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The Star Wars At Dark Horse

Dark Horse have been a great publisher for the Star Wars licence over the last 20 years, and their stories have covered both the path and the present of George Lucas’ universe. Now, however they’re going to what could’ve been. No, not the Infinities line of mini-series that saw alternate futures for the original trilogy. This is something quite different, and rather bold. And apparently not an April Fool’s Day joke.

LUCASFILM AND DARK HORSE ANNOUNCE

THE BIGGEST EVENT IN THE HISTORY OF

STAR WARS COMICS!

George Lucas’s original-draft screenplay for The Star Wars to be adapted by J. W. Rinzler and Mike Mayhew!

It’s no April Fools’ prank! Dark Horse is honored to announce a dream project: working with J.W. Rinzler, executive editor at LucasBooks, and artist Mike Mayhew (Avengers) to adapt the rough-draft original screenplay which spawned the biggest franchise in film history!

Three years before his 1977 film, George Lucas put down on paper his first story set in a galaxy far, far away—a tale of fantastic adventures, daring escapes, “lazer swords,” romance, and monsters. A story of Jedi Annikin Starkiller and General Luke Skywalker, an alien named Han Solo, and evil Sith Knights. The screenplay was titled The Star Wars!

“I’m not sure where I first read about The Star Wars—it was years and years ago—but the idea of Luke Skywalker being an older Jedi General, and Han Solo being a six-foot-tall lizard, turned my Star Wars fan brain on its side,” said longtime Star Wars editor Randy Stradley. “I always assumed this would be one of those stories that would be ‘lost to history,’ so getting to work on bringing it to life is kinda like a dream come true.”

“While researching in the Lucasfilm Archives I’ve found many treasures—but one which truly astounded me was George’s rough draft for The Star Wars. His first complete imaginings were hallucinating to read—mind blowing,” said writer J.W. Rinzler. “While working with George on another book project, I once asked if we could adapt his rough draft. He was hesitant. Years later, with Dark Horse’s invaluable help, we showed him a few drawn and colored pages of what it might look like. He gave us the okay.”

Originally conceived in 1974, The Star Wars has been the subject of rumor and legend in the fan community throughout the history of the galaxy far, far away. Now, Lucas has seen fit to grant Dark Horse the right to adapt this fabled story into an eight-issue comic series launching in September!

April 2, 2013
Categories: Comics, New To Comics?, News . Tags: Dark Horse Comics . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Necessary Evil DC Comics Documentary

The last time Warner Bros/DC Comics released a documentary was in 2010. Ryan Reynolds narrated Secret Origin: The Story of DC Comics which looked at the 75 year history of the publisher, and it was rather enjoyable, and accessible, with plenty of interviews with comic creators, and some great art. The next focus is an interesting one, as it shines the spotlight on the multitude of bad guys and gals. Most people know the heroes such as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, etc so to look at their enemies is an interesting idea, and comes at a good time, with the cinematic Bane and Catwoman recently seen, and Zod and Faora from June’s Man of Steel film, plus next month’s release of the Injustice: Gods Among Us video game. Official details below.

New Documentary ‘Necessary Evil: Villains of DC Comics’ Announced

Behind every great hero, there are a whole lot of villains.” – Geoff Johns

Legendary Villain Christopher Lee Narrates

The Joker, Bane, Deathstroke, Darkseid and Lex Luthor — the scariest and most menacing villains in DC Comics’ universe — take center stage in a brand new full-length documentary from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) and DC Entertainment (DCE). The joint announcement was made today by WBHE and DCE.

Christopher Lee, who has played the villain more times than almost any other actor, will provide his unique voice as narrator. His roles in more than 200 films include star turns as Dracula, the Mummy and Frankenstein’s monster in Hammer horror classics, Count Dooku in Star Wars, and Saruman in The Lord of the Rings trilogy andThe Hobbit films.

