Top Cow’s March Freebies

Official press release below regarding Top Cow’s unique initiative to give out free comics to participating comic shops in the U.S and Canada. See if yours is on the list!

wb125_cov_cTop Cow Productions, Inc. revealed today the names of the participating retailers in their “Let Us Win YOU Over” initiative for March and the program would continue with another highly anticipated anniversary issue – Witchblade #125.
The “Let Us Win YOU Over” initiative is a yearlong campaign by Top Cow Productions to give out free copies of its regular comics to potential fans in the U.S. and Canada through participating comic book stores. Each month, a different set of stores, each month a different free comic. The stores vary by geography and demographics. Top Cow has partnered with ComicsPRO to bring this promotion to fans and all of February’s retailers are members of ComicsPRO.
Witchblade #125 is an over-sized 40-page comic, which launches the six part “War of the Witchblades” storyline. Since the events of First Born, Detective Sara Pezzini and dancer Danielle Baptiste have shared the mystical gauntlet, the Witchblade; but recently cracks have appeared in their relationship. The story is written by regular writer Ron Marz and ongoing artist Stjepan Sejic. The issue will be in comic shops on Wednesday, March 18th, 2009 and normally retails for $3.99.
“Let Us Win YOU Over is off to a great start,” said Filip Sablik, Publisher of Top Cow. “The reaction from retailers and fans at the copies of The Darkness #75 given away was very gratifying and we’re equally excited to give potential fans a taste of our flagship title, Witchblade.”

“”With a Witchblade movie in the works, and writer Ron Marz working on a long-term plan for the character, issue #125 is a great place to jump on to the series,” said Matt Price, co-owner of Speeding Bullet Comics in Norman, OK. “And getting that first taste for free is even better!  I applaud Top Cow for making this effort to draw in new readers to direct-market stores.”

“”Top Cow is to be commended for ‘putting their money where their mouth is’ with this promotion — there’s no better tool to create new readers than a free sample. I’m certain this will widely increase the number of eyes looking at Top Cow comics this year”,” added Brian Hibbs, owner of Comix Experience in San Francisco, CA.

A list of the participating retailers during the month of March (listed alphabetically by state) is included below. Additional information can be found at the official online home of the “Let Us Win YOU Over” initiative – www.topcow.com/freecomics. Customers who currently purchase The Darkness at the stores below will be able to purchase an extremely limited “All Beef” Edition (limited to just the stores listed below) at the regular cover price. Fans are encouraged to contact the specific retailer they wish to visit for specific details, below.

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March 3, 2009
Categories: Comics, New To Comics?, News . Tags: , , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Green Lantern: First Flight DVD

Woo hoo! Now this is exciting news. First announced as a sneak peek feature on this week’s Wonder Woman DVD movie, it’s now officially just around the corner – Green Lantern is getting his own film. Warner Bros. and DC have pumped out great animated films in the last few years, with Superman, Justice League, Wonder Woman and now the ring slinger himself – Hal Jordan, all stars of their own quality films. Effectively serving as an origin story, Green Lantern: First Flight lands in July. Official press release below.

WORLD RENOWNED DC SUPER HERO EMBARKS
ON HIS INITIAL MISSION IN
GREEN LANTERN: FIRST FLIGHT
FROM WARNER HOME VIDEO ON JULY 28, 2009!

Emmy Nominees Christopher Meloni & Victor Garber Top Stellar Voice Cast for
Fifth DC Universe Animated Original Movie.

Green Lantern: First FlightThe fabric of intergalactic justice is threatened – until Hal Jordan arrives for his initial mission – in the animated Green Lantern: First Flight, the fifth entry in the popular DVD series of DC Universe Animated Original PG-13 Movies. A co-production of Warner Premiere, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation, the illuminated hero’s first-ever full-length animated film is set for release by Warner Home Video on July 28, 2009. Green Lantern: First Flight will be available as a special edition 2-disc version on DVD and Blu-RayTM Hi-Def .

Acclaimed actor Christopher Meloni (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit) fills the lead voice of Hal Jordan aka Green Lantern. Meloni is joined by fellow Emmy Award nominee Victor Garber (Milk, Titanic) as the villainous Sinestro, Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica) as the voice of Boodikka, and Michael Madsen (Reservoir Dogs) as Kilowog.

Produced by animation legend Bruce Timm, Green Lantern: First Flight is helmed by heralded director Lauren Montgomery (Wonder Woman, Superman Doomsday) and scripted by four-time Emmy Award-winning writer Alan Burnett (The Batman).

