Transmetropolitan Art Book on Kickstarter

Yep, an official art book with the thumbs up, and participation, from the creators of the Vertigo series, Warren Ellis and Darick Robertson. Some avid fans have set up the art book goal on project funding website Kickstarter and have some impressive names lined up as artists, such as Joe Benitez, Dan Brereton, Sam Kieth, Jeff Lemire and many more.

The pledging will end on Valentine’s Day next year (that’s February 14) and so far they’ve raised almost half of their $26, 000 goal to print a few thousand copies of the hard bound book. Get more info here.

December 24, 2010
Categories: Comic Art, News . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Mice Templar Vol. 3 #1 Review

Up at Broken Frontier is my review of this week’s new issue of Mice Templar by Bryan J.L. Glass and Mike Avon Oeming. In summary – it’s great!

December 24, 2010
Categories: Comic Art, Reviews . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Christmas Comics Rundown

Yes, we talked about our favourite Christmas related comics in our most recent Extra Sequential podcast. Now, here’s a few more Christmas comics news items of note from the last few days.

Jim McCann, writer of the excellent Archaia OGN Return of the Dapper Men and Hawkeye: Blindspot is writing A Zombie Christmas Carol, set to be released next year. All that’s released so far is this great image.

Here’s a great Christmas post of CBR’s The Line It Is Drawn series in which fans mash up comic book characters around a theme. See the X-Babies and the Batman, Inc. office Christmas party here.

Four funky holiday art pieces at Top Shelf’s blog.

Comics Alliance has an amusingly inaccurate nativity re-enactment starring some confused kids, Spider-Man and Frankenstein, as well as the whole first issue of Image’s upcoming Santa Claus vs The Martians for free, and a hilarious look at a classic Christmas episode of Walker, Texas Ranger starring some evil Santas.

Finally, courtesy of DC’s blog, here’s a great page from artist Mike Ploog, from the back-up tale in The Spirit #9.

Thanks to everyone who read my little blog over the last year (and more), to those who listened to my new Extra Sequential podcast and read my reviews and interviews at Broken Frontier. Have a great Christmas and New Year!

 

December 24, 2010
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics?, News . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Extra Sequential Episode Twenty One

35 mins. No news, and no what we’ve been reading. It’s our most streamlined, aerodynamic episode yet, and it’s all about Christmas themed comics. Also, singing cats, Angelina Jolie’s tattoos, Under Siege and a dodgy Christopher Walken impersonation.

LISTEN TO IT BELOW, DOWNLOAD IT HERE, ON ITUNES OR MIXCLOUD.

Fables #56 in which Santa Claus is a natural fit, and he explains just how he visits kids the world over all in one night!

1980’s DC Super Star Holiday Special. Large format, 5 stories.

Vertigo’s 3 issue Winter’s Edge mini-series. Now re-printed!

JLA #60 which shows Plastic Man recounting a tale in which Santa Claus joins the Justice League.

The classic Lobo Paramilitary Christmas Special. Poor, poor Santa. And yes, there was a two issue Lobo/The Mask cross-over a decade ago.

The Tick Big Yule Log Special from 1997. Spoooon!

Batman Returns. Yes, it’s a festive superhero film, with lots of snow, nose biting and awkward speeches.

Dear Dracula. It’s a kids’ book showing young Sam writing to his hero Dracula instead of Santa. From Silverline Books.

December 23, 2010
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics?, Podcast, Reviews . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Comics Christmas Cards

I’m listening to Christmas carols as I write this. They always put me in a good mood. Anyway, here’s a snazzy gallery over at Broken Frontier featuring some new Christmas cards from a few publishers and artists. This one from Dark Horse is my fave.

December 20, 2010
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics?, News . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Comic Wallets

Sometimes you just stumble upon something cool on the net. Today was one of those days. Now you can get wallets made from actual comic pages. Cool. Check out Comic Wallet’s site right here. There’s wallets made from Scott Pilgrim, Sandman, The Death of Superman and more. They’re all around $20-$30 and feature 6 card slots and a clear ID pocket.

Each Comic Wallet is made from a page of a real comic book and laminated front and back with a clear adhesive plastic. The interior is reinforced with a strong fabric adhesive.

