I’ve mentioned this new horror series based on the novels by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan before, but on page 67 of this month’s Previews catalogue, you’ll see my Broken Frontier quote singing the praises of the series for the first TPB. Cool.
The Walking Dead Magazine
Could a Game of Thrones mag be next? Press release below, plus the cover, and an alternate cover by TWD artist Charlie Adlard that will only be available through comic shops.
The Walking Dead Magazine – Coming Soon!
Titan Magazines and Skybound are pleased to announce the launch of The Walking Dead, The Official Magazine, based on Robert Kirkman’s Eisner Award-winning comic book series, best-selling graphic novels and Emmy-winning AMC television series based upon them.
Following its transition from groundbreaking comic book to the highest-rated basic cable drama of all time, The Walking Dead has cemented its status, not only as a phenomenon with the wildly diverging fans of horror and of character-driven drama, but as a milestone in quality, mainstream television.
Robert Kirkman, creator/writer of The Walking Dead, debuted the groundbreaking Skybound/Image comic in 2003. In 2010, AMC debuted the hit television series, The Walking Dead, based upon the comic series. The television series became the highest-rated original basic cable drama of all time and an international success in 120 countries and 250 million homes, and counting. In 2011, The Walking Dead graphic novels were the best-selling graphic novels of the year. Now, in 2012, Titan Publishing/Skybound and AMC bring you The Walking Dead, The Official Magazine to answer the burning questions insatiable zombie-loving fans have about the Emmy-winning television show, comics and graphic novels.
The Walking Dead, The Official Magazine will feature an inside look at the comic and show as only a fully sanctioned quarterly can. No one will get more exclusives than this magazine. Get exclusive access to the most successful television adaptation of a comic ever, including in-depth interviews Kirkman, Executive Producer/Writer on the show; Glen Mazzara, Showrunner/ Executive Producer/Writer of the series and David Alpert, Executive Producer of the series. That’s not all, readers will hear from all of the leads on the hit TV show beginning with Andrew Lincoln, who stars as Rick Grimes; Sarah Wayne Callies, who stars as Lori Grimes, and Jon Bernthal, who played fan-favorite bad boy Shane.
To get behind-the-scenes on the set with co-Executive Producer Greg Nicotero and see how he creates the greatest on-screen zombies ever, fans should read The Walking Dead, The Official Magazine. The only way into the closed door writers’ room to learn about the scripting process lies within the magazine’s pages. Fans will also get the opportunity toask Kirkman what’s coming up in future issues of The Walking Dead, or find out how the series artist Charlie Adlard keeps up with the fast pace of the monthly comic so brilliantly.
The Walking Dead, The Official Magazine debuts on October 23 with 100 pages of all access, no holds barred zombie festing and feasting. With all the latest news, revelations and tips for fans of the television show and the graphic novels. Get it, read it or be the last to know all the exclusive scoops for every incarnation of The Walking Dead.
Issue #1 of The Walking Dead, The Official Magazine comes with an alternative cover featuring an exclusive, colored zombie scene by The Walking Dead comic artist, Charlie Adlard. This alternative collector’s edition is only available through comic stores. Retailers can order via August Diamond PREVIEWS.
Robert Kirkman commented, “This magazine will be your one stop destination for all the news
pertaining to the comic, TV show, video game, toys, games, and whatever else exists in the ever-expanding Walking Dead universe! If it’s happening, you’ll find out all about it right here!”
Nick Landau, Titan Publisher, added: “We’re very excited to be publishing the quarterly The Walking Dead Magazine with Robert Kirkman and Skybound, which will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for fans to get unlimited access to the show and comic.”
Fans of the show are urged to join The Walking Dead, The Official Magazine on Twitter and Facebook to keep up to date with exclusive developments and deals. The magazine is currently offering fans a special pre-order subscription saving 20% off the newsstand cover price! – click here.
The Walking Dead, The Official Magazine issue #1 will be available on newsstands and in specialty comic book stores in the US on October 23, in the UK on November 8 and Australia & New Zealand on December 18.