Green Lantern: First Flight finds Hal Jordan recruited to join the Green Lantern Corps and placed under the supervision of respected senior Lantern Sinestro. The earthling soon discovers his mentor is actually the central figure in a secret conspiracy that threatens the philosophies, traditions and hierarchy of the entire Green Lantern Corps. Hal must quickly hone his newfound powers and combat the treasonous Lanterns within the ranks to maintain order in the universe.

Green Lantern: First Flight – 2 Disc Special Edition versions will include incredible bonus features such as:

• Over three hours of extra content

• Two Featurettes

• Digital Copy Download

• Widescreen (1.78:1)

• Two Episodes of Justice League hand-picked by animation legend Brice Timm

Green Lantern: First Flight Blu-Ray versions will include all the great extras as the 2-disc
Special Edition as well as an additional two episodes of Justice League picked by Bruce Timm.

“Warner Premiere along with our partners at DC and Warner Home Video has enjoyed great success with the DC Universe titles, and we’re proud to present this first feature-length animated Green Lantern film,” said Diane Nelson, President, Warner Premiere. “‘First Flight’ is a compelling story and a great vehicle to tell this iconic character’s story to both new and longtime fans.”

“In all of his incarnations, Green Lantern has stood as a fan favorite, and Warner Home Video is excited to provide fans with the character’s first full-length animated adventure,” said Amit Desai, WHV Vice President of Family, Animation & Sports Marketing. “Green Lantern was the perfect hero to follow movies featuring Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the entire Justice League.”

“Warner Bros. Animation is known for creating outstanding animated properties and has a legacy built upon some of the greatest characters ever imagined,” said Warner Bros. Television President Peter Roth, who also oversees television animation for the Studio. “Producer Bruce Timm and his creative team continue that rich tradition with this terrific DVD feature.”

“As one of the true core DC Super Heroes, Green Lantern has captured the imagination of pop culture enthusiasts with his illuminatingly human approach to justice throughout the universe,” said Gregory Noveck, Senior VP ¬ Creative Affairs, DC Comics. “Alan Burnett’s script captures the essence of DC’s canon of Green Lantern tales, and provides a fine launching point for future stories with this character.”

Apart from this animated release, Warner Bros. Pictures is currently in pre-production on a new “Green Lantern” theatrical motion picture, to be directed by Martin Campbell, bringing the popular DC Comics super hero to the big screen for the first time.

March 3, 2009
Categories: New To Comics?, News . Tags: , , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

The Rocketeer Returns

Official press release below regarding a great collection of The Rocketeer’s adventures, from the late, great writer/artist Dave Stevens. If you like the film, you can see where it came from.

The RocketeerIDW Publishing is proud to announce the upcoming release of The Complete Rocketeer by Dave Stevens, collecting the classic series in its entirety for the first time ever.

After more than a decade out of print, The Rocketeer makes a triumphant return to stores this October with a comprehensive hardcover edition featuring artwork digitally re-mastered from Stevens’ own lovingly maintained collection of originals, and all-new coloring by Laura Martin, the Eisner-Award-winning colorist handpicked by Stevens himself.

The Rocketeer, a rollicking tribute to pulp novels and Saturday morning matinee serials, follows the high-flying adventures of stunt pilot Cliff Secord and his girlfriend Betty, after Cliff finds a mysterious jet pack and takes to the sky. The graphic novel went on to become a much-loved major motion picture directed by Joe Johnston.

In addition to the mass-market hardcover, a very special deluxe edition is planned. Presented in a larger format, the deluxe edition will be filled with behind-the-scenes material, a treasure of additional pages featuring previously unpublished Rocketeer designs, preliminaries, and sketches by Dave Stevens, many taken from his personal sketchbooks.

“It is an honor to work on The Rocketeer,” said IDW Special Projects editor Scott Dunbier, “I’ve been a fan of Dave Stevens and The Rocketeer since I first read it in the early 80s. It was a dream of Dave’s to see his creation return to the shelves in a complete collection. We are dedicated to making this the definitive edition, a book Dave would have been proud of.” This October The Rocketeer will fly once more.

March 2, 2009
Categories: New To Comics?, News . Tags: , , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Shrapnel: Aristeia Rising #3 Review

shrapnel3aI missed issue 2 of this series, but thankfully there’s a recap page. I wasn’t too impressed with the debut ish, but could see past its flaws (namely of the artistic variety) to see the epic being built. I’m glad I gave this title a second shot. In a nutshell the premise of this sci-fi tale is this – Samantha Vijaya is an ex-soldier hiding from her past, as a miner in Venus, when the Earth Alliance attacks. When I left Sam she had a tough call to make. Would she face her mistakes and become a leader once more, or would she retreat into the shadows again?

