As if it wasn’t obvious from the podcast post below, it’s the 1oth annual Free Comic Book Day tomorrow – a perfect time to bring a friend or comics newbies to your LCS (local comic shop) to see what freebies are on offer. Bleeding Cool has a handy post on some of the LCSs around the world that are taking part this year, including signings from various creators.
This week, Quality Comics in my hometown of Perth, Western Australia was featured in a local community newspaper about the event, and Comic Zone, and Empire Toys in Perth will also be taking part, and they all happen to be on Hay Street. How convenient! Make sure to drop by.
67 mins. In honour of the awesome annual tradition of Free Comic Book Day around the world, we discuss some of our faves – what you should definitely pick up and what you should avoid. Also, our usual rambling shenanigans.
FCBD is on Saturday May 8. Yay! We read a whole bunch of the many free comics on offer this year and give a rundown of what we like and don’t like this year.
SOME PRETTY GOOD FREEBIES
Bongo Comics’ Bongo Free-For-All, featuring a few The Simpsons stories, including cool ones by Evan Dorkin and Sergio Aragones
Dark Horse’s Avatar: The Last Airbender/ Star Wars: The Clone Wars flip book
Ape Entertainment’s Richie Rich/ Kung-Fu Panda flip book. This ain’t your daddy’s Richie Rich!
Bluewater’s The Misadventures of Adam West (the actor who played Batman in the ‘60s TV series)
FREEBIES THAT ARE OK, BUT NOT AWESOME
2000AD. The classic U.K magazine style format with a bunch of sci-fi stories inside, including a great Judge Dredd tale
Marvel’s The Amazing Spider-Man is good for fans who may have been away from the web slinger for a while and want to know what he’s up to these days
DC Comics’ Green Lantern Special Edition. Same as above, except for Green Lantern AKA Hal Jordan
OUR TOP PICKS (GET THESE IF YOU SEE THEM!)
Fantagraphics’ Walt Disney Mickey Mouse. A dog walking a dog. Yes, that’s right. Floyd Gotfredson’s rascally Mickey.
Archaia’s Mouse Guard/ Dark Crystal flip book, with mature fantasy stories and also Season of the Dapper Men and A Tale of Sand by the legendary Jim Henson
Marvel’s Captain America/ Thor: The Mighty Fighting Avengers! A fun, time travelling adventure featuring the two cinematic superheroes in ye olde Camelot
Super Dinosaur Origin Special from Image. Another fun adventure for kids and adults with a kid, his heroic T-Rex, a secret base and evil mutant dinosaurs
Jake the Dreaming from Radical. An illustrated novel, not a comic. Like most Radical books, it looks superb. For fans of Narnia and Harry Potter
Red 5 bring us the always amusing Atomic Robo at the National Science Fair. Also previews of ’50s heroine Moon Girl, and Foster Broussard: Demons of the Gold Rush
Elric: The Balance Lost #1 from BOOM! Studios. Michael Moorcock’s pale swordsman returns to comic. I liked it much more than Mladen though
CHECK OUT PREVIEWS OF ALL THESE FREEBIES AND MORE, RIGHT HERE AND THE EXCELLENT ROMBIES IS NOW ONLINE FOR FREE FROM GESTALT COMICS. YAY!
I noticed in the last Previews catalogue how many titles Rob Williams was writing, such as Fear Itself: Uncanny X-Force, Skaar: King of the Savage Land and Daken: ark Wolverine. He seems to have come from nowhere to be Marvel’s new go-to-guy, and I’m sure he deserves it, with the more responsibilities he’s being given, the latest of which is Ghost Rider. Text-free preview pages for this new series debut below.
POINT ONE Races GHOST RIDER #0.1
New readers, hold on tight – a bold new beginning for Ghost Rider begins amidst the chaos of Fear Itself as Marvel is pleased to present your first look at Ghost Rider #0.1! From the newly exclusive creative team of writer Rob Williams and artist Matthew Clark, Johnny Blaze has finally found a way to defeat the demon within and undo his pact for power. But can he allow himself to ‘Give Up The Ghost’? Find out in this special POINT ONE issue as Vengeance rides in a new direction and scorches the Marvel Universe like never before this June, only in Ghost Rider #0.1!
