My 1000th Post

Actually, this is my 1005th entry in this humble blog. Wow. I began Comic Book Jesus on June 17 2008 for 2 reasons. Firstly, I was gearing up to go to San Diego Comic-Con for the first time and wanted an easy way to share my photos and thoughts of the adventure. A blog seemed like the best idea, rather than annoying mass e-mails, and WordPress is without a doubt the best platform for that. Secondly, before CBJ launched, I was writing for a website called Infuze, which was a tremendous pop culture  focused site started by novelist Robin Parrish. Unfortunately it closed down a few months after I started writing there. Each day was creatively focused on a different medium of pop culture, such as books, films, comics, etc. I ran the Comics department and had a blast. It was my official foray into the wide world of the internet press. I felt guilty about still receiving inside info and free comics after Infuze closed, so I created CBJ as an outlet, and its become much more. I’ve been blessed to appear on WordPress’ fastest growing blogs list and have been quoted online and in print. Oh yeah. However, lately my focus has been on writing for Broken Frontier and Extra Sequential, but this blog will always hold a special place in my heart. So, thanks for sticking with me this long and the future looks bright I gotta say.

Oh, and just so this post isn’t a text only piece, here’s the variant cover for this week’s Batman and Robin #11. You can see a few interior pages here.

April 7, 2010
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics?, News . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Rough Justice Review

I’m getting into art books lately, and there’s quite a few coming out in the next few months, including those focused on Adam Hughes and Jim Lee. Staying in the DC family is this handsome collection, with the full title of Rough Justice: The DC Comics Sketches of Alex Ross. The American painter has carved out a niche for himself over the last 2 decades with his realistic work portraying the power and dynamism of spandex clad icons. DC has been blessed with the majority of his output, with covers for Superman and Batman, as well as series such as the future-set Kingdom Come and nostalgia-laden Justice. It’s the latter which takes the bulk of these 224 pages, but there’s plenty of other pieces for the Ross fan, or simply those who like staring at great art. That’s the beauty of Ross’ work. It shatters the confines of the comic shop. I took this dazzling tome to work today and the few people I showed it too were almost drooling.

Designer Chip Kidd who has worked with Ross before on his similar Mythology book here guides the layouts and appearance of the content. It may be tempting to think that he doesn’t have much to do as Ross’ work speaks, or shouts like Brian Blessed, for itself. However, after a few reads (you won’t be satisfied with just one) you’ll realise that the variety is a key part of the book. Going with the “rough” theme, you won’t find many of Ross’ trademark glossy paintings, but what you will find is a treasure trove of character sketches, draft cover layouts, action figure designs and costume re-designs. It’s that latter aspect of Rough Justice that long-time DC fans will find most appealing.

Before All-Star Batman and Robin became what it was (insert joke here) Ross went to artist Jim Lee with his new Robin design, involving a hooded cape and scale armour, a la Aquaman and Captain America. Martian Manhunter looking like a tentacled Spectre, a sleek Atom, Nightwing and Flamebird from Return to Krypton and other rejected character re-designs, including Dick Grayson as Batman, are presented here. Ross’ passion for the Marvel Family shows in a series of great art pieces for a 2005 proposal for new Shazam adventures, which surprisingly yet fittingly involved Black Vulcan from the 1970s Super Friends cartoon.

Kingdom Come, Justice Society, logos, posters, TPB covers and more are also highlighted, as are a proposal entitled Batboy, Grant Morrison as Brainiac and brief comments from the man himself. Really, Ross’ pencils are so tight they they can’t really be called sketches, and any page in here could proudly hang on a wall.

Rough Justice is available now from Pantheon, and there’s a brief interview with Ross over at CBR here.

April 6, 2010
Categories: Comic Art, Reviews . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: 1 Comment

Jim Lee’s iPad Sketches

Digital finger painting! Here’s a few pics artist and new DC Comics co-publisher Jim Lee did with the Sketchbook application on his new Apple iPad. Nothing more to say really.

April 6, 2010
Categories: Comic Art, News . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Brightest Day Pics

Blackest Night #8 came out this week, concluding Geoff Johns’ grand scheme involving a bunch of Green (and other coloured) Lanterns and a multitude of risen corpses. The next part in the epic is the much more hopeful Brightest Day which kicks off with the #0 ish on April 14 and is then followed by fortnightly issues in May and June. Below is the gatefold from Blackest Night #8 from artist Ivan Reis, showing the newly ressurected heroes, as well as two house ads for the new series.

April 3, 2010
Categories: Comic Art, News . Tags: , , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine #1 Preview

Next month is a good one for the comic-curious. Marvel unleash a new series for newbies, starring two of their most well-known heroes. Written by Jason Aaron (Scalped, Ghost Rider) and bringing Adam Kubert’s gorgeous art back into interior pages, this will be one to watch. Official info below.

