At DC Comics’ digital store you can get a bunch of Batman issues, including the futuristic Batman Beyond and the gritty Gotham Central for only 99 cents each. The sale is on now for 10 days.
Samurai’s Blood TPB Out in Feb
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
Image Comics is proud to announce the February release of SAMURAI’S BLOOD VOL. 1 TP, written by Owen Wiseman, illustrated by Nam Kim (Warcraft: Legends) and Matthew Dalton (Starcraft: Frontline), edited by Dave Elliottand produced by Benaroya Publishing. SAMURAI’S BLOOD VOL. 1 TP collects issues #1-6 of the sold out miniseries and will include extras such as a gallery page of covers by fan favorite artist Jo Chen (Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 9) and additional prose Samurai’s Blood stories from Owen Wiseman.
Set in feudal Japan, an era when lineage defined you, SAMURAI’S BLOOD involves three teenagers who must make their way through the world hiding their identities in order to find their destinies. As their village burns behind them, they are headed for a city they’d heard about only in stories. The three young samurai must now struggle to stay alive and take vengeance on the evil usurper who has destroyed the rest of their clan and the only world they’d ever known. Will they rise on the tides of vengeance, or they will they fall on the swords of fate?
The critics have raved about SAMURAI’S BLOOD:
“I’ll be picking up the 6-issue run of Samurai’s Blood…I’d suggest you do the same.” –IGN
“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
“One of the best things about Samurai’s Blood is its strong period feel, which is carried in particular by Nam Kim’s idealized yet realistic art and Jo Chen’s more expressionistic covers.” – Playback STL
“Once again (and unbelievably, I might add), Wiseman has upped the stakes with this story… I can’t honestly understand how this book keeps getting better every issue, but somehow it does. 5 out of 5” – Comic Attack
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.
Makeshift Miracle Chapter 2 Review
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.
Extra Sequential Podcast #71-Christmas Gifts
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
New Marvel: Season One OGNs
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!
The Strain #1 Review and Preview
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.
Star Wars: Agent of the Empire #1 Review
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.
Justice League: Doom Box Art
Inspired by Mark Waid and Howard Porter’s excellent Tower of Babel storyline from the Justice League comics in the ’90s that had Batman unwittingly defeating his teammates, is this next animated film From DC Comics and Warner Bros. The only new info we have is the release date of February 28, and the box art below. Judging by the previously released trailer, it does seem a loose adaptation though, with Cyborg now in the team, and the immortal Vandal Savage as the main villain. It is the last screenplay written by the late, great Dwayne McDuffie though, so it should be entertaining.
The film features the voices of primetime stars Nathan Fillion (Castle), Tim Daly (Private Practice) and Michael Rosenbaum (Smallville) in addition to a cavalcade of voiceover alums from the Justice League and Justice League Unlimited animated television series.
Valen the Outcast #1 Review
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.
Extra Sequential Podcast #70-Unread Stack
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
Plus, stuff we’d like to own, and hopefully read one day!
Dead or Alive #1 Preview
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!
Flash Gordon: Zeitgeist #1 Review
I was a tad cautious about this new acquisition by Dynamite after several other classic heroes (Lone Ranger, Green Hornet,etc), as there’s already a Flash Gordon series from publisher Ardden, and has been for a while. (In fact, you can read their #0 and #1 issues for free.) However, this debut issue (at only $1!) is awesomely rousing with a great focus on action and drama.
Setting the story in 1934 (the year of the adventurer’s debut, courtesy of Alex Raymond) was a bold, but wise move. Not only does it set it apart from Ardden’s modernised take, it also gives Flash Gordon a unique flair for adventure, much like The Rocketeeer or Indiana Jones tales set roughly in the same era, do.
We first see Flash when he’s jumping from a burning plane, with cartographer Dale Arden in his arms. Handy captions introduce us to all the main players and Flash is instantly likeable due to that charming ’30s style and the fact that he’s a polo player once more. Flash and Dale are on a mission to find reclusive scientist Hans Zarkov. They do and he’s wonderfully crazy (well, at least a little bit). Zarkov believes there’s a way from our universe to others, and that inhabitants of said outer worlds have been visiting Earth for recruitment purposes. One dangerous space shuttle journey later and Flash and Dale see his point. On the last few pages three rebellious Mongo citizens visit Germany to hunt down Ming ally, Hitler. This was a pleasant surprise, adding one more layer to this daring tale.
Artist Alex Ross (Kingdom Come) has long been a fan of the character and an interview with him even shows up on the DVD of the 1980 film. His love is evident here in his character designs and art direction, a role (as well as variant cover artist) that has kept him busy with numerous series over the last few years at Dynamite. Not as outlandish as his designs for the Jack Kirby inspired titles, they evoke classic sci-fi trappings much like the rockets and alien thrones do. Throwing Ming’s snivelly right hand man Klytus from the film was a nice surprise too, and Ming really lives up to his Merciless title, with his disdain for pretty much everyone, including his slave girls and the entirety of the human race it would seem. More of a nuanced character and not at all a stereotype, Ming is like Darth Vader in Episode IV. We don’t see much of him, but we see enough to know that he’s a calculating despot.
