According to a poll on Dark Horse’s site, Boba Fett would beat a Predator, or so 66% of voters believe. I find the outcome of this battle to be dubious.
Green Arrow #12 Preview
Below is a preview of this week’s issue of Green Arrow.
The monumental conclusion to BRIGHTEST DAY occurred in the Star City’s forest. With the re-emergence of Swamp Thing, the forest’s role was no longer clouded with mystery. But what does that reveal mean for Oliver Queen, Galahad, Etrigan the Demon, and the others who had been protecting it?
GREEN ARROW #12 hits stores today and is written by J.T. Krul and features art by Diogenes Neves, Vicente Cifuentes and Oclair Albert, a cover by David Aja, and a variant cover by Joe Prado and Rod Reis.
Ultimate Comics X #5 Preview
Art Adams just doesn’t do enough interior art these days and although I’m not a huge fan of Marvel’s Ultimate Universe, I have been picking up this series, mainly for Adam’s art, although Jeph Loeb’s story ain’t too shabby either.
Your First Look At Jeph Loeb and Arthur Adams’ ULTIMATE COMICS X #5!
Marvel is pleased to present your first look at Ultimate Comics X #5, from comics superstars Jeph Loeb and Arthur Adams, featuring the return of Ultimate HULK! A vicious attack on Wolverine’s son from a vengeance-fueled Sabretooth sends our heroes straight to the Hulk for help! Find out as the series that Aint It Cool News calls “pretty damn awesome,” barrages towards its smashing conclusion, setting up enormous changes heading into Ultimate Comics Universe Reborn, only in Ultimate Comics X #5!
ULTIMATE COMICS X #5 (AUG100552)
Written by JEPH LOEB
Pencils & Cover by ARTHUR ADAMS
Rated T+ …$3.99
FOC – 6/6/11 ON-SALE – 6/29/11
Image Opens The Vault
Press release, and pretty cool cover, below about a new mini-series from Image Comics by the creative team of Caliber from Radical Publishing.
UNLOCK THE VAULT
Image Comics Reunites Sarkar and Gastonny In New Series
Image Comics is pleased to announce that writer Sam Sarkar and artist Garrie Gastonny (Warren Ellis’ Supergod), the team behind Caliber: First Canon of Justice, have reunited to unlock the horror and action within their new miniseries THE VAULT.
THE VAULT is about a small team of treasure hunters, struggling to excavate a dangerous and legendary treasure pit before a massive storm hits Sable Island, the “Graveyard of the North Atlantic.” Equipped with all the latest technology, the scientists believe they are prepared against all of nature’s fury, but nothing can prepare them for what they are about to unleash.
“THE VAULT is kind of a contemporary Pandora’s Box story,” explained creator and writer, Sam Sarkar. “Though it appears on the surface to be a pretty straightforward story, it has most of its mythology buried deeply. It gets uncovered both literally and figuratively as the pit gets excavated.”
When asked how THE VAULT found its home at Image, Sarkar replied: “Well, I’m incredibly fortunate that most of the lasting gifts of Caliber were the relationships it helped to cement. Chief among them, David Elliott. Dave and I have soldiered through quite a few storms personally and professionally, and when I asked him to edit THE VAULT, he didn’t hesitate. There are few people I trust as much. I asked Dave what he thought the best way to release THE VAULT would be and Image was at the top of his list of publishers to approach. I’ve always been a fan of Image, not just because of their model, but because of the quality of titles they have represented and continue to represent.”
THE VAULT #1 (1 of 3), a 32-page full color comic book, will be on sale in stores July 27th for $3.50 and is available to order in the June 2011 edition of Diamond Previews (Diamond Order Code: JUN110501).
Star Wars Can Be Cute
See? If you really want to impress your girlfriend after she squeals, “They’re so adorable!” you’ll name them all. Maybe.
There’s almost 70 inhabitants of George Lucas’ world there, all courtesy of artist Mikey Turvey.
Ninja Turtles Are Back-With IDW
Good news Turtles fans! Official details from IDW about their new series below, and here’s an insightful interview with co-writer Tom Waltz.
IDW Publishing and Nickelodeon today announced that the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic series, featuring the beloved “Heroes in a Half-shell,” will premiere in August 2011. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will be back in action and ready to fight off evil once again, with an impressive creative team led by TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman!
