Read War of Kings For Free

warofkings_01I picked up War of Kings #1 when it was released a few weeks ago. I haven’t been up to date on all the Marvel happenings lately, but I’m glad I grabbed it. What a space epic! With a royal marriage, speeding spaceships and weird aliens, it was awesome. Now, you can read it for free, and if you like it, the second issue by the same creative team is due out on April Fool’s Day. (No kidding!) Press release below.

It’s winner take all as tensions mount and the cosmic powder keg prepares to blow in War of Kings #1 (of 6)! Wondering what War of Kings is all about? Well here’s your chance to get in on all the action for FREE courtesy of Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited right here! After the Skrulls threatened his kingdom during Secret Invasion, Black Bolt’s quest to ensure Inhuman dominance in the galaxy begins! The acclaimed team of writers Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning, along with fan favorite artist Paul Pelletier, place the Inhumans on a crash course with the Shi’ Ar Empire and their deadly leader-Vulcan! With appearances from The Imperial Guard, Starjammers, the Guardians of the Galaxy and more, this is one cosmic war you won’t want to miss! 

War of Kings #2

War of Kings #2

March 26, 2009
Categories: New To Comics?, News . Tags: , , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Freedom Formula Film

Freedom Formula, from Radical Publishing is set to become a film. This is no surprise as it’s a great series. If you haven’t read it as yet, you can catch up on the sci-fi adventure when the Trade’s hopefully released in a few months. Bryan Singer may direct it, which scares me, but hopefully he’ll do a better job than he did with Superman. Press release below.

 

Set in the future where mechanized battle armor is used for high speed sport, Freedom Formula quickly made headlines across the film and comic industry during the 2008 San Diego Comic-Con International event when Variety reported that Bryan Singer (X-Men, Superman Returns) was attached to produce, with an eye to potentially direct, a film based on the underlying comic series. Today Variety has announced thatNew Regency has acquired Freedom Formula with a writer attached.

Singer Formula

Mike Finch, who just sold his spec script, Medieval, to New Regency with McG attached to produce and possibly direct, will pen the adaptation based on Radical Publishing’s 5-issue comic book series, Freedom Formula: Ghost of the Wasteland, written by Edmund Shern, CEO of Radical’s Singapore based sister company, Storm Lion.

This is Radical Pictures’ second development deal, following Universal Pictures and Spyglass Entertainment releasing Hercules: The Thracian Wars, based on the 5-issue comic book series by Steve Moore, with Peter Berg producing and potentially directing through his production company Film 44 with Ryan Condal (Ocean) scripting.

New Regency, Singer’s Bad Hat Harry Productions and Radical Pictures will produce Freedom Formula with Bryan Singer and Radical Publishing’s President and Publisher Barry Levine as producers along with Radical Publishing’s Executive Vice President Jesse Berger and Zoom Entertainment’s Michael Zoumas signed on as Executive Producers. Edmund Shern will be an Associate Producer.

When asked to comment, Barry Levine stated “Mike Finch came up with an incredible take that goes deeper into the mythology of the source material.” 

Jesse Berger continues “There is something very contemporary about a revolution and Freedom Formula’s adaptation for the screen will explore those concepts as well.”


March 25, 2009
Categories: Movies, New To Comics?, News . Tags: , , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Under The Black Freighter’s Hood

Something sorely lacking from the Watchmen film was this little beauty – a story within the story. More specifically, a comic reader as he read an engrossing pirate tale about a desperate man’s search for survival. However, it’s now available as a DVD, On Demand, Blu-Ray and also from iTunes. Besides the animated Tales of the Black Freighter feature, also included is a live action ‘documentary’  looking at the first Nite Owl, in Under The Hood. Trailer below.

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March 24, 2009
Categories: Cartoons, New To Comics?, News . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

The Incredibles #1 Preview

We have a feature about the new properties coming from BOOM! Studios in the upcoming second issue of Extra Sequential. Written by Mark Waid, with art by Marcio Takara, the four issue min-series The Incredibles, hits shelves on March 25.

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Incrediblespg8

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March 21, 2009
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics?, News . Tags: , , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Kabuki Collected

 

kabuki_thealchemy_hcCreator David Mack is an innovative guy. His work looks like nothing else on the stands. He owns the page in his work like Daredevil and his own creation, Kabuki. Now you can grab Kabuki: The Alchemy which collects some of his best work. Official press release below, and check out more Mack art here.