In this new documentary film, the malevolent, sometimes charismatic figures from DC Comics’ hallowed rogues’ gallery will be explored in depth, featuring interviews with the famed creators, storytellers and those who have crafted the personalities and profiles of many of the most notorious villains in comic book history.

Production begins March 30, to coincide with WonderCon at the Anaheim Convention Center March 29-31.

Noted Geoff Johns, best-selling author and DCE’s Chief Creative Officer, “DC Comics is known for many things, but chief among them is the compelling, diverse and legendary society of super-villains who populate its universe. From the monstrous Solomon Grundy to the brutal Black Adam to the charismatic Sinestro, there is no single greater collection of villainy in all of fiction. These villains are hugely popular comic book characters in their own right and, quite honestly, many are often times more popular than some of our iconic super heroes.”

Jeff Baker, WBHE’s Executive Vice President and General Manager, Theatrical Catalog, added “The DC brand is enjoying a huge resurgence thanks to the entire leadership team at DC Entertainment which is driving opportunities not only for new theatrical properties, but for brand extensions as well. This new documentary will reinforce this evolving strategy and leverage DC assets across the entire studio landscape.”

Johns also reiterated that this year’s initiative will be a turning point for DCE. “It’s time we deconstruct these complex and sinister antagonists and celebrate the role they play as the engine and energy of some of the greatest storytelling in comics. 2013 is the Year of the Villain at DC Comics.”

On Saturday, March 30^th, fans attending WonderCon are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite DC Comics’ villain for an opportunity to be featured in the documentary. Fans can join DCE at WonderCon Booth 801 with filming to take place Saturday from 10:30 am – Noon. To find out more about where and what time to meet in the WonderCon DC Entertainment booth, keep checking the DC Comics Facebook (Facebook.com/DCComics) and Twitter sites (@DCComics).

Participation in upcoming ‘cons’ (Comic-Con International: San Diego and New York Comic Con) is anticipated, with a full release scheduled for later in the year.

March 30, 2013
Categories: Comics, DC Comics, Movies, New To Comics?, News . Tags: comics history . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

This Week’s Winners

East of West #1. Another month, another possible hit series from Image Comics. Jonathan Hickman and Nick Dragotta bring us this inspired Western/sci-fi tale. It begins with three naked children (with the rude bits obscured obviously) appearing in the middle of the desert through a Stonehenge-like monument, but they are missing their fourth companion.

As is the case with Hickman, this is filled with big ideas, but thankfully they remain a springboard for an interesting story. The basis for that story is that after America’s Civil War, a meteor landed, and ended the hostilities, and created the Seven Nations of America. On the same day, Prophet Longstreet, and chief Red Cloud penned some important writings and promptly died, while years later Mao Zedong finished their work with his own writings, on his deathbed. These works came to be known as the Message. Like I said – big ideas.

In the future, three pale beings walk in to a bar, and seeing as two of the three are unwelcome Indians, and they’re in a bar filled with Union soldiers, a fight brews. Well, it’s a fight we don’t see until it’s over and then we see blood soaked pages, to be followed later by more of the same.

It turns out that the three warriors are the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, and yes, they are missing one, which I’m guessing will lead to a frenzied team-up, or cool showdown, or both.

Dragotta’s character designs are great. The three protagonists look like fighters from an unmade Street Fighter game, but with devoid eyes ready for cruelty. It makes them an interesting choice for lead characters actually, as so far, there’s nothing heroic or sympathetic about them, but we do know bad things have been done to them and they aim to seek justice. The first stop is the President, who must pay for his past crimes.

The setting is great too, and at times it merges Blade Runner with any John Wayne Western and it looks grand.

As an extra length debut, it’s very impressive and Hickman doesn’t get bogged down with huge concepts to make the tale impenetrable, and sets out the link between the kids at the start and the adults in the bulk of the issue, so we don’t feel frustrated at the lack of answers just yet. However, there are plenty of intriguing questions left.

