X-Men: First To Last Preview

It’s the old vs the new in this text-free preview.

Your First Look at X-MEN: FIRST TO LAST!

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at X-Men: First To Last, as acclaimed writer Christopher Yost returns to the X-Men with fan favorite artists Paco Medina and Dalibor Talijic. Starting in X-Men Giant-Size #1 and continuing in June’s X-Men #12, discover the staggering consequences when Xavier’s first class arrives in the future to tackle their greatest foe yet! The next shocking X-Men arc starts right here and, when it’s all over; a major new figure will tower over the team’s past and their undecided future.

“X-Men Giant Size has massive ramifications for two – count ‘em, two – generations of X-Men.  That’s right, the original X-Men are back,” said Marvel Editor In Chief, Axel Alonso. “Is the X-Universe big enough for both teams?”

Can the X-Men of yesterday and today tackle their greatest enemy that neither can remember? The Evolutionaries are coming and their rampage through the Marvel Universe will reverberate through the lives of all X-Men past and present, first and last. The mind-bending saga that will rewrite the history books on mutantkind begins this May, in X-Men Giant-Size #1!

Plus, no X-Men fan can miss the all-new X-Force Archangel action figure, available exclusively at Marvel.com. One of the most popular members of the red-hot Uncanny X-Force team, this is the only way for you to get the first figure of Archangel in his all-new, all-deadly uniform. Please visit www.marvel.com/archangel for more details.

X-MEN GIANT-SIZE #1

X-MEN GIANT-SIZE #1 MEDINA VARIANT

Written by CHRISTOPHER YOST

Penciled by PACO MEDINA & DALIBOR TALIJIC

Cover by ED McGUINNESS

Variant Cover by PACO MEDINA

Rated T+ …$4.99

ON-SALE IN MAY!

 

February 23, 2011
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics? . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Dark Horse and Archaia FCBD Previews

FCBD (that’s Free Comic Book Day) occurs on the first Saturday of May each year. It’s a great initiative to get newbies to sample the awesomeness of today’s sequential art. Hopefully your LCS is participating. The first 2 publishers to promote their offerings for this year are Dark Horse and Archaia.

First up, the Horse, and this note from editor Scott Allie.

I really pushed to get our horror books in front of people for Free Comic Book Day. While there’s epic changes afoot in Hellboy, we also have big upcoming plans for Mignola’s Baltimore, and the FCBD story is a great intro to that. Niles and Criminal Macabre were away for a while, so we wanted to make this a strong comeback year. Steve’s showing you everything fun about the series in eight pages—monsters, mayhem, humor, and drug abuse. We’ll follow it up with the crossover with Eric Powell’s The Goon, and then another Cal oneshot this summer. We’re taking the character down a few pegs and starting his story fresh, so FCBD is really a perfect place to start. Free. All the new stuff is drawn by Chris Mitten, with amazing painted covers by Fiona Staples. We wanted to give the character a clean start with a really solid new team, so readers don’t have to have read everything that came before. But if you want to … there’s two omnibuses coming later this year, collecting everything that came before.

You can see an extra page from both both Criminal Macabre and Baltimore at Dark Horses’s blog.

And now – Archaia. With writer Brian Holguin (Spawn) and artist Alex Sheikman (Robotika) on the ’80s film based The Dark Crystal story and a peek at the just announced sequel to Return of the Dapper Men, this will be another one to pick up. Covers for the flipbook below.

MOUSE GUARD/THE DARK CRYSTAL Free Comic Book Day Flipbook

Retail Price: Free

Page Count: 32 pages

Format: saddle bound, 8” x 8”, full color

Release Date: May 7, 2011

(W) David Petersen and Brian Holguin

(A) David Petersen and Alex Sheikman

(Cov) The Dark Crystal – Brian Froud; Mouse Guard – David Petersen

Archaia presents two, amazing, all-new stories in one fantastic flipbook—David Petersen’s Eisner Award-winning MOUSE GUARD and Jim Henson’s beloved THE DARK CRYSTAL share the spotlight on Free Comic Book day! On one side of the book, a brand-new tale of the fan-favorite MOUSE GUARD, elite warrior mice tasked with protecting common mice from predators, the elements and other dangers. It’s the perfect introduction to MOUSE GUARD for new fans, and a rewarding treat for existing ones! On the other side of the book, Archaia Entertainment is proud to present an exclusive prelude to its forthcoming series of THE DARK CRYSTAL graphic novels, featuring covers, art direction and concepts by Brian Froud, conceptual designer of the original film! This prelude begins the epic creation story of the world of Thra, and explores the origins of the world of THE DARK CRYSTAL!