From the first few pages it becomes obvious what Sam has chosen, but that doesn’t mean things go easy for her. With her fame rippling across the planet she becomes and increasingly useful ally for the Venusian troops. With the opening showing the remnants of the initial battle, ie, shipping containers filled with corpses, Sam is called into the military command and given charge of her own squadron to help fight off the invaders so the colonists can escape. The problem is Sam doesn’t want a bar of it.

She talks to her holographic counsellor, which is in the form of her deceased sister as she grapples with her identity and her fear the she may truly hate who she is. As her sis tells her, “You have the ability to change who you are every day. All it takes is a desire to do so.” Walking back to her superiors with renewed confidence she presents a plan that offers a huge gamble, with surrender the only alternative if they fail.

Sam meets one of the men responsible for her disappearance from the Marines and they have a surprisingly frank discussion, but both parties remain stubborn. War it is then. Not before a desperate 600 mile journey for Sam and her crew though. They practice their mech shooting on the arduous journey and Sam reveals the haunting error of her past.

This a great read. Far more engrossing than the debut with much more refined scripting. Each page, each scene serves the purpose of moving the story forward and writer M. Zachary Sherman deserves credit for bringing a greater focus. There’s no sense of rambling with characters that have no meaning. This is Sam’s book. She drives the story and her humanity has an effect on those around her, even her enemies. With the grand diatribes on politics and technology wisely left behind, this is a more accessible entry into this title, as the nitty gritty of war breaks the surface. Sherman is a skilled writer. Creating empathy for comic book characters is never easy, especially new ones, but he does that here, without going overboard. Every character, even the face of the enemy is painted with multiple dimensions. There are no cardboard cut outs, and when Sam unloads emotionally on her sister, and describes her past to a fellow soldier, it all seems real. That last scene in particular reminded me of Quint’s fantastic recounting of the shark attack he witnessed in WWII, in Jaws, in that it’s a lengthy, but well told story of loss amidst brutality.

Artist Bagus Hutomo isn’t my fave Radical artist, and I’d be curious to see another of their talented roster approach Shrapnel. Hutomo’s work is a little sketchy for me, and looks too much like concept art rather than the finished product. However, with fewer characters face recognition is no longer a problem, and unlike most sci-fi epics, the emphasis here isn’t on shiny tech. The focus is on the characters, their raw emotions and the unity that battle brings. For that, Hutomo’s earthy tones and broad strokes work, for now.

With two issues left of this particular series, before more mini-series begin, this could very well become the epic it promised to be.

March 2, 2009
Categories: Comics, Reviews . Tags: , , , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Lost Boys: The Tribe Review

lostboys2dvdThe 1987 film, Lost Boys is a classic piece of genre cinema. It starred the hot actors of the day, like Kiefer Sutherland, Jason Patric and the two Coreys (Feldman and Haim). The vampire flick was filled with action, humour and class and put director Joel Schumacher on the map, before Batman and Robin took him off it.

A sequel has been in development since the first one wrapped and now it’s here. However, it wasn’t worth the wait.

Chris and Nicole are siblings who move to Luna Bay after the deaths of their parents. Shane Powers is an ex-pro surfer, like Chris and he invites him and his sis to a party. Nicole falls for Shane. Chris tries to protect her, and soon learns that Shane and his pals are vamps. He enlists the aid of vamp hunter Edgar Frog (Corey Feldman reprising his role from the first film) and a battle ensues. That’s basically it. It’s a simple story, but so was the first one, yet that one worked, whereas this film does not. That’s essentially because The Tribe lacks any subtlety. It tries to tie in with its predecessor, with a reference to The Goonies (another classic 80s film starring Feldman), has some mild humour, and also has original actors Corey Haim and Jamison Newlander in two different post-credits scenes. It also has a cameo by special effects guru Tom Savini (who played a vamp in From Dusk Till Dawn, and himself in the Simpsons) as well as a new version of the memorable Cry Little Sister song from the original.

However when the cast’s main stars are Kiefer Sutherland’s half-brother and the guy who played Stifler’s brother in an American Pie film, warning bells go off. Now that doesn’t necessarily mean they make the film bad. Unknown actors can do wonders in any film, but they don’t here. The charisma is lacking from the first film and it just feels like a straight to DVD feature, which it is. The special effects are OK, but the story lacks any charm and just makes the original appear in greater regard. It seems to attempt a modern update by throwing in unnecessary gore (including decapitation and intestine spillage) and nudity and sex scenes. It doesn’t help the cause at all.

Feldman is a treat though and doesn’t look like he’s aged twenty years. Avoid unless you’re an 80s junkie, otherwise, like so many sequels these days it may just ruin the magic of the first film for you.

March 1, 2009
Categories: Movies, Reviews . Tags: , , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: 1 Comment

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