For more information on The Walking Dead, The Official Magazine visit:
http://titanmagazines.com/t/the-walking-dead/
X-Treme X-Men #1 Cover
Yes, this is just an excuse to show some Salvador Larroca art.
Salvador Larroca Covers X-TREME X-MEN #1!
Marvel is proud to present your first look at superstar artist Salvador Larroca’s variant cover to X-Treme X-Men #1, an all-new ongoing series spinning directly out of the pages of Astonishing X-Men! Follow the team of Captain Howlett, Emmeline Frost, Kid Nightcrawler, and Dazzler as they embark on an epic journey saving the multiverse! But with one of the X-Men lost between dimensions and no guaranteed way home, will the adventure be over before it begins? New York Times Best Selling author Greg Pak and red-hot artist Stephen Segovia bring you the answers in X-Treme X-Men #1, coming to comic shops everywhere, the Marvel Comics app and the Marvel Digital Comics Shop this July.
X-TREME X-MEN #1 (MAY120705)
X-TREME X-MEN #1 LARROCA VARIANT (MAY120706)
Written by GREG PAK
Penciled by STEPHEN SEGOVIA
Cover by JULIAN TEDESCO
Variant Cover by SALVADOR LARROCA
FOC – 7/2/2012, On Sale – 7/25/2012
Changing Ways Volume 2 Review
At Broken Frontier is my review of Justin Randall’s sequel to his Changing Ways OGN.
The Massive #1 Review
At Broken Frontier you can catch my review of Dark Horse’s new series The Massive from Brian Wood and Kristian Donaldson. It’s a great read. The comic, not my review.
Spider-Men #3 Preview
Text-free preview below of July’s ish of this daring Spidey x-over.
Your First Look at SPIDER-MEN #3!
Marvel is proud to present your first look at Spider-Men #3, as the blockbuster creative team of best-selling writer Brian Bendis and red hot artist Sara Pichelli bring you the next chapter in the ultimate Spider-Man event of the year! Now that Peter Parker and Miles Morales have met, can they both work together to defeat their foes – or will they require the help of Nick Fury and his Ultimates?
Fans and critics agree, Spider-Men is a hit!
“With well-judged pace and tone, it’s everything a Spider-Man fan could want.” – ComicBookResources.com
“A fine comic book that is spilling with the same charm that we get from Ultimate Comics Spider-Man each and every month.” – IGN.com
“…there isn’t a single panel that feels static.” – AintItCoolNews.com
“A purely enjoyable comic book, and three cheers if that continues through to the end.” – Comicsbeat.com
The most amazing team-up of the summer continues in Spider-Men #3, slinging into comic shops everywhere, the Marvel Comics appand the Marvel Digital Comics Shop this July.
SPIDER-MEN #3 (MAY120671)
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Penciled by SARA PICHELLI
Cover by JIM CHEUNG
Variant Covers by SARA PICHELLI & TERRY DODSON
FOC – 6/18/2012, On Sale – 7/11/2012
Zombie Cities Review
Zombie Cities is exactly as it sounds – it’s zombies in cities. It’s much more exciting than it sounds however, with more epic action and exotic locales than a James Bond film. There are seven stories within this 104 page fast paced fiction of flesh eaters, and unlike most anthologies which are filled with hits and misses, the quality leans much more on the “hit” side here.
The first tale is very Australian, like the publisher Silver Fox Comics, and sees zombies rampaging across Sydney including landmarks such as Luna Park, and the Harbour Bridge. The pace is relentless as we are introduced to a cast of colourful characters including a weather girl attempting to interview a zombie, some teenagers on a disastrous night out, and a grizzled father who uses a cricket bat as a mean weapon. The second story is creatively titled Yes We Can Kill Zombies and is centred on President Obama and his struggles to lead his country post-zombification. It has a slower pace, but a greater emphasis on dialogue and character, with Obama taking some clear, and surprising, action in a desperate effort to unite his nation.