Get Your First Look At Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine #1!

Marvel is proud to unveil your first look at the hotly-anticipated Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine #1, from two of today’s most acclaimed talents—Jason Aaron and Adam Kubert ! Spider-Man and Wolverine come together in their first major series ever, as they journey to the edges of a Marvel Universe in a new series that will dramatically affect both characters! Perfect for fans old and new alike, no one can afford to miss the senses-shattering Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine #1!

ASTONISHING SPIDER-MAN/WOLVERINE #1 (MAR100471)

ASTONISHING SPIDER-MAN/WOLVERINE #1 FOILOGRAM VARIANT (MAR100472)

Written by JASON AARON

Pencils & Cover by ADAM KUBERT

Foilogram Variant Cover by ADAM KUBERT

Rated T+ …$3.99

FOC—4/15/10, ON-SALE—5/5/10

April 2, 2010
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics?, News . Tags: , , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Aladdin: Legacy of the Lost #2 Review

So many good looking Radical books, so little time. My review of this week’s issue of their Aladdin reinvention is up now at Broken Frontier here. Written by Ian Edginton with art duties shared by Patrick Reilly and Stjepan Sejic, this second issue is a visually dazzling adventure. To prove my point, below the cover you’ll find pics of Sejic’s pages, uncluttered by text.

April 1, 2010
Categories: Comic Art, Reviews . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Aussie + Boomerang = Superhero

I used to love reading the X-Men titles in the early ’90s, as the team was so international. The different accents (Nightcrawler’s German, Colossus’ Russian, Rogues’ Southern,etc) were all handled superbly and it served to give the book a real global flavour. Image’s new Guardians of the Globe series looks to offer up more ethnicity, as the name suggests. Image sent sneaky teaser images last week, seemingly revealing who the new members of the super team would be, including Barack Obama and Harry Potter. Huh?! Of course, it was all a nice in-joke, referencing Marvel’s earlier teasers revealing their new Avengers team.

Now, the real Guardians are making their presence known. The latest one (after Outrun and Brit) is, a new character I believe, called Kaboomerang. With his”yeah mate,” quote and earthen colour scheme I assume he’s an Australian, and and Aboriginal. Now, as an Aussie myself I can say that yes, I say “mate,” and I have thrown a boomerang in my time, but really? The only other Australian character in mainstream comics I can think of is the (now deceased) member of Flash’s Rogues Gallery. Yep, Captain Boomerang, an overweight stereotype who threw boomerangs and wore a handkerchief around his neck.

Granted, Kaboomerang, by the ridiculously yet somehow cool name alone seems to be a tongue in cheek character created with a sense of humour. Thanks must also go to writer Robert Kirkman for putting an Aboriginal hero in a superhero team, as Gateway, the Aboriginal mutant who sometimes aided the X-Men hasn’t been seen in years.

It’s just a shame that overseas exposure of Australia seems to be limited to spandex wearers throwing curved hunting implements, and kangaroos of the caged or boxing variety.

March 25, 2010
Categories: Comic Art, News . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

More Iron Man By Design Variant Covers

To celebrate May 7’s Iron Man 2 Marvel are allowing Tony Stark to get all the attention on a few variant covers of their upcoming titles. Details below.

Marvel Unveils New IRON MAN BY DESIGN Variant Covers

Get a look at Iron Man like you’ve never seen him before! Marvel is proud to unveil even more of the stunning Iron Man By Design variant covers by some of the top artists of today!

Marvel urges retailers to check their orders on these hotly-anticipated variant covers, as Iron Man continues to garner mainstream media buzz! No Marvel fan can miss April’s Iron Man By Design variant covers!

DARK WOLVERINE #85 (FEB100573)

DARK WOLVERINE #85 IRON MAN BY DESIGN VARIANT (FEB100574)

Written by DANIEL WAY & MARJORIE LIU

Pencils & Cover by STEPHEN SEGOVIA

IRON MAN BY DESIGN VARIANT by SKOTTIE YOUNG

Parental Advisory …$2.99

FOC—3/25/10, On-Sale—4/21/10

X-MEN LEGACY #235 (FEB100561)

X-MEN LEGACY #235 IRON MAN BY DESIGN VARIANT (FEB100563)

Written by MIKE CAREY

Penciled by GREG LAND

Cover by ADI GRANOV

Variant Cover by DAVID FINCH

IRON MAN BY DESIGN VARIANT by DAVE JOHNSON

Rated A …$2.99

FOC—3/25/10, On-Sale—4/21/10

WOLVERINE ORIGINS #47 (FEB100575)

WOLVERINE ORIGINS #47 IRON MAN BY DESIGN VARIANT (FEB100576)

Written by DANIEL WAY

Penciled by WILL CONRAD

Cover by SIMONE BIANCHI

IRON MAN BY DESIGN VARIANT by HUMBERTO RAMOS

Parental Advisory …$2.99

FOC—4/1/10/10, On-Sale—4/28/10

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

Tom Taylor Goodness

The Melbourne based playwright/comics scribe (Star Wars: Invasion from Dark Horse, The Authority from DC/Wildstorm and Rombies from Gestalt) has more goodies coming out in the coming weeks. In the latest Previews catalogue the second issue of the new Invasion series is out, as is a Vader-related one-shot. Check out the info below. You might also want to listen to an interview with Taylor and his Rombies collaborator Skye Ogden as they discuss the genesis of the great concept, undead gazelles and political subtext.