December 19, 2010
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics?, News . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Who Is Jake Ellis? Preview

From writer Nathan Edmondson (Olympus, The Light) and artist Tonci Zonjic comes this intriguing new spy series from Image Comics. Now there’s a great 12 page preview of Who Is Jake Ellis? at Publishers Weekly right here. The first issue lands on Jan 5 and below is the official description.

Jon Moore is the most sought after spy-for-hire in Europe’s criminal world. This is because of Jake Ellis, a psychic man who is invisible to everyone except Moore.

When a deal goes bad, the only one who can protect Moore from Europe’s most dangerous criminals is Jake Ellis. No one but Moore can see Jake Ellis.

But Jake Ellis can see everything.

December 18, 2010
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics? . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

The Light TPB Out Now

Now out, just in time for Christmas, is the excellent The Light collection of the 5 ish mini-series from Image Comics. I also read the original mini-series and it really is stylish and intelligent. Created by writer Nathan Edmondson (Olympus, the upcoming Who Is Jake Ellis?) and artist Brett Weldele (The Surrogates) it’s described as follows, and you can see a generous 24 page preview right here. Great for thriller fans and comic newbies, it’s a moody and intriguing tale.

It is as sudden as it is deadly. Its origins are unknown. When it strikes, a father must risk all to protect his daughter and escape across the Oregon countryside-before they are infected by THE LIGHT. This December, prepare for the wildly acclaimed horror-thriller from writer Nathan Edmondson and artist Brett Weldele. Learn to love the darkness; learn to fear THE LIGHT.

December 18, 2010
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics? . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Ibuki TPB Out Now

From writer Jim Zubkavich and artist Omar Dogan comes the collection of the 4 ish mini-series focused on the character Ibuki (and others) from the Street Fighter franchise. It’d be a great Christmas present to comic newbies, or those who want something accessible, light hearted and simply fun. I read all 4 issues when they came out and apart from looking gorgeous it zips along at a great pace. Zubkavich is the writer of the hit Image series Skullkickers, and while it took me 2 issues to warm up to that great series, fans of that book will love Ibuki too.

All Ibuki wants is a normal Japanese high school experience, but her secret ninja life follows her everywhere she goes! With deadly ninja assassins, a crazy karate girl named Makoto, and the mysterious hermit Oro all on her case, she’ll be lucky if she even makes it to lunch hour in one piece! Street Fighter Legends: Ibuki is one part ninja action, one part high school antics, and 100% non-stop excitement! Collects Street Fighter Legends: Ibuki #1-4, plus other related bonus stories.

On a related Street Fighter note, I just ran across this great fan made SF film featuring Ken and Ryu. Definitely worth watching.

December 18, 2010
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics? . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

New Spider-Armor

Hmmm…looks like something from the Spidey musical.

Your First Look At The NEW SPIDER-ARMOR!

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at Spider-Man’s all new Spider-Armor, debuting in Amazing Spider-Man #656, from the superstar creative team of Dan Slott and Marcos Martin. Peter Parker may have hit the Big Time, but that hasn’t stopped new villains from terrorizing Manhattan. What kind of foe would prompt Spider-Man to suit up in this high-powered costume? Find out in Amazing Spider-Man #656!

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #656

Written by DAN SLOTT

Penciled & Cover by MARCOS MARTIN

Captain America 70th Anniversary Variant Cover by JOE QUESADA

Rated A …$3.99

ON SALE IN MARCH!

 

December 15, 2010
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics?, News . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Velocity #3 Preview

Any excuse is a good one to show some Kenneth Rocafort artwork. Below is the official description of this week’s Velocity #3 by Rocafort and written by Ron Marz and published by Top Cow.

Velocity #3

(W) Ron Marz   (A) Kenneth Rocafort      (Cov) Kenneth Rocafort

The Pilot Season Winner is Back!

Like fast women? Boy, do we have a girl for you. The clock is literally ticking on the life of Carin Taylor, the hero known as Velocity. The fastest girl in the world must race around the globe in an attempt to save her Cyberforce teammates. If Carin can’t beat the clock, she and her friends will succumb to a techno-virus and give Cyberforce’s greatest foe his greatest victory. The issue continues the creative collaboration of writer Ron Marz (Witchblade, Angelus) and artist Kenneth Rocafort (Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer).