Savage Skullkickers #1. Paying homage to Frank Cho’s recent Savage Wolverine #1 is this fun fantasy series by Jim Zubkavich and Edwin Huang. It’s actually issue 20, but is rebranded to have a little fun, so last month was Uncanny Skullkickers, next month it becomes Mighty Skullkickers, May sees it morph in to The All-New Secret Skullkickers and in June it becomes Dark Skullkickers. It’s hard not to love a series that takes such fun in ribbing the often frustrating reboots of Marvel and DC with such boldness.

Now, I haven’t read this series for months, and this is part two of a story entitled Eighty Eyes on an Evil Island, but it all made sense to me, and that’s a great bonus, as so few series these days are newbie friendly.

The playfulness kicks off immediately with a naked dwarf (one of the series’ heroes) landing in a pile of bones, while dialogue boxes from a narrator break the fourth wall, referring to the previous narrator, who died in issue 17.

After reading this issue I now regret not reading all the previous issues. I haven’t laughed this much from a comic since Axe Cop, and The Goon. There’s just so much to love here, from the dwarf’s ignorance of the deathly serious situation he finds himself in, to his fellow warriors’ ape fighting in the jungle to the constant narration, and dialogue, that is just filled with superb comic timing.

There’s also a few bonus pages here, showing off the amazing fan art that shows Skullkickers has many talented fans, and after enjoying this issue, I can confidently say that it deserves even more. Well paced, funny, and two plots that both look to be heading to some far out places. Yep, Skullkickers is a fun comic. We need more of those.

It looks great too. Huang’s manga-ish art is just joyful and expressive and Misty Coast and Ross A. Campbell’s colours give the pages the vibrancy that the story and art demand. The whole package looks like an adaptation of a crazy anime that was never made, because it was too out there for any studio.

March 30, 2013
Categories: Comics, New To Comics?, Reviews . Tags: Image Comics . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Iron Man’s Many Armours and Injustice Videos

Iron Man 3 opens in May and yes, there will be over 40 different suits of armour in the film. Tony’s been a busy boy, as Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige describes.

“We have what we call the prehensile suit, which allows each individual piece of the suit to fly separately and latch on to him. It doesn’t quite work perfectly, but it is a great advancement that Tony uses throughout this movie, so that wherever he is, theoretically, he can call it to him and it can arrive. It doesn’t always work, and there’s a great scene in the movie, which we gave a little taste of to fans at Comic-Con this year in a giveaway of an art poster that Ryan Meinerding had done, where the entire suit doesn’t come to him. He just gets one glove and one boot and has to fight off a battalion of bad guys with just the boot and just the glove. “It’s often the limitations of the suit that can provide the most fun-when the suit breaks, when the suit doesn’t quite work — and there’s that in spades. We also, though, hint early on in the film by mentioning that this is not the Mark 8 as you might think because the Mark 7 was the last suit revealed in “The Avengers.” It’s the Mark 42. So there are well over 40 suits that Tony has built in between the time of “The Avengers” and “Iron Man 3″ because of his obsession. By the end of the film, we see each and every one of them, and you realize Tony is a mechanic and he has been tinkering. Any conceivable idea he had about the suit technology he built and stored in his Hall of Armor. Finally, after talking about it for four movies we finally see his Hall of Armor and the giant army of suits that he’s built for himself.”

You can check out 6 of those awesome suits here, but it looks like the classic Hulkbuster armour from the comics has yet to reveal itself, although the Igor suit somewhat resembles it. Oh, and if you’re in Disneyland you’ll be able to see some of those suits at a new exhibit that runs from April 13 to September.

I’ve never been a hug fan of fighting video games, although I spent many hours in my high school years playing Street Fighter 2. However, any chance to play as DC Comics characters has my interest, and Injustice: Gods Among Us continues to intrigue me, the more I see of it. Take these 3 videos for example. 240 missions? Surprise characters such as Martian Manhunter and Giganta (and possibly Lobo)! Sold! A demo for the much anticipated game will be released on April 2.