Daniel Indro’s art is a perfect fit. Similar to Ross’ pencils, but with a dynamism all his own, he skimps no detail. The script asks him to create aliens, Zarkov’s busy lab and high drama fuelled emotion, and he does it all splendidly. In particular, the escape in Zarkov’s experimental shuttle is a very well crafted sequence. I’m looking forward to seeing more of his work and it looks like we’ll be witnessing both Earth and Mongo scenes. Excellent.
Writer Eric Trautman (who plots with Ross) does well to craft an entertaining story, with just as entertaining central characters, despite there being several of them. It’s a fast ride and there are no dull moments. From Flash’s take charge attitude, Dale’s far from damsel in distress attitude, and Zarkov’s crazed brilliance, he captures the essence of these well known characters in a superb fashion.
Hitler is no surprise, as he’s shown on the cover, and is hinted that he’s a Ming supporter. If done well, this concept could work, with a nice history/fantasy blend, though I’d imagine there may be some that would cringe with the very idea, but it’s too early to tell just yet.
Those familiar with the awesomely cheesy 1980 film (with the great Queen theme song) will fondly recall the opening lines here and it’s obvious that the creators are well aware of Flash’s vast history. This is no duty old reboot that sits awkwardly with today’s superheroes. This is a new Flash Gordon. He’s almost the same as the old one, but better. He’s a hero for today, and he’s highly entertaining.
Extra Sequential Podcast #69-’50s Sci-fi
58 mins. Don’t suffer from space sickness or hard radiation, but listen to our discussion about manly heroes, jetpacks, rayguns and the lost art of adventuring. From comic strips to comic books we look at some of the genre’s best tough guys and their unique tales. Also, Timothy Dalton and a tree.
LISTEN TO IT HERE
You can email us at kris (at)extrasequential(dot)com and befriend us on the NEW ES Facebook page.
2:15 NEWS
Watch the Neil Gaiman The Simpsons episode (if you’re in the U.S)
Dark Horse going day and date digital on all their titles
Writer Mark Millar ain’t a fan of digital though
Nicolas Cage’s former copy of 1938’s Action Comics #1 sells for a record amount
7:20 THEME – ’50s SCI-FI
Race relations, strange aliens and thoughtful ambassadors in these grand and well constructed tales from the halcyon days of the 1950s.
EC’s Weird Fantasy
Al Feldstein & Joe Orlando’s “Judgment Day”
Wally Wood’s upcoming collection from Vanguard
Buck Rogers
Flash Gordon’s new series from Dynamite Entertainment (and read the first two issues of Ardden’s Flash Gordon series here)
Sky Masters of the Space Force
Jeff Hawke
Dan Dare
Trigan Empire
Rick Random
Tintin: Destination Moon & Explorers on the Moon
Astro Boy
Finally, here’s a clip of Flash Gordon “fighting” Timothy Dalton in the 1980 film!
Makeshift Miracle Review
This is another one of those comics that I’ve been impressed by and have been meaning to give it its due. Makeshift Miracle began as a webcomic in 2003 and is now back, thanks to MM writer Jim Zubkavich (of the equally entertaining, though different entirely, Skullkickers from Image) has been promoting it by asking, well…anyone to read and distribute it as a PDF or CBZ. It seems to be working, as new readers are doing just that, me included. I don’t read any webcomics regularly, so having the entire chapter in one place is, like the art here, very attractive. This revisitation has seen Zubkavich enrich the story, with the addition of new art by Shun Hong Chan.
Zubkavich touts this as a publishing experiment, hoping to build an audience online before it hits print from UDON (publisher of Zubkavich’s great Street Fighter comics) mid next year. Webcomics such as Axe Cop and Dr McNinja have found a paper home at Dark Horse and with the impressive work on display here, this deserves just as much success as those two series.
This isn’t a comedy however. Zubkavich has proven he knows how to do that with the aforementioned fantasy Skullkickers, so with Makeshift Miracle he focuses on drama and mystery. Titled Impact (a term which will surely have more than one meaning in future instalments) this debut focuses on high schooler Colby Reynolds. He’s sick of the selfishness of those around him and has started a private blog to let his frustration out. It’s this diary which acts as the narrative device for the loner and gives us a glimpse in to who Colby is. Before things become too introspective, Colby follows something guiding him from within to a valley-set town, which he declares to be, “calm and beautiful,” and that is an apt description for Shun Hong Chan’s art.
Zubkavich wisely pares down the text on each page, giving the visuals the focus. Chan’s art is as light and delicate as a soufflé, and the fact that it’s not realistic or flamboyant makes it even more dazzling. The delicate, watercolour-like approach and restrained manga flair make this fit snugly into the fantasy/drama feel it’s striving for. If you like Dustin Nguyen’s art, you’ll love this.
Not much happens, story-wise in the first 18 pages of this debut chapter. Essentially Colby travels, thinks about his family (with nice black and white flashbacks) about his family, goes to a quaint town in the middle of nowhere, and sees a beautiful naked woman fall like an asteroid at his feet. Zubkavich so far wisely puts the spotlight on Colby and the girl and it’s more than enough to be captivating.
The second chapter of Makeshift Miracle began in early November and is updated twice a week. You can download chapter 1 right here.
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