Here’s 2 interesting teaser images released this week. It appears that the X-Men are getting darker and that Aquaman will finally return to the DCU as a Black Lantern. Stay tuned.
Peek at Ms. Marvel #38
Beneath the Phil Jiminez cover, you can see a text-free peek at Ms. Marvel #38, on sale on April 29. Marvel’s description of the issue below.
With Carol Danvers no longer Ms. Marvel, who will take up the mantle? Answer: The Dark Avenger formerly known as Moonstone! Writer Brian Reed and artist Rebekah Isaacs team up for an all-new, all-different Ms. Marvel #38! Norman Osborn has appointed the villainous Moonstone to become the world’s new favorite super-heroine–what kind of chaos and mayhem will ensue? This issue also features a Wolverine Art Appreciation variant cover by Paolo Rivera!
The Remnant #4 Review
This series surprised a few people with it’s high quality upon its debut 4 months ago, especially seeing as it had actor Stephen Baldwin’s name attached to it. I’m glad I gave this a go though and I recommend picking up the eventual Trade when it arrives, particularly if fast paced thrillers with something a little extra are your thing.
As I’ve said before, The Remnant has been created as a Trade read, with its hectic story that doesn’t let up. There’s no chance to stop and catch your breath. You just have to run to keep up.
This final issue begins seconds from last month’s final page, with the mysterious woman with David’s wife, Sara in her sights laying bleeding in the street. Homeland Security wants answers from David and Sara but must fight to keep them both alive, as well as fighting against them at times.
This isn’t the high point for the series. It needed an extra issue or two to tie up loose ends, and with the rather ambivalent ending quite possibly involving the Rapture, it just may get it. I’d expect a Volume 2 to eventually be released. The supernatural elements that have been hinted at throughout this title come to the fore here, but rather awkwardly so. With characters espousing fate, prophecy and chaos it all seems like a flood, rather than a subtle wave. The Remnant has gone from Bourne to something else entirely in just one issue. It’s not enough to make me dislike this series, as it’s hooked me from the beginning. Caleb Monroe has an impressive handle on pace and artist Julian Totino Tedesco’s fluid figures and superb layouts, with great use of space get me every time. However, I was expecting more with the conclusion. If there is more to come, I’ll be happy. If not, this is a disappointing end to an otherwise uniquely engaging series.
Marvel’s Variety
If you need proof that there’s an abundance of different comics released every week, just check out the tiny assortment below, from what Marvel’s offering this week. Looks like there’s something for everyone, as usual.
For the full list of Marvel’s April Fool’s Day releases, see below.
This Is How You Do It
I read a lot of comics. I look forward to the Previews catalogue each month and my new comics every Thursday or Friday. For as long as I’ve been reading them, comics have primarily consisted of 22 story pages. Sure, the argument over that arbitrary number re-surfaces from time to time, and perhaps monthlies aren’t as in favour as Trades and OGNs, which find a more welcome home at bookstores, but to make a story have impact in 22 pages is no easy feat. Not every comic I read is a winner of course, and some steal minutes from me as I trudge through them. However, this month has been a good one. And of course, if you read comics, you more than likely want to work “in” comics as a creator. If that’s you, then take note of these recent releases in how to craft an engrossing story.
Dark Avengers #3. Ever since Avengers Disassembled from a few years ago, which tore apart the traditional Avengers crew, the spin-offs have been abundant. We’ve had Young, New, Mighty and now Dark. They’ve all made sense and added something to the mythos though. However Dark Avengers, launching from Secret Invasion is a great twist. With Norman Osborn replacing Tony Stark as the head of S.H.I.E.L.D, he quickly re-named the agency H.A.M.M.E.R and made in his own team in his dark image. So instead of Spider-Man, we have Venom, Bullseye instead of Hawkeye and Daken is Wolverine, and so on. What a great surprise, and it could go anywhere. Bendis showed again that he’s the master strategist of the Marvel Universe. In Dark Avengers #3, things quieten down somewhat and the first few pages are a prime example of deft characterisation balanced with superb pacing, helped ably by Mike Deodato’s pencils. Basically Osborn and disturbed hero Sentry are chatting. They’re two unusual men having a heart to heart. It goes on for 9 pages, but it’s the most riveting Avengers entry I’ve seen for ages.
Similarly, Justice League of America #31, written by Dwayne McDuffie is a great example of dialogue. Sure it’s from the mouths of costumed adventurers, but that doesn’t mean it’s all capital letters and exclamation marks. As JLA chairwoman Black Canary struggles to hold the roster in place she visits all the members for their reasons why the JLA just doesn’t cut it any more. There’s no action here, just pages of engrossing dialogue. Sadly, this may be the high point in this book for a while.
