Well, pretty much all of them courtesy of artist Benjamin Moore, and thanks to Comics Alliance for bringing this to my attention. It’s a great rundown of the Dark Knight’s various looks since 1939 in comics, cartoons, TV series and films, with snappy quotes of the era.
60 mins. What a crazy good year it’s been for comics. We talk about what has impressed us the most from breakout talent, to new series to movie adaptation. Also, Star Trek: TNG’s Riker, and which superhero series resembles Breaking Bad.
LISTEN TO IT HERE
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1:20 NEWS
The Hobbit, and The Dark Knight Rises trailers
Jail time for Wolverine movie pirate
6:20 THEME-BEST COMICS OF 2011
I’m a bit behind on all the mini-series that Image Comics has been receiving praise for. Samurai’s Blood looks pretty good though, as you can see by reading the entire first issue for free.
THE TIDES OF VENGEANCE RISES WITH SAMURAI’S BLOOD
Image Comics Collects The 6-Issue Epic Miniseries
“Samurai’s Blood is just another example of all the great stuff Image Comics is putting together this year…I recommend the entire series.” – Comic Book Bin
SAMURAI’S BLOOD VOL. 1 TP (DEC110519, ISBN: 978-1-60706-488-6), a 192-page full-color trade paperback, will be on sale in stores February 29th, 2012 for $14.99 and is available to order in the December 2011 edition of Previews. For more information, please visit www.benaroyapublishing.com.
The second chapter of Jim Zubkavich’s (Image’s great Skullkickers) Makeshift Miracle has now concluded, and just like the first one, which I reviewed here, is also available for free download in order to spread the word about how good this webcomic is. Thankfully, it is actually good.
Our spiky haired, loner protagonist Colby began his adventure at the end of the debut chapter, after discovering a beautiful, naked girl falling at his feet like a comet. Here he talks to himself and does what he can to keep her alive.
Zubkavich is building the pieces at a glacial pace, which those weened on hectic superheroics may find annoying, but I find charming. It helps that the narration, like the story (at least so far) is simple and very understandable. It’s an all-ages comic really.
We learn nothing new in this second chapter, as the overwhelmed teenager quickly jumps into action realising no other help is at hand, bundles his new friend up to keep her warm and soon discovers that she has a handy ability.
I’d imagine in the following chapter, we’ll get to the bottom of who this girl is, which will drive the story to some unexpected places. At this point, it needs it. However, it seems to me that Zubkavich has a grand plan in mind and is obviously playing coy for now, making deliberate pacing choices and ending each chapter on a cliffhanger. What this story needs now though is more understanding of our two main characters, the introduction of some key supporting players and the inevitable threat that comes calling for the girl from the sky. The rather intriguing foundation has been laid. Now it’s time for the solid gripping narrative to take centre stage.
Shun Hong Chan’s art is simply delicious. It’s crystal clear, dynamic with a manga flair that makes even these pages, in which not a lot actually happens, seem alive and bristling with a restrained energy. The deft colouring builds a great environment and snow covered claustrophobia and uses black and white when needed to great effect, not as flashbacks as seen in the previous chapter, but with more subtlety when the characters’ isolation needs to come to the fore.
It appears luscious on the computer screen and will look even more so when Makeshift Miracle comes to print as a collection from Udon next year.
Follow Makeshift Miracle right here and download Chapter 2 as a PDF or CBR file here.
59 mins. Christmas is just around the corner so we recommend a few comics to buy for those who may be new to this wonderful medium. We cover the gamut of styles and genres. There’s something for everybody! Also, putting a crooner in your stocking, and which Futurama characters we most closely resemble.
LISTEN TO IT HERE
You can email us at kris (at)extrasequential(dot)com and befriend us on the NEW ES Facebook page.
2:44 NEWS
New G.I. Joe and Men in Black sequel trailers
An Austin Powers musical
Shaun Tan’s The Arrival at Spare Parts Puppet Theatre
Jay and Silent Bob come to Perth too! (Nope! Sold out!)
