It’s father vs son in Wolverine: Origins #33 out on February 25. These two clawed individuals have had a rather heated relationship, as Daken blames Logan for his mother’s death, and now that Daken has turned up in Dad’s old brown costume as part of Norman Osborn’s new Dark Avengers, things aren’t simmering down. Written by Daniel Way, with pencils by Doug Braithwaite, a preview of the ish can be seen below. The claws are out!
On sale on March 4, War of Kings #1 is the first issue of a 6 issue mini-series from Marvel. Written by frequent writing partners Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, with art by Paul Pelletier the series is an unashamed space epic. The mute leader of the Inhumans, Black Bolt launches headlong into a war with the Shi’Ar Empire, and its leader (and X-Men baddie) Vulcan. Cast your peepers below for some random text-free preview pages, and cover by Brandon Peterson.
This week is a biggie for comics news. My fellow contributors at Broken Frontier will be there. Or at least two of them will be – Frederik Hautain and Bart Croonenborghs. I like them because they’re surnames are stranger than mine. These two crazy kids will be giving you the lowdown on all the announcements, surprises and wild nerd parties.
After San Diego Comic-Con (which I will be attending again in July – woo-hoo!) the New York Comic-Con is the big convention covering comics and pop culture. Catch the latest here.
Or at least updates of the greatly anticipated film. It’s hard to believe that this adaptation fanboys and girls have cautiously wanted to witness on celluloid is just around the corner. Below are some gorgeous promo pics for the Zack Snyder helmed film hitting the screens on March 6. For the uninitiated, Watchmen is a classic DC Comics 12 issue series written by Alan Moore (V for Vendetta, From Hell) with art by Dave Gibbons. It’s an epic telling of an alternate 1985 where Nixon is President and superheroes are real and endangered.
I’ve gotta give props to Warner Bros. All of their marketing for this film has been well orchestrated. From the pics released a year before the film to the recent viral video and variety of bold posters they know how to get the attention of curious geeks.
See the details below to register for mobile updates. Hi-tech marketing is a beautiful thing.
This issue is so pretty it’s making all my other comics jealous. An orgy of sights from Poltergeist, Ghostbusters, Judge Dredd and grand superhero epics, Warren Ellis and Steve Pugh concoct a tidy package of bombasticity (yes, I made up that word) unlike any piece of work you’ll find on today’s shelves. The four issue mini-series from Radical is yet another attention-getter in its already impressive arsenal of hot properties. Steve Pugh’s name comes before famed writer Warren Ellis’, and there’s a good reason. Hotwire is primarily Pugh’s creation, working from Ellis’ original story, but Pugh handles both chores brilliantly. Like any good writer/artist Pugh is totally in synch with his ambitions on the page and the fact that he’s been working on this title on and off for years shows. That devotion is obvious and Pugh can be glad that he stuck with Alice Hotwire. It’s paid off very well.
So what’s it all about then? This is a typically Radical high-concept and one that is revealed naturally within the story. Alice Hotwire is a smart, sassy, techno-goth punk and a detective exorcist. In the Britain of the future, ghosts are referred to as the more comfortable “blue lights” and in some parts roam the city as loose spirits. It’s a great idea to build an intriguing world upon, and in Pugh’s gorgeously rendered pages, the world is exquisite. Those familiar with his previous work on Shark Man will like what they see, as will everyone else, really. He digitally paints all manner of easily identifiable characters, surrounding them with gizmos and vehicles. There’s a burgeoning story at work here besides the undead, and the city riots, police corruption and unpopularity of the by-the-book Hotwire amongst her fellow cops will slowly form a larger narrative.
The beauty of Ellis’ writing is that he can take the same old broad ideas (humanity’s dependency on machines, pseudo-science, female outsiders) and paint them in striking new colours and Pugh has a great base to leap from as he constructs this tale. This is a great introduction to new readers sick of traditional superheroics. There’s enough action, playful attitude and variety to entertain you. There’s also exploding bodies, electrocutions and one angry digital ghost to compel you further. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that Alice Hotwire is an attractive young girl who doesn’t compromise, believe she’s ever wrong, or lose a fight. The book wisely centres on her but surely her new partner, family man, Mobey, will share the spotlight once the pair start figuring out what’s going on with all the increasingly weird paranormal activity.
Hotwire: Requiem for the Dead #1 is a 28 page issue, available from February 4. If you like looking at pretty things and being seduced by an equally arresting adventure, you have to pick it up.
This series from BOOM! Studios made an impression on me last month. I remain impressed. Written by Caleb Monroe from a story by Andrew Cosby and Stephen Baldwin (yes, that one) The Remnant throws in elements involving the supernatural, espionage thrillers and action films into a melting pot and scoops out the juicy bi-products.
