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
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).
The New Avengers #7. Man, what a fun comic. Brian Michael Bendis knows how to do the kind of stories that intertwine casual, charming dialogue and world ending crises. I suppose the closest writer to his approach would be Geoff Johns and his Green Lantern work at DC, but Bendis has a lot more fun. He does entertaining dialogue so well, which means that for an issue like this that’s all talk, big fight scenes aren’t even missed. Stuart Immonen’s pencils make everything look ultra cool and his facial expressions add much pizazz to the humorous words. Basically, the “new” new Avengers, consisting of Luke Cage, his wife Jessica Jones, Ms. Marvel, Thing, Iron Fist, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Dr. Strange and Mockingbird move into Avengers Mansion, given the keys and free rein by the resurrected Captain America.
It opens with nervous discussions and frank realisations about the damage to the Mansion, before some sincere encouragement gets thrown towards the uncertain Dr. Strange and a roll call of lesser known superheroes apply for the job of nanny for Luke’s and Jessica’s baby. Those two pages of close ups are the highlight of the ish, with characters like D-Man (“Does Captain America ever talk about me?”) and Hellcat (“Well, I don’t like babies, per se, but…) showing up as well as others I’m not familiar with (“I can change into a large, ape-like creature, but I don’t necessarily have to if you think that will scare the baby.”). As always, characterisation is great and everyone doesn’t revert to witty one-liners if it’s out of character. Spider-Man’s anger at having former Osborn aide Victoria Hand on the team is great and having new nanny Squirrel Girl hint at a romantic relationship with Wolverine (or James as she calls him) is another masterstroke.
Lady Mechanika #1. Like Image’s Skullkickers, this is another broad, fun series that shouldn’t be dismissed due to its slightly off-center initial appearance. After the #0 issue a few weeks ago, I knew I’d be back for more of this steampunk gal’s adventures. Joe Benitez does everything except the letters and colours here and it shines with a singular vision. An attractive design sense permeates these pages, from the title page to the bordered captions and the return of steampunk themed recipes first introduced in #0. Set in and around the cutting edge city of Mechanika in 1879, the titular heroine investigates the death of a girl who, like herself, is part machine and part flesh. Lady Mechanika searches for answers as to her origin and forges relationships with a doctor and his daughter, and Mr. Lewis, a security consultant with whom she sees as more of a nuisance than a friend. The ish is striking and detailed throughout and it’s obvious that much care has gone into the creation of this world, including Mechanika’s many costumes, which would cause Lady Gaga to be envious. Apparently there’s a chance to appear in LM #2 in Feb, but there’s no mention of it on the sitesgiven just yet.
Pood #2. From Big If Comics and definitely for mature readers comes the next issue in this large format anthology series. We discussed the premiere issue in the very first episode of our podcast and were both impressed. Wisely opening with Jim Rugg’s and Brian Maluca’s USApe parody, next up is a Terry Gilliam-like pastiche of old photos and comics in a nonsensical display by Geoff Grogan, followed by Joe Infurnani’s colourful Ultra-Lad tale. 13 more stories on 13 pages by different creators follow, and as is to be expected in any anthology, they’re not all gold, but most of the creators here make full use of the newspaper size format. Think of it as an indie version of DC’s Wednesday Comics and that’s what you have. Some are in colour, some aren’t, but they are all pretty much experimental. Most aren’t concerned with telling a story as such, but in tales like Cochlea and Eustachia by Hans Rickett they’re just so visually delicious, that it doesn’t matter. For readers who want something very different or art students looking for inspiration.
Up now at CBR is an entertaining interview with director and occasional comics writer Kevin Smith about his somewhat controversial run on Batman with his Widening Gyre mini-series. I found the mini enjoying, although at times it became too casual for a Batman title, but Smith’s love of the character can’t be denied. He talks about his fave Bats tales, Batman’s bladder problems and more right here. It is Kevin Smith, so expect profanity.
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.
This is something I’ve been meaning to review for a while. We talked about it on our Extra Sequential podcast a few weeks ago, in episode 15, but I thought it might be worth an extra mention as we come close to Christmas, as it is a great present for the fanboy or girl in your life. For comics newbies, it’s not that acceessible. That is to say, if you don’t know who Grant Morrison is, then this won’t convince you of his awesomeness. Produced by the fine folks at SequArt, who are known for their insightful literary criticism of comics, this 80 minute documentary did surprise me in at least 2 ways. Firstly, I was sure they’d need to put subtitles on the film as every other time I’ve seen Morrison talk in his thick Scottish accent it was barely decipherable. Maybe he’s softened now that he’s spending more time in America, but it was fine and his casual revelations were easy and entertaining to take in. Secondly, he’s not as weird as I thought. He’s one of those creators, like Alan Moore, whose work is often examined and criticized, because we expect so much of him. Like Moore, he shares an interest in magic, but Morrison seems more public and approachable. When he discusses his dealings with the subject thanks to an influential uncle it just seems matter-of-fact. He also talks about his drug use (but no cocaine) and the strange visions that he experienced, and usually worked into his scripts on Vertigo series The Invisibles.
