad creations spilling out of our zombie kitchen! Delivering smart, accessible, high-quality zombie short stories, this anthology has met with great acclaim amongst both comic and zombie fans, featuring more great zombie stories from more great writers and artists that you know and love. Don't worry about leaving room for dessert — you're it! Featuring work from writers Mark Waid (IRREDEEMABLE, KINGDOM COME), John Rogers (Leverage, Transformers), William Messner-Loebs (THE FLASH, THE MAXX), Brian Augustyn (JLA: YEAR ONE, B.P.R.D.), role-playing game master Monte Cook, Karl Kesel (FANTASTIC FOUR, SUPERMAN), Michael Alan Nelson (28 DAYS LATER), Ian Brill (DARKWING DUCK), Tom Peyer (THE FLASH), Pierluigi Cothran (HEROES webcomic), Bryce Carlson (WALL•E), plus art from the likes of Andy Kuhn (FIREBREATHER), Keith Giffen (52, LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES), Jon Schnepp (Venture Brothers, Metalocalypse), Toby Cypress (KILLING GIRL), and more. With talent like this, neither the dead nor the living stand a chance!

2010-11-15T06:07:00.000-08:00

“Awakening” follows Private Investigator Derrick Peters as he uncovers an unconventional zombie outbreak. “[Peters] is a former detective for the Park Falls Police Department and retired early from the force,” Nick Tapalansky told CBR. When “town crazy” Cynthia Ford starts spouting conspiracy theories linking a series of seemingly unrelated murders, most people dismiss her claims out of hand, but Peters’ history with Ford drives the P.I. to dig deeper into her story.

Like other classic noir protagonists, “Awakening’s” Derrick Peters is far from infallible. “I really like how Derrick isn’t the perfect hero,” Alex Eckman-Lawn said. “He’s kind of a gloomy recluse and while he’s certainly capable, he’s not Batman, you know? He can’t solve the case on his own and he knows it.”

To that end, Peters enlists the aid of Dr. Daniel Howe, a young scientist in the employ of the United States Government. “Howe’s here to dig into the problem and resolve it, but bureaucracy seems to have kept any useful information from him,” Tapalansky explained. “It seems somebody knows there’s something more to the rising number of missing and murdered in the city but if they know more than the general gist they certainly didn’t tell Daniel. Once he and his equipment arrive in Park Falls he essentially starts from scratch, trying his best to discover a cause and solution to these ‘awakenings’ before it’s too late.”

Of the two protagonists, Eckman-Lawn finds it easier to identify with Peters. “Drawing Daniel-heavy pages actually used to make me mad because he’s so damn slick and confident,” the artist admitted. “I identify more with the uglier grumpier side of the team. I suppose that’s very telling.”

http://www.archaia.com/

2010-09-13T15:43:00.000-07:00

Normally VERTIGO books are not really considered "INDY". However, SCALPED is so good, it deserves the recognition.

Dashiell Bad Horse returns to the "rez" after fifteen years of absence, picking fights with whoever crosses his path. His belligerence quickly leads him to a run-in with Chief Lincoln Red Crow, chief of the Oglala tribe, chief of the local police, and a wealthy mob boss. Red Crow assesses Bad Horse's fighting ability and enthusiasm for getting his hands dirty, and coerces him into joining the tribal police force. Bad Horse's primary duty is breaking up fights and shutting down meth labs—Red Crow is about to open a $97 million dollar casino, and is anxious to clean up the tribe's public image, not to mention taking out competition for his illegal interests.

Bad Horse, an undercover FBI agent, is tasked with infiltrating Red Crow's organization. Dashiell's immediate superior wants to bring Red Crow to justice for the murder of two FBI agents thirty years ago, when Red Crow was a militant Native American rights activist alongside Dashiell's mother, Gina Bad Horse.

Dashiell develops an obsession with Red Crow's estranged daughter, Carol, who resents Dashiell for leaving the reservation. Dashiell speaks to her occasionally, but mostly follows and observes her as she tries to escape the crushing boredom and poverty of the reservation through alcohol, drugs, and sexual promiscuity.

2010-08-12T13:43:00.000-07:00

48 PAGES!
From the company behind some of the best horror and fantasy comics in stores today comes a brand new anthology series. Blending horror, fantasy and science fiction Zenescope Entertainment brings you a frightening view of the not so distant future with a series of incredible 48 page one-shots. When a lonely, socially awkward man named Andy Wussler purchases a cybernetic girlfriend he soon realizes that buying love can have dire consequences.

Written by: Joe Brusha
Pencils by: Claudio Sepulveda
Colors by: Joel Chua
Additional Artwork by: Jason Embury and Mike DeBalfo
Letters by: Crank!

Cover by Al Rio

http://www.zenescope.com/bookpages/sff01.htm

5 Days To Die

2010-07-09T07:05:00.001-07:00

In addition to Detective Crisara's conflicting priorities, there is also some ambiguity as to the sequence of events leading up to the fateful car crash and Crisara's perception of them. "Perception is a big theme in the book. For example, Hoverman himself is not written as an all-evil, all-the-time kind of bad guy. As much as I love Mr. Joshua from 'Lethal Weapon,' this isn't him," Schmidt said. "The perception that Ray has of Hoverman has him characterized as Satan himself. When we meet Hoverman, he's not exactly what you'd expect. He cares about his 'business,' but he also cares for his employees and so on. Some of my favorite stories are about perceptions - things like 'The Truman Show' and such. So, yeah, there's definitely more than meets the eye.

"It's actually something I'm a bit worried about when it comes to getting people to pick up the book. With the covers the way they are, and the set up, I worry that it looks too much like standard action fare or something. But then again, maybe that just plays into the theme even better..."

As for why the series will be published in five weekly installments throughout the month of September, Schmidt said, "It's all in the title. He's got 5 days. I can't put out a daily comic, but we could do weekly, so we looked up a good month with five Wednesdays and did it there. It was a happy coincidence that the content suggests itself to this kind of release schedule. That actually wasn't decided until we almost solicited issue #1 many months ago. And IDW hasn't done a weekly comic stunt like this before on its own. So we're really doing this as a test case, but I'm confident the content is strong and I hope people really connect with these characters. There's a lot to them, I just hope I was able to bring that all out in them. And Chee did a fantastic job capturing their facial expressions and movements. He's a tremendous talent just waiting to break out."

"5 Days" artist Chee Yang-Ong, most often credited simply as Chee, previously worked with Schmidt on the BOOM! Studios miniseries "Challenger Deep," created by Andrew Cosby. "I have the glorious Mark Waid to thank for that," Schmidt said of that first collaboration with Chee. "Mark had just joined BOOM! Studios and I had just left Marvel Comics to start Comics Experience. I called Mark to see if there was something I might be able to write for him and he offered me 'Challenger Deep.' It was a concept that BOOM! had, and they asked me to flesh it out. I had a great time working with Mark on it (man, did I learn a ton from him). But Mark had worked with Chee and knew that I really wanted a storyteller for the series and he hooked us up.

We decided any action scene that was more spectacular than anything in the original 'Die Hard' was too much. But you'll feel it when you read it. If someone gets shot once, even if they're not dead, they're out of the fight. That hurts. So, that was very much on our minds as well. I think it makes the fight scenes that much more exciting, personally. But, yeah, sorry, he doesn't take out a Harrier with his .45."

http://www.idwpublishing.com/

Atomic Robo

2010-07-07T05:59:00.000-07:00

Atomic Robo, the new print comic from Brian Clevinger and Scott Wegener, chronicles the Action Science adventures of a robot that’s a little Ghostbusters and a little Indiana Jones crossed with a lot of Nikola Tesla.

If you’re tired of endless, meaningless mega-events and incomprehensible continuities, then Atomic Robo is the comic book series for you. Atomic Robo puts the fun, the adventure, and the optimism of the pulp era back into today’s comics. Join up with the Fightin’ Scientists of Tesladyne, and let’s show that angst isn’t depth and fun isn’t frivolous. Pick up Atomic Robo today!

See what people are saying! Atomic Robo comics and collections are available at your local comic book store or online.

The Last Unicorn in Comics!

2010-07-03T07:19:00.000-07:00

Peter B. Gillis's writing captures the dark and magical story of an imprisoned unicorn that meets a strangely inept magician named Schmendrick. The adaptation of Peter S. Beagle's beloved novel, The Last Unicorn carries on with another exhilarating issue with illustrations by artist Renae De Liz.
http://issuu.com/idwpublishing/docs/lastuni-01

San Diego, CA (February 23, 2010) - Peter S. Beagle's acclaimed and enchanting fantasy, The Last Unicorn, has delighted fans for more than forty years. Now, IDW Publishing is pleased to launch The Last Unicorn comic book adaptation of Beagle's acclaimed novel at WonderCon, one of the country's leading comics and pop culture conventions, held April 2nd through the 4th in San Francisco. Under the close direction of Beagle himself, writer Peter B. Gillis, illustrator Renae De Liz and her husband, colorist Ray Dillon, have all joined forces with IDW to capture the depth of this heartfelt story. Beagle will be a guest of WonderCon and host a panel to discuss his famous story. A signing at the IDW booth with an exclusive variant cover number one issue will follow.

"I'm delighted that IDW is doing this adaptation of my book," says Beagle, "and by the real effort everyone there has made to stay true to what I wrote. Together with the creative team of Peter, Renae, and Ray, they are achieving something I honestly hadn't believed possible and I cannot wait to debut it at WonderCon."

The Last Unicorn was originally published in 1968 and became an instant classic, selling more than five million copies worldwide. Beagle created some of the most delightful and real characters in modern fantasy fiction, and also wrote the screenplay for the incredibly popular animated film that was adapted from his novel.

The Unwritten

2010-06-29T04:22:00.000-07:00

The plot revolves around Tom Taylor, son of Wilson Taylor, an author who disappeared without a trace at the height of his career. Wilson wrote a series of books about a boy wizard called Tommy Taylor, filled with fantasy, even being compared to the Harry Potter series. During a comic convention, it comes to light that Tom Taylor may not be Wilson's son at all. Conspiracy theories about identity fraud become prominent with fans of the books, becoming outraged that they may have been lied to all this time. Other fans in New Zealand that form a cult, create a theory that Tom Taylor may in fact be Tommy Taylor made flesh from words, and that he will be their messiah. This theory gains credibility when other characters from the Tommy Taylor series begin to involve themselves in the real world. Tom then sets out to find out the truth behind all of this, while a covert organization looms in the background.

http://www.dccomics.com/vertigo/comics/?cm=15069

2010-06-26T05:24:00.000-07:00

This July, Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray introduce themselves to the Radical Comics universe with "Time Bomb," their newest original action-adventure time travel tale. In the series, a modern-day scientific expedition uncovers a bomb from World War II Germany and launches the countdown to an epic explosion. A military team is tasked with the objective of going back in time 24 hours to stop the bomb from ever being activated. However, instead of going back a single day, the team is sent to Nazi Germany in the midst of World War II. Now, not only do they have to stop the bomb from ever going off, they must find a way back to their own era without changing the entirety of history.

