Witchblade #144

Congrats to Top Cow! Witchblade is one of those series that sometimes gets a bad rap, but of the few issues I’ve read, it’s been consistently entertaining.

WITCHBLADE #144 STANDS ALONE
Anniversary Issue Includes Free Digital Download

Image Comics and Top Cow Productions are celebrating the 15th anniversary of WITCHBLADE with an oversized stand-alone issue by WITCHBLADE team Ron Marz and Stjepan Sejic. To celebrate this landmark and usher the series into a new age of comics, Top Cow and Wowio have teamed up to offer a free digital copy of the 144th issue with each print copy. Participating retailers will receive cards with download codes to distribute with each copy sold which can then be downloaded at Wowio.com.

“The number of comic characters and properties outside of Marvel and DC that have been published uninterrupted for fifteen years is a very exclusive club,” Top Cow Publisher Filip Sablik commented. “We’re incredibly proud of the legacy of WITCHBLADE as an independently published, strong female-driven series and couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate!”
This oversized issue contains a retelling of Sara Pezzini’s origin story for the first time in the series’ history since the iconic heroine was created more than fifteen years ago. WITCHBLADE #144 will also feature two spellbinding covers, including a wraparound retrospective by regular series artist Sejic and an iconic painting by fantasy illustrator Jean-Sebastien Rossbach (Magic: The Gathering). It will also include a backup story by writer and Top Cow Publisher Filip Sablik and artist John Tyler Christopher that promises to reveal the origin of Sara’s partner Patrick Gleason.

WITCHBLADE #144 (OCT100521), a 48-page full color comic that includes a free digital download card will be available in a store near you May 18th for $4.99.

May 18, 2011
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics?, News . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Digital Visions #4 Review

This is another comic I’ve been sitting on for far too long, so it’s about time I mention it. Anthology comics are rare these days, although it’s great to see Dark Horse Presents back on the shelves, but indie books like these are are a good way to view some up and coming talents. From Visionary Comics, the fourth issue is out now and is free on Wowio. Yep, free.

The first of the three stories here is from Sam Johnson and Brunio Letizia. Entitled Voodoo Trespass, it follows Cabra Cini, who is a “Voodoo Junkie Hitwoman.”What a combo. Cabra’s latest case involves a dopey young man who killed his girlfriend while the pair were playing vampires. He took neck biting too far and ended up a murderer. Now the victim’s parents want revenge. We soon learn that Cabra swapped her cocaine addiction for voodoo and over the years has become rather adept, using “The Infinity” to teleport, which she does so to hunt down the vamp lover/ killer Tom Spelling.

On the way however, she runs into The Rook, the guardian of this secret dimension, as well as her abusive ex-boyfriend (who claims he’s currently in a coma in our world). With a brief battle and a hasty escape, Cabra meets Tom, and that’s where the story ends.

Johnson has done well to set up all that we need to know about the titular character in the first few pages. With her tough exterior , yet troubled past, and hints at a larger mythology, Cabra’s adventures are off to an intriguing start. Leitizi’a art is simple, but shows promise and the bold colour choices work well, especially when the black magic begins.

Gangland Avalon also mixes magic with action, and although this is the second part of the story, the opening page brings the reader up to speed. In short, a recent gathering of mob families ended badly, with main character “Stab Happy” Pelago earning his name. His narration guides us through the set up, with several characters (all of whom are tough killers), though it appears the action will kick in in the next instalment, with some discussion and a poisoning occuring in a restaurant making up the bulk of the story here. Writer A. David Lewis is perhaps the best known creator in this anthology, and his streamlined work with Michael Angelo Lee generates an interesting tale, with the focus on the gangster elements rather than the use of magic.

Finally, Deity: The Darkness and the Light centres on young blonde Jamie and her recent discovery that she’s a goddess and an alien race known as Ma’Shiva are trying to kill her. Thankfully, she has three protectors, but isn’t taking the threat seriously. There’s a lot of expository narration, from Jamie and her immense trust in herself (which you know can’t end well), the alien Valmek as he approaches his Lord Ogden and also Jamie’s boyfriend Zig. The script, dialogue and art all have a mid-90s approach that doesn’t scream originality and seems unnecessarily wordy. With a greater focus on action and some surprising character developments, creators Karl Altstaetter and Robert Lapton could be on to something.