Eisner-nominated superstar writer/artist David Mack presents a groundbreaking collection of his acclaimed work in Kabuki: The Alchemy HC.  Collecting all nine issues of the critically-lauded, Eisner Award-nominated KABUKI: THE ALCHEMY series from Marvel’s creator-owned Icon imprint – for the first time ever!—this is an unprecedented look at Mack’s work! This hardcover is chock full of bonus material including original scripts, a “best of fan letters” section, never before seen art and new story pages, including updated versions of previously published scenes! If that’s not enough, acclaimed Fight Club author Chuck Palahniuk provides a powerful introduction to one of comics’ most acclaimed series and a special afterword from Mack himself!

“I think The Alchemy represents the best and most evolved example of my work in comics as a writer and as an artist,” says David Mack.

Plus, don’t miss the Kabuki: The Alchemy Limited Edition HC, packaged with a signed and numbered original brush & ink sketch on parchment paper! Both Kabuki: The Alchemy HC and The Kabuki: Alchemy Limited Edition HC feature an embossed cover and spine; watermark design on the interior pages; and a special bookmark!

March 20, 2009
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics?, News . Tags: , , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Spider-Girl Goes Digital

spectacularspidergirlIn our second issue of Extra Sequential (it’s only days away, and even more action packed than our first issue) we have an interview with Tom DeFalco, the writer behind Spider-Girl. In related news, Mayday Parker’s title has ended, but her adventures continue digitally. Official press release below.

At first, she was just SPIDER-GIRL. Then she became the AMAZING SPIDER-GIRL. Now, Mayday Parker, the future daughter of Spider-Man goes digital in the all-new THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-GIRL #1! Marvel is pleased to announce that Spider-Girl will return in an all new series, exclusive to the groundbreaking Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited, beginning April 15th! Written by co-creator, Tom DeFalco, drawn by co-creator, Ron Frenz, and inked by Sal Buscema, THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-GIRL #1 debuts on Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited as part of the subscription service’s exclusive digital comics program. The story will appear in print two weeks later in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN FAMILY #5 on sale Wednesday, April 29th.

 Spider-Girl fans can gear up for THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-GIRL’s digital debut by reading FREE Spider-Girl digital comics right now.

March 19, 2009
Categories: New To Comics?, News . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Wolverine Art Appreciation Month

Logan will bask in Marvel’s love and respect in April when Wolverine celebrates his 35th anniversary with classic paintings re-imagined by top comic artists of today. This is a great idea I reckon. Press release below.

Marvel is proud to announce that in honor of Wolverine’s 35th anniversary, numerous Marvel titles will feature Wolverine Art Appreciation Variant Covers in April, as part of Wolverine Art Appreciation Month. In the tradition of Marvel’s previous variant cover programs, featuring everything from villains to zombies to monkeys, select Marvel titles will feature variant covers spotlighting the most popular X-Man through a unique lens! Inspired by some of the world’s greatest artists, these variant covers depict Wolverine like you’ve never seen him before, in styles reminiscent of Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol and more!

Captain Britain and MII3 #2 Edward Gory Style

Captain Britain and MII3 #2 Edward Gory Style

“This is a huge year for Wolverine as he proves why he’s arguably one of the most popular characters in the world,” explained Joe Quesada, Marvel Comics Editor-in-Chief. “He’s not just popular with fans but also with artists, as evidenced by how many of today’s top comic artists jockey for a chance to draw him. This got us thinking: what if Wolverine had been around for hundreds, if not thousands, of years? What great, classic artists would want a crack at drawing a Wolverine cover?”

Keep checking back with http://www.marvel.com for a complete listing of titles featuring the Wolverine Art Appreciation Variant Covers and a first look at these landmark covers!

Amazing Spider-Man #590 C.M Coolidge Style

Amazing Spider-Man #590 C.M Coolidge Style

March 18, 2009
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics?, News . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Superman/Batman Animated Film

 

Public Enemies TPBSure, Marvel may be kicking DC’s butt in the battle of the cinema, but DC are winning the animated war. Marvel’s animated films (two Ultimate Avengers, Iron Man, Dr. Strange and Hulk Vs) have been disappointing, but DC’s (Superman/Batman, Justice League: The New Frontier, Wonder Woman) have been awesome. This year, after the recently announced Green Lantern: First Flight, the next release will be Superman/Batman: Public Enemies. This is great news indeed. The film will be based on the action packed first 6 issues of DC’s team-up title, by writer Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuiness. The official synopsis is below. I can’t wait. Go here for a sneak peek at the comic book  inspiration.

 

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SUPERMAN/BATMAN: PUBLIC ENEMIES:

United States President Lex Luthor uses the oncoming trajectory of a
kryptonite asteroid to frame Superman and declare a $1 billion bounty
on the heads of the Man of Steel and his “partner in crime” Batman.
Super heroes and super villains alike launch a relentless pursuit of
Superman and Batman, who must unite – and recruit super help – to
stave off the action-packed onslaught, stop the asteroid, and uncover
Luthor’s devious plot to take command of far more than North America.