Bringing Palmiotti and Gray's sojourn into the annals of military history to life is artist Paul Gulacy. Gulacy, best known for his work at both Marvel and DC.

Palmiotti: The genre mashing of "Time Bomb" makes it something that a lot of readers haven't had too much of in comics, so it works on those levels. As far as standing out against the other projects... well, it's all in the concept and execution. We have never had a 150-page story to tell. This, by far, is our biggest project to date for a single story.

http://www.radicalpublishing.com/

Hellboy

2010-06-25T05:21:00.000-07:00

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2010/06/24/preview-hellboy-the-storm-1-exclusive/

The final chapter of Mike Mignola and Duncan Fegredo's Hellboy arc may be concluding beginning with "Hellboy: The Storm" #1, but the "Darkness Calls" and "Wild Hunt" team clearly aren't going out with a whimper. Joined by colorist Dave Stewart, the trio are set to explore what happens when some historically important corpses wind up missing and how it connects to an ever-growing assembly of evil. It's the kind of scenario that could very well inspire an "Aw, crap" or two from Earth's greatest ally in the war against the end of all things.

The Matriarch

2009-05-09T07:17:00.000-07:00

COMIC CREDITS:
CREATED BY:
Robert Burke Richardson and Steven Yarbrough
WRITTEN BY:
Robert Burke Richardson
ILLUSTRATED BY:
Steven Yarbrough
COLORED BY:
Paul Little and Giuseppe Pica
LETTERED BY:
Richard Nelson

Hello, World! Welcome to THE MATRIARCH, a story we'll be updating on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays (which I mention so you'll be sure to check back here periodically).

Here's our official synopsis:

Career woman. Single mother. Superhero. Sherry Benning knew having a baby would change her life. She didn't know it would change the world.

Yup, it's a superhero comic for mothers. And those who were conceived by mothers (which I think covers just about everyone).

If you want to get all plugged in, view behind-the-scenes extra content and all that good stuff, visit our Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Matriarch/38127553566/

Alternately, you could look me up on MySpace, if that's more your thing:

http://www.myspace.com/thepurelands

See you here again soon -- and tell all your womb-based friends!

Dead Irons

2009-04-09T05:04:00.000-07:00

North Point is a dead town now. Silas Irons stands alone against an innocent population twisted into the living dead. But facing a horde of monsters isn't the worst thing he will encounter in this walking cemetery. The one soul he most yearns to save will spit in the face of redemption and shatter his tentative hold over the uncontrollable fury deep in his cursed soul. His one shot at salvation gone, Silas must find his way through a haze of merciless bloodshed and destruction. And still the supernatural draw of their resurrected mother pulls all of the Irons siblings closer to a final reckoning with the man that turned them into monsters...Devin Irons.

Six guns and the supernatural collide in the Dead Irons saga. Written by James Kuhoric (Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash), illustrated by Jason Shawn Alexander (BPRD), and based on character designs and art direction by Jae Lee (The Dark Tower).

Story by
James Kuhoric
Art by
Jason Shawn Alexander
Cover by
Jae Lee, Jason Shawn Alexander
Publisher
Dynamite Entertainment
Release Date
Wed, April 8th, 2009

Sea Guy. . .or Three if by Sea. . .

2009-04-04T10:55:00.000-07:00

http://www.akirathedon.com/2009/03/seaguy-2-preview-grant-morrisson-interview/

SEAGUY is a super hero in a scuba outfit who hates the sea and has no powers. How ironic. The shear ridiculousness makes one smile…a lot.
So who is SEAGUY and what’s his purpose?

Good question! Who are any of us and what’s our purpose?

Put simply, Seaguy is a young man who desperately wants to be a hero, trapped in a ‘perfect’ world that has no need for heroes. His purpose is to find a meaningful role for himself in a world where everyone is special. He also wants to impress the warrior woman She-Beard, for whom he carries a torch but can’t actually speak to.

He’s the first ‘superhero’ to truly embody the concerns of the 21st century.

Back in 2004 in SEAGUY’s first appearance he was a young boy, in this 3 issue miniseries he’s a teenager.
What’s changed about him?

‘Seaguy’ is structured to tell the story of an entire human life from birth to death, but we didn’t want to start with him as a baby so it’s done in a more symbolic way.

The first book in the Seaguy trilogy, ‘Seaguy and The Wasps of Atlantis’, began with our hero’s ‘birth’. We saw him living in a childlike world without consequence: Death is ineffectual, everything is just right and everyone is his friend in Book One. Then he goes on his big adventure, discovers some harsh truths about the world and about life, loses his dearest companion and is finally dragged home for brainwashing by a culture that no longer seems quite as tolerant of him now he’s begun to see through its temptations. In the first book, although, he’s not a child, he’s written with the kind of wide-eyed, vacant, naivety that typifies young kids.

When we meet Seaguy in this second book, ‘Seaguy: Slaves of Mickey Eye’, his features are sharper and more defined. He’s restless, bored, and suspicious of everything. He’s beginning to question all the things he previously took for granted. He is, in short, a teenager. So this second volume is ‘dark’ Seaguy and it’s all about what happens when society decides you’re a troublemaker and sets out to remould you in its own image. Where the first book was done in a picaresque style, this one is pure Hollywood 3-act adventure.
Can Seaguy escape from the false ‘El Macho’ identity They’ve trapped him in? Can he make it back to New Venice in time to prevent the wedding of Seadog and She-Beard and thwart a plan to turn everyone into mindless, dribbling idiot slaves?

The final book ‘Seaguy Eternal’ is Seaguy as a grown man – it’s about what happens after you’ve saved the day, got the girl and changed the world.

SEAGUY is set in a unique future with oddball characters and bizarre situations yet you seem to be alluding to some very relevant concerns about modern life.
Would you elaborate on the concept and those issues?

The world of Seaguy is a reflection of our own, definitely. Everyone’s a ‘superhero’ in Seaguy’s world, just as everyone is a ‘star’ in our own.

Blogging makes everyone a writer or a critic. MySpace makes everyone famous until there are so many famous people that no-one’s really famous for anything at all. Twitter turns every twitch, fart and half-baked thought into a global press statement. ‘American Idol’ makes everyone a potential celebrity. The Renaissance/Romantic idea of the special person, the genius, the ‘superhero’, is dying before our very eyes. Everybody wants to be a rockstar and nobody wants to clean the streets. At the same time as all this desperate self-aggrandizement, we’re watching endless reruns of the same shows, the way kids repetitively watch the same DVD cartoons over and over again. Our most successful movies are about children’s cartoon characters as we try to cocoon ourselves with nostalgia and repetition against the howling, incoherent darkness of ecological disaster, paranoid surveillance culture, Terror and financial collapse.

In ‘Seaguy’, this process is taken to an extreme; the world he’s grown up in has been dumbed-down and infantilised to a ridiculous degree. People live in designated ‘Comfort Zones’ arranged around sinister theme parks. Alienated, lonely, confused and self-important, they confide these fears to an anonymous voice in ‘Diary Rooms’, inspired by ‘Big Brother’, while pretending an outward happiness to the other self-absorbed people they encounter on their trips to the shops or the Park.

Who’s behind this and how Seaguy’s world ended up the way it has is one of the big questions we’ll be answering as we move towards the conclusion of the trilogy. The theme park, cartoon, ‘oddball’ nature of things has a simple and terrifying explanation that will turn on its head everything Seaguy knows and understands.

The colourful, childlike approach was developed as a way of talking about the world we live in without getting too preachy or too dark. Some of the points I’m making are quite bleak, so by wrapping my social commentary up in Saturday morning cartoon surrealism and daft humour, I felt I could sweeten the pill.

Many creators find their inspiration in movies, art or literature.
Where did you find your inspiration for SEAGUY?

Seaguy started as a daft name my wife, Kristan, came up with after I challenged her to think of the most stupidly perfect superhero name that hadn’t been used yet. The first Seaguy stories were made up as a laugh but I soon realised the potential to do something big and resonant with the character.

So it began as a series of weird, surreal routines then I decided I wanted to evolve it into something that was a bit ‘Don Quixote’, a bit ‘Candide’ and a little of the Celtic wonder tales I grew up on. I imagined a sci-fi ’Pilgrim’s Progress’ but with action and laughs and saw Seaguy as a way of telling the story of an entire human life through this character’s struggles and adventures.

Seaguy is ‘born’ onto the first page, already playing a game of chess with Death, which is kind of how we all arrive in this world. ‘Your move, Seaguy.
’

Cameron Stewart really brings your imagination and your script to life with his vibrant artwork. Tell us about working with him.

Cameron is a brilliant artist and one of my favourite collaborators. The intelligence and craft he applies to his work is staggering and never fails to inspire me to new heights. He’s always looking to make his work better and he’s not afraid to veer away from my art directions when he has a better idea. The art for ‘Slaves of Mickey Eye’ displays a new level of accomplishment and it’s a privilege to be able to go back to this world with him.

Which SEAGUY character or scene was the most fun for you to write?

I like all of the Seaguy characters but my favourite moment in the whole series is when Seaguy must assume a new identity as El Macho the Bulldresser. His encounter in the bullring with the terrifying E Monstro has to be seen to be believed.

Do you listen to music while you work? If so, what were you listening to while writing SEAGUY?

The first book of Seaguy was in an attempt to capture a kind of whimsical, fairytale quality with an edge of lurching paranoia and fear, and as far as I can remember, it was written to Syd Barrett, Milky, King Missile, Julian Cope, Nick Nicely, Donovan and others.

This latest one has been written to stuff like the Aliens, Lil Wayne, JJ72, Winston Glory, CSS, Liam Lynch, Pendulum and whatever else is on the Windows Media Player at the moment.

Are you a swimmer? Have you ever been scuba diving? If so, where was your favorite locale?

I’m a poor swimmer but I like to swim. I’ve never been scuba diving but I did go snorkelling in the coral reef when I was in the Maldives.

What’s next for SEAGUY? Can we expect to read another miniseries?

Yes. ‘Seaguy: Slaves of Mickey Eye’ will be followed by the final miniseries ‘Seaguy Eternal’ which completes the trilogy with a voyage into the Thousand-and-One Islands of Lostralia, for a final confrontation with Ant-Dad, and the revelation of the true reality behind Seaguy’s world..

OK. Now… preview!

SAMURAI!!!!!!

2009-04-02T06:14:00.001-07:00

http://www.usagiyojimbo.com/comingup.html

Usagi Yojimbo #117 - February 25, 2009 - Traitors of the Earth Part 1 of 3

Three hundred years ago, Lord Nobu incited an uprising against Lord Hayashi. The rebellion was quashed, and the traitors killed at The Battle of the Gray Overlook. The dead were left on the field, punishment for their actions.