As a bonus, the issue will also contain a sneak peek of Jim McCann and Janet Lee’s TIME OF THE DAPPER MEN, a sequel to the critically acclaimed RETURN OF THE DAPPER MEN, coming this fall. Additionally, fans of Jim Henson will also get an advance look at TALE OF SAND, an original graphic novel coming in September based on a never-before-seen screenplay written by Henson and Jerry Juhl!

February 22, 2011
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics? . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Booming Peanuts

With two simple images released today, rising indie publishers BOOM! Studios have announced that their BOOM! Kids line is now called Kaboom!, and that the first series under that banner is a biggie – Charlie Brown and co. Whether Peanuts will be reprints or what, we don’t know as yet. Great scoop though.

February 22, 2011
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics?, News . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Jim Lee Doesn’t Wear Socks

He also draws a mean Batman, as we all know. Below is a video posted by the artist and DC Co-Publisher himself sketching with his fingers on his iPad.

The man himself says:

This is a very sped up clip of me messing around on my iPad. Original video was 20 mins in length; it usually takes me about 60-80 mins to get one of these pieces done using @sketchbookpro. I prefer using my finger to a stylus of any sort–makes it more fun. I honestly have to say this piece was not going in the direction I wanted so I stopped and got back to real work : ) but you get a general sense of how I layer on colors and work positive and negative shapes back and forth to get edges…like in painting.

February 21, 2011
Categories: Comic Art . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Fear Itself: Book of the Skull #1 Preview

Here’s a text-free preview of Marvel’s next, big event.

Your First Look At FEAR ITSELF In BOOK OF THE SKULL!

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at Fear Itself: Book Of The Skull #1, from Eisner Award-winning writer Ed Brubaker and artist Scot Eaton! FEAR ITSELF IS HERE…and the secrets of its origin will crack the very foundation of the Marvel Universe! How is a wicked alliance forged by the Red Skull at the heart of this conquest from beyond time and space? And could a secret mission led by Captain America and Namor have tipped the hand of fate in fear’s favor? Sin, the Skull’s daughter, knows the truth and, this March, she gambles with all the world’s souls as the shocking revelations behind 2011’s most anticipated comics event are laid bare, only in Fear Itself: Book Of The Skull #1!

FEAR ITSELF: BOOK OF THE SKULL #1 (JAN110692)

FEAR ITSELF: BOOK OF THE SKULL QUESADA VARIANT #1 (JAN110693)

Written by ED BRUBAKER

Pencils by SCOT EATON

Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC

Variant Cover by JOE QUESADA

FOC – 2/21/11, On Sale 3/16/11

February 18, 2011
Categories: Comic Art . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

FF #1 Preview

Below is the first official look from the new series showing the new direction for the Fantastic Four.

Your First Look at FF #1

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at FF #1, from the superstar creative team of writer Jonathan Hickman and artist Steve Epting. The fight for tomorrow begins today! In the wake of the Human Torch’s heroic sacrifice, Marvels’ first family has re-emerged as the Future Foundation. Spider-Man may their newest teammate, but who else has signed up to protect the future from itself? And what does their presence portend for the world at large? Readers new and old alike – you’ve never seen the FF like this before! Prepare to witness the mind-blowing birth of the super-team that will change everything this March, only in FF #1!

FF #1 (JAN110748)

Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN

Pencils and Cover by STEVE EPTING

Variant Cover by DANIEL ACUNA

Variant Cover by STAN GOLDBERG

Character Variant Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC

Fantastic Four 50th Anniversary Variant by PAOLO RIVERA

Blank Cover Also Available

Rated A…$3.99

FOC – 2/28/11, On Sale 3/23/11

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

Astonishing X-Men

When this series launched with Joss Whedon and John Cassaday, fans lapped it up, and the motion comic based on those issues is great too. Now the title is getting a bit of a shake-up. In the pic below though, it looks like Beast is getting ready for the Super Bowl.

Everything Changes In ASTONISHING X-MEN This May!

This spring, Astonishing X-Men takes a dramatic twist as two amazing pairs of creators team-up for a astonishing crossover event—all in one series! This April, acclaimed creators of Daniel Way, Christos Gage, Jason Pearson and Juan Bubillo set Astonishing X-Men on a monstrous monthly new path! The X-Men split into two teams, each on seemingly separate missions (told by rotating creative teams) that collide with major consequences for the X-Men!