11:46 THEME-CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE
What to buy (including James Jean’s sketchbooks) and not to buy (including the mammoth DCnU 52 Hardcover).
Dinosaur Comics’ oversized T-Rex beanbag
Superheroes – The Ultimates, All Star Superman, Batwoman, Secret Avengers, Batman and Robin
Action – Red, Who is Jake Ellis?, Image’s Blue Estate, The Last Days of American Crime by Rick Remender and Greg Tocchini, The Losers, Jason Aaron’s Scalped
Indie – IDW’s Starstruck, Daytipper, The Nightly News, Drops of God manga, Blankets, and Habibi by Craig Thompson
Horror – Hellboy, The Occultist, The Strain, Baltimore: The Curse Bells, BPRD, Creepy collections, Gestalt’s Changing Ways and Rombies
Comedy – Wilson, Axe Cop, The Goon
TV adaptations – The Walking Dead, Buffy, Game of Thrones, Voltron, Transformers, and G.I. Joe from IDW
Fantasy – Mice Templar, the Sixth Gun
Older comic collections – Donald Duck Lost in the Andes, Floyd Gottfredson’s Mickey Mouse, the very cheap Marvel’s Essentials and DC’s Showcase Presents
Marvel have surprisingly announced 3 more Original Graphic Novels as part of next year’s newbie friendly Season One series of complete comic stories. Judging by the covers, the costumes look the same, but perhaps they’ll change in the course of the tale. I’m most excited by Dr. Strange, as Emma Rios is a great artist.
Introducing The All-New MARVEL: SEASON ONE Graphic Novels!
Marvel: Season One, a line of all-new graphic novels, just got bigger as Marvel is pleased to add three titles to the highly anticipated line-up with Ant-Man: Season One, Hulk: Season One & Doctor Strange: Season One! These all-new complete stories offer fans a chance to immerse themselves in the Marvel Universe like never before. Journey into the unknown with Ant-Man, learn about the mystic arts with Doctor Strange and find out how Hulk balances humanity and monstrosity as each of these graphic novels offer new revelations for long-time fans and give new readers a fresh introduction to the character. With modern retellings of the world’s greatest super heroes seminal origins by some of the most critically acclaimed creators in the business, no fan can miss this! Each of these graphic novels also include a code to download each book for free, via the Marvel Comics app, making them must haves for every fan.
“As a result of the great response from fans and retailers, we realized we couldn’t just stop with one wave of titles” said David Gabriel, Marvel SVP of Sales. “We’re showing our continued support for this line by insuring that fans have a reason to come back into comic shops month after month to get the next volumes in the Season One line of original graphic novels.”
The complete second wave of Season One graphic novels includes:
· Ant-Man: Season One by Tom DeFalco (Spider-Girl) and Horacio Domingues (Incorruptible), on-sale in July 2012
· Hulk: Season One by Fred Van Lente (Alpha Flight, Herc) and Tom Fowler (Venom), on-sale in August 2012
· Doctor Strange: Season One by Greg Pak (Astonishing X-Men, Red Skull: Incarnate) and Emma Rios (Osborn, Spider-Island: Cloak & Dagger), on-sale in September 2012
Whether you’re picking up a comic for the first time, or looking to add more to your comics reading experience, then it’s time to discover the world’s greatest super heroes all over again in Marvel: Season One!
Released this week from Dark Horse is this new horror series based on the books by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Dixon.
It’s an awesome debut issue and you can read my review at Broken Frontier.
Or, Star Wars: Agent of the Empire-Iron Eclipse, to give this new 5 issue mini-series its full name. I must say, I was pretty keen to read this, although the majority of my admiration for Star Wars has been tied to the original film trilogy, Dark Horse have shown that they are a very worthy gatekeeper of George Lucas’ creation.