Sasuke the Demon Queller is summoned to seek out a new evil.

Meanwhile, Kitsune the thief does what she can to get by. She picks the purse of a samurai and finds a small, nondescript jewel, not realizing it could tip the balance of good and evil.

Usagi is in this too.

It's The Muppet Show!

2009-03-23T04:46:00.000-07:00

The incomparable Roger Langridge (Fred The Clown) brings his absurdist humor to The Muppet Show stage! Longing for the swamp, Kermit forlornly plucks his banjo, while Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo and the entire gang tries to jolly him out of his funk. Packed full of madcap skits and gags, The Muppet Show is sure to please old and new fans alike. Diamond Code: JAN094069

The Boys

2009-03-22T05:17:00.000-07:00

An evil so profound it threatens all mankind... the mightiest heroes on the planet uniting to defend us all... a secret crisis of such utter finality that a countdown to civil or infinite war seems unavoidable... but have you ever wondered what really happens during Crossovers? The Seven, Payback, Teenage Kix, Fantastico and every other supe on Earth team up for an annual event like no other... and where the supes go, can a certain "five complications and a dog" be far behind? Vought-American prepare to make their move, in a story that will change the world of the Boys forever: Herogasm #1.
The first-ever Boys spin-off mini-series features the pairing of Ennis with Hitman artist John McCrea and covers by Boys artist and co-creator Darick Robertson!

http://www.dynamiteentertainment.com/htmlfiles/c-The_Boys_Herogasm.html

Sherlock Holmes from Dynamite Entertainment

2009-03-20T05:13:00.000-07:00

Writing duo Leah Moore and John Reppion may have their heads buried in books every day from now until the summer. Not that that's a bad thing.

After being recently announced as the writers of Dynamite Entertainment's ultra-faithful adaptation of Bram Stoker's classic "Dracula," the pair will also be reviving Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famed sleuth in a "Sherlock Holmes" ongoing series starting this May. With art by newcomer Aaron Campbell and covers by John Cassaday, the series will spin all-new tales of the detective and his right hand Doctor John Watson, although the new stories will remain steeped in lore of the original Holmes mysteries.

Leah Moore told CBR, "I have to say that even though we haven’t had to adapt a huge novel, we have possibly had more research to do on Holmes [than for 'Dracula'], because we need to research the fictional side of it to find existing characters to use, or cases to refer to, and we also have to research what people would have done in 1895, but across a massive spectrum of events. If we have police in it, we have to look at how that worked, if we have shops or markets, we have to get them right, the travel, the dress, the politics. It’s a bloody minefield, to be honest. Every time we come up with a great plot idea, it sparks five or six new things for us to look in to. Hopefully all this means it will have a great plot and also be really accurate."

Accuracy in original tales comes with matching the tone and characterization of the observant lead, which John Reppion explained was preferable to representing the same stories folks have already read or seen again and again. "Sherlock Holmes, much like Dracula, is very much ingrained in popular culture, but, unlike Stoker’s novel, many of Doyle’s mysteries have not been so heavily revised when adapted,” he said. “A lot of the Holmes stories you see on television, in film, and hear on the radio are pretty straight versions of the originals, and, as such, many people are probably more familiar with the canon than they realize.

"Since Leah and I first discovered the joys of internet radio almost a decade ago, we’ve always particularly enjoyed listening to Sherlock Holmes mysteries. We were also both fans of the UK TV series ‘The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes’ which ran from the late ‘80s into the ‘90s – of course, I didn’t know it was research when I was sat on my Gran’s living room floor watching it. Neither of us can claim to have read every single Holmes story, but thankfully there are fantastic books such as Leslie Klinger’s 'New Annotated Holmes' series and Lee Jackson’s 'Dictionary of Victorian London' which we can turn to for help."

After their rounds of research, the case Moore & Reppion lighted upon became "The Trial of Sherlock Holmes." And although (as with any good mystery) the ins and outs of the ominous case remain a secret for now, Reppion did note why they chose to set their first story after Holmes' return from his supposed death in battle with James Moriarty. "If we were writing a pre-'Final Problem' story, I think there would be too much temptation to prefigure the events at Reichenbach Falls and to be sucked into the trap of canon chronology," the writer said. "There are too many mysteries for that to be an option really, because I can imagine getting bogged down in which case happened when, how this thing relates to that and all that kind of thing. Setting the story in 1895 means that you’ve got a very classic start up scenario with Watson having lost his wife, sold his medical practice and moved back into 221 B Baker street and his and Holmes’ relationship and status being well established. Everyone knows their names and what they do and we can more or less hit the ground running."

Running alongside the pair of crime-solvers will come a bevy of foils both traditional and original, including Holmes' occasional sparing mates from Scotland Yard. "We loved having the chance to re-use some old characters, but without re-reading the whole canon it’s a bit hard to do it all the time," said Moore. "We have made reference to old cases and characters wherever we can, just to bed our story in amongst the others. We have tried to create new characters that already feel established, that you feel you could have seen before and just forgotten about. The people in Doyle’s stories are really well characterized in the way they speak to each other, so it’s been great to do lots of it in the dialogue as well as the action."

With luck, Moore & Reppion will be able to match (or at least live up to) the writing standard set by Doyle's meticulously detailed originals, although Reppion admits that in real life he's "probably not all that observant really. If I’m watching a film or TV, I can usually unravel a mystery pretty well, but I don’t think I’ve got great prospects as a real life sleuth, sadly."

For her part, Moore would "like to think I’m observant and that I would have dazzling insights, but to be honest I’d probably be so busy congratulating myself on noticing one thing that I’d miss half a dozen other things…better not give up the day job yet!"

Aiding the pair in threading clues together in a satisfactory manner will be interior artist Aaron Campbell, whom Reppion praised, "Aaron is great at detail and detail is what makes a mystery. In Doyle’s stories, Holmes can always offer up a revelation at the end of the narrative referring to something he noticed back on page one, but in a comic we need to make sure that that muddy footprint or pane of broken glass or whatever was definitely there in the first issue. Aaron is really good at characterization too and has really given each person their own unique identity. It’s a real treat to see the pages rolling in and I can’t wait to see it all colored."

Moore feels that when all is said and done, she and Reppion will be able to ride the fine balancing act of which clues and hints to drop early while also not giving away the outcome of their first Sherlock Holmes mystery this May. "I have to say that is the very hardest thing about the whole thing, doing everything so that when you read it back again you go, 'Ahh it was there all along.' Its really hard. We have tried to make sure everything’s there, but you don’t want the story to just be clues, clues, clues the whole way. You have to be careful too with comics, because people can only see things if you get the artist to draw them in. Its one thing to say in a novel, 'I spotted the footprints in the flowerbed,' but in a comic you have to show the flowerbed, and very, very subtly, the actual footprints right from the get go. Our descriptions have been probably infuriating Aaron terribly as we keep saying, 'Draw this in but not so anyone can really notice it, but so you can see it, but not very well.' He might not like us much by the end of this! "

Ben Templesmith's Groom Lake

2009-03-19T05:07:00.000-07:00

Chris Ryall. Ben Templesmith. Aliens. Mutating crotches. Probing. Smoking. Tourism. This is all you need to know.

Coming in March. From IDW Publishing.

If you want in on the crotchtasms, let your retailer know the order code: MAR094324

2009-03-18T11:04:00.000-07:00

“THE DIVINE COMEDY-PART 6”

The final chapter of Bomb Queen’s battle with The White Knight – but there’s more at stake than a mere blood brawl. Mysterious origins are revealed leading to a trail of death and destruction. Now the Queen’s greatest foe... is the TRUTH!

RETAILER WARNING: MATURE READERS ONLY

Story by
Jimmie Robinson
Art by
Jimmie Robinson
Cover by
Jimmie Robinson
Publisher
Image Comics
Cover Price:
$3.50
Release Date
Wed, March 18th, 2009

Kurt Busiek's Astro City

2009-03-18T04:53:00.000-07:00

Astro City is a well-populated urban center somewhere in the western United States, lying largely between two rivers — the Wildenberg, to the west, which flows into the larger Gaines River, to the east and south. To the north lies the bulk of Mount Kirby, while to the south, in mid-river, is the Biro Island Correctional Facility.

Until the close of World War II, the city was named Romeyn Falls, but after suffering widespread destruction, it was rebuilt and officially renamed in 1947.

Jack-In-The-Box — an athletic urban hero who uses clown-based gimmicks, including his "handsprings," "footapults," entangling confetti and electro-shock rubber noses in his crusade against crime. The first Jack-In-The-Box, debuting in 1964, was Jack Johnson, a toy designer who created the identity after learning that his toy designs were being used as weapons. The second Jack-In-The-Box was his son, Zachary Johnson, who owns and runs a successful toy company himself. The current Jack-In-The-Box, Roscoe James, is Zachary's protegee and trainee.

http://www.astrocity.us/cgi-bin/index.cgi?page=features/visitorsguide/index.html

2009-03-17T07:10:00.000-07:00

More action and adventure from Dynamite, Matt Wagner and Cezar Rezik - with alternate covers by Francesco Francavilla -- as Zorro continues!

The growing love triangle between the cunning Diego (alter ego of El Zorro), the beautiful Lolita and the thuggish Pasquale continues, but when Pasquale conspires to win Lolita by deception, Zorro is forced to step in!

2008-05-13T06:53:00.000-07:00

Eve:Vampire Diva 4 Issue Full-Color Limited Series
Publisher: Arcana
Written By: Frank J. LaPerch
Art By: Ash Jackson
Letters By: Shawn DePasquale & Dino

Eve is a vampire whose current human guise is of Jessica Evelyn Murphy, pop diva singer & actress. At night she battles werewolves, vampires and witches and during the day she faces an even scarier lot . . . Hollywood. As if balancing these two worlds wasn’t difficult enough, her agent Herbie signs Eve up for a 24/7 reality show. She originally balks at the idea, but with her A-List star beginning to plummet into D-List waters, she reluctantly agrees. Before the reality show begins, Eve’s avuncular wizard ally, Girdron, convinces her to take a mission that re-introduces her to someone from her past long thought dead, the Werewolf, Devon. Soon, Eve, with Girdron’s help, discovers that this powerful witch Coven is using their ties to the music industry to unleash a spell involving werewolves that would put our leash laws to the ultimate test. The music industry and the supernatural world are about to collide and Eve is caught in the middle. But it’s just another day in the life for Eve: Vampire Diva.

http://www.arcanacomics.com/comicdisplay.php?id=43

Wargod

2008-03-27T04:37:00.000-07:00

Wargod is our worlds last hope...Beware the Gods are coming!

Wargod is resurrected and sent to Earth to continue his age old conflict with the nefarious god Sutekh and protect all of mankind from any impending evil. A new group of super beings have proclaimed themselves to be the protectors of the planet…and now they have Wargod in their sights! He is our worlds last hope...Beware the Gods are coming!