If you want to see what simple, hectic action looks like read this month’s Punisher #3, The Punisher #68 or Dark Reign Elektra #1, for an awesome escape sequence. If humour’s your thing, grab The Goon #32 (or any of them) by Eric Powell. I also picked up the Athena Voltaire/The Black Coat special from Ape Entertainment. It’s my first foray into those character’s books, but I was impressed, especially as two creators managed to write simple adventure tales starring two different characters in two different eras, but managed to effectively tie the narrative through both.
It’s worth picking up something you normally wouldn’t every time you visit the LCS, because you just may find a pleasant surprise.
Extra Sequential #2 Now Out!
It’s finally arrived. Woohoo! Our second issue is 88 pages long (30 pages more than our first issue!) and features more interviews, features and reviews. Inside you’ll find stuff on the new Flash Gordon, the Brit detective series Harker, the all-ages Kid Beowulf, artist Joe Jusko, the scary Dread Force mechs, and a look at the gorgeous work of Steve Pugh in Hotwire. There’s so much more of course. Hope you enjoy it! Check it out right here.
Chad Helder Interview
At the always delightfully informative Broken Frontier, I interviewed writer Chad Helder. His unusual horror series, Bartholomew of the Scissors is out now in TPB, from Bluewater. The art is by Daniel Crosier and is suitably unique. It features woodburning on pine planks and is creepily effective. Go here for my interview, and cast your peepers on Crosier’s art below. And go here to see Helder’s blog, including a video of Crosier at work.
The Darkness #76 Preview
On sale now is The Darkness #76 from Top Cow. Written by Phil Hester with art by Michael Broussard, a gruesome preview as well as Top Cow’s description of the issue, is below.
Jackie’s face-off against his deadliest foe yet continues as the Legacy numbering of The Darkness goes into full effect, taking into account every issue ever published, regardless of volume.
The Sovereign’s bloody mission for Jackie has finally driven him to despair. Broken and lost, Jackie falls for an otherworldly seductress who seeks to exact a centuries-old curse against The Darkness. Plus, who is The Foreigner and how does his connection to The Darkness predate Jackie Estacado’s?
Unthinkable #1 Preview
I trust BOOM! Studios, and while as a fanboy putting your trust in a comic book publisher may be as wise as trusting your ability to get a hotel room at Comic-Con, I feel confident with this one. Lately BOOM! has lifted their game. Series like Station and the recent Hexed and The Remnant have really wowed me. Since Mark Waid has come on board they seem to be putting out quality titles consistently and are showing no signs of slowing down just yet. One of their latest projects is by writer Mark Sable (DC’s Cyborg and Two-Face: Year One) and Julian Totino Tedesco (artist on The Remnant). I can’t explain this series better than the press release, so here it is: They’ve been hired to think the UNTHINKABLE. But what happens when the unthinkable actually happens? After 9-11, best-selling author Alan Ripley joins a government think tank consisting of the most imaginative minds in diverse fields. Their job? Think of nightmare scenarios and crippling terrorist attacks so the government can safeguard against them. But what happens when the think tank folds, and the attacks start to happen?
The first issue of 4 is out in May, and orders from comic shops are due on Tuesday March 31, so check out the preview pages below and decide for yourself. It’s a sure bet I’d say.
Watchmensch Review
I’ll be honest with you. I only ordered this from Previews because it’s written by Rich Johnston. Rich is the man in the know when it comes to insider goss in the comic book biz, and is always the first to offer up juicy news that gets all those forums hyperactive. I’ve enjoyed his Lying In The Gutters column at CBR for years now and felt it was my civic duty to buy his latest foray into writing comics, rather than about them. He also was extremely kind enough to mention Extra Sequential, my free on-line comics mag, as we were one of the few comics sites with daily updates during last year’s Christmas break.
Johnston isn’t a first time creative writer though. The English scribe has written for TV’s Smack The Pony sketch show as well as indie comics such as The X-Files and The Flying Friar.
I must say reading Watchmensch from Brain Scan Studios was a relief. I was blessed enough recently to get a preview copy of Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill’s latest League of Extraordinary Gentlemen adventure from Top Shelf. (See the review in the upcoming Extra Sequential #2!) and was disappointed. Hugely so in fact. As is Moore’s want Century is brimming with the stuff that makes literature students giddy, but makes the rest of us feel somewhat perplexed.
However Watchmensch gave me the happies. It spoke to me. Sure, it’s a niche comic. A very niche comic. Not only is it a Watchmen parody, but it is also filled with a multitude of references to Moore’s unique personality, DC’s mistreatment of its writers and artists, and the troubles with Moore’s film adaptations. Fanboys will eat this up, but everyone else will be left scratching their heads, kinda like the Watchmen film really.