Starting in August, IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will kick off with a brand new installment of the original series, led by Eastman and co-writer Tom Waltz (Silent Hill: Past Life, Infestation: Outbreak). Phenomenal new-comer Dan Duncan will bring the Turtles to life with dynamic interior art, while Sam Kieth and Walter Simonson provide eye-catching covers for issues one and two, respectively. Eastman will also provide layouts for Duncan‘s art, as well as variant covers.
This first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series will feature new and exciting storylines that maintain the “turtle power” core beloved by millions of fans. Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael reunite to bring their ninja aptitude and teenage attitude in these all-new, action-packed adventures based on the original series. The first story arc will tell the origin story of the Turtles and introduce a new villain, the fearsome mutant alley cat, Old Hob. Featuring a cast of familiar characters, including Master Splinter, April O’Neill, Casey Jones, and true to the spirit of the original comics created by Eastman and Peter Laird, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are bigger and badder than ever, and ready to rock old and new fans alike.
IDW and Nickelodeon have a long-term partnership to offer an all-new installment of the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics and graphic novels. IDW’s new comics are part of a larger initiative to bring Turtles to a new generation of fans, starting with these new storylines from the original series that recapture the magic of the original Turtles comics. Additionally, in fourth quarter 2012, Nickelodeon will premiere a new CG-animated version of the wildly popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise.
Batman and Robin #23 Review
Taking over from Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason are Judd Winnick and Guillem March. Well, Winnick is writing all three issues of The Streets Run Red arc that starts with this ish, with artist Greg Tocchini joining him for the conclusion. Here March is assisted by fellow artist Andrei Bressan. March takes the first 10 pages, with Bressan (who I’ve never heard of before) taking the final 10. I can only assume limited time was the reason why art duties are shared, but thankfully it’s not too jarring. March’s work is always attractive, with his fluid style, and Bressan fits right in.
Winnick has been the main writer in defining Jason Todd’s dark character in the last few years. After the second Robin was resurrected after his murder at the hands of Joker in the classic ’80s story, Death in the Family, he’s been ousted from the Bat family and taken up a new mantle as crim killer Red Hood. After a great flashback (look at the stunning opener below), Batman (Bruce Wayne) visits Jason at Arkham Asylum, who (in a rare appearance showing his natural red hair) tells Bats that he wants out of Arkham, or as he puts it, “I will not be housed in your kennel for freaks.”
Jason’s character is darkened even more here. He’s Punisher with a sly confidence. There’s a great scene in a shower (not like that) in which Jason torments the aptly named Martin “The Beaver” Littleman, and later in the yard makes a few vengeful crims look rather foolish. Soon, the bodies start piling up, Batman asks questions and the issue ends with Jason’s daring rescue en route, by four animal looking gunmen.
The dialogue here is the real star. With Jason and Bruce riffing on their recent resurrections, and the differing views they have on each other, plus Dick and Damian (the current Robin) also showing up, there’s a lot of frank discussion about Jason’s murdering and psychotic tendencies, and it really reveals how great the supporting cast is.
For long time readers of Batman and co. only, but a must grab if that’s you.
Green Lantern Narration Trailer
Green Lantern opens next month. Awesome. Here’s the latest trailer for the DC Comics starring movie. This one is narrated by Geoffrey Rush (Pirates of the Caribbean) in his role as Tomar-Re. It seems a tad odd to hear his Aussie accent and I don’t know if this handy exposition will appear in the film, or if it’s just for the benefit of GL newbies watching the trailer. Seeing as Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds) is new to the GL mythos in the film too, I’d imagine at least some of the narration will appear in the finished film though.
Extra Sequential Podcast #41-BlueSpear Interview
54 mins. Our interview with two lovely gents from English publisher Com.x. Also wrestling, the fake apocalypse and yes, Arnie’s love child.
LISTEN TO IT BELOW, DOWNLOAD IT HERE OR ON ITUNES
NEWS 1: 21
Tintin on the big screen
Supanova Pop Culture Convention in Perth and Sydney in June. Get your tix now.
Batman villain Bane as played by Tom Hardy in The Dark Knight Rises is revealed. Well, some of him anyway.
EDDIE DEIGHTON AND ANDI EWINGTON INTERVIEW 9: 35
Our first ever interview via the wonders of Skype. English creators Eddie Deighton (co-publisher of Com.x and co-writer of BlueSpear) and Andi Ewington (co-writer of BlueSpear and writer of 45-whcih we talked about here) talk to us about the 45 spinoff one-shot BlueSpear, which comes out in July.