Writer: George T. Singley and Jim Mitchel

Artist: Benjamin Morse

http://www.chimaerastudios.com/projects/wargod.htm

2008-03-09T05:00:00.000-07:00

Bluewater Productions adds PISTOLFIST -- the critically-acclaimed saga of a masked, runaway slave who becomes an American Revolutionary War legend. Starting this July, the series launches just in time for Independence Day.

Originally scheduled to be released through Alias last year, Bluewater will publish the series which asks the question: How precious is your freedom? Would you fight for it? Would you dare to die for it? Set amidst the American Revolution, this critically-acclaimed series follows the saga of a mysterious, masked runaway slave whose destiny is helplessly entwined with that of a famous, yet frail, Benjamin Franklin. Inspired by true characters and events, you'll soon discover why fans and fellow creators alike have chosen to "rev it up!"

Bluewater publisher Darren G. Davis said, "I remember seeing this issue floating around Alias and I loved the concept as well as the art. It is one of the most polished books I have seen come across my desk. J.S. Earls and his creative team are the perfect fit for Bluewater. We are not really looking to pick up books, but when one comes to me that I am excited about - how can you turn it down?!" Davis continues "We are still staying at around 5 titles a month. We do not want to compete with ourselves in the marketplace."

J.S. Earls -- creator of the series -- said, "To say I'm excited about bringing Pistolfist to Bluewater would definitely be an understatement. They're as passionate about and as committed to their creations as I am about mine. We definitely share certain standards of quality - not just with the usual stuff, but logos and everything. Those details are things which help keep you a notch above your competition...and that you can be proud of. Several publishers have expressed an interest in Pistolfist, but none of them were as honest or as focused as Bluewater Productions".

J.S. Earls went on, "Since this is an election year in the US, when people evaluate what's truly important to them, I think Pistolfist's core theme of 'freedom' really seems to resonate. Regardless of your political persuasion, it's that freedom to think and express and choose that many hold so dear. We take it for granted, but - when you think about it - it's at the heart of us all".PISTOLFIST makes it mark at Bluewater in July of 2008 and will be monthly.

X-O Manowar

2008-03-07T04:43:00.000-08:00

Aric was a Visigoth captured by the Spider Aliens and transported through time to 1992 when Solar’s attack on the fleet caused enough of a diversion for him to capture the X–O Manowar armor Shanhara and escape to Earth. Aric learned of the Spider Aliens’ involvement with Orb Industries and took over the company by force, making him one of the richest men in the world.

http://www.valiantentertainment.com/wiki/index.php/X-O_Manowar

X-O MANOWAR: BIRTH (FEB084088), published by Valiant Entertainment, is solicited in the February Previews (Volume XVIII #2) and scheduled to arrive in comic book stores nationwide on April 30, 2008. It collects the full X-O Manowar origin story (X-O Manowar #0-6) for the first time and includes an all-new epic "The Rise of Lydia" story by comics legend Bob Layton! The book is a full-color 192 page deluxe hardcover edition with a suggested retail price of $24.95.

The hardcover collects the full X-O Manowar origin story (X-O Manowar issues #0-6), which has been digitally recolored and remastered using state-of-the-art techniques, and it also includes an all-new epic "The Rise of Lydia" story written by comics legend Bob Layton and illustrated by original Valiant creator Mike Leeke (H.A.R.D. Corps). X-O MANOWAR: BIRTH also features a brand new cover by superstar artist Sean Chen (Rai, Iron Man, Salvation Run).

Abe Sapien

2008-03-04T07:22:00.000-08:00

Abe Sapien: The Drowning
5 Issue Limited Series

Writer: Mike Mignola
Artist: Jason Shawn Alexander
Cover Artist: Mike Mignola
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Genre: Horror, Action/Adventure

http://www.darkhorse.com/profile/profile.php?sku=13-616

A century ago, paranormal investigator Edward Grey fought and destroyed a powerful warlock off the island of Saint Sebastian. In the early 1980s, the B.P.R.D.'s newest agent was sent to retrieve the warlock's remains. But Abe Sapien is ill prepared for the supernatural forces that block his way. Written by Hellboy creator Mike Mignola, and featuring the haunting art of Jason Shawn Alexander (Damn Nation, The Secret, The Escapists), Abe Sapien: The Drowning's the story of Hellboy and B.P.R.D. mainstay Abe Sapien's first solo adventure."Jason Shawn Alexander is one of my favourite new artists. The man has got soul, and he pours it right into his art."-Silver Bullet ComicsAbe Sapien's first solo series!
Make sure to check out our Abe Sapien: The Drowning puzzle!
Publication Date: Feb 06, 2008 Format: Full color, 32 pages, Miniseries Price: $2.99

From Dark Horse Comics

Bleeders from Digital Webbing

2008-02-29T08:33:00.000-08:00

Bleeders

32 pages, full color

In the most puzzling series of interconnected murders committed in American history, a serial killer with unsettling ties to World War II has targeted survivors of the holocaust and escaped Nazi war criminals. With zero leads generated from the bizarre clues left behind by the ghostly killer, assigned FBI investigator Monica Morrison begins to believe that the unknown suspect she’s been trailing might not be human. But can Monica convince her department they are hunting a ghost in time to save the next victim? A murder mystery of supernatural proportions, BLEEDERS is not to be missed by horror and suspense fans alike!

Look for it this May from Digital Webbing Press.

2006-12-06T08:58:00.000-08:00

November 20, 2006 -- This April, Michael Allred's pop classic MADMAN bolts back to stores from Image Comics! A modern masterpiece, MADMAN was Adult Swim before cartoons were cool. Now Image is taking the character to the next level with an all new series, and a hardcover collection of every MADMAN adventure! For Allred, it's a dream come true. ³From the first page I drew, I knew MADMAN was exactly what I wanted to do in comics. I¹m proud to be working with Image the only company that really gets what creator freedom is all about to bring Frank¹s stories back in the way I¹ve always wanted to show them!² First up in the MADMAN revival is MADMAN GARGANTUA! a mammoth 852-page, full color hardcover collecting every MADMAN tale from Madman, Madman Adventures, and Madman Comics in a single, oversized, handsomely produced volume. A must for lovers of Allred¹s unique brand of pop illustration, MADMAN GARGANTUA! is the holy grail! Launching immediately on the heels of MADMAN GARGANTUA! is the all new monthly series MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS! ³

Artistically, this is my best work ever,² Allred says. ³The first storyline is called Jumping Silent Cars That Sleep At Traffic Lights, and it will turn the Madman world upside down. It¹s designed so that new readers can jump on, but buckle up, because it¹s gonna be a strange and scary rollercoaster ride!² ³Image has always been the company designed by creators, for creators, and we¹re honored to welcome Mike aboard!² says Image Executive Director Eric Stephenson. ³He¹s always had a great vision for his comics, and we¹re excited to be the ones to bring his vision out to the world.² MADMAN GARGANTUA! is scheduled for February release. MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS is scheduled for an April release. Full ordering information and product details will be announced in the February edition of Diamond Previews.

D I G I T A L W E B B I N G P R E S E N T S # 3 1

2006-12-03T11:09:00.000-08:00

D I G I T A L W E B B I N G P R E S E N T S # 3 1
NEW DIRECTION! Imagine an anthology which drops mini-series right in its pages? Well, then you'd have the All-New, All-Different Digital Webbing Presents! The Fist of Justice takes over as lead feature for the next 4 issues in a row! But don't fret little comic book junkies! All your favorite creators and creations are still coming along for the ride.

The Fist of Justice adventure continues! Since his return, the Fist of Justice can't seem to catch a break. First he discovers he's been out of action for nearly 30 years and has so many questions that need answering. You'd think he'd be able to take a breather here, but nooooo, a giant Atlantian Battle Machine appears in Charm City and it's up to the Fist of Justice to protect its citizens. But what's this? Another one appears? Little does he know, it's actually the Last Paladin.
Written by Mike Imboden and Ian Ascher in their first collaboration. Illustrated by Yildiray Cinar, watch this guy, he's already signed to a series to be published under the Image Comics imprint. Colored by Mick Clausen. Cover by Cinar and Nuckols.

http://digitalwebbing.com/dwp/dwp31_preview.html

2006-07-16T18:36:00.000-07:00

September 2006! By Niko Henrichon, Todd Klein, and BKV. Inspired by the true story of four lions who escaped the Baghdad Zoo in 2003, PRIDE OF BAGHDAD is a kind of modern-day Animal Farm set in the current Iraq War.This is easily the best project I've ever been a part of, and it's a 136-page hardcover for only 19 bucks. I'm just egotistical enough to believe that this will be flying off the shelves, so I hope you'll consider reserving a copy with your friendly neighborhood comic-book retailer (who you can find by calling 1-888-COMIC-BOOK). The book was "advance solicited" last month, but you should still be able to pre-order a copy at your shop today. Ask for it by name, or with this order code: JUN060255 For those of you wanting to learn more about the book, I talk to WIZARD MAGAZINE at length about the genesis of the project with co-creator Niko Henrichon, and chat with Douglas Wolk at PUBLISHERS WEEKLY about the book's themes. You can read our first online review by scrolling down to the bottom of THIS SITE. And on TALK OF THE NATION, host Neal Conan was cool enough to add Pride of Baghdad to his "Summer Reading Picks," right up there with The Collected Poems of Stanley Kunitz and The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K. Dick.

http://www.arcanastudio.com/gallery/koniwaves

2006-07-16T06:15:00.000-07:00

KONI WAVES introduces private detective Koni Kanawai, an ex-cop in Honolulu, Hawaii who worked her way through college as a dancer at the Apanapana Ballroom. When a drinking problem gets her booted from the force, Koni starts her own detective agency. With the aid of Pete – her surf buddy, Krystal – a colleague from her dancing days, and Huko – the owner of her favorite watering hole, Koni encounters a series of supernatural events that leads her to discover a dark side of her island not seen in the usual tourist spots.

http://www.arcanastudio.com/

http://digitalwebbing.com/bloodrayne/BR6_Preview.html

2006-06-20T05:29:00.000-07:00

A new 3-issue mini-series brought to you by the creators of last year's BloodRayne hit; Lycan Rex! Story written by Troy Wall and penciled by Mark A. Robinson, colored by Dustin Yee at Hi-Fi Colour Design.
The entire world has found itself under attack by a mysterious force known only to the Brimstone Society as "The Plague of Dreams". From the skyscrapers of New York to beneath the streets of Seoul, follow Rayne as she tears a bloody path across the globe in pursuit of a mysterious new enemy. But is Rayne truly prepared for the shocking secret behind "The Plague of Dreams"?

Covers by Mark A. Robinson (Marvel's New Mutants and DC's Codename: Knockout) and Stacie Ponder (GI Joe) and colors by Dustin Yee (TeleDrones cover) and Blond (Video cover).
Offered with your choice of two covers -- ask your comic shop guy for both if you're a true fan! As always, each issue is jam-packed with story, art and bloody colors! And don't forget the behind-the-scenes commentary on the making of each issue with peeks at unused art, penciled sketches, insider commentary by the creative team themselves!