March 30, 2013
Categories: Comics, DC Comics, Games, Movies, New To Comics?, News . Tags: Iron Man 3, Marvel . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Avengers: Endless Wartime Preview

In October comes a rare OGN from Marvel, although their newbie friendly Season One series have been rather hit and miss. Their Hulk one was great, and I did read the Ant-Man one from the library, and it was pretty average. However, with the duo behind this Avengers tale, and the preview pages below, it’s a safe bet that Endless Wartime will be entertaining.

Warren Ellis & Mike McKone Assemble for Marvel’s AVENGERS: ENDLESS WARTIME Original Graphic Novel

New York Times Best-Sellers Launch Marvel’s First Major Original Graphic Novel On October 2^nd, 2013

New York Times Best-Selling author Warren Ellis (Secret Avengers, Gun Machine) and chart-topping artist Mike McKone (Amazing Spider-Man) assemble the biggest heroes in the Marvel Universe—Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hawkeye, Wolverine & Captain Marvel—for Avengers: Endless Wartime, a landmark original graphic novel scheduled for release on October 2^nd, 2013. This movie-length epic launches an all new original graphic novel line for Marvel Entertainment, featuring the biggest super heroes brought to life by the best creators and debuts in a high-end, oversized format featuring sophisticated packaging and design.

An abomination, long thought buried, has resurfaced in a war-torn land- but now it wears an American flag. Faced with another nightmare reborn, Captain America will not stand for yet more death at the hands of a ghost from his past. Haunted by his greatest shame, Thor must renew the hunt for a familiar beast. Side by side with the great Super Heroes the world has seen, united to end the threats no one of them could face alone, the Avengers will stare down the greatest threat the team has ever faced. But is even their combined might enough to overcome a force of pure evil?

“When Marvel asked me to help re-launch their original graphic novel line, I had to say yes,” said Ellis. “Their total commitment, from story to design, made it a project I wanted to be part of.”

In a historic first for Marvel Entertainment, Avengers: Endless Wartime will be released simultaneously worldwide in North America, Italy, Spain, Germany, France, Brazil, Finland and Turkey. Every international edition of Avengers: Endless Wartime will be translated into each area’s primary language, allowing fans all over the world to effortlessly join in the global release of this graphic novel.

“The Avengers are the most popular super heroes in the world and we want to make sure this historic original graphic novel arrives in the hands of all our fans, no matter where they live,” said David Gabriel, SVP Sales, Print & Digital , Marvel Entertainment. “In collaboration with our friends at Panini, we’re able to bring Avengers: Endless Wartime to more fans around the world than any release in Marvel history!”

Avengers: Endless Wartime is bookended by an introduction from Marvel’s The Avengers star Clark Gregg (better known as “Agent Phil Coulson”) and an afterword from the legendary Stan Lee, co-creator of this blockbuster super hero team.

“If you’re a new fan who saw Marvel Studio’s blockbuster Avengers film last year, this is a great place for you to discover the comic book adventures of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. And if you’re a long-time fan, you’re in for an action-packed story that shows you a new side of your favorite super heroes,” said Axel Alonso, Editor in Chief, Marvel Entertainment. “Avengers: Endless Wartime is one of our most important releases of the year, which is why we spared no expense in bringing two of the top talents in comics—Warren Ellis and Mike McKone—to make sure this was one of the biggest super hero stories you’ve ever read!”

Additionally, this original graphic novel will also include a code for a bonus digital edition of Avengers: Endless Wartime, redeemable for reading viathe Marvel Comics app (for iPhone®, iPad®, iPad Touch® & Android devices) and online in the Marvel Digital Comics Shop. This code is included at no extra charge, allowing fans to keep their copy of Avengers: Endless Wartime safe on their bookshelves but still carry this jaw-dropping adventure with them on the go to read anytime, anywhere! Avengers: Endless Wartime features special augmented reality content available exclusive through the Marvel AR app – including cover recaps, behind the scenes features and more that add value to your reading experience at no additional cost.