May 17, 2011
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics?, Reviews . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Last Week’s Winners

Flashpoint #1. This new series from DC Comics is more than just the initial 5 issue mini-series that retains the name. There are 20 tie-in mini-series and one-shots. Phew. DC know that this is an important tale to tell though, and have enlisted writer Geoff Johns and artist Andy Kubert. It’s so important in fact, that on August 31, only a few days after the 4th issue of Flashpoint, the 5th and final Flashpoint ish will be published, and it will be the only DC comic released that week. Wow. I don’t think that’s ever been done before.

This is the kind of superhero comic that makes me happy to be  a reader of superhero comics. However, as is often the case in this genre, it’s also complex and will mean nothing to DC Comics newbies. Geoff Johns has guided the DC Universe for the last few years, specifically in Green Lantern’s books, and occasionally on the just finished Smallville, and his love of Barry Allen, the Silver Age Flash is as evident as his love of Hal Jordan. I grew up reading Wally West, so he’s my scarlet speedster. Barry, to me, is an uninteresting lab technician with an outdated costume, who didn’t need to be resurrected. Really, even though his name may appear in the title, this series relies on more than him, thankfully. Basically, Barry wakes up at his office and discovers he’s now in a new world. His mother is alive, Cyborg is a prominet player, the powers of Captain Marvel have been divvied up between a bunch of kids, and as the last page reveals, Thomas Wayne is a more low-tech Batman, as it was his wife, and son Bruce who were murdered that fateful night in Crime Alley. With a war brewing between two angry royals – Wonder Woman and Aquaman, this is a good issue that reveals all the pieces of this intriguing alternate universe.

It’s great to finally see Andy Kubert on art, after he and his brother Adam came to DC ages ago and haven’t done heaps since. With Sandra Hope on inks, it has a realistic sheen, much like the quality she bought to Rags Morales’ pencils on the classic Identity Crisis. I’m a sucker for these kinds of  “what if” tales and although Marvel has been churning them out lately, DC hasn’t. This is a welcome return to such stories, with some cool new characters and reinventions of old ones.

Hellboy: Being Human. Written by Mike Mignola with moody art by Richard Corben, this one-shot is set in the year 2000 and focuses on mostly silent, but philosophical, Roger the Homunculus. I’ve never read Hellboy regularly, but enjoyed both films. Largely set in a rundown house in Carolina, Hellboy takes Roger out on his first assignment in the field. After believing it to be an easy case, the pair soon encounter some black magic, a freaky family of skeletons sitting at the dinner table and a vengeful woman. After some fisticuffs, involving a powerful fiery hand that causes Hellboy to be immovable, Roger must become the hero and discover his humanity. It’s all written with great subtlety rather than deep musings and the subdued colour palette and Corben’s attractively fluid line work make for an enjoyable done-in-one adventure.

Oh, and the Baltimore tale in the Free Comic Book Day offering, also from Mignola, with Christopher Golden and Ben Steinbeck, is awesome too. It follows Lord Henry Baltimore in WW1 vampire infested Europe. Baltimore: The Plague Ships is out in June and collects last year’s 5 issue mini-series.

Gladstone’s School for World Conquerors from Image Comics. Bad timing means this may be missed by those fed up with the villain as lead character tales, following films Megamind and Despicable Me. This has grander ambitions, and thankfully never resorts to cuteness though. With a well crafted intro revealing the origins of the school, an adored teacher who reads from William Blake, lots of simple (but with nods to classic characters) costume designs and some good dialogue, this series premiere by Mark Andrew Smith and Armand Villavert was a nice surprise, especially the ending which reveals that these kids are actually training for fake battles with heroes. It’s a great twist, as the final few pages show two “enemies” discussing where and how to fight (“You know – my equipment malfunctions or whatever.”) like wrestlers rehearsing for the big show. The students seem to be unaware of this, as they react with puzzlement to a former baddie/ current school groundskeeper who mentions that he didn’t die, but his character was retired.

It has a simple, yet very colourful visual style and even some funny moments, with the mishmash of costumed villainy and typical school cliques, bullies, daydreams and crushes.

May 16, 2011
Categories: Comics, Reviews . Tags: , , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Extra Sequential Podcast #40-Drugs!

72 mins. Our fave hallucinations and drug inspired, and induced, tales of sequential art. Also, attractive people in poor countries and more.

LISTEN TO IT BELOW, DOWNLOAD IT HERE OR ON ITUNES

1: 36 NEWS

A doco for Alejandro Jodorowsky’s aborted Dune film

Rombies #0 free online

Sydney Opera House’s Graphic event in August

Fanboys rejoice in NBC’s decision to drop the Wonder Woman TV pilot

Spider-Man musical retool

Kevin Smith’s Six Million Dollar Man comic

Neil Gaiman gets picked on, and so does Batman

13: 20 WHAT WE’VE BEEN READING

Locke and Key from Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez

Mythbusters and Eurovision

Devil from the mind of M. Night Shyamalan. 5 strangers in a lift start dying.