To Infinity!

2006-06-12T05:21:00.000-07:00

http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0606/08/moonstoneoct.htm

INFINITEENS #1

Written and art by Zeu.

War! Mankind is at the very brink of extinction as mindless Event Freaks, powerful humans infected by alien super particles, destroy everything in their wake.
And as the flames threaten to engulf the globe, hope is reborn anew in the tiny coastal village of Cape Ruseur, New England, where four childhood friends unite to turn the tide of destruction and fight for life and justice.
Infiniteens is a superhero saga about the end of the world. Infiniteens is a touching tale about human hearts and how the best in us can emerge in our darkest hour. For 8 chapters you´re invited to join Nadia, Luther, Julian and Beverly in a heroic struggle to save their tiny community from an apocalyptic threat.
32 pages, $3.50.

http://www.moonstonebooks.com/

Love and Capes

2006-05-20T05:17:00.000-07:00

Abby and Mark are a typical couple. At least, that’s what Abby thinks. Unknown to her, her boyfriend is not just an accountant, but also the super-powered crime-fighter, the Crusader. And, tonight, Mark’s going to let her in on the secret.
Abby always knew he was a good guy. She just didn’t know how good.
"Love and Capes" is a heroically super romantic comedy situation comedy in comic book form from Thom Zahler.
"I've always liked superheroes, and I've always liked romantic comedies," says Zahler. "It was kind of a peanut butter and jelly moment. The ideas just started flowing after that."
Zahler says that he was a fan of the cancelled "Lois and Clark" TV show. "It had its moments, for sure. But I found that I got bored whenever Superman showed up. Maybe it was that they didn't have a handle on the superhero elements, or that the effects budget always showed. But the Lois and Clark moments were great. A friend of mine and I decided the best episode ever would have been the two of them locked in an elevator, and he can't get out to change."
So "Love and Capes" is two characters in an elevator?
"Not exactly. But most of the actual super-heroics take place off-camera. I think it's important to treat the hero stuff seriously. I figure it's kind of like 'Friends'. Ross was a palentologist, but you rarely saw him palentogate, so to speak. So while Mark is the Crusader, you don't see him do super-heroics very often."

Can you write a whole super-hero book sans all the super-heroics?

"Absolutely. I figure a super-hero/average Joe (or JoAnn) relationship is like dating a rock star or a model. There's a lot of conflict between those two lifestyles. That conflict's the heart of the book. How do you deal with your boyfriend when he's walked on the moon without a spacesuit and dated Wonder Woman? And, conversely, how do you have a normal relationship when you might get called away to save the world? There's a lot of funny there. I intend to find it."

http://www.lulu.com/content/264000

2006-04-23T11:24:00.000-07:00

Touch of Death
by Brian Kirsten

Keli's routine trip to the supermarket turns deadly as an unexplainable accident permanently ends a mugger's simple plan of destruction. Shaken and weary, she returns home with her new husband Michael. The next morning, Michael awakens to discover his new bride has vanished without a trace during the night. The pursuit begins with a cryptic message scrawled on their bathroom mirror. To find Keli, he must also discover what secrets she holds inside.

http://www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=67432

2006-04-19T05:38:00.000-07:00

FURIOUS FIST OF THE DRUNKEN MONKEY #1

Because every day that starts with a drunken monkey is a better day, Silent Devil has provided Newsarama with a five page preview of Furious Fist of the Drunken Monkey: Origin of the Species #1 (of 3), due in stores in June.
The solicitation for the issue reads:
Diamond Order Code APR063334
Full Color
24 Pages
Story and Art by Rich Stahnke
Lettering by Kel Nuttall
SPR: $2.95

The Drunken Monkey returns in an all-new mini series! Chip, accompanied by his toad buddy Al, is about to find himself in one of his most difficult battles as he uncovers unknown truths about everyone close to him and secrets from his own past. But before that, he must defeat the pouch wearing, big gun toting nemesis known as Deathblud!

http://www.silentdevil.com/

http://www.generaljinjur.com/6928.html

2006-04-17T17:08:00.000-07:00

What if you were forced to sacrifice the only thing in the universe that mattered to you in order to save the universe?

That is the difficult choice that faces Augie Halford, a dedicated husband and father, in the first issue of Charlatan. Evil forces have coalesced into a form that now threatens the future of all creation and as it has happened throughout the ages, a champion has been selected to defend the innocent against these forces. But that champion, the One Defender, has never been a human and as the otherworldly keepers of this ancient selection ritual are about to learn . . . humans often have a mind of their own.Charlatan is the first comic in General Jinjur's regular line-up and built around it, in the months to come, readers will find a lot of action, excitement, and pathos in a realm we call The Jinjurverse (the General herself insisted on the name). We don't want to give away too much about Charlatan yet, but rest assured this is one book that is not to be missed!

http://generaljinjur.typepad.com/

2006-04-15T15:23:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles, CA: Silent Devil has entered into an agreement to publish Empty Chamber, a two-issue, action-espionage mini-series from A. David Lewis, Jason Copland and Caption Box. Empty Chamber centers on a conspiracy theorist and his mercenary protector; they are the country's only hope in stopping a renegade American general from committing a puzzling genocide - one without firing a bullet, releasing a bomb or shedding one drop of blood.

Empty Chamber features writer A. David Lewis (The Lone and Level Sands at Archaia Studios Press, Mortal Coils and Silent Devil's webcomic, Out of Sequence), artist Jason Copland (Hoarse and Buggy's Western Tales of Terror) and grayscales by Jennifer Rodgers (Buzzboy and The Lone and Level Sands). "After working with Jason on Mortal Coils, I brought the idea of Empty Chamber to Christian Beranek at Silent Devil. I wanted to do a project that was not only fun and exciting, but would appeal to the sort of broad audience that enjoys 24," says Lewis.

Silent Devil plans to release the first installment of Empty Chamber this fall. Visit Caption Box's website at http://www.captionbox.net/, Jason Copland's website at http://www.jasoncopland.com/ and Silent Devil's website at http://www.silentdevil.com/ for future updates on Empty Chamber.

http://www.godlandonline.com

2006-04-12T05:08:00.000-07:00

GØDLAND is a fresh take on the "Cosmic Superhero Epic" made famous in the 1970s by some of the greatest creators in comic book history.

It follows the adventures of Commander Adam Archer, and his three sisters, as they all try to cope with the fantastic comics powers he possesed after a failed mission to Mars brought him in contact with the Cosmic Fetus Collective.

http://www.newsarama.com/Image/Godland/issue01/Godland01Pre.htm

http://www.vipercomics.com/features/emily_edison.asp

2006-04-05T04:30:00.000-07:00

Emily Edison leads an action packed, double-dimensional life. Her dad is a super genius appliance repairman, who opened a portal with his nuclear powered vacuum cleaner. After stepping through it, he met, fell in love with, and married Emily's would be mother from another dimension. They had Emily and lived happily for a few years. However these interdimensional romances never last, and Emily's parents divorced.

Since then, Emily has divided her time between two worlds. Her hectic teenage life is becoming a blur - homework, slumber parties, unrequited crushes, school dances, and on top of all that: A jealous alternaverse grandfather, who hopes to bring her home by destroying the earth.
Reality hangs in peril, and Emily must use her other worldly powers to save the planet she calls home in the ultimate interdimensional custody battle.

http://www.eonprod.com/

2006-04-04T04:35:00.000-07:00

"An intricate, compelling storyline and cool, exciting artwork pull you in and won't let go until the absolutely astounding first-issue climax! Eon is a top-of-the-line roller coaster of a comic and it will leave you breathless and panting for more! Brett Thompson and Freddie E. Williams II have created a wild superhero thriller that will... Blow. You. Away!"

--Brian Augustyn
writer: Beowulf (Speakeasy Comics)
Crimson & Out There (DC/Wildstorm)
http://www.eonprod.com/eon.html

http://www.heroicpub.com/

2006-04-01T04:04:00.000-08:00

LIBERTY GIRL #0
In Stores May 6, 2006
FREE COMIC BOOK DAY

She was America's angel of liberty. She was the bronze goddess of freedom. For more than a decade, during and after World War II, she fought the good fight, protecting our nation against the agents of tyranny. Now, out of the mists of time, half a century later, when the world needs her most, LIBERTY GIRL has returned, young, strong, and as vital and powerful as ever!

On Free Comic Book Day, May 6, 2006, visit your local comic book store and enjoy this special LIBERTY GIRL preview, brought to you by Dennis Mallonee, Dærick Gröss, and Jeff Brennan.
Also in this special issue, enjoy a riotous retelling of the classic prelude to Flare's first encounter with the savage Tigress, by Dennis Mallonee and Mark Propst.

Cover by Dærick Gröss
Colors by Mike Estlick
General audience
Standard comic book format;
32 pages plus covers
Retail Price: FREE
Printing at Lamp Post Publications
Delivery Date: April 10, 2006Street Date: May 6, 2006
UPC: N/A

http://www.heroicpub.com/previews/lg00.php?sid=060401WH6r

2006-03-22T05:03:00.000-08:00

Wargod

As Curt Corey accepts his obligation to protect an ancient Egyptian artifact, he inadvertently begins an epic adventure that will decide his destiny and the fate of the planet. Wargod, the avenging son of Osiris, is resurrected and sent to Earth to continue his age old conflict with the nefarious god Sutekh and protect all of mankind from his impending evil. Wargod is our last hope...can he stop Sutekh and his army of soulless minions? Will the great beast Apep devour all of humanity?
One thing is for sure - the Gods are coming!
Created and Written by George T. Singley (Mutation, Shocking Gun Tales, Headcase) with Artwork by Freddie E. Williams II (Shocking Gun Tales, Chance of a Lifetime, Project EON), Wargod is an epic tale of betrayal, powerlust, and ultimately abolition.

http://freddieart.homeip.net

http://www.chimaerastudios.com/title.php?id=57

2006-03-21T05:38:00.000-08:00

Title: Lonebow

Description: Dane Walker has inherited the mantle of protector of Hope City. Living off his family’s estate, Dane has grown tired of his privileged existence and seeks true adventure and justice wherever he can find it. As LONEBOW…his powers of uncanny aim and steelskin make him a single vigilante threat to abolish all crime…but will his methods make him that which he fights to destroy?

Written by George T. Singley (Mutation, Super Crazy TNT Blast!, Wargod, Shocking Gun Tales) with Artwork by Freddie E. Williams II (Wargod, Shocking Gun Tales, Chance of a Lifetime, Project EON) and Sean “Cheeks” Galloway (Wildguard, Hero@ Large, Teen Titans Go!).
Longbow slings its way to you by Chimaera Studios and Markosia Enterprises, LTD.

http://digitalwebbing.com/

2006-03-20T05:26:00.000-08:00

E-Man, the energy being from outer space who makes his home on earth as a super-hero, returns to comics this September from Digital Webbing Press.