Blood at Bondi is concerned with the return of a long missing lifesaver on Bondi Beach, and Horror at Hirajuku is madcap fun, with three teenage girls in Japan mingled with generational family issues, whacky fashion, and George Clooney spruiking an eyeball food outlet. God Save The Queen is a deliciously thrilling drama focused on the ghastly secrets of the royal family. The New York set If I Ca Kill ‘Em Here, I Can Kill ‘Em Anywhere follows the aftermath of the assassination of the NY mayor who instituted a radical law to rid the city of zombies, namely that for every zombie you kill, if there are no living relatives, you are allowed to claim their assets. Finally Voodoo Zombie Racer focuses on a reanimated racing driver in Rio de Janeiro.
Sorab del Rio is the sole writer on all the offerings here, except Horror at Harajuku, which is ably co-written by Mladen Luketin.
There’s a sense of madcap fun running throughout every story here with a great mix of drama, action and dark comedy and with only a few pages to set up unique characters and situations, it’s impressive that each story can stand on its own as a memorable take on this increasingly popular sub-genre.
The art is, as to be expected from any anthology, a diverse offering, but the highlights are Mauro Barbieri’s slightly cartoony, exaggerated approach in God Save The Queen, and the work of Netho Diaz who gives Obama a superb likeness, and also brings detail and realism to the New York story.
As a piece of design, Zombie Cities’ streamlined approach works a charm, from the hard to resist cover, to the simple, and appropriate diagrams used as chapter breaks.
Rounding out this collection are some amazing pin-ups reflecting the stories in the preceding pages, and a few answers posted on Silver Fox’s Facebook page about why zombies are just so darn appealing. Some may expect that there are simply no more stories to be told regarding the undead but Zombie Cities proves in an entertaining fashion that thankfully just isn’t true.
Zombie Cities is a full colour original graphic novel and will be available at the Supanova convention in Sydney, and at Kings Comics.
The Strain TPB
This last year, Dark Horse have been putting out some great new horror comics, including The Strain, which is being collected in November. It’s gruesome and thrilling, and recommended, as my Broken Frontier quote says below.
DARK HORSE COMICS COLLECTS
GUILLERMO DEL TORO’S THE STRAIN!
Acclaimed filmmaker Guillermo del Toro and novelist Chuck Hogan bring their New York Times best-selling series of novels, the Strain Trilogy, to Dark Horse Comics with an ongoing adventure that takes a terrifying spin on the vampire genre.
Renowned comics creator David Lapham (Stray Bullets, Silverfish) and artist Mike Huddleston (The Coffin, Butcher Baker) join forces in this comic book adaptation unlike any other—bringing del Toro and Hogan’s vision to life in a story that casts a deadly plague over the whole of humanity. The StrainVolume 1, collecting issues #1–#6 of this ongoing series, is a horror story unlike any other!
When a Boeing 777 lands at JFK International Airport and goes dark on the runway, the Centers for Disease Control, fearing a terrorist attack, calls in Dr. Ephraim Goodweather and his team of expert biological-threat first responders. Only an elderly pawnbroker from Spanish Harlem suspects a darker purpose behind the event—an ancient threat intent on covering mankind in darkness.
Praise for Guillermo del Toro’s The Strain:
“[The Strain] is one of the scariest comics on the stands, as genuine surprises await the reader at every turn of the page. Usually, such big reveals are left to the final moment, but with The Strain there’s almost a cliffhanger every few pages and that makes this series a truly surprising, and enjoyable, read.”—Broken Frontier
“One of the year’s best books. If I were to give you one bit of advice while reading this book, don’t read it in the dark.”—Comic Buzz
The Strain Volume 1 is on sale November 14 in comic shops everywhere!
DC Digital, and Films
Lots of interesting DC Comics news lately. Here we go. First up is the new Batman digital exclusive comics which has now launched, and with Scott, templesmith, and Taylor, taht’s three Aussie creator involved! Official info, and Ethan van Sciver cover, below.