There’s more to it than that though, and Cosby and Baldwin weave a taut tale springing from the first issue, while thrusting the adventure forward. In the first issue CIA agent David Sacker died in an explosion, but was brought back to life by a mysterious man (who himself was saved after dying in Hurricane Katrina). David’s new wife, Sara is taken in for questioning, after Homeland Security discovered her details on the bomber’s corpse. The married couple have no idea why Sara is being treated as a criminal, but the investigators remain unconvinced.
In this issue we learn the identity of the Katrina ‘victim’ who gave David his life back. He’s John Drouin, a small town kid with a juvie record. Agent Fairchild and her team witness footage of the explosion from the first issue, which shows the unharmed John and barely conscious David meeting. David returns home after chasing John in a thrilling sequence from last issue, and finds a bomb in his kitchen, which he disarms before meeting up with his friend Andy. David’s wife, Sara is released, with orders straight from the top, infuriating Agent Fairchild.
Finally, Andy and his amusingly nerdy assistant are attacked by John, who appears to be sleepwalking, or in a trance of some sort. Then a young lady checks into a hotel, unpacks a high-powered rifle and checks her target – Sara Sacker.
The pieces are starting to come together – slowly. Monroe seems to be honing in on a few details and characters, bringing them all together for a showdown. He lays enough hints to keep us guessing, with Sara’s innocence about the whole affair the primary one. However, the silent grey-haired man seen in Sudan in the opening pages, and then again in the office of the Director of Homeland Security must also reveal his true nature soon.
Artist Julian Totino Tedesco continues his stellar work form last issue. With a fluid grace, almost like John Byrne (Fantastic Four) but much better and great use of space on every page, he shows that he’s mastering his craft. He knows when to keep things simple, and when to lay on the details.
This will be one of those series that needs to be read in collected form to gain the full effect of the tale being told, so if you’re new to this series, start with issue #1, or wait for the Trade Paper Back. It really does have pacing similar to any of the numerous cop shows on TV these days, and seeing as there are more unanswered questions at this halfway mark of the series, it can only increase its intensity before issue #4.
Those lovely people at Top Cow are launching their new Let Us Win You Over promotion during February. This bold initiative sends free copies to random comic shops, giving people the chance to trial one of Top Cow’s titles for free. The official press release is below,a s is the link for the shops carrying the free copy of The Darkness #75. See if your shop is on the list (if you live in America or Canada, that is).
The “Let Us Win YOU Over” initiative is a yearlong campaign by Top Cow Productions to give out free copies of its regular comics to potential fans in the U.S. and Canada through participating comic book stores. Each month, a different set of stores, each month a different free comic. The stores vary by geography and demographics. Top Cow has partnered with ComicsPRO to bring this promotion to fans and all of February’s retailers are members of ComicsPRO.
The publisher decided to launch the program with a special celebratory anniversary issue of one of their flagship titles, The Darkness #75. The issue, which is an over-sized 48-page comic, commemorates the 75th overall issue of the series regardless of volume. The list of artists includes: Michael Broussard (current series artist), Jorge Lucas (Pilot Season: Ripclaw), Dale Keown (Pitt), Joe Benitez (Justice League of America), Ryan Sook (Superman/Batman), Steve Firchow (Ultimatum), Frazer Irving (Silent War), Lee Carter (2000 AD), Stjepan Sejic (Witchblade) and Matt Timson (Impaler). The story, which will examine what a possible future would be like for current Darkness bearer Jackie Estacado, will be penned by current series writer Phil Hester. The issue will be in comic shops on Wednesday, February 11th, 2008 and normally retails for $4.99.
“This initiative our most ambitious attempt yet to recruit new readers,” explained Filip Sablik, Publisher of Top Cow. “We wanted to kick it off in a big way and what better way than one of our biggest books of the year, both literally and figuratively. This is a great jumping on point for new fans as it is a standalone story, featuring the best art we have to offer, and an awesome value.”
“I’m looking forward to getting the Top Cow ‘Let us Win You Over’ promotion started. This is one of the more innovative ways a publisher has chosen to work with our membership,” said Joe Fields, President of ComicsPRO and owner of Flying Colors Comics & Other Cool Stuff in Concord, CA, “Our goal is nothing short of more readers for Top Cow’s cool comics and more customers for ComicsPRO member stores.”
“We are so excited about this opportunity to bring Top Cow comics to more readers! Top Cow is at the top of their game and we cannot think of a better time to bring new people to their titles! We are ready to win over some more readers,” added Norah Curry, Promotions Director, Laughing Ogre Comics in Columbus Ohio.