Created by Nicola Cuti and Joe Staton for Charlton Comics in 1973, E-Man has always been a fan favorite, marked by equal amounts of action, mystery and humor.E-Man enjoyed a 10 issue run with Charlton followed by 25 issues from First Comics in the 80's. Digital Webbing will release a one-shot E-Man this fall by series creators Cuti and Staton.

E-Man will be joined by his girlfriend, Nova Kane, who developed energy powers herself early in the initial Charlton series. The one-shot will also feature E-Man’s arch-enemy, The Brain from Sirius.“We’re pleased to bring E-Man back in all-new adventures. He’s always been a favorite character of mine,” said Ed Dukeshire, publisher of Digital Webbing Press. “And to have the original creators, Nick Cuti and Joe Staton, doing the honors is a real treat.”

In addition to E-Man, Cuti has written “Captain Cosmos, The Last Starveyer;” “Moonie, Moonchild the Starbabe;” and “Michael Mauser, Private Eye.”Staton, an Inkpot and Eisner Award winner, has drawn Batman, Green Lantern, Plastic Man and, currently, Scooby-Doo.

He served as Art Director at First Comics.

Digital Webbing entered the publishing arena in 2001 with “Digital Webbing Presents.” The anthology showcases a combination of aspiring and established talent. In addition to Digital Webbing Presents, DW Press publishes “Zombie Highway” and “BloodRayne,” based on the popular video game.The full-color E-Man one-shot will be solicited in the July issue of Previews for a September release.

http://freddieart.homeip.net/

2006-03-19T14:26:00.000-08:00

Written by Grant Morrison
Art and Cover by Freddie Williams II

Ever wonder what life might have been like if you'd chosen a different path? The Omega Effect can take you there!
Join Shilo Norman, Super Escape Artist, as he faces the ultimate challenge! The Life Trap is here, and the only way out is in a box. Can Mr. Miracle beat the odds that say death is 100% certain?
Find out in "Forever-Flavored Man" and prepare to witness…the Final Escape!A Soldier must die — will it be Mr. Miracle?

http://www.newsarama.com/ImageComics/StaggerLee/StaggerLeePre.htm

2006-03-15T17:03:00.000-08:00

Image Comics and creators Derek McCulloch and Shepherd Hendrix
205 pg black and white OGN due out in May

The subject of the graphic novel, Stagger Lee, has also been the subject of many songs over the years, recorded by artists ranging from Lloyd Price (in 1959) to Wilson Pickett and the Grateful Dead.

The story of the songs and the upcoming graphic novel all deal with a St. Louis murder, committed on Christmas Eve 1895, where Lee Sheldon (aka “Stag” or “Stagger Lee”) shot Billy Lyons. The men were friends who had been drinking, and, depending on the source, began to argue over politics or gambling. Central to many versions of the story is the involvement of Lee’s hat – which Lyons reportedly took. When he refused to give it back, Lee shot him.

written by DEREK McCULLOCH art & cover by SHEPHERD HENDRIX
May 3 - 205 pg - BW - $17.99

On Christmas Eve 1895, shots rang out in a St. Louis barroom. A hundred years and a thousand songs later, this ordinary little murder had become a legend. This is the true story of what happened after Stagger Lee shot Billy.

http://www.devilsdue.net/killer7

2006-03-14T05:29:00.000-08:00

killer 7 #1
Writer: Arvid Nelson
Artist: Bong Dazo (El Dazo)
Inker: n/a
Cover: Sanford Greene
Color: B&W
Pages: 32
Format:
Standard Comic
Price: $2.95
Diamond Order#: tba
UPC# 882142-00116-00101

Although most people know him for his work on the thriller Rex Mundi, Arvid Nelson is writing a very different kind of story with the Devil’s Due release of Killer 7. He told us what it was like adapting this video game for the sequential art form. Nelson said it wasn’t easy to describe this game. He compared it to a mix of Quentin Tarantino movies, Hong Kong blood operas, and things along that line. He said the game takes place in the present – but this present might not be one we’re familiar with. “The world is in the process of uniting under one government,” Nelson said. “To prevent terrorism, the new world order has banned air travel and use of the internet. Nuclear weapons are in the process of being dismantled - sounds kind of good… or kind of scary, depending on your point of view.”

”But there’s a threat to world peace, the Heaven’s Smiles,” he continued. “Heaven’s Smiles are living human bombs – they look like normal human beings, but they can ‘uncloak’ and reveal their hideous true forms – slavering, zombie-like drones with hideous smiles (hence the term Heaven’s Smile). Heaven’s Smiles cause mass death and destruction when they detonate themselves, and there’s no way to know who’s a Smile and who’s not until it’s too late. A group of assassins known as the ‘Killer 7’ are called in to deal with the problem, to find out where the Heaven’s Smiles are coming from. And that’s where it all begins.”Nelson said working on this project was very similar to the work he’s done with Rex Mundi in that both take place in worlds with alternate histories, involve political intrigue, and are “mystical detective stories.” He said, “The further I got into the game the more I thought ‘oh my God, I’m the perfect person to write this story!’”

When a volley of earth-shattering nuclear missiles are launched at Japan, it’s up to a group of assassins known as the killer 7 to stop the launch before Japan is reduced to an irradiated smear. The strike is linked to the Yakumo, a world-wide conspiracy responsible for a plague of zombie terrorists known as “Heaven’s Smiles”. The fate of millions of people hangs in the balance.

http://www.moonstonebooks.com/

2006-03-09T18:37:00.000-08:00

"I like the idea of working on a superhero character who predates Superman," Guinan said of his work with writer and Moonstone Books publisher Joe Gentile on the Phantom Law of the Jungle adventure.

He said the Ghost Who Walks is in a very different kind of story, one where the adventure is very "dreamlike or nightmarish" at times. He said it features a villain moved to action by one thought: revenge against the Phantom. That idea haunts him and drives him to seek out The Phantom and involve him in a very slick "cat-and-mouse game." Guinan said, "It's told from the perspective of the Phantom's adversary, who's hellbent on exacting revenge on him. It's flight or fight, kill or be killed and the Law of the Jungle doesn't just refer to the title, it's also the villain's rationale for his actions."

"I see Phantom Law of the Jungle as a fairly timeless tale," Guinan continued. "I deliberately avoided details that would fix it in any particular decade - in fact, I mixed things up a bit. Sharp-eyed readers will notice 1911 automatic handguns as well as what look like night-vision goggles. I’m using a technique called 'paintography', a blend of photography, painting, and drawing. It’s the same style I used for Heartbreakers Meet Boilerplate, the graphic novel I did with my wife, Anina Bennett, last year. The end result has few precedents, so there aren’t any direct influences. The black outline style that I use in the illustration is somewhat similar to Drew Struzan’s style. He did the Star Wars movie posters, among many others. My favorite Phantom imagery is from the covers for the 1960s Gold Key comics. That was the end of the era of great pulp-style painted covers. They were a sort of visual jumping-off point for me. But I tried to give my version a classic, timeless look, so it’s not tied to a specific period."

http://www.moonstonebooks.com/phantom.asp

http://www.reyyy.com/sharknife/

2006-02-25T16:41:00.000-08:00

YO YO! My name is Ceasar Hallelujah and I'm a busboy at a restaurant called the Guangdong Factory. When needed, I can use the power of magical fortune cookies baked by my girl friend (not girlfriend!) Chieko Momuza to turn into the pivot-posing red rocket ninja robot Sharknife!!!!!Why would I want to do that? Because!
This mean yakuza guy by the name of Ombra Ravenga stuck monsters in our WALLS! So now wheneverthey get too big, they jump out and assault our customers! I'm not about to sit around while a gang of mutated crabs attempt to eat all our patron's pineapples!!!!!!

www.onipress.com

www.nighttrippers.com

2006-02-24T14:53:00.000-08:00

NIGHT TRIPPERS GN PREVIEW
By MARK RICKETTS

I was rolling my cart down a supermarket aisle around eleven PM when the sound of Petula Clark's "Don't Sleep in the Subway" suddenly turned into Pink Floyd's psychedelic classic "See Emily Play." It seemed kind of creepy to be shopping for milk while this perverse, mind-bending sonic oddity wafted through the near empty store. Earlier that night I had considered writing a story about vampires in medieval England, but while listening to that distorted organ, sped-up piano, and whimsical lyric it hit me that I should place my vampire tale in that time when color, fashion, music, sexual revolution, and social changeexploded on one crazy scene-- 1960s swinging London.

Think about it: Vampires tripping on acid! Vampires in mini-skirts dancing in cages! Vampires infiltrating the music industry to control the minds of young and impressionable human livestock!

At first, I started musing on a Mod vampire riding a tricked-out Vespa from scene-to-scene, club to club, searching for kicks and victims. But there was something a little too Austin Powers about that approach. I decided to delve deeper into that period, and was particularly drawn to movers and shakers like Brian Epstein (the man who gave the world a little musical group called The Beatles) and Justin de Villeneuve (the man who made skinny fashionable by introducing the world to Twiggy).

That's when I decided to focus the story on a young ingénue named Dot and the ancient, megalomaniacal, yet trendy vampire who would transform her into a pop icon. For months, I completely immersed myself in the music, the fashion, the art, and the films of that time. And once I'd written the first couple of chapters, I felt I'd really hit upon something. It was the right combination of ultra-violet and ultra-violence... I just needed an artist who could reconcile Mod fashion with Gothic horror.

That's when a friend of mine, Matt Anderson, introduced me to Micah Farritor. Micah had just finished working on "The Living and the Dead" with writers Bob Tinnell and Todd Livingston and was looking for his next project. The timing was right, the moon was in the seventh house, Jupiter collided with Mars, and though it may not have been the Age of Aquarius, Micah agreed to join the happening.While lettering the first collection of Micah's illustrations, I only listened to music from the 60s--the more hallucinatory the better. Inspired by all this trippy pop, I decided to approach my friend Ellis Clark of the band Epicycle about contributing music to a Night Trippers podcast. Ellis not only gave his blessing for me to use a track from Epicycle's 2002 album "Swirl", but also volunteered to create new music based on lyrics I'd created for the book.

Then when John Suintres, the interviewer from the comic book oriented website wordballoon.com, joined me for a fictional interview the podcast really came together in a fusion of music and fantasy. You can download this aural extension to the Night Trippers graphic novel at our website http://www.nighttrippers.com/ or at iTunes here.