Since 1991’s Dark Empire they’ve produced some great comics set in the galaxy far, far away and have covered many new characters and eras. Writer John Ostrander has written a lot of those comics, including Legacy, and February’s Dawn of the Jedi series which is set to do exactly what the title says.
Agent of the Empire brings a great, swashbuckling, James Bond level of derring do and it’s such a perfect fit that this debut ish will remind many of how they felt after seeing the first film back in the day. Focusing on secret agent Jahan Cross, who works for the evil Empire to give this two unique points of view is a daring, yet creatively satisfying decision. I mean, “Stormtroopers are the Empire’s hammer. This man is its scalpel.” How cool is that?
We are introduced to the suave Cross as he accuses a Colonel of dealing in the black market for his expensive tastes. It’s a great scene in which Cross’ status as an Imperial Intel agent (kind of like Internal Affairs) is established and is swiftly followed by an even greater action scene in which Cross vaults across a table and orders his faithful robotic servant IN-GA 44 to go into battle mode. Handy.
The next few pages unfortunately slow right down, as Cross reports to his superior and lots of exposition unfurls about what the Iron Eclipse is. A few pages later though and we are introduced to an obvious Bond homage in the form of the snake-like Alessi Quon, who is essentially the Q, or gadget provider, to Cross.
Ending with a cameo from two of Star War’s most loveable characters seem slightly out of place, but Ostrander handles the pair splendidly, so it’s not as awkward as it could be. Cross, although he works for the bad guys, is a likeable lead. Star Wars already has a multitude of crazy cool characters, but Cross can definitely now be added to that list.
French artist Stephane Roux’s work has always been deft, light and packed with motion. This is a rare interior art assignment, as he’s mostly known for his great covers for DC Comics on runs like Birds of Prey, and Supergirl. Unfortunately he won’t be doing issues 3 and 4, but will be back for the concluding 5th issue. His style fits perfectly with this unique approach to Star Wars. Roux brings a great sense of playfulness to the characters’ interactions, fun to the hectic action, and gorgeous spectacle to the universe spanning settings.
This is a great premiere of another bold entry in this sci-fi franchise that proves there’s much life in the galaxy yet. Although it briefly falls into the trap of setting up the series premise with some slightly boring and lengthy dialogue at times, Ostrander and Roux bring an entertaining charm that promises more great visuals and excitement in the remaining issues.
We all have one of those friends who just doesn’t ‘get’ Star Wars. Give this issue to them and watch them change their minds as they see the light (side of the Force, that is).
You can catch a preview below and Ostrander’s rundown of this series’ main players here.
Originally titled simply Outcast, this new series debut is only $1, and do you ever get a lot of bang for that buck! Hyped as “undead Conan,” this new BOOM! Studios title written by Michael Alan Nelson with art by Matteo Scalera (Deadpool) lives up to that cool description with a rousing tale, and a fair bit of bloodshed.
Things kick off with King Valen Brand of Oakhaven as the last man standing of his armies, being captured by his enemy, the necromancer Korrus Null who tells the defeated ruler that he doesn’t want his kingdom, but “something else entirely.”
Flashing forward Valen is alive and well (sort of) and has just received a magic tattoo from the lovely Zjanna who is none too supportive of his death wish to reclaim what was once his. Through the next few pages we learn that Valen is indeed a member of the living dead and just wants his soul back.
It’s obvious Nelson is having a ball here, with a daring tale to be told and lively characters thrown together. I even noticed a subtle Star Wars, and Aliens, reference. Seeking the shifty Alexio Cordovan out from a rowdy tavern to be his guide through the dangers of Wraithendal, the pair aren’t off to a great start, but Valen finds an opportunist who gives him what he’s after and leads him to well, danger.
An unlikely fellowship is forged and the adventure begins, though Null has a surprising secret weapon.