A list of the participating retailers during the month of February (listed alphabetically by state) is included below. Additional information can be found at the official online home of the “Let Us Win YOU Over” initiative – www.topcow.com/freecomics. Customers who currently purchase The Darkness at the stores below will be able to purchase an extremely limited “All Beef” Edition (limited to just the stores listed below) at the regular cover price. Fans are encouraged to contact the specific retailer they wish to visit for specific details:
I became familiar with writer Mike S. Miller’s work a couple of years ago through his Deal with the Devil series, as well as The Imaginaries, which is simply a great concept. He’s done work for every major publisher (either as writer or artist) and is most famous for his work on the adaptation of novelist George R.R. Martin’s Hedge Knight series, with writer/artist Ben Avery. He’s a creator that is able to change genres with ease however, and has also written Zondervan’s excellent The Hand of the Morningstar as well as the fantasy, Lullaby. The Imaginaries launched from Image four years ago, before moving to Abacus, Miller’s own publishing company. The series is back, and now with Bluewater Productions.
For those that came in late, are you able to tell us a little about the world of The Imaginaries?
How many books have you worked with Ben Avery on?
Going from A to Z, can you let us know what’s happening with your work at Abacus Comics and Zondervan?
I’ll be honest, Mark Waid and Peter David are the two writers that really showed me what comics were capable of. When I dove head long into this lovely medium in the early 90s, these two gentlemen were at the height of their powers and popularity. Not that that’s changed of course! Well, now that Mark Waid is the head honcho of BOOM! Studios, he still manages to put out some great work, such as the Potter’s Field series, and March’s The Incredibles mini-series, as part of BOOM!’s new rights acquisition, which also includes Car and The Muppets. Now, coming in April is Waid’s Irredeemable series, a new monthly that has fun with the superhero style that Waid is so familiar with. Now we know where that mysterious Mark Waid Is Evil website came from! Preview pages, plus a handy order form below. And if that’s not enough from the writer of Kingdom Come, then how’s about this? His own website, filled with writing tips and pop culture tales.
Brace yourselves for a comic industry event: BOOM! Studios presents a new monthly ongoing superhero series from Mark Waid – IRREDEEMABLE!
With IRREDEEMABLE, Mark Waid dares to ask the question: what if the world’s greatest hero decided to become the world’s greatest villain? IRREDEEMABLE is a “twilight of the superheroes”-style story from the writer of KINGDOM COME and EMPIRE!
IRREDEEMABLE #1 will feature variant covers by John Cassaday (ASTONISHING X-MEN, PLANETARY) and Barry Kitson (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN) in a 75/25 split. The first twelve issues of the series will feature incentive covers by hot newcomer Jeffrey Spokes that will spell out I-R-R-E-D-E-E-M-A-B-L-E! The first issue incentive cover will be a special 1-in-50 rarity with every copy signed by Mark Waid. IRREDEEMABLE issue #1 will also feature a special afterword by Grant Morrison.
Peter (POWER OF SHAZAM) Krause has committed to doing the interiors for the first twelve issues.
“In superhero comics, pretty much everyone who’s called upon to put on a cape is, at heart, emotionally equipped for the job. I reject that premise,” said series writer and BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Mark Waid. “IRREDEEMABLE is, in a way, my third and most complex chapter on the cost of superheroics – a pulp adventure tale of horror exploring how the lessons we learn about right and wrong as children can become warped and twisted when challenged by the realities of the adult world. ”
“IRREDEEMABLE is a fresh start, a way to enjoy superhero comics without forty to eighty years of back story and following dozens of titles,” said BOOM! Studios managing editor Matt Gagnon. “It’s the superhero book fans have been waiting for!”
Here’s a look at a few covers courtesy of Marvel that are going on sale tomorrow. There’s Captain America #46, Skaar: Son of Hulk #7, Avengers: The Initiative #21, Daredevil #115 and Incredible Hercules #125. Click under the pics to see Marvel’s entire list.
I reviewed Blue Dream’s Hyperactive book yesterday, and noticed that they currently have a huge sale on until the end of January. Of course, I couldn’t help myself and bought something. You might like to as well. Their main book, The Dreamland Chronicles from Scott Christian Sava has an impressive following and you can pick up the first two trades from the web-comic series, and some nice toys. Go here to check out the goodies.
This has been one of my favourite titles since it began with the great creative pairing of Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuiness. Then Supergirl was fantastically (re) introduced into the DC Comics Universe, with late, great penciller Michael Turner. It’s been a while since it’s hit these former heights though. And this Annual doesn’t help. I will say one thing for it though – it’s a great place to start for comic book newbies.