In May, the 184 page graphic novel Night Trippers hits the stands at a retail price of $16.99. Don't forget to order an advance copy from the March 2006 Previews catalog. Tune in, turn on, and fang out!

http://www.bluewaterprod.com/judo.htm

2006-02-20T05:56:00.000-08:00

Judo Girl is a woman on a mission: after having spent 40 years in suspension animation, she searches for her missing brother, Judo Boy. However, her arch-enemy, the diabolical Captain Steel, hasn't spent the last four decades collecting rust. Indeed, his awful plans are about to solidify on a worldwide scale! Central to these evil schemes is the implacable Judo-Bot, whose ultra-modern features completely outclass and overwhelm our time-tossed hipster. However, her arch-enemy, the diabolical Captain Steel, hasn't spent the last four decades collecting rust.

http://www.templesmitharts.com/faze2/

2006-02-19T12:43:00.000-08:00

Detective Richard Fell is transferred over the bridge from the big city to Snowtown, a feral district whose police roster numbers three-and-a-half people (one detective has no legs). Dumped in this collapsing urban trashzone, Richard Fell is starting all over again. In a place where nothing seems to make any sense, Fell clings to the one thing he knows to be true: Everybody's hiding something. Even him.

http://www.newsarama.com/ImageComics/Fell/Fell01Issue.htm

http://www.strangersinparadise.com/sipindex.html

2006-02-18T05:46:00.000-08:00

Strangers in Paradise is a wonderfully realistic comic book brought to life by the enormous talent of its writer/artist, Terry Moore. This Eisner Award winning comic series chronicles the life of Katina Choovanski, affectionately known as Katchoo to her friends. She is the picture of perfection, a beautiful face with a gorgeous body. But that pretty face hides a sharp mind and a keen wit, not to mention enough secrets to astound the CIA.

A hardcase with a hard attitude, Katchoo only has two weaknesses:

The first is for David, a close friend with connections to her dark and dangerous past. He loves her completely, and would give anything to have her, but it is a love that Katchoo does not share. Sometimes warm and often adversarial, their relationship is something she is hardpressed to define. But regardless of her confusion over it, David's friendship is something that Katchoo has come to count on and need.

Her second, and most powerful, weakness is for her best friend, Francine, the woman who holds the strings to her heart
Francine is a wonderfully naive young girl, who has believed for most of her life that happiness meant having a man to love her. Riddled with self doubt and insecurities, she usually finds herself struggling with the way the world sees her. Deemed imperfect by most and raised in an overly conservative environment, she has a hard time accepting Katchoo's love for her, and an even harder time turning away from it.

Strangers In Paradise (SIP) is the story of three friends, Francine, Katchoo and David and the people they fall in and out of love with. It's a tale of dark pasts and hopeful futures, double-crosses and true friendship, love and hate. In other words: it's a story of real life, kicked up a notch.

The highly acclaimed ongoing comic book series, Strangers In Paradise, was created by Terry Moore in 1993 and the continuing story is published every six weeks. SIP has been awarded numerous industry awards including the 2003 Inkpot Award for Outstanding Achievement in Comic Arts, a 2002 YALSA/ALA selection for Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults, the GLAAD Media Award for Best Comic Book in 2000, and the 1996 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award for Best Serialized Story.

SIP is published in eight languages around the world including English, French, German, Spanish, Finnish, Portuguese, Dutch and Italian.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1892597055/104-4843906-9037524?v=glance&n=283155

http://www.moonstonebooks.com

2006-02-13T06:13:00.000-08:00

A team of brilliant scientists have unwittingly unlocked the secret to eternal life. There's just one catch, you have to die first.

Vengeance of the Mummy!

Scientist Jenna Andersen is no longer alive, but she’s not quite dead either. Once the member of a three-person research team whose nanotech bandages held the promise of regenerating dead cells, she hunts relentlessly for the man who killed her and her fiancé.
Out of the shattered remains of her previous life, Jenna is reborn at an unimaginable price. She is now an emotionless, undead monstrosity who will stop at nothing to avenge herself.
Death's a bitch.

By: Justin Gray & Eliseu Gouvia-Zeu, with covers by Kalman Androzofsky
32 pgs, b/w, $2.95

http://www.moonstonebooks.com/mummy.asp

http://www.chimaerastudios.com.

2006-02-11T04:53:00.000-08:00

The Magnate has come to Earth for one thing…Power. The Earths mightiest heroes unite to try and defeat this intergalactic menace and stop him before he takes over the planet. There’s one more problem…all of Earth’s villains have joined the Magnate and his minions in the quest for global power. Can Earth’s heroes survive the ultimate super hero Alamo?

Written by George T. (Mutation, Wargod, Shocking Gun Tales) Singley and Jim (Chance of a Lifetime) Mitchel with Artwork by Tim (Wildguard, Hell) Kane. Super Crazy TNT Blast! explodes it’s way to you monthly by Chimaera Studios and Speakeasy Comics.

http://www.chimaerastudios.com.

http://www.silentdevil.com

2006-02-10T05:56:00.000-08:00

Furious Fist of the Drunken Monkey: Origin of the Species #1 (of 3)
Full Color 24 Pages
Story and Art by Rich Stahnke
Lettering by Kel Nuttall

SPR: $2.95

Description:
The Drunken Monkey returns in an all-new mini series from Silent Devil. Chip, accompanied by his toad buddy Al, is about to find himself in one of his most difficult battles as he uncovers unknown truths about everyone close to him and secrets from his own past. But before that, he must defeat the pouch wearing, big gun toting nemesis known as Deathblud!

http://www.silentdevil.com/furious-fist-of-the-drunken-monkey.php

http://www.pandaystudio.com

2006-02-10T05:53:00.000-08:00

Joe Doogan: Zombie Hunter, Like, Totally Goes to High School in Digital Webbing Presents #28

The world's most famous zombie hunter goes back to High School and cleans up an outbreak of zombies at Pomegranate High School in the Oakland suburbs. Dario Carrasco's and Aaron Thomas Nelson's satirical horror comic "Joe Doogan: Zombie Hunter" makes its second appearance in the comic book anthology Digital Webbing Presents #28. In the short story "Clique! Yer Dead!" Joe Doogan goes toe-to-toe with some jock and cheerleader zombies who have overrun the school.

As Australia's most famous zombie hunter, Joe Doogan hosts a reality television show called "Undead Zone" that documents his exploits as a zombie hunter and, further, educates the public about the dangers of zombies. "Joe's the kind of guy who'll jump in head first and wonder about the depth of the pool later," says co-creator Dario Carrasco, artist on such notable projects as Darkhorse's Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi, Star Wars: Jedi Academy, as well as Marvel's Alpha Flight, Night Thrasher, and Captain America. "And let's face it, High School and zombies taste great together--like peanut butter and chocolate," chimed in co-creator and writer Aaron Thomas Nelson.

"Clique! Yer Dead!" is written by Aaron Thomas Nelson, and illustrated by Dario Carrasco. The comic was inked by TG Sangalang, colored by Rich Hiltbrunner and lettered by Matty Ryan. Other Joe Doogan stories are slated to appear in Just A Buck Comics, and an anthology due out in 2006, which will introduce other members of the International Fellowship of Zombie Hunters. Find out more at Digital Webbing ( http://www.digitalwebbing.com ) and Panday Studio ( http://www.pandaystudio.com/index_temp.php ). Digital Webbing Presents #28 (32 pages, full color cover and interiors, $3.99 US) is solicited in January's PREVIEWS (JAN06 3008) for a March release.

http://www.the-black-coat.com/

2006-02-08T05:41:00.000-08:00

The Story…It is April in the year 1775. War is only weeks away - maybe even days. The British know it and so do the members of the newly formed colonial Continental Congress. Only through the use of a vast network of spies can either side hope to keep one step ahead of the other. Nowhere is this struggle more intense than in New York City, the bustling headquarters for all of Britain's activities in the colonies. Like Berlin during the height of the Cold War, New York is a city of pivotal importance. It is a place where colonists and those loyal to the crown are equally represented and an uneasy tension fills the air.

In the last several weeks, the British have become desperate to maintain their control over the colonies and have secretly enlisted the services of a powerful and mysterious group of individuals who call themselves ‘The League.' Unbeknownst to the British, the League is a maniacal and treacherous organization whose members possess dangerous supernatural powers that threaten to bring chaos to the land and ultimately destroy the colonies themselves.

Nathaniel Finch is a budding scientist, a successful business man, and the editor of a weekly newspaper in New York City. An exceptionally intelligent and hard working man, Nathaniel could easily have found himself to be one of the most influential men in the Colonies, knee deep in politics, along side men like Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Benjamin Franklin. But as much as Nathaniel might be tempted to lead what some would call an 'ordinary life', he has a different set of priorities. Perhaps better than anyone, he knows that there are things in this world – mysterious, unexplainable, deadly things - that represent more of a threat to life and liberty than taxation without representation.

To combat these threats and to keep those around him safe, Nathaniel Finch has become the masked spy known as The Black Coat. Even as a revolutionary war is burgeoning around him, The Black Coat, assisted by a network of agents, fights another kind of war - a war unseen by most men. His determination, skill, and wits are his only defenses against ancient curses, mythical creatures, and enchanted science.

The Black Coat faces his greatest challenge in the form of The League. All of his intelligence, all of his strength, all of his courage will be put to the test in a battle for the survival of not just him and his men, but for a new nation!

http://www.the-black-coat.com/sample.htm

http://www.narwain.com/

2006-02-07T05:35:00.000-08:00

NEPTUNE

Palmiotti and Gray's NEPTUNE Rises
New superhero thriller graphic novel debuts in March from Narwain

Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray have been blazing a trail through mainstream comics with acclaimed titles as Jonah Hex, Hawkman, Daughters of the Dragon, and Monolith. Now, Narwain is pleased to introduce the world to their creator-owned epic graphic novel Neptune.The delicate treaty between surface world and the submerged city of Atlantis is jeopardized when a super villain terrorist tries to launch a war that will bring him power over the earth. One man, possessing the power of the god Neptune, must stop him.With artwork by Wellington Dias (C.S.I.), Neptune features political intrigue, super villains, terrorists, spies, giant sea monsters, strange new sciences and a lawless border town in the middle of the ocean.

Neptune is an alternative to the continuity-heavy crossovers going on everywhere. "It's a book with a beginning, middle and end. You can just pick it up and read it. A retailer can keep it on the rack all year round."Palmiotti said he's happy to be working with Narwain on the project for a number of reasons. "We're very excited that Narwain has let us create something from scratch and be totally involved with ever aspect of the book. Also, Narwain is launching this in several markets around the world simultaneously which is a big plus."Neptune features 48 full-color pages for a cover price of $5.99.

The graphic novel is slated for release in March and can be found in the current Diamond Previews catalog.

http://mfe.homestead.com/03a_Monkey1024.html

2006-02-04T13:43:00.000-08:00

Furious Fist of the Drunken Monkey #1
Review by Christopher T. Peel

Published by Imperium Comics

Being a writer for a superhero spoof comic book myself I'm always on the look out for new humor titles. When I first saw this one it caught my eye but I put it back on the shelf thinking it was some kind of martial art spoof and no one makes fun of kung fu. What the hell was I thinking? I must have had malaria that day or something.