Of course, there’s many interviews with his fellow creators who aren’t shy on praise, including Frank Quitely, Phil Jimenez, Dan DiDio and many more. Though they’re not always revealing, they at least show Morrison’s down to earth nature and reinforce the fact that he is loved by critics, fans and fellow professionals.
It’s only $34 at Amazon bundled with the unsuprisingly more slick Secret Origin doco on DC Comics, which make perfect companion pieces, especially as most of Morrison’s work has been with DC in the last 20 years. It was Morison’s dynamite run on JLA for DC in the ’90s that cemented my love of comics and from that to WE3 to Seaguy to All Star Superman to a stint on X-Men for Marvel he’s shown that he’s a capable scribe of big ideas.
Talking about his upbringing, his love life, his artistic skills and the respect he has for the storytelling power of superheroes is all fascinating stuff. Unfortunately there are no interviews with loved ones, but the man himself is revealing and honest enough to paint a real self-portrait.
Director Patrick Meaney does a grand job of keeping it visually interesting and although it can divulge into a series of talking heads at times, generous use of the man’s comics work, and convention footage, make sure the visuals stay as interesting as the subject himself. The back cover of the DVD states that it contains, “mind bombs, psychedlic ideas and transgressive concepts,” which sums up Morrison’s work aptly. Of all the possible creators the film makers could have chosen Morrison is in the top 5 most obvious ones for he’s led an interesting and highly creative life. Their next film is on writer Warren Ellis and although I’m less familiar with his work, I’ll be sure to grab it too.
On a related note if you like behind the scenes on creative types, Chronicle Books is releasing Art Work in April which has looks at the notepads and journals from creators from many fields, such as Wes Anderson and Will Self.
61 mins. It’s Christmas time! Well, almost. Mladen and I throw out a few suggestions for present buying. Let’s call it our Generous Geek Goodies Giving Guidelines. Or something. We also yak about the manga 2001 Nights, two titles from GG studio and a lesser known character from the creator of Conan.
No Two-Face or Joker in The Dark Knight Rises, Tron: Legacy soundtrack is now available, the trailer for Transformers 3, Anthrax’s Scott Ian is writing The Demon for DC Comics, superheroes become samurai in Marvel’s 5 Ronin mini-series due in March.
17:20 WHAT WE’VE BEEN READING
Twilight: Eclipse, Hard Candy, the original Spartacus film, Kull: The Hate Witch #1 from Robert E. Howard, manga 2001 Nights from Viz Media, A Skeleton Story and The One from Italian publisher GG Studio.
42:34 GEEK CHRISTMAS GIFTS
Mladen and I give you some guidelines for Christmas purchases. If you want to buy something for the fanboy/fangirl in your life, or if you’re a fanboy/girl who wants to get something for the comics curious person in your life, then have we got some great tips for you?! Yes, yes we do.
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.
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
DC has always had an interesting history when compared to Marvel. Celebrating their 75th anniversary this year, though they’ve kept it quite low key, is this new documentary from the producers of the excellent Spellbound doco. Written and directed by Mac Carter and narrated by Green Lantern actor Ryan Reynolds, this 90 minute look at the publisher’s past and present is entertaining. There are better books out there that offer more exhaustive examinations, including the recent mammoth tome written by Paul Levitz, but considering this is a film made by the very subject it’s about, it was always going to be a cheery look rather than a dirty expose.
It’s no surprise that it’s the best looking doco of its kind, with plenty of pretty pictures from comics new and old and interviewees in professionally lit environments. Speaking of interviewees, the producers have lined up some rather impressive names including the expected writers and artists such as Neil Gaiman, Mark Waid, Len Wein, Louise Simonson, Gerard Jones, Jim Lee, and Dwayne McDuffie, Vertigo editor Karen Berger, designer Chip Kidd fans, head honcho Dan DiDio and fans at San Diego Comic-Con.
Many would expect this to be a glowing account of the awesomeness of DC, but it’s surprisingly frank at times. It does skip over the legal battle between Superman and Captain Marvel, and dismisses Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson’s exit from the company he helped build, but it also has Neal Adams calling Jay Garrick, the original Flash “stupid” and stating that the DC offices in the ‘70s were filled with hippies “ whose hair was longer than their careers.” Classic.