Nelson does well to not cram in a lot of mythology and background information of the main cast. It’s done organically through the entertaining story. We have the comedic character, the sexy character and Valen, the outcast in every sense of the word. Having a murdered king who is now living and feared by the people he once ruled, and soldiers he once fought beside, is a great idea and gives a real emotional weight to Valen’s noble, though dangerous, quest. He’s a typical ruler, but also a man of quiet focus and inner conflict, willing to make the most of his current existence.
This is a great example of how to craft a premiere issue of a new series. It’s easy to follow, with enough hooks to grab the reader and bring them back for the second issue. It did take some digging, but apparently this is an ongoing series, rather than BOOM!’s typical mini-series, but this concept is certainly strong enough to live up to that scope.
Nelson is one of comics’ most underrated writers, who is consistently entertaining, as he’s proven with 28 Days Later, Hawks of Outremer and many other series, including one of my faves – Hexed. In fact, he’s been responsible for a lot of BOOM!’s output in the last few years.
Scalera’s art is dynamic and expressive, especially during the well realised battles, and although the background details aren’t ornate, he fills this fantasy world with great costume design and manages to make the tavern, the forest and the village square all retain the look of the sword and sorcery setting. Archie van Buren’s colours bring much life and intensity when needed too, particularly during Zjanna’s hectic fight with a few of Null’s soldiers.
At only $1, you’d be wise to pick this great action packed fantasy debut up.
Remember Cable? Well, he’s back and Marvel are celebrating by releasing a bunch of covers for next week’s return.
If you don’t know who Cable is, check out this short and funny recap.
All Star Covers To AVENGERS: X-SANCTION Revealed!
Next week, the road to Avengers VS X-Men begins in Avengers X-Sanction #1 from the blockbuster creative team of Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness! And just in time to witness Cable go head to head against Earth’s Mightiest, three prolific artists who put their stamp on Cable join us for more as Marvel unveils their variant covers to Avengers X: Sanction. Stephen Platt, Ian Churchill & Steve Skroce join Marvel’s CCO, Joe Quesada, superstar artists Ed McGuinness and Leinil Yu on amazing covers for the biggest chapter in Cable’s life!
“When Cable came back we knew it had to be big, but I had no idea that we could get superstars STEVE SKROCE and IAN CHURCHILL — who I had a blast working on the monthly Cable comic back in the day – and, making his return to Marvel, STEPHEN PLATT to all do variant covers for AVENGERS X-SANCTION!” exclaimed Loeb. “This series is a celebration of everything we love about Nathan Summers and it wouldn’t have felt complete without all these guys onboard.”
Cable’s actions will send shockwaves throughout the Marvel Universe and with these special variants featuring brawls against each of Earth’s Mightiest, no fan can miss them!
Retailers: Please note that Marvel is rush printing a second printing of Avengers: X-Sanction #1 due to expected demand and its relationship to Avengers vs X-Men. Check the Marvel Mailer and Diamond Daily for more details.
AVENGERS: X-SANCTION #1 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT A (OCT118095)
AVENGERS: X-SANCTION #1 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT B (OCT118096)
AVENGERS: X-SANCTION #1 QUESADA VARIANT (OCT110607)
AVENGERS: X-SANCTION #1 YU VARIANT (OCT110609)
AVENGERS: X-SANCTION #1 MCGUINNESS VARIANT (OCT110608)
Written by JEPH LOEB
Art & Cover by ED MCGUINNESS
Variant Covers by ED MCGUINNESS, JOE QUESADA, & LEINIL YU
ON SALE THIS WEDNESDAY
AVENGERS X-SANCTION #2 (NOV110504)
AVENGERS X-SANCTION #2 PLATT VARIANT (NOV110506)
AVENGERS X-SANCTION #2 YU VARIANT (NOV110505)
Written by JEPH LOEB
Pencils & Cover by ED MCGUINNESS
Variant Covers by STEPHEN PLATT & LEINIL YU
FOC – 12/12/11, ON SALE – 1/4/12
AVENGERS X-SANCTION #3 (DEC110616)
AVENGERS X-SANCTION #3 CHURCHILL VARIANT (DEC110617)
AVENGERS X-SANCTION #3 YU VARIANT (DEC110618)
Written by JEPH LOEB
Pencils & Cover by ED MCGUINNESS
Variant Covers by IAN CHURCHILL & LEINIL YU
FOC – 1/9/12, ON SALE – 2/1/12
AVENGERS X-SANCTION #4
AVENGERS X-SANCTION #4 SKROCE VARIANT
AVENGERS X-SANCTION #4 YU VARIANT
Written by JEPH LOEB
Pencils & Cover by ED MCGUINNESS
Variant Cover by STEVE SKROCE & LEINIL YU
ON SALE THIS MARCH!