I finally picked up a copy a few weeks later only to realize that it had nothing to do with martial arts and that Rich Stahnke can bring the funny. The story starts with the drunken monkey himself, Chip, getting fired from his job at Wonderburger for offering a special item, not on the menu, to a customer with huge tracks of land. While Chip is walking home a UFO crash lands in front him. Chip finds a dying alien, named Lla-Mont, who is trying to warn him about the Warlords and about the power of his ring. Chip takes Lla-Mont's ring (sound familiar?) as he lays there saying "something about the power company." Chip's best friend, a talking toad named Al, accompanies him on his misadventures. Al, a scientist caught in a radioactive blast that put his brain into the body of a toad he was trying to save, is the brains behind the duo. After a rude awakening stolen from a scene in Happy Gilmore (some say stolen, I say homage) they stumble on the villainous Gene Gnome, a garden gnome with a penchant toward world domination, and his Homo-Animals, (yes, Homo-Animals) "the best of both man and beast" reeking havoc in downtown Bigg City.

During the m'lée the ring turns into a gauntlet giving Chip super-simian powers. And just when you think the day is saved, Peep-Peep, warlord of the Woo-Woo, shows up with what my dad would've called a mean on hungry. The art is nothing spectacular but fits well with the genre. It's Rich Stahnke's writing that really stands out. Furious Fist of the Drunken Monkey is originality blended with predictable tripe, the essential combination of any good spoof. Included in the book is some filler material consisting of three, equally funny, single-page stories and a background on the creation of the character. This book has it all from spoofs of Green Lantern, The Hulk, and The X-Men to obscure Simpsons references. And with villains like the Gene Gnome, and Peep-Peep, warlord of the Woo-Woo, this one has me eagerly awaiting the next installment.

http://imperiumcomics.homestead.com/purchase.html

http://www.severemagazine.com/model.asp

2006-02-02T16:04:00.000-08:00

THE EPIC EZRA SEARCH
http://www.arcanastudio.com/

So you think you have what it takes to make it as a model, but – what about as a super heroine?
Arcana Studios is in search of a living, breathing Ezra, but who’s Ezra you ask? As the title character of the popular comic book series by the same name, Ezra is a sexy medieval mercenary for hire, and she could be YOU!
The winner of the Epic Ezra Search will receive:
The opportunity to appear as Ezra on the cover of the upcoming comic, “Ezra vs. 10th Muse.” You will be photographed with and appear alongside of 10th Muse Cindy Margolis, the most downloaded model ever. “Ezra vs. 10th Muse” is the crossover event of 2006 and will be distributed in eight different countries.
A featured spread in an upcoming issue of Severe Magazine.

Consideration for the role of Ezra in the film adaptation.

Exposure to various industry agencies and film studios.

So, if you think you have what it takes to be crowned the real life Ezra, fill out the entry form and make sure to submit at least two photos for consideration. Finalists will be chosen and then posted on the Severe Magazine web site. The grand prizewinner will be decided upon by viewer votes.

Submissions must be received by 01/31/2006 to be considered.

http://www.aspcomics.com/mouse_guard_preview.html

2006-01-31T20:25:00.000-08:00

In Mouse Guard, mice struggle to live safely and prosper among all of the world's harsh conditions and predators. Thus the Mouse Guard was formed. They are not simply soldiers that fight off intruders; rather, they are guides for commonmice looking to journey without confrontation from one hidden mouse village to another. The Guard patrol borders, find safeways and paths through dangerous territories and treacherous terrain, watch weather patterns, and keep the mouse territories free of predatory infestation. They do so with fearless dedication so that they might not just exist, but truly live. In this first issue of Mouse Guard, Saxon, Kenzie, & Lieam are dispatched to find a missing merchant mouse that never arrived at his destination. In doing so they stumble onto much more than they had bargained for.

http://www.aspcomics.com/index.html

http://ouchclub.com/decks.html

2006-01-31T05:58:00.000-08:00

Annie Owens, creator of Ouch Club, did some of the creepiest damn snowboarding decks I have ever seen.

A very talented artist, you can see more of her work at http://ouchclub.com

http://www.lastpaladin.com/

2006-01-30T05:38:00.000-08:00

Here's the cover for Digital Webbing Presents #20 - the first appearance of The Last Paladin.Art by Mahmud Asrar - Colors by Matt Webb - Logo by Scott LeMein

The Last Paladin, a supernatural action-adventure seen in the pages of Digital Webbing Presents.What is Digital Webbing Presents you ask? It's probably in all honesty the best kept secret in comics. Take a moment and check it out at http://digitalwebbing.com/comics/

- Excerpts from the website www.lastpaladin.com

http://www.fistofjustice.com/

2006-01-28T11:16:00.000-08:00

http://www.runemasterstudios.com

2006-01-24T19:31:00.000-08:00

A child’s instinctual need for the comfort of a stuffed animal is rooted in a reality long forgotten by the adult world. The hidden truth is that these companions have been defending children since the dawn of time. Follow young Joey on the adventure of a lifetime as he travels through the Stuffed Animal Kingdom, a journey that puts the fate of all the world's children in his hands and brings him face to face with his destiny.

CREATED and WRITTEN by MIKE BULLOCK
ARTWORK by JACK LAWRENCE
LETTERED by DAVE LANPHEAR
EDITED by RON MARZ

How many nights have you lain awake wondering if the monsters you imagine inhabiting your closet or lurking beneath your bed are real? How many hours pass in the night while your sleepless mind creates terrifying images of what lies just beyond your field of vision... out there, in the dark? How many minutes have gone by while you wait in fear, dreading the noise you thought you heard? How many seconds have pounded in your heart, as your imagination runs away to conjure the Beasties?

For those of you who ponder those questions lay down your fear, for the denizens of the Stuffed Animal Kingdom are on patrol, marshalling their forces and guarding your dreams.

http://www.runemasterstudios.com/ltb.php

DARKRAYNE TAKES OVER!

2006-01-24T05:39:00.000-08:00

Echo 3 Worldwide proudly presents the next one-shot with the return of original BloodRayne writer; Steven O'Connell (BloodRayne: Skies Afire). Steven is teamed with hot-new talent Robert Delatorre (Seal Team Seven), inks by Stacie Ponder and colors by Denis Hurel.

In BloodRayne: Dark Soul #1, BloodRayne investigates the disappearance of two Brimstone Society members, leading her to an ancient cemetery. Once inside, BloodRayne finds her hands full as she’s hit from all sides by dark nasties.
And –- because the fans demanded it –- Rayne’s evil alter-ego -- DarkRayne rises from the shadows!

BloodRayne is based on the smash hit video game character! With the past two one-shots instantly selling out and going to second printings, you definately don't want to be caught short with this issue! Ranked #2 of the Top 5 HOT Comics in the latest Wizard Magazine, this issue is sure to become an instant sellout!
BloodRayne: Dark Soul #1 is a full-color comic book, preview images above are in pencils. Color versions will be updated soon! BloodRayne: Dark Soul #1 one-shot can be found in the October Diamond Previews for items shipping in December. Ask your local comic shop to reserve you a copy now!

http://echo3worldwide.com

NOW AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL COMIC SHOP.

http://www.deathjr.com/comic.html

2006-01-23T16:46:00.000-08:00

www.thefourthrail.com

Snap Judgements
Review
by Randy Lander
DEATH JR. #1

Image Comics
Writer: Gary Whitta
Artist/Cover: Ted Naifeh
Editor: Terri Selting

Price: $4.99 US/$6.15 CAN

It's based on a videogame property, but reading Death Jr. #1 certainly wouldn't give you that impression, as this is a quirky, fun book that makes an interesting companion piece to Naifeh's kids/gothic book for Oni Press, Courtney Crumrin. Where Courtney Crumrin is sour and cynical, however, Death Jr. is a bright-eyed optimist, despite having a freakish appearance, a death touch that means certain doom for his pets and a father who's not always around because he's busy doing his job... which is killing people. Death Jr. sounds like a dark premise, something that would work in the morbid gothy style of Johnny the Homicidal Maniac and Lenore, but it's not quite that sardonic, instead being more of a straightforward story of schoolyard social interaction with a slight streak of dark humor and a few allusions to legend and story. It's funny, likable and, thanks to Naifeh's work, gorgeous to look at.
This is not exactly the freshest of territory. The mines of dark humor and freaks have been pretty well tapped by the likes of Tim Burton, Jhonen Vasquez and Roman Dirge, to name but a few. However, Death Jr., while having a feel similar to some of those books, stands out as something fresh as well, thanks in part to a delightfully upbeat tone. Sure, there's a little potential angst in the outcast nature of DJ and his friends, or in the very real danger unleashed in the closing pages of the book, but in general, Death Jr. is a paean to the power of positive thinking. Despite DJ's many potential problems, he's a pretty happy kid, and his interaction with Pandora, a similarly chipper goth girl with a fetish for opening
boxes (get it?), is fun and sweet.

Too often with videogame inspired material, the story gets lost, and you find yourself reading what amounts to an uninspired manual for the game. If Death Jr. the game is anything like the comic, than it's one weird, free-flowing game and it's one I want to play, because nowhere in this book do you get the sense of the characters "pressing A-B-up-down-A to solve the puzzle" or anything of that sort of nonsense. Whitta's structure is more a blend of exposition and gags, as we're introduced to DJ and his cast of characters and get a few very funny, quintessential schoolyard moments, like the science experiment gone horribly wrong, the confrontation with the bullies or the field trip.

Death Jr. has a sparkling sense of humor, occasionally dipping into the obvious (really, the "diet coke" gag is played out at this point) but usually landing in the more humorously comfortable zone of following structure. You may know that the science experiment is gonna blow up, you may know that Pandora is going to open the box she shouldn't, but because of the way it plays out, you still laugh. Relatively subtle concept and background gags abound, like DJ numbering his pets instead of naming him or the various puns in his friends' names, and there's also some terrific, witty dialogue, whether it's Death's working stiff narration, the escalating dare (mixed with trepidation) interaction between DJ and Pandora or the back-and-forth between conjoined twins Smith and Weston.
Another thing that Death Jr. has going for it is Ted Naifeh's artwork, even sharper in color than it is in black and white. His imaginative gothic design sense is very much evident in his design for Death (looking like an extra from a Mignola comic who escaped into this whimsical kids' book) or in the backdrops of the supernatural museum. Most of the book, however, is a strange mix between the simplicity of the "animated" look and the stylistic flourish most commonly seen in Mignola's work but just as evident in the work done by Naifeh in the past. There's a surprisingly bright color palette as well, although it's never too bright, instead working to contrast the more unusual trappings of DJ's world with the normal world he doesn't quite fit into. It's a terrific art performance that serves this strange, funny comic well. 9/10
Email Randy Lander comments about this review.
Check out more reviews at the Fourth Rail Archives
http://www.thefourthrail.com/archives/

2006-01-23T05:38:00.000-08:00

First Post.