Now up at Broken Frontier are two new interviews of mine. One is with writer Ron Marz (Green Lantern, Witchblade) primarily about his new mini-series from Top Cow, Angelus. The other interview is with writer Jesse Blaze Snider (Dead Romeo) about his new gig writing Toy Story for BOOM! Studios.
Also up at Broken Frontier is my review of BOOM! Studio’s Irredeemable #9.
This is too good not too share, so here’s a little greeting card from Arcana Comics, the publisher of the new Arcana magazine I’m co-creating. It faetures Gearhead, Kade, Clockwork Girl, Koni Waves and other characters. Nice.
In the first issue of Arcana magazine (out next month!) we have a preview of Changing Ways, a forthcoming OGN from Justin Randall and Gestalt Comics. Below is a just released teaser for the great looking book.
Ever since I first heard about this project I’ve been intrigued. Seeing preview pages at Comic-Con this year made the anticipation grow even more, and now that Sam Worthington is attached to produce and star in a film adaptation, hopefully more people will see this. The concept alone is worth the price of admission.
Like a classic noir tale, it begins with a death (presumably) and then a flashback that explains what led up to it. It seems that in 2 weeks the U.S government will launch the American Peace Initiative as a, “necessary step to protect our nation from further acts of domestic terrorism.” What that means is (and this is the enticing hook of the whole story) is that a broadcast will go live across America, effectively rendering any criminal desires obsolete, and so crims nation wide have a fortnight to get all their illegal ways out of their system. Yes, it really is the last days of American crime.
As is the norm in high concept tales like this, TV news handles most of the heavy exposition (rioting across the country, a mass exodus of people to Canada, etc) but it never lets the story get bogged down. Most of that story revolves around hard man and opportunist Graham Bricke (also referred to as “Brick” in Radical’s promo materials however) as he recruits a gang of similarly minded individuals for one last job. There’s glimpses from the noir handbook, such as Graham’s voiceover describing “that broad’s” walk and the taste of her lips, but writer Rick Remender (Punisher, Fear Agent) digs deeper by making Graham a thrice married man who lives with his Mum in a trailer. Graham also works as a security guard at a large bank and wants to use his know-how to strike quickly before paper money makes way for digital transactions.
There’s a lot of profanity here and a smattering of blood, and sex but Remender is putting all these pieces together like a chess master, making us readers wait for him to strike. This first issue (of a three ish bi-monthly series) is mostly set up, like the first 30 minutes of a classic heist film, but the bulk of the groundwork has been laid. I have a feeling next issue will consist of a lot of action, betrayal and a few bad decisions.
Greg Tocchini’s art works splendidly with Remender’s well paced script. After this, he’s sure to go places. With a painterly style that is hard to compare to anyone else (I’ll say it’s like a more detailed Phil Noto, but that’s not quite right), the artist knows when to use detail and when to approach pages with more subtlety. It’s simply a beautiful book, and Tocchini makes even bathrooms and bars look mundane yet somehow magical. See a huge preview here to get a glimpse.
Also included in this 64 page issue is a sketchbook section by Tocchini and an interview with Remender. Radical prove yet again that they know how to mix good looking books with grand concepts in a delicious cocktail.
Up now at Broken Frontier is my interview with Nathan Edmondson, writer of the excellent Image series Olympus. The TPB of the series exploring Greek mythology in the context of a modern action film is now out. Check out my interview here.
Thanks to Geek Chic Daily for the heads up on this one. You can get some funky t-shirts combining Star Wars characters and funky music right here. Awesome.
From the Hulk family, and myself a huge Merry Christmas to you all, and a glorious New Year. This year has been a great one for me, I must say. I went to Comic-Con for the second time and managed to meet for the first time many people who I’ve been ‘talking’ with over the last 2 years. My mate Dave and I created 3 issues of the free mag Extra Sequential, which opened up the door for our ultimate goal – printing a fresh faced comics mag. Sean at Arcana Comics in Canada saw ES and liked it and since July we’ve been stealing all the time we can manage to unleash the new Arcana magazine upon the public. January 27 is going to be an awesome day!
In all the embracing of capitalism and madness of gift giving I hope we can remember the real reason for the season (that’d be Jesus, not Santa BTW) but if you’re not a Christian I hope you still reflect on the goodness of the last 12 months and realise that every situation is an experience to develop as a more complete person. Thank you for reading my humble blog this year and although I haven’t updated it as much as I’d like, especially with new reviews, I’m glad you’ve read my ramblings.
Now, here’s to 2010! I have a good feeling about this coming year.