A huge congrats to writer/artist Robert Luedke for his well deserved win for his great Eye Witness series of OGNs. Details below.
Graphic Novel Series Takes Home Reader’s Choice Award
Head Press Publishing received notification this week that author/illustrator, Robert James Luedke’s, Collected Eye Witness Slipcase Set, was chosen as the winner in the catagory of comics & graphic novels in Family Fiction Magazine’s, 2011 Reader’s Choice Awards! The awards, given in multiple genres of publishing and the media, were announced in the May/June issue of the publication (available for online viewing).
The Eye Witness series has attracted a tremendous amount of media and reader attention over the years due to it’s unique combination of a modern day action thriller with a Biblical adaptation (spanning from Jesus’ Passion story through the Book of Acts). Unlike most graphic novels, the series not only sells well in comic specialty and secular book stores, but also has done well in Christian bookstores and church libraries.
Since it’s premier in 2004, Luedke’s Eye Witness series has been honored with five indy book awards and been named a finalist in four others. “The project started out as my answering a calling to create a single graphic novel that could do a bit more than just entertain,” explains Luedke, “and it ended up becoming a mission that basically consumed the better part of a decade of my life!”
It seems every publisher has been getting in on the all-ages comics act lately, but Top Shelf have been ahead of the curve for a while. If you, or your kids, would like to be in the know on their upcoming releases, like Owly, Johnny Boo, Korgi and more, then sign up here and get a free poster too!
We have yet to see DC’s new Young Justice cartoon here in Oz, but from what I’ve seen it looks right up my alley. Now the first DVD collection is on its way in July. Official info below.
THE NEXT GENERATION OF DC UNIVERSE SUPER HEROES PUT THEIR TRAINING TO THE TEST AS WARNER HOME VIDEO RELEASES YOUNG JUSTICE SEASON 1 VOLUME 1 ON DVD JULY 19, 2011
One Disc Featuring Four Fantastic Episodes of the Brand-New Cartoon Network Show from Warner Bros. Animation
The newest Warner Bros. Animation–produced hit series on Cartoon Network finally arrives on DVD as Warner Home Video (WHV) unleashes its secret weapon with Young Justice Season 1 Volume 1. These DC Universe teenage super heroes have quickly proven to be a hit as the favorite show among boys 9-14. With non-stop action, Young Justice Season 1 Volume 1 comes to DVD for the first time on July 19, 2011.
In Young Justice, being a teenager means proving yourself over and over — to peers, parents, teachers, mentors and, ultimately, to yourself. But what if you’re not just a normal teenager? What if you’re a teenage super hero? How much harder will it be to prove yourself in a world of super powers, super villains and super secrets? Are you ready to come of age in such a world? Are you ready for life or death rites of passage? Are you ready to join the ranks of the great heroes and prove you’re worthy of the Justice League? That’s exactly what the members of Young Justice — Robin, Aqualad, Kid Flash, Superboy, Miss Martian and Artemis — will find out: whether they have what it takes to be a proven hero.
These teenage heroes collectively become the Justice League’s secret weapon against the forces of evil. The young protégés must put their super hero education to the test and band together to covertly fight the evildoers that exist on Earth-16. Utilizing The Cave as their home base, the teen heroes will take on under-the-radar missions that would be impossible for the league’s famous and identifiable elders to handle secretly.
While the team works to take on more super hero responsibilities, they are in constant training by the Justice League to eventually take their place alongside the great heroes. Red Tornado is their supervisor; Black Canary is in charge of their training; and Batman determines and directs their assignments. Of course, in true teenage fashion, the members of the team push the limits of their missions, often turning a simple assignment from Batman into something significantly larger.
“DC fans have been vocal about their love for Young Justice, so I am particularly pleased to announce our first DVD release,” said Sam Register, Executive Vice President Creative Affairs, Warner Bros. Animation.
“We are thrilled to bring the newest and youngest members of the DC Universe to homes with the release of Young Justice Season 1 Volume 1,” said Mary Ellen Thomas, WHV Executive Director of Family and Animation Marketing. “As a brand new series, Young Justice is already a favorite and will continue to excite fans with its group of crime-fighting teenage super heroes.”