Avengers: Endless Wartime will be available on October 2^nd in book stores, comic shops, the Marvel Comics app (for iPhone®, iPad®, iPad Touch® & Android devices) and online in the Marvel Digital Comics Shop.

Stay tuned to www.marvel.com for more details on Avengers: Endless Wartime and join the discussion on Twitter using #AvengersOGN.

AVENGERS: ENDLESS WARTIME OGN

Written by WARREN ELLIS

Art & Cover by MIKE MCKONE

ON SALE OCTOBER 2^nd, 2013

March 29, 2013
Categories: Comic Art, Comics, New To Comics? . Tags: Marvel, The Avengers . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

The Massive Vol. One Review

At Broken Frontier you can now read my review of the first collection of the excellent series The Massive from Dark Horse Comics.

Read it right here.

March 26, 2013
Categories: Comics, New To Comics?, Reviews . Tags: Dark Horse Comics . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Stalag-X From Gestalt

Australian publisher Gestalt (The Deep: The Vanishing Island) have an exciting story on the way in June. Details below.

Gestalt Comics are pleased to announce a major new science fiction comic series, STALAG-X, a candid tale of human soldiers struggling to survive in an alien concentration camp.

Written by award-winning author Kevin J. Anderson in partnership with TV writer/producer Steven L. Sears, and illustrated by Mike Ratera (X-Men, Bad Legion), Stalag-X reinterprets the ‘prisoner-of-war’ tale with a compelling antihero bent.

In a devastating interstellar war with an alien race, one prisoner — known only as “Joe Human” — is taken to a harsh P.O.W. camp that is controlled by a sadistic alien the captives refer to as “Mengele.” Like his namesake, Mengele performs horrific experiments on humans to better understand their nature — ‘Know your enemy’ is the dictum under which he operates, even if it means examining them slice by slice.

Joe quickly appears to be less than honorable, for he has his own reasons to stay incognito and off Earth. While held prisoner at Stalag-X, he uncovers vital intelligence about the enemy — information that could possibly win the war and save billions of lives… Of course, that would mean getting involved and, perhaps, caring for something. Or someone.

New York Times bestselling author Anderson is the author of more than 115 novels, 52 of which have appeared on US or international bestseller lists, including titles set in the legendary Dune, Star Wars and X-Files universes, along with his own Saga of the Seven Suns series.

Sears is well-known for his work in both film and television — his writing and producing credits include some of the most iconic television series such as Superboy, The A-Team,Swamp Thing and Xena: Warrior Princess among many others.

Stalag-X #1, featuring cover art by fan-favorite Dave Dorman, is scheduled for digital release on the 1st June 2013.

March 24, 2013
Categories: Comics, New To Comics?, News . Tags: Gestalt . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

The Image Revolution Trailer

Last week, Sequart released a trailer for their upcoming doco about Image Comics, which will be a fascinating insight into one of comics’ best and worst periods. It’s already looking better than their last two docos, on writers Grant Morrison, and Warren Ellis.

The Image Revolution will examine one of the most important and daring moves in modern comic book history. Twenty years ago, a group of artists left Marvel Comics to create their own company, a company that continues to influence mainstream comics and culture to this day. Image Comics began as more than just a publisher — it was a response to years of creator mistreatment, and it changed comics forever.

The Image Revolution will tell the amazing story of this from-scratch company, from its founders’ work at Marvel, through Image’s early days, the ups and downs of the ’90s, and the publisher’s new generation of creator-owned properties like The Walking Dead. We will tell this story through new interviews with the people who made it happen. And what better time than during Image’s 20th anniversary to do it?