March 16, 2009
Categories: Cartoons, New To Comics?, News . Tags: , , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: 3 Comments

Green Arrow Stuff

I just picked up Smallville Season 6 because it was cheap. I was never a fan of the show when it first began, with its boring baddies of the week premise, but as it started to expand its mythology and bring in more DC guest stars it piqued my interest. Once the rest of the seasons become cheap I’m sure I’ll pick them up too. It was great seeing actor Justin Hartley in the Neal Adams designed costume from the comics in an episode with a fancy dress party opener, and he does Oliver Queen justice, I gotta say. The doco on the history of the character is a nice feature too. And I saw a neato episode of Batman: The Brave and the Bold this morning which featured a Bats and GA (in his classic outfit) team up. AND to top of the emerald archer goodness, here’s a pic from DC’s latest wave of Classic action figures.

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Cool, huh? The others in the Mattel series are Deadshot, Black Canary, Black Adam,Mantis, Parademon, Wildcat and Classic Guardian and a build-a-figure Chemo. You can see all of them here.

March 14, 2009
Categories: New To Comics?, News . Tags: , , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: 1 Comment

Eye Witness Becomes a Finalist

This is good news for Robert Luedke. The writer/artist’s latest book in the Eye Witness series continues to receive attention. The interesting books present an intriguing combination of modern archaeological adventures while gazing at the beginnings of Christianity. I met Robert at last year’s San Diego Comic-Con and interviewed him here. Well done Robert!

 

EYE WITNESS: RISE OF THE APOSTLE FINALIST FOR NATIONAL BOOK AWARD
foreword finalist
 
ForeWord Magazine, just announced that the third book in Robert James Luedke’s, Eye Witness series…Rise of the Apostle….is a finalist in the category of Graphic Novels in their 2008 Book of the Year Awards.

 
This is the second industry honor to come to Luedke’s, Rise of the Apostle…which has already won The 2008 National Best Book Award (for Graphic Novels), sponsored byUSABookNews.com.
 
Eye Witness 3

More than 1,400 books were entered in 61 categories for FOREWORD MAGAZINE’S annual book awards. These were narrowed to 668 finalists from 376 publishers. These books represent some of the best work coming from today’s independent press community!
The winners will be determined by a panel of librarians and booksellers, selected from FOREWORD’S readership. Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners, as well as Editor’s Choice Prizes for Fiction and Nonfiction will be announced at a special program at BookExpo America at the Javits Center in New York City on May 29, 2009. The winners of the two Editor’s Choice Prizes will be awarded $1,500 each. The ceremony is open to all BEA attendees.

ABOUT FOREWORD MAGAZINE
 
ForeWord Magazine’s Book of the Year Awards program was designed to discover distinctive books across a number of genres. The list of finalists is searchable by category, publisher, title, and author.

ForeWord affects the choices of booksellers and librarians across the country who weekly advise millions what to read. Their typical publication reaches an audience of 20,000. Foreword also put the magazine in the hands of agents and editors at larger houses who are looking for leads to bring into their fold from the independent press sector. All told, readership is about 85% librarians, 12% bookstores, 3% publishing professionals…and of course, parents.
Robert Luedke
ABOUT ROBERT LUEDKE:

 
Robert James Luedke is one of those special individuals that only come around once in a great while…a true groundbreaker!   
 

March 13, 2009
Categories: New To Comics?, News . Tags: , , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Free Iron Man Kids Game

 

imarmoredpopper_img1Or adults too, really. If you’re bored at work, or home, check out this free Iron Man game based on the new toon from Marvel. Official press release below.

Marvel Entertainment launched a brand new online casual game today based on the upcoming “Iron Man: Armored Adventures” animated series on Nicktoons. The game, named Iron Man Armored Popper, is available to be played now at MarvelKids.com.

 Iron Man Armored Popper is a challenging, fun, puzzle type game that uses Iron Man’s repulsor beams to knock down his enemies and clear each stage in this wildly entertaining game. Defeat the likes of Mandarin, Madame Masque, Whiplash, Count Nefaria and more—and gain new powers while doing it!

Iron Man Armored Popper joins a slate of five other online casual games already launched on MarvelKids.com including Wolverine MRD Escape, Iron Man Flight Test, Hulk Central Smashdown, Iron Man Armory Assault and Hulk Bad Altitude.  All six casual games are currently available to play free of charge on MarvelKids.com.

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“Iron Man: Armored Adventures” is the second all-new animated series produced by Marvel Animation. The series is set to air on Nicktoons on April 24, 2009. It follows the widely successful “Wolverine and the X-Men” series which premiered on the Nicktoons Network in January.