“For the first time since its inception, the events of Astonishing X-Men are happening in the current X-Continuity” explains X-Men Senior Editor, Nick Lowe. “Not only are they reflecting where the X-Men are, you will also see the debut of a character that is going to be an important part of the X-Universe at the end of 2011!”

Way and Pearson kick things off in Astonishing X-Men #37 as Wolverine, Cyclops, Emma Frost and Armor are all ready knee deep in a giant monster outbreak flattening metropolitan Japan! When the monstrous Fing Fang Foom attacks, the X-Men head into action! But while the X-Men are fending off the catastrophic beasts of Monster Island, Armor is contending with matters of a more personal nature. Can the X-Men save Tokyo without losing Armor?

While that’s going on, Christos Gage and Juan Bubillo step in with Astonishing X-Men #38 for a story that truly shows you’re not always better off sitting it out when it comes to mutant adventuring! Starting this May, Storm, Colossus, Kitty Pryde and Beast will have to pick up the slack as Brood invasion threatens the other side of the Pacific coast in a tale that gives a whole new urgency to the term “meanwhile!” And that’s not all because not only will Lockheed be meeting Kitty Pride for the first time since the silver bullet, but S.W.O.R.D.’s Agent Brand comes back into the X-fold!

No fan can miss this truly unique take on serial storytelling as the X-Men take on Foom AND the Brood at the same time! The Astonishing line, bringing fans the top creators in the industry on the top characters, gets even bigger this April as fans get a monthly dose of Astonishing X-Men!

ASTONISHING X-MEN #37 (FEB110606)

Written by DANIEL WAY

Pencils and Cover by JASON PEARSON

Rated T+ … $3.99

FOC – 3/14/11, On Sale – 4/6/11

ASTONISHING X-MEN #38

Written by CHRISTOS GAGE

Pencils by JUAN BUBILLO

Cover by SALVADOR LARROCA

Rated T+ … $3.99

ON SALE THIS MAY!

February 16, 2011
Categories: Comic Art . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

100 New Avengers

As mentioned on Bleeding Cool, artist John Byrne obviously has a fondness for the Avengers of old and not the current incarnation, as seen by his entry in the New Avengers 100 Project (first pic below). Comics charity Hero Initiative have done a few of these to raise funds for creators in need, and this is the latest. 100 blank New Avengers covers with creative freedom given to artists and the opportunity for fans to buy them. You can see some of my faves below and the full gallery so far here.

If you want more Avengery goodness check out the 2nd part (of 3 this weekend) of Brian Cronin’s always entertaining Comic Book Legends Revealed column.

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

Janet Lee’s Emma Frost

The unique artist on Archaia’s Return of the Dapper Men (one of last year’s best OGNs) has created a variant cover starring Emma Frost. Neato.

Welcome To The X-Men Jane Austen, Hope You Survive The Experience!

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at the rising star artist of Jane Austen’s Emma, Janet K. Lee (Return of the Dapper Men), stunning variant cover to Uncanny X-Men #534 depicting the one and only Emma Frost!

“We’re so excited with the plans that we have for Jane Austen’s Emma, that we thought we’d have Janet cover one of our own Emmas!” exclaims SVP of Sales David Gabriel. “This variant is a fun way to draw attention to both books.”

No fan of Janet Lee’s dazzling artwork or the X-Men can miss out on incredible variant! Be sure to be the first one to your local comic shops this March to pick one up!

UNCANNY X-MEN #534 (JAN110779)

UNCANNY X-MEN #534 LEE VARIANT (DEC108200)

Written by MATT FRACTION & KIERON GILLEN

Pencils & Cover by GREG LAND

Variant Cover by JANET K LEE

Rated T+ …$3.99

FOC – 2/28/11, On Sale – 3/23/11

EMMA #1 (JAN110685)

Written by NANCY BUTLER

Art and Cover by JANET K LEE

Rated A …$3.99

On Sale – 3/2/11

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

Fantastic Four Becomes Future Foundation

Well this is an intriguing surprise. Below are the first covers and info heralding the new direction of the Fantastic Four, after the well publicised death of the Human Torch. I kinda like the new black and white costumes, though I don’t know how long they’ll last, and it does make sense for Spidey to join, as he’s a smarty like Reed and was one of Johnny Storm’s best friends.
MARVEL’S FIRST FAMILY SPINS NEW WEB – SPIDER-MAN JOINS THE FF!
March’s FF #1 Launches Star Studded New Super Hero Team