STAR WARS: INVASION—RESCUES #2 (of 6)

Tom Taylor (W), Colin Wilson (A), Wes Dzioba (C), and Jo Chen (Cover)

On sale June 30
FC, 40 pages
$2.99
Miniseries

New and vital knowledge sends Finn Galfridian with Jacen and Jaina Solo on a mission to the planet of Artorias. Though Finn does not know if his father, Caled, lives, if there is any chance, he must be warned of new dangers. It’s a hot and dangerous ride to Artorias, and the occupying Yuuzhan Vong are ready with a toothsome, ravaging welcome . . .

Meanwhile, Kaye and Nina, board their newly acquired Vong ship, embark on their own mission. It’s one they can’t refuse: rescuing captives held on a dead planet. There is no telling what peril will meet the rescue party . . .

STAR WARS ADVENTURES: THE WILL OF DARTH VADER

Tom Taylor (W), Brain Koschak (P), Dan Parsons (I), Michael Wiggam (C), and Sean McNally (Cover)

On sale Aug 11
FC, 80 pages
$7.99
TPB, 5 1/4″ x 7 1/2″

Darth Vader is on a mission for the Emperor!

When the Rebellion’s hit-and-run attacks on Imperial cargo ships become too audacious to be ignored, Darth Vader is sent in to find the Rebel base and destroy it. But the base, hidden in the center of a constantly shifting asteroid field, cannot be attacked directly.

To reach his target, Vader will have to team up with a recently captured smuggler named Zika—and dealing with an unwilling, wisecracking partner may be more of a trial for the Dark Lord than the actual mission!

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

Marvel’s Marvelman

Well, the press release below says it all, but I don’t think anyone’s surprised to see Marvel doing something with this classic character. No news of new Marvelman adventures yet though.

Marvelman Returns In June!

Marvel is proud to announce the return of Marvelman to shelves everywhere with the release of Marvelman Classic Primer #1 in June! Who is the mysterious Marvelman? And just why is he one of the most enduring super heroes of all time? The answers arrives in this commemorative one-shot featuring interviews with creator Mick Anglo, superstar Neil Gaiman and more who contributed to this character’s history over the years! Plus, get all-new pin ups of key Marvelman characters by superstar artists Mike Perkins, Doug Braithwaite, Miguel Angel Sepulveda, Jae Lee, Khoi Pham and Ben Oliver! This landmark issue features two covers—one with the timeless art of Mick Anglo and another with the now-iconic rendition of Marvelman by Marvel Editor-In-Chief—and superstar artist—Joe Quesada!

Then, in July, thrill to the debut of Marvelman Family’s Finest #1, a new ongoing series reprinting Marvelman’s greatest adventures for the first time in the US ! Plus, no comics fan can miss Marvelman Classic Vol.1 Premiere HC, reprinting Marvelman’s earliest adventures in chronological order!

Now’s your chance to learn just why Marvelman is one of the most important characters in comic book history—it all begins in Marvelman Classic Primer #1, this June!

MARVELMAN CLASSIC PRIMER #1

Written by JOHN RHETT THOMAS

Cover by JOE QUESADA

Variant by MICK ANGLO

Rated A …$3.99

ON SALE IN JUNE!

March 23, 2010
Categories: Comic Art, News . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Iron Man By Design Variant Covers

I was going to put these pics in the last This Week In Pictures post, but they really do deserve their own focus. Basically, Iron Man 2 is landing on cinema screens on May 7 and Marvel have given free rein to some very talented folks to create unique covers over a variety of Marvel titles for the month of April. They had a similar approach with their Wolverine Art Appreciation covers from last year, and these samples below look to do even more for Ol’ Shellhead. Mmmm…luscious. Just a reminder that these are variant covers, so you’ll have to ask your friendly neighbourhood comic shop specifically for them, or get there early on new comics day and grab them yourself. Oh, and don’t expect Iron Man to actually be in the comic – he’s just used to the Hollywood treatment now. Below the pics you’ll find more info including release dates on these specific issues.

Continue reading →

March 22, 2010
Categories: Art, Comic Art, News . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

This Week In Pictures-March 21,2010

BOOM! again prove their diversity and desire to bring comics into markets they haven’t been before. July’s 4 ish mini focuses on America’s famed CBGB club and is created by a host of talented individuals. Here’s the official blurb, plus the cover and a preview page, written by Jesse Blaze Snider.