We announced back in April that an all-new Batman digital comic book would be coming soon. Today, we’re excited to reveal that the first chapter from LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT will be released tomorrow, followed by new chapters out every Thursday. Taking place outside of DC COMICS – THE NEW 52 continuity, the new series features several stand-alone stories by various creators that chronicle different cases handled by The Dark Knight.
Kicking off the first chapter is the all-star line-up of LOST scribe Damon Lindelof with artwork by the critically acclaimed Jeff Lemire. The line-up for the first six chapters of LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT is as follows:
June 7 – “The Butler Did It” written by Damon Lindelof with artwork by Jeff Lemire
June 14 – “All of the Above” written by Jonathan Larsen with artwork by JG Jones
June 21– “The Crime Never Committed” written by Tom Taylor with artwork by Nicola Scott and Wayne Faucher
June 28 – “Crisis of Identity” Part 1 written by B. Clay Moore with artwork by Ben Templesmith
July 5 – “Crisis of Identity” Part 2 written by B. Clay Moore with artwork by Ben Templesmith
July 12 – “Crisis of Identity” Part 3 written by B. Clay Moore with artwork by Ben Templesmith
Mark your calendars – Thursdays are officially all about The Dark Knight and you can get your weekly fill here for $.99 each.
If, unlike me, you’re fully into DC’s New 52, then these new #0 issues, and four new series will intrigue you. More info here.
Timed to the one year anniversary of the launch of the historic DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 initiative, DC Comics will introduce 0 month.
In September 2012, DC Comics will release 0 issues—and we don’t mean we aren’t publishing any titles—but what we will be doing is numbering every DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 title #0.
#0s will be stand-alone stories. “Some issues will tell the origins of a character or a team, or in some case where an origin has already been told, they will fill in the blanks in terms of questions readers may have about the New 52 DC Universe,” said Bob Harras, DC Entertainment Editor-in-Chief. “Each of these issues promises to reveal something surprising.”
And debuting at #0 are four new comic book series:
TALON – Co-Writers: Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV. Artist: Guillem March.
Meet Calvin Rose, the only Talon to ever escape the grasp of the Court of Owls. This former assassin of the Court is trying to live a normal life … but that’s impossible when he’s being hunted by his former masters!
SWORD OF SORCERY – Writer: Christy Marx. Artist: Aaron Lopresti.
Featuring the return of Amethyst, Amy Winston leads a strange life on the road with her mother and resents it. She’s about to learn it’s all been necessary when she discovers she’s the lost princess of Gemworld—and she’s being hunted by her murderous aunt. With a back-up story written by Tony Bedard with art by Jesus Saiz, set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, the monstrous warrior Beowulf is charged with finding and defeating the evil Grendel.
THE PHANTOM STRANGER – Writer: Dan DiDio. Artist: Brent Anderson.
Spinning out of his recent appearances in JUSTICE LEAGUE and DC’s Free Comic Book Day story, learn more about the true origin of The Phantom Stranger and his connection to the mysterious Pandora.
TEAM SEVEN – Writer: Justin Jordan. Artist: Jesus Merino.
Set in the early days of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52, threads of the entire DC Universe collide. As Superman emerges, so does the world’s counter measures against him and his kind. Team 7 is comprised of Dinah Lance, Amanda Waller, Steve Trevor, John Lynch, Alex Fairchild, Cole Cash and Slade Wilson — and their story will change everything you know about DC COMICS-THE NEW 52.
The four new series will follow with issue #1s in October and other series will resume their numbering.
Finally, here you can find info on a host of (hopefully awesome) DC films including Justice League, Aquaman and Shazam in the next few years. Here’s a snippet.
This week, the studio revealed it tapped “Gangster Squad” scribe Will Beall to revive “Justice League,” which WB unplugged in 2008, and hired Michael Goldenberg (one of the many writers of “Green Lantern”) to pen “Wonder Woman.”