There is no more Fantastic Four, so just what is the FF? This March, the superstar creative team of Jonathan Hickman and Steve Epting present the over-sized FF #1, introducing the biggest new super hero team of the century! After the death of the Human Torch, the surviving members of the Fantastic Four—Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman & Thing—join with Spider-Man and some top secret members to form an unstoppable force: The Future Foundation. Their mission is simple: save the Marvel Universe from its greatest threats and prevent future dangers from arising. But even with knowledge of what’s to come and one of the most powerful teams ever assembled, just what villainous force could stand in their way?
“FF will alter the very fabric of the Marvel Universe,” explained Tom Brevoort, Senior Vice President of Publishing. “Jonathan and Steve have crafted a unique, powerful new series that’s going to surprise a lot of fans with its combination of mind-blowing ideas and visuals.”
The perfect jumping on point for new readers, FF #1 begins a battle for the future of the Marvel Universe unlike anything you’ve ever seen before and no fan can afford to miss it!
FF #1 (JAN110748)
Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN
Pencils and Cover by STEVE EPTING
Variant Cover by DANIEL ACUNA
Variant Cover by STAN GOLDBERG
Character Variant Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
Fantastic Four 50th Anniversary Variant by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
Blank Cover Also Available
Rated A…$3.99
FOC – 2/28/11, On Sale 3/23/11

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

Hotwire: Deep Cut #3 Review

Since Steve Pugh’s first Hotwire series from Radical in 2009, I’ve been hooked on this adventurous sci-fi/horror blend. It’s one of those rare titles that manages to capture and hold the attention of anyone who reads it. Believe me, I have a wealth of #1 issues that I grab out of curiosity and then drop after being unfulfilled. This isn’t the case here, thanks to its charming protagonist. Alice Hotwire is a no-nonsense action gal with a confidence and subtle sexuality that belies her tiny frame, and puts the pale heroine somewhere in the ballpark of Lt. Ellen Ripley and Lisbeth Salander.

Set in a future Britain in which ghosts cause havoc, and the titular detective exorcist rescues the city and her fellow, suspicious cops from danger, it’s a setting that fans of 200AD will be somewhat familiar with. It’s a glowing world yet one in which there are hidden dangers and rebellious elements.

This final issue of the second series wraps things up nicely, though it still makes sense if you haven’t read the previous doses. However, you won’t regret picking up any previous issues.

Hotwire has assistance in keeping the so-called blue-lights at bay with her partner Mobey and fancy gadgets such as ceramic tombs and suppressor towers that are scattered around the country. In this finale, a dead soldier, with a pregnant woman in his arms, who sees Alice as her angel, has let his fellow deceased soldiers out of the confines of the forrest in which they were contained (and bored) for decades. Now their blue tendrils and scary forms are making their way to the city and their first stop is a passenger train.

Alice also has to deal with the far less careful efforts of a team from Bear Claw Security (of which there is an ad for in these pages) and in one of this issue’s best sequences, she jumps out of a hi-tech helicopter to get to the ghosts first. With technical hitches, and a possession of one of the soldiers, it means it’s all up to the small, feisty exorcist to save the day.

Pugh makes each page a dazzling ocular spectacle. The last issue came out in October and it’s obvious why it takes the artist so long. The digital paintwork is extraordinary and he never skimps on the details. His design work for vehicles, costumes and weapons is worthy of a grand sci-fi blockbuster and the page layouts and even sound effects and speech are diverse.

Granted, the story isn’t full of surprises, though I do like the addition of an upgraded teddy bear as a new friend for Alice, as shown at the end.

The tale ends in an intriguing fashion, with Alice in charge of the Bear Claw crew. Hopefully Pugh will give us a third series in which this plucky solo operator must learn to lead a team.

February 6, 2011
Categories: Comic Art, Reviews . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Malignant Man from BOOM! Studios

This new series from BOOM! sounds interesting. It’s co-written by James Wan, but I can’t seem to confirm anywhere that it’s the same James Wan of the Saw franchise fame. Strange.

WHAT DOESN’T KILL YOU MAKES YOU STRONGER!

ENTER THE STRANGE TWISTED SCI-FI WORLD OF MALIGNANT MAN

A BRAND NEW ORIGINAL SERIES BY BOOM! STUDIOS COMING THIS APRIL!

This April enter the twisted sci-fi action epic MALIGNANT MAN, where a doomed cancer patient discovers the sickness thought to kill him will transform him into something more powerful than he could ever imagine! Written by James Wan, fan-favorite author Michael Alan Nelson (28 DAYS LATER, DINGO) and art by international sensation Piotr Kowalski, MALIGNANT MAN is sure to be the most exciting original sci-fi series on comic book stands this April!