The four issue mini-series hitting store shelves this July, features the finest veteran and rookie talents in comics, portraying the tales of music, discovery, heartbreak, confusion, rebellion and greatness.

The first issue’s cover is by superstar LOVE & ROCKETS cartoonist Jaime Hernandez. Also confirmed for the anthology are Ana Matronic (songstress for Grammy-nominated band SCISSOR SISTERS), Kieron Gillen (PHONOGRAM, THOR), Kim Krizan (Academy Award-nominated writer of BEFORE SUNSET and BEFORE SUNRISE) Chuck BB (Eisner wining artist of BLACK METAL), Kelly Sue DeConnick (30 DAYS OF NIGHT: EBEN & STELLA), Rob G. (TEENAGERS FROM MARS, COURIERS), Sam Humphries (the architect behind MySpace Comics) Marc Ellerby (LOVE THE WAY YOU LOVE) and many more!

The final and much anticipated volume of the Scott Pilgrim series by Bryan Lee O’Malley also lands in July. This fun and simply awesome series from Oni Press is one I’ve been getting into purely because it’s been so highly regarded, and I wasn’t disappointed. Scott Pilgrim is one of those rare series with high cross-over potential, and with the film (directed by Shaun of the Dead‘s Edgar Wright) coming up in August (the rather generic poster below has just been released) will surely help that.

Six years, five volumes, and 1,000 pages. Now the long anticipated finale to Bryan Lee O’Malley’s hit Oni Press graphic novel series has finally arrived. On Tuesday, July 20th, 2010 comic shops and bookstores across North America will celebrate the release of SCOTT PILGRIM VOL. 6: SCOTT PILGRIM’S FINEST HOUR.

“It’s been quite a ride, and I couldn’t have gotten here without the support of the fans and the retailers,” said O’Malley. “It feels great to be in the home stretch, and I think this is going to be the best Scott Pilgrim book ever!”

Now, a bunch of Batman related news. June sees a 6 ish mini begin, based on the Batman Beyond TV series. It’s written by Adam Beechen with art by Ryan Benjamin. Here’s the cover for the first issue by Dustin Nguyen.

Another 6 ish mini-series out in June is Red Hood: The Lost Days. Writer Judd Winick and artist Pablo Raimondi present the tale that focuses on the second Robin, Jason Todd and the time between his resurrection and transformation into the villain Red Hood. Don’t forget, there’s also a DVD animated film on the way focused on the character too.

June’s Detective Comics #866 is written by Bat-legend Dennis O’Neill with art by Dustin Nguyen. The cover for this standalone story is below, and is described by DC as, “a tale of the Dick Grayson Batman intertwined with those classic days when Batman and Robin, the Boy Wonder, patrolled the mean streets of Gotham City!”

March 20, 2010
Categories: Comic Art, News . Tags: , , , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Ultimate Comics X #2 Preview

The premiere ish of this new Ultimate Universe-set series was great. Now, here’s a preview of the second issue, below the official synopsis. Ultimate Comics X #2 hits stands on April 7.

Marvel is proud to unveil your first look inside Ultimate Comics X #2, the series that’s redefining the Ultimate Comics Universe! Superstars Jeph Loeb and Arthur Adams continue their gripping story, answering the question everyone’s asking—who, or what, is Ultimate X?

Ultimate Comics X has critics raving:

“This is the archetypical comic story that some readers will one day point back to and say, ‘That was the single greatest issue I ever read.’…Adams turns in phenomenally detailed yet buoyantly composed art as only Arthur Adams can deliver it”- Doug Zawisza, ComicBookResources.Com

“The book lives up to its opening promise of a more hopeful and optimistic story, providing a very human character portrait of a new Ultimate character”—Dave Wallace, ComicsBulletin.Com

“This is Loeb at the top of his game”—Lee Newman, BrokenFrontier.Com

“I enjoyed it…It’s cool to see an alternate universe in which anything can happen and now it finally does.”– Chad Derdowski, Mania.Com

What’s the mystery behind Ultimate X? More answers arrive in Ultimate Comics X #2!

March 11, 2010
Categories: Comic Art . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

The Week In Pictures-March 7 2010

Peter Parker’s joining the ranks of the unemployed and something called Heralds launches in June. You can also check out a preview of the 3 ish mini Superman: Last Stand of New Krypton, which hits next week. Also, Stan Lee’s POW Entertainment is working with BOOM! Studios, there’s a bunch of great previews (25 in fact) from May 1’s Free Comic Book Day titles  and below is a look at Alan Moore as a teenage girl (he also teams up with Neil Gaiman!). See it to believe it.

March 7, 2010
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics?, News . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

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