Those projects now join in development films based on the Flash, Aquaman, Green Arrow, Lobo, the Suicide Squad and Shazam. DC and WB are also facing a decision on how to reboot Batman once “The Dark Knight Rises” completes Christopher Nolan’s take on the caped crusader, featuring Christian Bale in the cowl.
Defenders #8 Preview
I’ve posted a lot of Marvel previews lately, haven’t I? Here’s another one.
Your First Look at Defenders #8!
Marvel is pleased to present your first look at Defenders #8 as red-hot artist Jamie McKelvie joins superstar writer Matt Fraction for a story like no other! After traveling to Wakanda, the Defenders must journey into the forbidden land of Z’Gambo to face off against the evil John Aman, Prince of Orphans! What sort of secrets is he protecting, and can the Defenders find out before it’s too late? But they’re not the only ones after his secret, as the Black Cat makes her own bid to steal it away! It’s a race against the clock in Defenders #8, which hits comic shops everywhere, the Marvel Comics appand the Marvel Digital Comics Shop this July.
DEFENDERS #8 (MAY120697)
Written by MATT FRACTION
Penciled by JAMIE MCKELVIE
Cover by TERRY DODSON
FOC – 6/18/12, On-Sale – 7/11/12
Man-Thing and Captain Marvel
No, not a team-up, but just an excuse to share some great art featuring two very different Marvel characters, including an unusual style for Kevin Nowlan, and a variant cover for the new female Captain Marvel by Adi Granov.
Your First Look at INFERNAL MAN-THING #1!
Marvel is pleased to present your first look at Infernal Man-Thing #1, coming this July! From legendary creators Kevin Nowlan and the late, great Steve Gerber comes the highly-anticipated supernatural epic that’s 20 years in the making! When the Man-Thing resurfaces, it must solve the mystery of the “Screenplay of the Living Dead Man” – and it’s the only thing that can! It’s the story fans have been clamoring for and this July,Infernal Man-Thing #1 hits comic shops everywhere, the Marvel Comics app and the Marvel Digital Comics Shop!
INFERNAL MAN-THING #1 (APR120649)
Written by STEVE GERBER
Penciled by KEVIN NOWLAN
Cover by ART ADAMS
Variant Covers by GIL KANE & KEVIN NOWLAN
FOC – 6/11/12, On-Sale – 7/4/12
Adi Granov Takes Flight With CAPTAIN MARVEL #1 GRANOV VARIANT!
Marvel is proud to present your first look at fan favorite artist Adi Granov’s variant cover to the premiere issue of the all-new ongoing series, Captain Marvel #1! The “mightiest” of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes is back with a new name, a new mission – and enough power to make her life a living hell! But if anyone can handle stakes that high, it’s ace pilot and legendary Avenger, Carol Danvers! Captain America & Spider-Man guest star in Kelly DeConnick and Dexter Soy’s explosive Captain Marvel #1, which flies into comic shops everywhere, the Marvel Comics app and theMarvel Digital Comics Shop this July.
CAPTAIN MARVEL #1 (MAY120693)
CAPTAIN MARVEL #1 GRANOV VARIANT (MAY120694)
Written by KELLY SUE DeCONNICK
Penciled by DEXTER SOY
Cover by ED MCGUINNESS
Variant Cover by ADI GRANOV
FOC – 6/25/12, On-Sale – 7/18/12
DC’s For Kids
Two new all-ages comics arrived this week from DC Comics.
Superman Family Adventures is for those who loved the awesome and entertaining Tiny Titans comic, by Art Baltazar and Franco. Sadly, that series has ended, but happily, the same creative team are now giving us this monthly series focused on The Last Son of Krypton and his various S shield wearing heroes. Like Tiny Titans, it features in-jokes for the grown up fanboy but is also accessible enough for the young fanboy-to-be. The simple, cartoony and colourful visual style is a treat, as is the crude yet appealing lettering. Superman and Supergirl are sporting their New 52 costumes, and Superboy and Krypto show up too when Lex Luthor sends three robots to destroy Metropolis. Perry, Jimmy and Lois (and Clark) show up as well. It’s a simple, yet great story, with Lex’s pride being his undoing as he accidentally gets the powers of Krypto rather than Superman. There’s also a fan art page, a maze and a few pages advertising the characters of Young Justice, including new members Beast Boy, and Blue Beetle! It’s great to see comics like this and it’s great to see that there’s an audience for it.