The chaps talk about the business behind publishing Original Graphic Novels rather than monthly issues, what they look for in a story pitch, how they find new talent, advice for new writers and publishers, and a lot of laughs.
Also mentioned are subjects as diverse as our lack of sporting knowledge, amusing convention tales, the classic Marvels, I Kill Giants, Kingdom Come, and creator Bryan Talbot.
Captain America Corps #1
Text-free preview below of June’s new mini-series, starring a cavalcade of Caps. Well, a few anyway.
Your First Look At CAPTAIN AMERICA CORPS #1
Marvel is pleased to present your first look at Captain America Corps #1 (of 5), from legendary writer Roger Stern and artist Philippe Briones. When bedlam breaks loose in a dystopic America, the Watcher calls together the nation’s greatest team to save our nation and the world! Steve Rogers, Bucky Barnes, U.S.Agent, American Dream, and Commander A must band together to cut the American public loose from the malicious control of Americommand. But can the Sentinel of Libertys, led by Steve and Bucky, work with one another before it’s too late? Find out this June when Captain America Corps #1 (of 5) hits comic shops everywhere.
CAPTAIN AMERICA CORPS #1 (of 5) (APR110583)
Written by ROGER STERN
Penciled by PHILIPPE BRIONES
Cover by PHIL JIMENEZ
Rated T+ …$2.99
FOC – 5/23/11, ON SALE – 6/15/11
Mark Schulz: Various Drawings Volume 5
The name of the book says it all, but Flesk Publications have just announced their latest art book collecting the great work of artist Mark Schulz. Details below. It’s out in June as does their Al Williamson (Flash Gordon) art book.
Announcing Mark Schultz: Various Drawings Volume Five From Flesk Publications!
Flesk Publications is pleased to announce the fifth volume of Mark Schultz: Various Drawings. This art book features a compendium of illustrations charting the artistic process from conception to final creation. Various Drawings Volume Five will appear in stores in mid-June. See our pre-order special through the Flesk Publications online store at the end of this newsletter.
This new collection showcases a generous selection of private art and commissions, along with a smattering of previously published pieces, all created by Mark Schultz over the past two years. A wealth of sketches, preliminaries, studies and finished art, this new installment will appeal to longtime fans of Mark’s work, as well as those discerning souls who seek only the best examples of modern imaginative illustration to add to their personal collections.
Despite being an acknowledged modern master of pencil and brush and ink, Schultz has never stopped expanding his visual vocabulary, never shied away from experimenting, never slowed in his relentless pursuit of graphic Nirvana. Nor has he forgotten his first loves and obsessions: pulp and noir-fueled dames, otherworldly SF and fantasy pinups, slavering dinosaurs and fearsome women, gleaming spaceships and alluring cosmic femmes.
Over fifty illustrations are featured in this volume—the majority not publicly shown until now. The book is 48 pages with gatefold at 8.5 x 11”. $19.95 softcover, ISBN: 978-1-933865-35-5 and $34.95 hardcover limited signed edition, ISBN: 978-1-933865-36-2 will be available. Pre-order the hardbound edition through the Flesk store for $29.95 through June 1. All pre-orders through Flesk ship by June 1. The hardbound edition is limited to 800 copies. Exclusive to this edition is a bound in plate reproducing an unpublished illustration. Each copy is numbered and signed.
Mark Schultz is an American cartoonist, illustrator and writer. His lifelong interest in the sciences and natural history informs his fictional work, highlighted by the award-winning Xenozoic Tales series and the undersea adventure SubHuman, as well as such non-fiction projects as The Stuff of Life, a Graphic Guide to Genetics and DNA. He is the current writer for the comic strip Prince Valiant.
Stuart Immonen’s Centifolia
Love that name, and the cover too. Artist Stuart Immonen has done a bunch of comics over the years, including the awesome Nextwave (find out why it’s awesome right here) and now, thanks to the fine folks at AdHouse Books we can peek at his sketchbook. AdHouse have also published a similarly drool inducing approach with their James Jean sketchbooks. Below is a preview of Centifolia Volume II, which recently launched at the Toronto Comics Art Festival. Both volumes will be available for purchase this month.