Denny O’Neill, the writer whose output with Adams gave DC a more realistic edge in their ‘70s Green Lantern/Green Arrow tales admits that in the decade previous DC were floundering when compared to Marvel’s much more fresh titles, with Spider-Man, X-Men, Fantastic Four and more exploding from the shelves. While Batman and Superman were still having zany sci-fi adventures, a relic from the harsh Comics Code form the ‘50s, Stan Lee, Jack Kirby and co. were creating a new age of superheroes.
I did chuckle at two Wonder Woman anecdotes when O’Neill admitted, “boy did I screw that up” when referring to the depowering/white suit karate phase of the Amazonian’s life and hearing that her TV series ‘ theme tune had lyrics such as, “in your satin tights, fightin’ for your rights.” Seeing all the mania that existed over the past few decades during the TV and film adventures of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman around the world is great too, as is some of the merchandise surrounding those characters. Plus footage of actual events such as comic book burning in the ‘50s and news footage of Superman’s death in 1992 never gets old, and this is also the first time I’ve seen actual interviews with Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, Superman’s creators.
Two other things I did learn however are that Frank Miller is 1 of 7 kids and Neil Gaiman almost gave up his dream of writing comics after a disbelieving career counsellor suggested accountancy instead. Yes, not revolutionary facts, but having read books on DC’s history before, most of the info that Secret Origin presents, I was already aware of. I did still enjoy it though as a well presented documentary on a fascinating few decades of DC Comics and newbies will find a lot of great trivia amongst all the great visuals.
Unfortunately there are no extras, not even trailers for DC’s existing animated films, which all the other DC films have, and the trailer below makes it seem like it’s mainly made up of TV and cartoon adaptations, which it isn’t.
As mentioned on Comics Alliance, English professor Dr Andy Kunka has recently discovered the truth behind the term, “graphic novel.” The name and form has often been attributed to legendary creator Will Eisner’s 1978 A Contract With God, but Kunka shows that’s not the case. It’s a long read, but a very interesting one for those keen on comics history.
Google the title of this post and you’ll see more than a few people who’d like to see Marvel’s half human, half vamp hero stake Edward Cullen and co. I actually just watched the most recent Twilight flick and though it looks better than the previous 2 instalments, it’s still rather dull. At least it makes fun of the fad surrounding it, with Edward looking at Jacob’s (Taylor Lautner) six pack and asking, “Does he ever wear a shirt?” and with Jacob mentioning Edward’s cold blooded vamp veins and stating, “I’m hotter than you.”
Another writer having some fun at Twilight’s expense is Mark Millar. In the first 3 pages of last week’s Ultimate Comics Avengers 3 #4, with art by Steve Dillon, Blade is stuck in a sewer and, having just been bitten by new vamp Captain America, starts hallucinating about two lovers staring meaningfully at one another in “Twilight Falls.” “Stella” asks “Edgar” to stare at her. “Intensely?” he asks. “As intensely as you dare,” she pouts. Ah, great stuff.
Below the classic demotivational poster is a taste of pop culture parody delight from those great opening pages.
Thanks to Top Shelf for the heads up on this one. Artist Jeremy Eaton is having a 60% off sale on all his original art, including some great cartoon jumble pieces, some of which you can see below and plenty more here. The sale runs until December 21.
To honour Steve Rogers’ 7oth birthday Marvel are giving a few of their March 2011 comics Cap-centric covers. See the full text list of 10 covers under the perty pics.
Marvel Unveils Captain America 70th Anniversary Variants!
Marvel is pleased to unveil the Captain America 70th Anniversary variants, marking a milestone for the Sentinel of Liberty! Featuring Captain America throughout the ages alongside Marvel’s greatest heroes, these stunning variants by some of Marvel’s top artists arrive in stores this March!
The continuing woes of the Spider-Man musical after it’s mixed debut performance, the death of director Irvin Kershner, Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons working together on a secret project.
6:44 WHAT WE’VE BEEN READING
I’ll Give It My All…Tomorrow by Shunji Aono, Secret Origin doco on the history of DC Comics, early vertigo one-shot Mercy, new all-ages series Marineman by Ian Churchill, Batwoman #0 by J.H Williams III (otherwise knwon as J.H Williams the 3rd), Flesk Publications’ new collection of Xenozoic tales by Mark Schultz and Arnie’s first film Hercules in New York.
38:20 THEME – DEFINITIONS
We attempt to define the difference in terminology between comics and graphic novels. Mladen and I have different thoughts on just what term should be used for what type of sequential art. Is it related to format? Theme? Who knows? We do, or so we think. Let the lively debate begin!
Ron Marz (A) Kenneth Rocafort (Cov) Kenneth Rocafort
comicbookjesus 