Head over to MarvelKids.com and help Iron Man defend the world from evil!

March 12, 2009
Categories: Cartoons, Games, New To Comics?, News . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: 1 Comment

Extra Sequential #2 Delay

 

feb094062fHow it pains me to write those words! But it’s better to have great quality a little late, rather than poor quality now. Dave and I really only meet for less than 3 hours a week to put together a 60 page issue. That’s not very much at all, and every time we manage to sneak in some time during lunch away from our ‘real’ jobs, it reminds me how important collaboration is on any sort of creative endeavour. Neither one of us could do ES alone. Anyway, so issue 2 is coming. It will be here in March, but not March 15 as originally hoped and promised. We will get it out in late March sometime, and so far it’s looking to be a real cracker. Leaping and bounding with improvements from our first issue in January we are extremely excited to get our second ish out, and to see what everyone thinks. In the meantime, here’s a teaser of what to expect:

A hilarious interview with Amazing Spider-Man and Dark Reign: Elektra writer Zeb Wells

An honest interview with Marvel writer/editor Tom DeFalco about the end of his much-loved Amazing Spider-Girl

An interview with Richard Emms about Ardden Entertainment’s new Flash Gordon series

An interview with two great English gents from Ariel Press about Harker

A look at the awesome mechs of Dawn of the Dread Force

A look at Steve Pugh’s glorious Hotwire from Radical Publishing

and oh, so much more including reviews, Superman: A Biography, BOOM!’s take on Disney and the Muppets, and DIY paper superheroes. Thanks for your patience. It’ll be worth the wait.

March 10, 2009
Categories: New To Comics?, News . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Top Cow Covers The Darkness

Press release (and awesome covers) below regarding Top Cow’s The Darkness #76.

dk076_cover_page_2Top Cow Productions, Inc. proudly announced today that The Darkness issue #76, which will be released in March 25th, will contain a variant cover contributed by artist Josh Medors (30 Days of Night, Runes of Ragnan).  As many in the comic community are aware, Medors has been courageously combating a rare form of cancer since 2008. A second cover for The Darkness #76, illustrated by artist Frazer Irving (Silent War), will also be offered.
    “I had a great time working on this. Jackie has always been one of my favorite Top Cow characters, so to get a chance to work on a Darkness cover was amazing,” explained Medors, “I was a bit nervous going in to it, but the gang over at Top Cow was great.  I think the finished piece turned out fantastic.”
    (Fans and retailers should note that the Legacy Issue Numbering has taken effect and that The Darkness #76 is actually #12 of the current volume.  Legacy Numbering denotes the total number of issues of The Darkness ever published, regardless of volume.
The story, penned by current series writer Phil Hester (Green Arrow, Firebreather), picks up where issue #74 left off with current Darkness bearer Jackie Estacado in service to The Sovereign.  The manipulative Sovereign is an ancient demon who can project his conscience into any object bearing his likeness. This issue will also introduce a brand new character who will change Jackie’s perception of The Darkness forever. Penciler Michael Broussard and inker Ryan Winn also return as the art team with The Darkness #76.  
According to Jimmy Palmiotti (Jonah Hex, Countdown, Deadpool),“The team of Hester and Broussard are in top form and The Darkness never looked or read better. In a time when more and more books are not what they used to be, The Darkness is proving to be one of the most twisted fun titles out there. Take it from a guy that enjoys evil fun. The Darkness team of Hester and Broussard are delivering some of the best work of their careers.” 

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March 9, 2009
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics?, News . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Spider-Man In Japan

 

japanese-spider-man-1I remember watching the dodgy old American Spider-Man live action TV show in my youth. Sure, Spidey never did any web swinging, or fought anyone other than plain baddies but it was fun for a wide-eyed kid to see one of his heroes in “real life.” Spider-Man also turned Japanese in the 70s, in even less faithful TV adventures. The only similarity was really the costume. The Japanese version had motorbikes and giant robots to make up for it though. See the official press release below, then check out the free TV shows. If the pics below don’t tempt you to glimpse the zaniness, nothing will!

Now streaming exclusively on Marvel.com is Japanese “Spider-Man,” the legendary late 1970s TV show produced by Japan ’s TOEI Company. Trust us; you have NEVER seen Spider-Man quite like this before.

The series follows the exploits of motorcycle racer turned super hero Takuya Yamashiro as he slings and swings, battling the evil Iron Cross Army along the way. It’s fun, frantic and FREE!

See Episode One right now on Marvel.com—then come back every Thursday for the next episode.

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March 6, 2009
Categories: New To Comics?, News . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: 2 Comments

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