53 mins. We all have one – a pile of shame. In other words, comics that have been sitting, and gathering dust, on our bookshelves for far too long. We discuss our own examples, and the reasons why they’ve remained unopened. Also, Brigitte Nielsen’s body of work.
LISTEN TO IT HERE
You can email us at kris (at)extrasequential(dot)com and befriend us on the NEW ES Facebook page.
1:44 NEWS
Brian Wood’s thoughts on digital comics
Jim Zubkavich’s thoughts on comics piracy
Brian Michael Bendis leaves the Avengers franchise
Chewbacca on Glee (yes, it’s true)
19:07 THEME-UNREAD PILE
The whys of our collecting habits, plus books on our stack we’ve finally read this week.
Kris’ stack:
Jack Kirby’s OMAC
The Rocketeer
Starman Omnibus
Elephantmen
Madame Mirage
Superman: Emperor Joker
Fray
Seeds from Com.x
Underground
Thor Visionaries Vol. 1 Walt Simonson
Hulk Visionaries Peter David Vols 1-4
(and recently read) Meltdown, and A God Somewhere
Mladen’s stack:
Spirou
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
Epic Comics’ Interface
Moebius’ Blueberry
Peter Milligan’s Shade the Changing Man
Bonelli comic Ken Parker
Dragon Ball Z
Battle Angel Alita
Cerebus (after Minds)
(and recently read) Tintin and the Alph-Art, and Vic and Blood: The Chronicles of a Boy and His Dog
This is just really an excuse to show another cover by Dave Johnson.
DEAD At 50!
Could this be it? Has everyone’s favorite Merc With A Mouth finally made an appointment with Lady Death? This February, witness the biggest change in Deadpool’s life as “DEAD” kicks off in Deadpool #50! From the creative team of Daniel Way & Carlo Barberi, Deadpool’s lease on life is about to expire and those around him are going to feel the consequences including X-Force! Following the epic battle with his former body parts gone rogue, Wade Wilson makes a monumental decision that will forever change who he is. See how it all goes down this February, in Deadpool #50!
DEADPOOL #50 (DEC110676)
Written by DANIEL WAY
Pencils by CARLO BARBERI
Cover by DAVE JOHNSON
FOC – 1/16/12, ON SALE 2/8/12
From Red 5 Comics this week is the debut of a new 4 part mini-series, written by Scott Chitwood, with art by Alfonso Ruiz. The Comic Book Page podcast conducted an interview with Chitwood about Dead or Alive, and other stuff, on a recent episode.
Here’s the official description of the issue:
Story: “The Good, The Bad, and the Zombie”
When two down-on-their-luck cowboys capture the most wanted outlaw in the West, they get more than they bargained for when they discover a Comanche shaman has infected him with an ancient zombie virus. If the zombie doesn’t kill them, the Comanche, rival bounty hunters, and other outlaws will!
The HERO Initiative charity that helps creators in need have announced that there are now Hard and Soft cover collections of their recent JLA 100 project. They’ve done similar projects on Spider-Man, and The Avengers and now here’s your chance to see over 100 different interpretations of the Justice League from artists all over the world.
Check out the complete gallery here, and some of my faves below. You can also get details about the upcoming auctions for the original art at the same link.
comicbookjesus 