March 23, 2013
Categories: Comics, Movies, New To Comics?, News . Tags: comics history, Image Comics . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

All Crime Comics #1 Review

Comic readers (and creators) are a nostalgic bunch, and the crime comics of decades ago hold a special place in the history of the medium, as the young upstart, for their part in the mid-20th century for bringing sex and violence to the young readers of the time. It also led to U.S Senate enquiries, and eventually the censorship in the industry of the Comics Code, which is now defunct.

Well, indie publisher Art of Fiction obviously look upon that time fondly, judging by their latest release. For some reason, my comic shop only received this debut issue this week, but it looks like other countries got it late last year.

Under that naughty, old school cover by animation legend Bruce Timm (Batman: The Animated Series, Justice League), is a three part story with more wonderful old school flavour.

Written by Art of Fiction (I assume that means quite a few people from the publisher), with Ed Laroche doing the art for chapters 1 and 3, and Marc Sandroni for the flashback second chapter, it’s a quick, but enjoyable read.

The story is typically gangster/noir flavoured, and set in 1989, with crooks tough Marko and confident Dodger out to reclaim some money, which means getting their gang back together for one last job. The middle chapter goes back to 1969 where Dodger became friends with Louie, before a girl and dirty deals got between them, while the finale focuses on Dodger’s plan and how Louie’s current stint in prison plays into that.

It’s a well paced story, with apparently at least one more issue on the way, and with its narrow focus on key characters, and great art style, including the ’80s colouring for the flashback, it’s a unique read.

March 23, 2013
Categories: Comics, New To Comics?, Reviews . Tags: Art of Fiction, crime comics . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

The Deep Cartoon Trailer Premiere

Cool, arty things happen in Melbourne. Cool things also happen in my hometown of Perth, but I hope we get to see this trailer online soon.

AUSTRALIAN GRAPHIC NOVELS BY BESTSELLING MELBOURNE AUTHOR TO BECOME INTERNATIONAL ANIMATED SERIES.
PREVIEW SCREENING AND BOOK LAUNCH THIS SATURDAY.

His recent publications sit atop the bestseller lists on Amazon and iBooks among others, and he has written adventures for Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Luke Skywalker and Boba Fett — however, for Melbourne born and bred comic book author,Tom Taylor, nothing excites him more than crafting tales of the Nekton family in his creator-owned graphic novel series, The Deep.

After receiving the 2012 Aurealis Award for ‘Best Graphic Novel’ for the first volume of The Deep series, Here Be Dragons, Taylor and artist James Brouwer return to the seas for the second volume, The Vanishing Island, published by Gestalt Comics.

The Vanishing Island continues the adventures of a multi-ethnic family of daring Aquanauts who live on a submarine — and will receive its official launch on the 23rd March 2013 at Melbourne’s All-Star Comics.

Written by award-winning writer Tom Taylor (DC’s Injustice, Star Wars: Adventures, Star Wars: Blood Ties) and illustrated by the incredible James Brouwer (Justice League Beyond), The Vanishing Island sees the Nektons, a family who have been exploring the seas for generations, investigate an island that was “completely not hit by a tsunami.”

Book Launch Details
The launch of The Vanishing Island will be held at All Star Comics Melbourne, Level 1, 410 Lonsdale St, Melbourne, on Saturday the 23rd March 2013, from 1pm-3pm, and will feature the first public preview of the upcoming TV series based on The Deep graphic novels.

Upcoming Animated TV Series
A new CGI series is in the works based on the The Deep graphic novels, with Paris-based animation studio Technicolor developing and producing 26 half-hour episodes of The Deep targeting viewers 6 years and up.
The Deep: The Vanishing Island and the previous volume in the series, Here Be Dragons, are distributed by Madman Entertainment in Australia & New Zealand, with an RRP of $19.95 aud.

March 21, 2013
Categories: Cartoons, Comics, New To Comics?, News . Tags: Gestalt, James Brouwer, Tom Taylor . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Slave Labor Graphics Sale

Indie publisher SLG are moving, and are having a huge sale to celebrate.