Written by Wolverine creator Len Wein, with beautifully fluid art by Chris Batista, this stand alone tale is set in the past of the DCU. The problem with this extra-sized issue is that the dialogue seems straight out of an issue from 20 years ago. It just appears staid and corny, and Batman is largely out of character. There’s no sense of menace or danger about him, nor is there any hint of his typically antagonistic relationship with Superman. However, it does introduce readers to Superman, Batman (of course) Lois Lane, the third Robin and baddies Professor Ivo, Metallo, Mr. Freeze, Atomic Skull and Firefly, sporting his recent animated look from The Batman carton. There’s also a nice cameo of sorts that hints at the ‘future’ of the DCU, with a newspaper headline declaring Martian Manhunter’s capture of the Human Flame. Loyal DC fans know that late last year, Human Flame was instrumental in Manhunter’s death.
So, what is this Annual about? With a nice twist on the silver Age concept of a composite Superman/Batman, this modern take presents a similar being, with powers and costumes of both heroes unsurprisingly suffering a maddening identity crisis. He kidnaps Lois and Robin and eventually understands that being one hero is tough enough, let alone two. So he decides to rip himself in half.
This is not an issue for mature readers who expect more from their comics. They’ll find themselves asking, “Why hasn’t Robin picked his handcuffs?” and raising eyebrows at lines like, “Gee, I don’t know, do I look like I’ve recently lost my mind to you?”
For newbies though, this issue isn’t too bad. It looks great, has a simple story, and fans of Tim Burton’s Batman films will see a similar look to the Dark Knight and his Batmobile here. Consider this as an easy entry point to comics reading, but don’t consider it indicative of the much more dynamic offerings DC usually create.
So it’s Australia Day, here in Australia. Obviously. We get the day off work, get to see fireworks and hang out with friends at the BBQ and drink beer. Apparently that’s what we’re supposed to do anyway. I’ll be stuck inside attempting to finish editing two wedding videos. Well, seeing all the Oz flags around the past few weeks got me thinking about Australian superheroes, and the lack thereof. I don’t mean Australian comics. There’s quite a few of those, and I’m very glad to see Platinum Grit being taken on board by Image. I remember reading that over a decade ago in its infant paper form. So, what about Australian superheroes? They’re aren’t any really. There’s Captain America and Captain Britain. So how about a Captain Australia? Doesn’t have the same ring to it, granted, and the sight of a beer belly wrapped in spandex is not comforting. These are the only two Aussie superheroes that immediately spring to mind – and one of them’s a supervillain!
I remember reading an early X-Men Annual that introduced me to Gateway, the aboriginal teleporter that occasionally aided the X-Men. Not much has been seen of him in the last few years, but apparently he was killed by the Marauders and is the great grandfather of Bishop. Now, from Marvel to DC.
George Harkness is perhaps a more famous Aussie comics character. Nicknamed Digger, his code name of Captain Boomerang should tell you what his powers are all about. He was one of the members of Flash’s Rogues Gallery, and often called people, “mate,” to assert his Aussie-ness. He was killed as an overweight out of touch baddie, by Robin’s father during Identity Crisis. Now, his son, Owen Mercer has taken the name and a much better costume, and is acting on the opposite side of the law from his father, even befriending Robin.
These aren’t bad characters, but certainly not prominent ones. It’s time we saw another Aussie super character in the pages of today’s comics. Not all superheroes are American. Are they?
Here are my favourite moments from my DC reading this week, in no particular order.
From Birds of Prey #126. The artist’s name – Claude St. Aubin. If that’s his real name, that’s even cooler.
From Robin #182. The current Robin, Tim Drake, goes to visit his resurrected predecessor, Jason Todd, in Blackgate prison. Todd laments that he won’t be out for another five years. Then Tim decides to give Jason one more chance, and repeats a top secret code. “Emergency Override: M-Z-9-22-Omega. Say it at midnight. One time only. And hold your breath.” Turns out it’s a hacked code for the Justice League teleporter.
Final Crisis #6. This confusing series finally starts to be an exciting epic. In the final pages, Batman shoots Darkseid with a cosmic gun, but becomes toast himself due to Darkseid’s inescapable Omega Beams. A wrathful Superman shows up, literally tearing up the streets, with a smoldering Batman corpse in his hands. I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of him.
Superman Beyond #2. I love Doug Mahnke’s art in this Final Crisis tie-in, complete with 3-D effects! Superman uses his heat vision to engrave his future tombstone. On the last page, we see what he wrote. Tying in to the mini-series’ theme of story, Supes writes three simple but powerful words: To Be Continued. Ah, classic.
Next month will be the last issues of Birds of Prey, Robin and Nightwing, but spectacular things are about to happen with Batman and co. Stay tuned.
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