Centifolia V2 marks Stuart Immonen’s return to his eclectic collection of work! Continuing where V1 left off, we find even more sketches, concept designs, illustrations and comics. Best known for his mainstream superhero work, Stuart is a multi-faceted creator and this publication proves it. Again, 32 of the 128 pages are full color, and Stuart’s attention to detail shows through in the publication’s design.
But wait! There’s more! AdHouse Books will also be bringing Centifolia V1 back in print! To help celebrate these two beautiful publications, there will even be a limited (100) slipcase edition created that includes a special S&N print and custom slipcase design.
Keaton’s Batman, Spielberg’s Tintin and Fillion’s Lantern
Actor Michael Keaton (Beetlejuice, The Other Guys) played Batman in the revolutionary 1989 film and its sequel, both with director Tim Burton. Now, in a much linked to I’m sure, chat with Hero Complex, he’s opened up about the current Batman films (he saw most of The Dark Knight) and his past in the costume. It’s an interesting chat, with Keaton opening up about the loneliness in England during filming, using Bruce Wayne as the key to the role, dropping his voice as Batman and a deleted scene that had him going from Bruce to Bats. It makes good sense actually.
There was a thing that never got in that was really interesting. I went to Tim and said that we should see if we could do a scene that showed the transition and Tim was really great about these things so we tried. I wanted to see and to show that transition when he goes from Bruce Wayne to Batman, the time when he’s about to don the suit and go out and wreak some havoc. That’s not a casual thing, obviously, it’s not putting on a jacket to go out for the evening. So what is that transition like? So there was a thing we did early on that showed him going into a sort of trance and it justified this shift in him. So we did that scene and it never made it into the film but I think helped me in a way. It was part of the way he became this other thing and even if you didn’t see it, it was part of the character and the way we created him. Tim was always open to that. Jack and Kim come to him, too, chipping in with ideas and it was a really creative environment.
The CGI Tintin, based on Belgian creator Herge’s classic series, has 2 posters and a trailer, all of which are effectively secretive and moody. Coming at us in December from Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson, this looks pretty cool really.
Finally, here’s a new clip from the animated Green Lantern: Emerald Knights film, starring Nathan Fillion (Castle, Firefly) as he tells Arisia about the first Green Lantern. The film is released on June 7. Below the clip are 3 images from the film and a new poster for the live action film showing off Abin Sur.
Ultimate Comics Covers
Kaare Andrews seems to have changed his already awesome style, to something even more awesome for the Ultimate Comics relaunch.
Marvel Unveils New ULTIMATE COMICS UNIVERSE REBORN Covers
Acclaimed Artist Kaare Andrews Announced As Ultimate Comics Cover Artist
Prepare for Ultimate Comics Universe Reborn, signaling the biggest changes to ever hit the Ultimate Comics Universe! With all new titles and all new creative teams, fans new and old can’t miss out on this great entry point into the Ultimate Comics Universe. This August, following the traumatic events of Death of Spider-Man, Ultimate Comics Universe Reborn kicks off in August with Ultimate Comics Ultimates #1 & Ultimate Comics Hawkeye #1, and Ultimate Comics X-Men #1 & Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #1 in September – each featuring covers by superstar artist Kaare Andrews!
“Kaare is doing the best work of his career with these covers,” said Marvel Senior Editor Mark Paniccia. “With Ultimate Comics Universe Reborn, all of the titles will be tighter than ever, so when it came time to think up ideas and concepts for the covers – we wanted a sense of unity to tie the books together. At the same time we wanted striking covers that jump out at you on the stands. Kaare’s bold design sense made him a natural choice.”
A new era begins as our heroes struggle to find their place within the Ultimate Comics Universe so be the first to your comic shops this August to see what all the buzz is about in Ultimate Comics Ultimates #1 and Ultimate Comics Hawkeye #1.
ULTIMATE COMICS HAWKEYE #1 (of 4)
Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN
Art by RAFA SANDOVAL
Cover by KAARE ANDREWS
Variant Cover by ADAM KUBERT
Variant Cover by NEAL ADAMS
Rated T+ …$3.99
ON SALE THIS AUGUST!
ULTIMATE COMICS ULTIMATES #1
Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN
Art by ESAD RIBIC
Cover by KAARE ANDREWS
Variant Cover by ESAD RIBIC
Rated T+ …$3.99
ON SALE THIS AUGUST!
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