With nods to The Simpsons and reality TV, heartless studio execs and even Ozzy Osbourne, Johnston and artist Simon Rohrmuller have crafted a tidy, black and white laugh giver. It was honestly a refreshing read, and after the sour taste of Century in my mouth, I felt relieved after reading this. It spoke to my inner geek and gave it a warm hug. It’s a good feeling being an insider.
Rohrmuller’s art is very much like Dave Gibbons in places and he uses the constraints of the two colours very well, managing to fill in the panels with enough detail and give great expressions to the characters. It’s no easy feat to summarise the epic that is Watchmen, but this creative duo have done it, even down to exact panel recreations and familiar lines. I won’t say too much about the plot, as the genuine laughs come from the surprises but it’s cleverly done.
The characters we all know and love from Watchmen are amusingly tweaked here, so The Comedian resembles Krusty the Clown, Rorschach becomes the “Jewish” Spottyman and Dr. Manhattan becomes a man who walked under a falling tin of blue paint and became Mr. Broadway.
Thanks Mr. Johnston. I may not be educated enough to get Moore’s latest League (though I loved the first two) but Watchmensch makes me feel part of the in crowd. Yes, it’s a crowd of misunderstood, net-aholics with opinions as varied as their action figure collections, but it’s my crowd. The kind of crowd that will enjoy this too.
Witchblade #125 Review
My review of the anniversary issue of Witchblade #125 is now up at Broken Frontier. This ish is the start of the War of the Witchblades story arc and is written by Ron Marz with gorgeous art by Stjepan Sejic as usual. It’s a great introduction to the world of the Witchblade and an enjoyable read. This has been an impressive title lately.
The Incredibles #1 Preview
We have a feature about the new properties coming from BOOM! Studios in the upcoming second issue of Extra Sequential. Written by Mark Waid, with art by Marcio Takara, the four issue min-series The Incredibles, hits shelves on March 25.
Kabuki Collected
Creator David Mack is an innovative guy. His work looks like nothing else on the stands. He owns the page in his work like Daredevil and his own creation, Kabuki. Now you can grab Kabuki: The Alchemy which collects some of his best work. Official press release below, and check out more Mack art here.
Eisner-nominated superstar writer/artist David Mack presents a groundbreaking collection of his acclaimed work in Kabuki: The Alchemy HC. Collecting all nine issues of the critically-lauded, Eisner Award-nominated KABUKI: THE ALCHEMY series from Marvel’s creator-owned Icon imprint – for the first time ever!—this is an unprecedented look at Mack’s work! This hardcover is chock full of bonus material including original scripts, a “best of fan letters” section, never before seen art and new story pages, including updated versions of previously published scenes! If that’s not enough, acclaimed Fight Club author Chuck Palahniuk provides a powerful introduction to one of comics’ most acclaimed series and a special afterword from Mack himself!
“I think The Alchemy represents the best and most evolved example of my work in comics as a writer and as an artist,” says David Mack.
Plus, don’t miss the Kabuki: The Alchemy Limited Edition HC, packaged with a signed and numbered original brush & ink sketch on parchment paper! Both Kabuki: The Alchemy HC and The Kabuki: Alchemy Limited Edition HC feature an embossed cover and spine; watermark design on the interior pages; and a special bookmark!
Wolverine Art Appreciation Month
Logan will bask in Marvel’s love and respect in April when Wolverine celebrates his 35th anniversary with classic paintings re-imagined by top comic artists of today. This is a great idea I reckon. Press release below.
Marvel is proud to announce that in honor of Wolverine’s 35th anniversary, numerous Marvel titles will feature Wolverine Art Appreciation Variant Covers in April, as part of Wolverine Art Appreciation Month. In the tradition of Marvel’s previous variant cover programs, featuring everything from villains to zombies to monkeys, select Marvel titles will feature variant covers spotlighting the most popular X-Man through a unique lens! Inspired by some of the world’s greatest artists, these variant covers depict Wolverine like you’ve never seen him before, in styles reminiscent of Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol and more!
Captain Britain and MII3 #2 Edward Gory Style
“This is a huge year for Wolverine as he proves why he’s arguably one of the most popular characters in the world,” explained Joe Quesada, Marvel Comics Editor-in-Chief. “He’s not just popular with fans but also with artists, as evidenced by how many of today’s top comic artists jockey for a chance to draw him. This got us thinking: what if Wolverine had been around for hundreds, if not thousands, of years? What great, classic artists would want a crack at drawing a Wolverine cover?”
Keep checking back with http://www.marvel.com for a complete listing of titles featuring the Wolverine Art Appreciation Variant Covers and a first look at these landmark covers!
Amazing Spider-Man #590 C.M Coolidge Style
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