Young Justice Season 1 Volume 1 is executive produced by Sam Register and produced by Brandon Vietti and Greg Weisman. The voice cast includes Jesse McCartney as Robin, Khary Payton as Aqualad, Jason Spisak as Kid Flash, Nolan North as Superboy, Danica McKellar as Miss Martian, Stephanie Lemelin as Artemis and Bruce Greenwood as Batman.
As is Marvel’s usual strategy to tie in with a cinematic adaptation, here comes another series relaunch and yes, Steve Rogers is back in his Captain America guise. Covers and text-free preview pages below.
Your First Look At CAPTAIN AMERICA #1!
Marvel is pleased to present your first look at the blockbuster Captain America #1 from the superstar creative team of Ed Brubaker and Steve McNiven. This July, the original Sentinel of Liberty springs back into action for a high octane adventure that no Captain America fan can miss. When a mysterious figure from Steve Rogers’ past returns, deadly secrets surface that put Captain America back in-between crosshairs. The next big chapter in the life of Steve Rogers begins this summer in an action packed adventure throughout the Marvel Universe, only in Captain America #1!
Marvel’s Iconic Super Hero The Mighty Thor Joins Marvel Entertainment Executives to Ring
The Closing Bell® at the NYSE to Celebrate Paramount Pictures and Marvel Studios’ Highly-Anticipated Film Event Thor
On Monday, May 2, Marvel Entertainment, LLC will summon the power of its iconic Super Hero Thor to join the Company’s President of Print, Animation and Digital Dan Buckley and Marvel Comics Editor-In-Chief Axel Alonso to ring the NYSE Closing Bell in celebration of the theatrical release of Paramount Pictures and Marvel Studios’ latest highly-anticipated film Thor, in theatres nationwide on May 6.
FCBD has been going for a few years now and is the best yearly event for comics newbies to discover the joys of sequential art. All the info you need to know is here, but the most important thing is that it’s this Saturday, May 7. Mladen and I will be discussing our faves of some of the free comic offerings available this year in this week’s Extra Sequential podcast. Below are previews of some of the comics we’ll talk about and you can see 10 more previews here, including goodies from Marvel, DC, Image and Archaia.
Here’s previews for BOOM! Studios’ Elric and Darkwing Duck/ Chip n Dale Rescue Rangers Flip book.
For 40 years, the exploits of Elric have thrilled comic book fandom, beginning with his introduction to the world of comics in Marvel’s Conan The Barbarian #15 in 1972. Now, Michael Moorcock, the godfather of the Multiverse concept, brings one of the most critically acclaimed and recognizable figures in the history of fantasy fiction back to sequential art! This Free Comic Book Day edition heralds the new ongoing Elric series featuring a crisis across multiple worlds that will involve Moorcock’s other famous fantasy franchise characters: Corum of the Scarlet Robe and Dorian Hawkmoon. Meet the Pale Prince in an epic that could only be called The Balance Lost! And make sure you don’t miss the new ongoing series this summer! Written by white-hot New York Times bestselling author Chris Roberson (Superman, iZombie, Cinderella: From Fabletown With Love)!
An all ages flip book from BOOM! On one side, experience Darkwing Duck! Reprinting the blockbuster sold-out first issue of the Darkwing Duck ongoing series. But don’t forget to flip this comic over, or you’ll miss Chip ‘n’ Dale Rescue Rangers, reprinting the first issue of the critically acclaimed bestseller from BOOM! Two hit series, both all ages, one flip book of pure fun! Don’t miss the return of the Disney Afternoon Revolution that grabbed the attention of Disney fans everywhere!
Marvel is pleased to present your first look at superstar artist Dale Eaglesham’s variant cover to Alpha Flight #1 ( of 8 ) – featuring the return of Canada’s greatest heroes! As the shadow of Fear Itself falls across the globe, will a nation turn to – or turn on – Alpha Flight in Canada’s greatest hour of need?
“I’ve always wanted to do Alpha Flight, but didn’t think I’d ever get the opportunity, so I’m very excited about this,” said Eaglesham. “This is the ideal team book – the characters have such depth and are so unique, so colorful. We have the heroic and iconic in Guardian, Snowbird and Northstar, for example, along with some quirkier heroes like Sasquatch and Marrina. As an artist, this is something I can really sink my teeth into and I’m loving every minute! With Greg and Fred writing, we also have some very topical, gripping and moving stories. I think the fans are going to fall in love with this book. I know I am.”