Daytripper from Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba, about death and the beauty of life

Shaolin Cowboy by Geoff Darrow and its detailed art, a talking mule and a vengeful crab

27: 30 DRUGS!

Fictional drugs, hallucinations and superheroes who owe their existence to drugs, such as Captain America, Luke Cage, Cloak and Dagger and Karen Page.

Batman and Bane and their use of the drug Venom, and Scarecrow’s fear toxin.

Spice from Dune – the do-it all drug.

Drunkeness in Tintin and the surprising violence it brings, including an attempted decapitation of the lead character.

Tony Stark’s love of booze.

Pain pill hallucination in X’ed Out by Charles Burns.

Drugs in Marvel and DC Comics in the ‘70s.

The sordid, yet award winning, tale of Speedy/Arsenal.

Alan Moore’s Swamp Thing’s trippy potatoes, and Superman’s bad birthday dreams.

The Mask Strikes Back by John Arcudi and Doug Mahnke.

Preacher, and writer Grant Morrison.

May 14, 2011
Categories: Comics, New To Comics?, News, Podcast, Reviews . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

I Am Captain America Variants

A dozen Cap-centred variant covers for a few June releasing comics below. I like the idea of the patriotic hero represented through ordinary folk. See the full list of the actual issues for these variant covers under all the perty pics.

Marvel Unveils I AM CAPTAIN AMERICA Variants

This June and July, celebrate the release of Marvel Studios’ anticipated summer blockbuster Captain America: The First Avenger with the I Am Captain America series of variant covers! Featuring all-new artwork from a superstar cast of comics’ greatest creators – including Marvel’s own Chief Creative Officer, Joe Quesada, Marko Djurdjevic, Alex Maleev, Skottie Young, and Ed McGuiness! These I Am Captain America variant covers honor real world American heroes of every creed and calling that would be sure to make Steve Rogers himself proud.

Marvel urges retailers to check their orders on these hotly anticipated variant covers as Captain America continues to generate major mainstream interest in the months to come. No fan will want to miss the chance to see the First Avenger in a whole new light when Marvel shouts “I Am Captain America” this June!

Continue reading →

May 13, 2011
Categories: Comic Art . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Thor Sale

If you’re curious about this Thor fella, Marvel’s here to help with a 30% off sale on an annual subscription to their digital comics service, until the end of the month. Sign up right here.

May 12, 2011
Categories: Comics, New To Comics? . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

How Smallville Should End

First up, I should admit that I’m not a regular Smallville watcher. I wasn’t interested until it left the high school villain of the week plots for the grander, DC guest star scenarios of the more recent seasons. I’ve only watched 2 complete series, and here in Australia the show hasn’t screened for years. In fact, the 9th season has only just been released on DVD, and season 8 is back on the air, at a rather unflattering and often changing timeslot. However, since the show’s final, 10th season is only days away from ending (on Friday, in the U.S at least)  it’s been getting a lot of deserved attention, including how it won’t end. I was daydreaming at work, so I typed this up quickly. It’s only 2 scenes, with hints at the growing DC Universe with Batman, a guest star that was never realised in the show, although it was originally a young-Bruce Wayne-grows-up premise before the studio big wigs settled on Clark Kent. Chloe, portrayed by Allison Mack was always a proto-Barbara Gordon/Oracle too.

The last line will be important in this show, and we know Tom Welling will whack on the Superman suit. We also know actor Michael Rosenbaum’s back as Lex Luthor after years away, so a memorable throwdown between the two has to be inevitable.

So, here’s my brief and largely unedited, script, with the dialogue appearing mid-scene. Yes, I know the formatting may be off, and I’m happier with my first scene rather than the not-quite-there last, but I just thought I’d share it anyway. After all, how often does a decade running show on Superman end?

METROPOLIS STREET – DAY

ORACLE (laughs)

You misunderstand me, Miss Sullivan. We don’t need your help. I’m offering you a job.

CHLOE

A job? Thank you, Barbara, but I’d rather not be a mindless cog in WayneTech’s corporate machine, especially if it means moving to the hellhole of Gotham. No offense.

ORACLE

None taken, but you wouldn’t have to move. Gotham has a set of eyes and ears already – me. What we need is another pair of both, here in Metropolis.