DC Nation Super Spectacular is a 64 page, full colour magazine that’s based on the new block of programming that features short animated features, claymation and behind the scenes segments all about DC Comics. Like the series above, it’s another good idea to familiarise, and hopefully hook, new readers. The three comics in these pages are all reprints, but at least they’re new ones, showing Young Justice fighting Psycho Pirate, a Green Lantern story by Baltazar and Franco in a style that more closely resembles the new GL cartoon, and a Teen Titans story in which Beast Boy reveals his origin around a campfire. They’re all fine stories and introductions to the characters though.
Also included is a GL poster, a 2 pager on the Aardman Animation claymation DC Nation shorts, a find the words puzzle, a few pages on the goodies and baddies of the GL toon, plus one on Plastic Man and his villains, another 2 pager on the Super Best Friends Forever (Batgirl, Supergirl and Wonder Girl), and that’s about it. It’s not exactly filled with enough content to keep the kids busy all afternoon, but it does get me curious about DC Nation, and I hope it gets shown here in Australia, as there’s enough fun shorts for everyone, and a focus on minor characters like Plastic Man, and Animal Man. I hope future issues of this mag will see original comics though, but overall this is a good entry point into the wider DC pantheon.
Spider-Men #2 Preview
Text-free preview of the June ish of the Spider-Man cross-over mini-series below.
Your First Look at SPIDER-MEN #2!
Marvel is proud to present your first look at Spider-Men #2, by the chart-topping creative team of writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Sara Pichelli! When Peter Parker is thrown into Miles Morales’ world, the duo begin a journey that will not only answer questions about their own identities, but also reveal the truth about a major character in the world of Spider-Man! Kick off Spider-Man’s 50th anniversary in style with double the web-slinging action in Spider-Men #2, hitting comic shops, the Marvel Comics app and the Marvel Digital Comics Shop this June.
SPIDER-MEN #2 (APR120606)
SPIDER-MEN #2 MARTIN VARIANT (APR120607)
SPIDER-MEN #2 PICHELLI VARIANT (APR120608)
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Penciled by SARA PICHELLI
Cover by JIM CHEUNG
Variant Covers by MARCOS MARTIN & SARA PICHELLI
FOC – 6/4/12, On-Sale – 6/27/12
SPIDER-MEN #1 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (APR128107)
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Penciled by SARA PICHELLI
Cover by JIM CHEUNG
FOC – 6/4/12, On-Sale – 6/20/12
Ultimate Comics Ultimates #12 Preview
Here’s a text-free preview of Marvel’s next issue of their alternate universe Ultimates line.
Your First Look at ULTIMATE COMICS ULTIMATES #12!
Marvel is proud to present your first look at Ultimate Comics Ultimates #12! The war between the United States and the City rages on, as Reed Richards’ devastating attack on Washington DC has made him the most wanted man on Earth! But now that he has Tony Stark in his grasp, how long can the billionaire manage to survive in the City – without Iron Man? And with S.H.I.E.L.D. agents still after the remaining Ultimates, what will become of them and their leader, General Nick Fury? The show stopping creative team of Jonathan Hickman, Sam Humphries, Luke Ross & Ron Garney bring you the stunning answers in Ultimate Comics Ultimates #12, coming to comic shops, the Marvel Comics app and the Marvel Digital Comics Shopthis June.
ULTIMATE COMICS ULTIMATES #12 (APR120601)
Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN & SAM HUMPHRIES
Penciled by LUKE ROSS & RON GARNEY
Cover by KAARE ANDREWS
FOC – 6/4/12, On-Sale – 6/27/12
comicbookjesus 