Discover why the team still stands tall as the greatest heroes of the Great White North, only in the Alpha Flight #1 ( of 8 ) Eaglesham Variant! No fan can miss the thunderous return of a legendary Marvel superteam this June!
ALPHA FLIGHT #1 ( of 8 ) (APR110547)
ALPHA FLIGHT #1 ( of 8 ) EAGLESHAM VARIANT (MAR118215)
Image Comics is launching a new western series called Deadlands. Below is the official info, with an impressive list of creators, plus covers for the first 3 issues, and some text-free pages from June’s #1.
HOW THE OLD WEST WAS WEIRD!
Image Comics Presents a Series of One Shots with Can’t-Miss Creative Teams
Westerns, one of the truly original American genres! From books, movies and comics, the genre has always held a special place in the hearts of fans. This summer, Image Comics and Visionary Comics, along with Strider Nolan and Pinnacle Entertainment are bringing westerns to comics in a big way. But not just any western… the weird western! With a mix of horror, steampunk and the supernatural, the old west was never a more frightening and weird place than with DEADLANDS!
The old west will get a fresh new take in the DEADLANDS comics with the exciting interpretations of a list of super star talents. Those contributing their masterful storytelling to the series will include: David Gallaher, Steve Ellis, Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray, Lee Moder, Ron Marz, Bart Sears, Steve Niles, and Francesco Francavilla.
Ron Marz, who also heads up the project as series editor, stated, “It’s been amazing. All these guys have been wanting to do a western, and there it was, the perfect chance. The books have each taken shape by creator choice. We couldn’t have hoped for better.”
C. Edward Sellner, Creative Director for Visionary and writer of the four part backup series appearing in each book also commented on the enthusiasm of the teams, “We just keep hearing how much fun everyone is having and this stuff looks like some of the best work of their careers. I think everyone loves westerns, and everyone loves a scary story, so when you combine the best of both, you get something everyone can love.”
While Deadlands is based on the popular RPG game from Pinnacle, one doesn’t have to be a gamer to love the books, explained Marz, “If you love westerns, if you love horror tales, if you love good comics, great art and storytelling, you’ll love these books. Part of my job was to make sure these books were accessible to all.”
The first book out of the gate is DEADLANDS: THE DEVIL’S SIX GUN by the Harvey award-winning team of David Gallaher and Steve Ellis. In classic Faustian tradition, a weapons maker comes to America to pursue the American dream in the former colonies. Instead, he becomes immersed in plots and manipulations to gain unearthly power through the supernatural Ghost Rock. His goal? To make a gun that can kill anything, including the powerful Hellstromme! Its a journey that will cost him everything he loves, including his soul!
DEADLANDS (APR110410), the first 32 page full color one shot in this series of weird westerns, will be available in stores June 15, 2011 for $2.99.
Flashpoint is the new Flash-centric DC Comics event which, apart from the main mini-series, has 15 different mini-series showing alternate versions of well known characters. Not much is known about these series yet, but we know Aquaman looks set to rule a flooded earth, Bruce Wayne spends his time running Wayne Casinos, Lois Lane is a resistance fighter and Cyborg plays a pivotal part. We’ll certainly no more when Flashpoint #1 launches on May 11. Go here to download the complete checklist for the event.
In the meantime, DC’s blog The Source have revealed a few behind the scenes looks for 2 Flashpoint series, the Emperor Aquaman #1 cover and a scene from its pages, and the cover for Reverse Flash #1. Click the links for the process behind these great pages from Ardian Syaf and to see the great job the inkers and colourists do.
Shannon Wheeler ‘s I Thought You Would Be Funnier can now be read for free online
Captain America and The Avengers film info
Free Comic Book Day on May 7
8: 28 WHAT WE’VE BEEN READING
Portal 2
Brightest Day #24 – John Constantine and Swamp Thing travel from Vertigo to the DC Universe
Avengers #12.1 – Spider-Woman gets captured by the evil smarty pants team, The Intelligencia. The Avengers rescue her and meet Ultron, who then vanishes. Not for newbies but great art by Bryan Hitch.
Action Comics #900 – The controversial landmark issue in which Superman renounces his American citizenship, plus some other cool tales.
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