CHLOE

Okay, I appreciate the cloak and dagger, but if you don’t start bringing some clarity to this conversation, I’m going to be on my formerly merry way.

ORACLE

Here’s the deal. I know all about your…nocturnal activities.

CHLOE

(interrupts) I…

ORACLE

Please. Hold the witty comments. Myself and my…boss need a woman of your skills. You know, almost as well as we do, that our world is on the brink of something terrifying and glorious. Your Wall of Weird was cute and all, and the Watchtower was a step in the right direction, but I’m here to tell you – you haven’t seen anything yet.

CHLOE

And you want to show me this big, bad world. Is that right?

ORACLE

Absolutely.

(hands her a business card)

Don’t let your curiosity fade into ignorance and regret. Here’s where you can reach me – 24/7 and on the other side – that would be your starting salary. I look forward to working with you Chloe.

METROPOLIS STREET – DAWN

Lex in his classic purple and green power suit is facing Superman in his classic costume. Both men are hovering above the city’s skyscrapers, facing each other. Lex is defiant and filled with hate. Superman is heroic, preparing himself for what he sense will be the first of many violent encounters with his nemesis.

LEX

This is my city. Mine. No alien will dictate terms to the human race. You’re either my subordinate, as you should be, or you get out of my way.

SUPERMAN

That’s ridiculous. I’m not your competition Luthor. I’m just here to help.

LEX

The human race has proved time and again that it can help itself. We have achieved wonders. Miracles. We have perfected ourselves by sheer genius and determination and yes, I have plenty of both.

SUPERMAN

True, and the misguided pride to use them in all the wrong ways.

LEX

I didn’t land here with a pristine costume and the powers of a god! I turned myself into this! You can’t take fate from my hands alien. This city, this world is mine… and I’m not sharing.

SUPERMAN

In another life, we could’ve been friends. Don’t force my hand.

LEX

(laughs)

You don’t belong here. It’s as simple as that.

SUPERMAN

You know what’s simple Luthor? There is a right and a wrong in the universe, and the distinction between the two is not that difficult to make.

LUTHOR

The bumper sticker ideology of a fool.

SUPERMAN

I know who I am Luthor, and I know that my fight against evil is just beginning. It’s a never ending battle.

Lex screams. The two men leap at each other. The action freezes just before they collide. John Williams’ Superman: The Movie theme rises.

End

 Well, you get the idea.

In related Smallville news, there’s this from Warner Bros.

Prepare for the SMALLVILLE Series Finale!

Relive each heroic moment by downloading the series now on iTunes.

To celebrate Warner Bros, Digital Distribution is giving fans the chance to get FREE Downloads of all 10 season premieres in HD and discounts on seasons 1-9, now for a limited time on iTunes.

May 11, 2011
Categories: Comics . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Shadowline’s New Website

The headline says it all really.

SHADOWLINE LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE
ShadowlineOnline and Tales of Mr. Rhee Debut Today

Shadowline, LLC, Jim Valentino’s partner studio at Image Comics, home of such hits as MORNING GLORIES, GREEN WAKE, THE INFINITE VACATION, BOMB QUEEN and many more, has announced their new website at www.ShadowlineOnline.com will go live today.

“We felt the website needed a complete overhaul,” said Shadowline President/Publisher, Jim Valentino. “We wanted a site that was easy to navigate, one where it would be easy to purchase our books, with all the latest news and other fun stuff. Our new site, designed by D.C. McQueen, has given us all that and more! We’re very excited to show it to the world!”

The launch will also debut Dirk Manning’s latest web-comic, TALES OF MR. RHEE, which will upload a new page every Tuesday and Thursday. 

Valentino continued, “Dirk gave us NIGHTMARE WORLD (now collected in two print volumes with a third set for an October release) and this is his latest venture. This brand new horror series is an excellent addition to our web-comics feature on the site.”

May 11, 2011
Categories: New To Comics?, News . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Dark Horse FCBD 2011 Comics

Dark Horse are giving away digital copies of their Free Comic Book day offerings from the weekend. Yay!

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY COMICS AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD FOR LIMITED TIME!

 If you missed out on picking up your Free Comic Book Day comics at your local comic-book store, you can get them from Dark Horse Digital for a limited time!

Downloads will be available starting Wednesday, May 11, and run through the end of the month!

Just hop on any computer or Mac iOS device (iPod, iPad, iPhone), go to Digital.DarkHorse.com, or the iTunes app store and download the free Dark Horse Comics bookshelf app!

Both Criminal Macabre/Baltimore and Avatar: The Last Airbender/Star Wars: The Clone Wars will be available for free download!