Full Color 32 pages $3.99  limited series

December 14, 2010
Categories: Comic Art . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

The Frontiersman #16

Out now is the FREE digital PDF of Broken Frontier’s nifty magazine, The Frontiersman. Inside is a great interview with Charles Burns (Black Hole, X’ed Out), a look at Next Men, Thunderbolts, my review of the Hawks of Outremer TPB, an exclusive preview of Secret Warriors #23 and so much more. Check it out right here.

December 11, 2010
Categories: Comic Art, Interviews, New To Comics?, Reviews . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

From Superhero to Samurai

DC tried a similar approach in the ’90s with an alternate universe tale where the Justice League existed in feudal Japan. It kind of worked. Now it’s Marvel’s turn. Of the 5, Wolvie, Punisher and Psylocke make the most sense to become samurai.

Marvel’s Deadliest Heroes Are The 5 RONIN

Wolverine. Psylocke. The Punisher. Hulk. Deadpool. Five of Marvel’s deadliest heroes will come to the fore this March for a series unlike any other in 5 RONIN.  Bound together by the same fate, yet alone in their existence, they are forced to walk the lonely path of the masterless samurai in the violent and tumultuous world of feudal Japan.

Crafted by acclaimed writer Peter Milligan and a rotating cast of today’s hottest artists, 5 RONIN #1-5 is a month-long event with covers from some of the biggest names in the industry. To celebrate the release of this series, retailers will have the opportunity to order two different covers per issue – one by superstar artist David Aja and one by another industry favorite.

“What would the ultimate samurai super hero epic look like? The answer is 5 RONIN” explains Editor Sebastian Girner. “When we came up with the idea of taking our biggest heroes and setting them in this time period, writer Peter Milligan and the amazingly talented cast of artists immediately jumped on board. This is easily one of the most beautiful comics you will read this year.”

Each of the 5 seeks revenge, but against whom? And what powerful secret connects these lone warriors? 5 RONIN will examine the true face of Marvel’s most solitary characters against a majestic — and bloodstained — backdrop.

5 RONIN #1 – #5

Written by PETER MILLIGAN

Penciled by TOMM COKER, DALIBOR TALAJIC, LAURENCE CAMPBELL, GORAN PARLOV & LEANDRO FERNANDEZ

Covers by JOHN CASSADAY, MARK BROOKS, GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI, DAVID MACK, ED MCGUINESS & DAVID AJA

Parental Advisory …$2.99 (each)

ON SALE THIS MARCH!

December 9, 2010
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics?, News . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Two Age Of X: Alpha Covers

I loved the alternate universe multi-series that was Age of Apocalypse back in the heyday of the ’90s. Marvel gave us an alternate world where Magneto replaced the dead Professor X as leader of the X-Men, Wolverine had one arm and Cyclops was a bad guy not to be messed with. More recently we’ve had the more grounded House of M story which showed a world without mutants. Next up is Age of X. Below are two covers for the series which launches on January 26. That’s Australia Day! Read more about the series with an interview with Mike Carey at CBR and discover some redesigns of classic X-Men too.

Your First Look At All-New Covers To AGE OF X: ALPHA

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at two all-new covers to Age of X: Alpha #1 from superstar artists Chris Bachalo and Olivier Coipel! Mutankind’s Final war starts here! In a world where the X-Men never existed, the survival of mutantkind rests on the shoulders of the few remaining mutants who are on their last leg. Who are they and at what length will they go to keep their kind alive? Get your answers to these questions and more in Age Of X: Alpha #1! Keep your eyes peeled this week for another Age of X Historical Log inside select Marvel Comics. Be sure to head out to your local comic shop to find the next clue you will need to unravel the mystery that is Age of X.

AGE OF X: ALPHA #1 (NOV100514)

AGE OF X: ALPHA #1 COIPEL VARIANT (NOV10515)

Written by MIKE CAREY

Pencils by MIRCO PIERFEDERICI, PAUL DAVIDSON, GABRIEL HERNANDEZ WALTA, HARVEY TOLIBAO & CARLO BARBERI

Cover by CHRIS BACHALO

Variant Cover by OLIVIER COIPEL

Rated A…$3.99

FOC – 1/3/10, On-Sale – 1/26/10

December 8, 2010
Categories: Comic Art, News . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

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