“MALIGNANT MAN will shock and awe!” says BOOM! Studios Marketing Director Chip Mosher. “If you’re looking for an epic adventure that’s action packed, pulse-pounding sci-fi at its very best, you can do no better than BOOM! Studios’ newest series MALIGNANT MAN!”

MALIGNANT MAN tells the story of Alan Gates, a cancer patient with a terminal diagnosis, who’s resigned to his fate…until he discovers that his tumor is actually a mysterious parasite! Granted a second lease on life and incredible, otherworldly powers, Alan must fight against an evil army buried beneath society’s skin, all the while unlocking the secrets of his forgotten past. Dark, twisted, and unlike anything else on the stands, MALIGNANT MAN is a sci-fi thriller that can’t be missed!

MALIGNANT MAN is written by James Wan and Michael Alan Nelson (28 DAYS LATER, DINGO) with art by Piotr Kowalski. This title ships in April with A and B covers in a 50/50 split by Trevor Hairsine and Rael Lyra respectively and carries a Diamond Code of FEB110851.

February 5, 2011
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics?, News . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Flashpoint, Fear Itself and Captain America

Time for some perty pics.

Geoff Johns made Green Lantern the centre of the DC Universe for a while, and now it’s time for another superhero he resurrected to take the spotlight in May’s Flashpoint series, which launches 15 mini-series set in an alternate future, or something. The cover by Andy Kubert for Flashpoint #1 is below. DC have also released 5 new cryptic teaser images for the series.

Marvel’s next big event is similarly secretive. Here’s the Steve McNiven cover for Fear Itself #1, the first of the 7 ish mini which launches in April.

Finally, the Captain America film opens in July, but the first teaser trailer (as well as Thor’s) is being launched this Sunday during the Super Bowl, as well as a free digital tie-in comic. The grungy official poster for the film is below.

February 5, 2011
Categories: Comic Art, Movies, News . Tags: , , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Captain America and Falcon #1 Preview

Steve Rogers turns 70 this year and Marvel are celebrating with a bunch of one-shots. Preview of the first one below, including the awesome Greg Tocchini (Last Days of American Crime) connecting cover art.

Your First Look at CAPTAIN AMERICA AND FALCON #1

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at Captain America and Falcon #1, from fan favorite creators Rob Williams and Rebekah A. Isaacs! Kicking off a series of five one-shots celebrating the 70 years of the Sentinel of Liberty, Captain America’s erstwhile partner Sam Wilson, must confront his past to save a boy’s future! Join Captain America and Falcon as they take on an evil far below the spires of Avengers Tower – the very streets Falcon fought to escape. When Captain America and Falcon #1 hits stands this March, fans should rush out to their comic shops to be amongst the first to grab an exclusive print featuring the connecting covers of red-hot artist Greg Tocchini! Salute the legacy of America’s super-soldier all month long as Marvel pays tribute to Captain America and those around him who have made him the man he is!

*Retailers should check the Marvel Mailer for special incentives on the below listed titles for great deals and promotions.

 

CAPTAIN AMERICA AND FALCON #1 (JAN110704)

CAPTAIN AMERICA AND FALCON #1 GATEFOLD VARIANT (JAN110705)

Written by ROB WILLIAMS

Penciled by REBEKAH A. ISAACS

Cover by GREG TOCCHINI

Gatefold Cover by GREG TOCCHINI

Rated T+ …$3.99

FOC – 2/7/11, On Sale 3/2/11

CAPTAIN AMERICA AND THE FIRST THIRTEEN #1 (JAN110706)

Written by KATHRYN IMMONEN

Penciled by RAMÓN PEREZ

Cover by GREG TOCCHINI

Rated T+ …$3.99

FOC – 2/7/11, On Sale 3/9/11

CAPTAIN AMERICA AND CROSSBONES #1 (JAN110707)

Written by WILLIAM HARMS

Penciled by DECLAN SHALVEY

Cover by GREG TOCCHINI

Rated T+ …$3.99

FOC – 2/7/11, On Sale 3/16/11

CAPTAIN AMERICA AND BATROC #1 (JAN110708)

Written by KIERON GILLEN

Penciled by RENATO ARLEM

Cover by GREG TOCCHINI

Rated T+ …$3.99

FOC – 2/7/11, On Sale 3/23/11

CAPTAIN AMERICA AND THE SECRET AVENGERS #1 (JAN110709)

Written by KELLY SUE DECONNICK

Pencils & Cover by GREG TOCCHINI

Rated T+…$3.99

FOC – 2/7/11, On Sale 3/30/11

February 4, 2011
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics? . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

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