Make sure you check out these awesome titles from Dark Horse and support Free Comic Book Day! Ten years in the running!

May 10, 2011
Categories: Comics, New To Comics?, News . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Nate Powell’s Any Empire

Swallow Me Whole is one of the best OGNs I’ve ever read and a testament to the emotional power that comics can contain, just like any other medium. Now, its creator Nate Powell is back with his new book. It’s also black and white and it’s also from the same publisher – Top Shelf. Official details below and a preview here.

Nate Powell, hailed by the London Times as “a writer-artist of genius,” is back.

His new book, Any Empire, is a vivid examination of war and violence, and their trickle-down effects on middle America. First, a group of small-town kids find themselves bound together by geography, boredom, and a string of mysterious turtle mutilations. Years later, with Army tanks rolling through the streets of their hometown, these young adults are forced to confront painful questions of privilege, duty, betrayal, and courage.

Any Empire recalls aimless summers of Nancy Drew and GI Joe, treehouses and army surplus stores… but when fantasy starts to bleed into reality, whose mission will be accomplished? — a 304-page deluxe hardcover graphic novel, 6.5″ x 9.5″

ENLIST TODAY IN THE NEXT GREAT BOOK FROM THE AUTHOR OFSWALLOW ME WHOLE, 2009 EISNER AWARD WINNER FOR BEST GRAPHIC NOVEL!

SHIPPING IN JULY 2011!

May 9, 2011
Categories: New To Comics?, News . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Get To Know Green Lantern

Dc’s The Source blog is letting newbies, and those who need a refresher, know a few important things about the ever growing Green Lantern mythos, just in time for next month’s film. Every Monday to Thursday until the film’s premiere you can get the lowdown on the history and characters. First up is a quick look at the oath, the batteries and the ring. Handy.

May 9, 2011
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X-Men: First Class Character Trailers

As the ’60s set X-Men prequel nears its June 3rd release, this week has seen four character specific trailers. After seeing these, I’m a lot more confident about the quality of the film. Check out Beast, Mystique, Banshee and Havok below.

May 8, 2011
Categories: Movies . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Rebranding Dark Horse

The Dark Horse blog has a nifty post from art director Lia Ribacchi giving us a peek behind the scenes of the rebranding of Dark Horse, specifically using images of Darth Vader, Conan and Liara from the Mass Effect games and comics. See more of the process at the link above.

May 8, 2011
Categories: Art . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Free Comic Book Day 2011

It was another great Free Comic Book Day in my neck of the woods this year. I started the day at Comic Zone, who were taking part for the 2nd year running and although I was there only minutes after opening, there were quite a few other customers already there. The bevy of freebies were displayed in an “U” shape on their generous counter so everyone could easily see what was on offer.

Next up was Quality Comics who have taken part for a few years now. With their nifty sign out the front (created by one of their talented staff members I believe) showing Superman and Deadpool in the gear of their opposing publishers, and plenty of people inside, it looked to be another success. With staff wearing hats and this year’s cool FCBD shirts from artist Darwyn Cooke, there was quite the crowd, and lots of parents bringing their kids (some of whom even dressed up as their fave superheroes). The freebies were all displayed on a large board behind the counter, and QC even had people dressed up and promoting the event with flyers in the streets of Perth. Passers by seemed to dig this and take a few photos with them. I saw a few teens dressed up as anime characters and also ran in to Batman and Batgirl.

Last on my journey was Empire Toys. This marks their 4th FCBD and their first in their swanky new location (only metres from their old place, but a lot better). Again, there were heaps of people and a few youngens. Their freebies were wisely numbered and displayed on the counter, so instead of asking, “Can I please have the Super Dinosaur Origin Special?”, they can just ask, “Number 8 please.” Makes sense.

I already had quite a few of the almost 40 (!) freebies on offer this year, but still picked up another 7 new ones today, such as DC’s Young Justice/ Batman: Brave and the Bold, and the all-ages issues from both Oni Press and Top Shelf, all for my nephew. Free Comic Book Day is such an awesome idea and it’s great to see retailers and publishers embracing it. It’s events like this that get the comic curious in to their nearest comic shop, some perhaps for the first time. Hopefully those newbies will become dedicated comics readers, well on their way to discovering the joys of sequential art. Thankfully, all 3 shops mentioned above are all on Hay Street in Perth, Western Australia and although I went to all of them early this morning, they all had more people in them than I usually see. High fives all round!

May 7, 2011
Categories: New To Comics?, News . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

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