SLG Publishing is moving from it’s long time home in downtown San Jose to a new warehouse in the midtown area. We are having a moving sale this week with 30% off everything in stock in the store (sorry, no back orders). No coupon code is required.

Our new place will feature a bigger gallery store than the old one and we will be carrying a lot more comics and graphic novels from other publishers. Come visit us for the grand opening on May 4th at

44 Race Street

San Jose, CA 95126

Go here to see the goodies on offer.

March 21, 2013
Categories: Comics, New To Comics?, News . Tags: Cheap comics, sales . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Ten Grand Preview

Joe’s Comics, the Top Cow imprint that gave birth to Midnight Nation and Rising Stars from celebrated scribe J. Michael Straczynski is back, now at Image. The first series to be released is Ten Grand, about murder, resurrection and love. The press release gives a much better idea of the story, which kicks off on May 1, with renowned artist Ben Templesmith.

The premise: Joe Fitzgerald was a mob enforcer until the day he met Laura, who convinced him to leave that world behind. Before quitting, Joe agrees to one last job, little realizing that the man he’s been sent to kill was deeply involved in demonlogy. He survives Joe’s attempt and comes after him, fatally wounding Joe and killing Laura. As he lies dying, an angelic force promises that if Joel agrees to work for them as a different kind of enforcer, they will bring him to life and keep on bringing him to life every time he is killed in a righteous cause. The reward: for those five minutes of death, he will be with Laura again. Would you endure an eternity of pain and death, dying over and over, to be with the woman you love for just five minutes each time you died? Most people might say no. But Joe Fitzgerald isn’t most people.

Image have also released 11 text-free preview pages from the first two issues, and below are two of those spooky pages.

March 14, 2013
Categories: Comic Art, Comics, New To Comics? . Tags: Image Comics . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Get To Know The Guardians Of The Galaxy – For Free!

Marvel are smart. They know that the announcement of next year’s Guardians of the Galaxy film was a surprise to many people, as even to us regular comics readers, the Guardians aren’t household names, but the diverse cosmic team, which includes a gun toting raccoon, and a talking tree has the potential to be as cool as The Avengers.

So, in order to get interest, and breed familiarity with the Guardians, Marvel are offering a four part bi-weekly series spotlighting each member, and it’s written by Brian Michael Bendis with art by Michael Avon Oeming!

Get the first part, which focuses on Drax, here on ComiXology.

March 7, 2013
Categories: Comics, New To Comics? . Tags: free comics, Guardians of the Galaxy, Marvel . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Bodie Troll #1 Review

Just a quick review to give my thumbs up for a great all-ages comic from publisher Red 5 (the always entertaining Atomic Robo series). I don’t read many family friendly comics these days, but their popularity is high, and can they hopefully go a long way to creating an enchanting reading experience for the younger set, and getting them hooked on reading (comics) for many years.

The first noticeable feature of Bodie Troll’s debut is the visual feast of its cartooning approach, with generous, sweeping lines and playful composition. It’s easy to follow for younger readers, and makes it a breeze to enjoy. It’s all exaggerated expressions, and funny dialogue, and is also impressive as it’s seemingly all the work of one man – creator Jay P. Fosgitt (Little Green Men, Dino Duck).

Facing a bunch of nonplussed goats crossing a bridge, Bodie is reminded yet again that despite his best efforts at being scary, he’s just…cuddly, and is well loved by the folk in his Medieval village of Hagadorn, which include barmaid Cholly, and Miz Bijou, the fairy godmother with a magical spatula. Yes, there is magic in this world, but so far it’s understated, and it all seems cohesive in a world in which a cute troll can talk to the locals.

With an amusing puppet show, and an actual scary monster in these pages, it’s a joyful and entertaining adventure, and its unique artistic approach is as cuddly as the lead character.

The first issue of this four ish mini-series won’t be released until April 17, but can be pre-ordered before Feb 28 to secure your copy. I suggest you do.

February 26, 2013
Categories: Comics, New To Comics?, Reviews . . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

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