Press release below about those loveable British claymation characters and their rather impressive entry into the world of digital comics.
Wallace & Gromit digital comic reaches half a million downloads!
Titan Publishing’s Wallace & Gromit digital comic is taking the iPhone by storm with over half a million downloads of its first free app!
Since its launch on November 7, Wallace & Gromit digital comic has reached number one in the UK free books app store, a first for a British comic and has also risen to the number three spot overall in the free apps chart, a cracking feat and no mistake! All four paid for Wallace & Gromit comic apps have been within the top 20 paid apps in the UK book chart since their launch in November.
And it’s not only us Brits who can’t get enough of Aardman’s iconic duo – it’s currently the number one free book download in America and Canada and number 2 in Australia!
Wallace & Gromit digital comics editor Ned Hartley said: “We’ve been amazed at how well our first app has done – Wallace & Gromit is such a great brand, and iPhone users obviously love them as much as we do!”
You can download the first Wallace & Gromit Comic, ‘The W Files’ for free at www.titanpublishing/digital, and there are four other fantastic Wallace & Gromit comics available at the app store, for just 59p/$0.99 each!
Wallace & Gromit digital comics are also now available for download on PSP! Issue 1 is available for free and subsequent issues are just 79p/ $0.99 each – with each issue containing two great Wallace & Gromit stories!
To find out more information and to download some cracking comics, visit
www.titanpublishing.com/digital
It only seems like yesterday that a website opened up simply declaring, “Mark Waid Is Evil.” Some speculated that it was created by a group of fanboys who for some reason disliked the work of the legendary writer of Kingdom Come and great runs on The Flash and Spider-Man. What it really was was a clever marketing ploy from BOOM! Studios, the indie publisher that Waid is the Editor In Chief of.
The slogan proved true when Irredeemable launched (now in it’s 9th issue) from the writer and artist Peter Krause that focused on hero turned bad, The Plutonian. Like many others, I’ve been bowled over by the dark superhero series, and now it’s joined by a spin-off, Incorruptible. Also written by Waid, and with art by Jean Diaz this series is the other side of the coin, representing a villain turned hero in the wake of The Plutonian’s gruesome acts of destruction.
It begins with Max Damage’s gang pulling a heist, after waiting impatiently for their leader who’s been gone a month. He now shows his new colours, and he’s on the side of the angels, surprising cops and villains alike in an impressive action sequence on a bridge. It’s then off to Max’s hideout where he shows his new attitude to his sidekick of sorts, the appropriately named Jailbait and a police captain.
It’s obvious that this ties firmly into the structure of Irredeemable and is definitely not just a mere tie-in series quickly pumped out to cash in on the success of that series. There’s no real hints as to Max’s origin, and we know from BOOM! that he changes his name from Max Damage to Max Daring, but that’s not set up just yet. In fact not a lot happens here. It feels like the first few minutes of a Lethal Weapon film; all action, high-stakes drama and tough men with weapons, but Waid makes it all so charming and appealing.
I like Peter Krause’s work on Irredeemable, but Jean Diaz’s work is superior. Overall, this series after only one issue, looks set to be even more grungier than it’s originator. Jailbait seems like a Garth Ennis character, and the conflict between our new hero and her, plus all his former villainous team-mates, and the distrust of the remaining heroes should play out brilliantly.
Plus that last page is a doozy and it appears as though Max’s early encounter with The Plutonian became his life turning moment with good reason. Irredeemable demands a high quality story of anything associated with it. Incorruptible looks to be a more than capable sparring partner.
Writer Ron Marz continues his great work, along with artist Stjepan Sejic on a new 6 issue mini-series focusing on Dani Baptiste, from the Witchblade series. Gorgeous preview pages below. Angelus #1 goes on sale tomorrow, December 23.
Angelus #1
Ron Marz (A) Stjepan Sejic (Cov) Stjepan Sejic, Eric Basaldua
Taking flight from the pages of “War of the Witchblades”! Danielle Baptiste returns home to New Orleans to come to grips with her new role as the Angelus, the human bearer of the primal force of Light. To complicate matters she must sort out her undefined relationship with Finch while maintaining control of the Angelus host, some of whom covet her power.
Cover A – Stejpan Sejic
Cover B – Eric Basaldua, Rick Basaldua and Caesar Rodriguez
Cover C – Eric Basaldua
Full Color 32 pages $2.99 limited series
Newsarama has a glimpse at some of the goodies being released in March from DC Comics, including he first issue of their universe melding First Wave series. The idea behind this series is to create yet another alternate universe, one in which pulp-leaning characters such as Batman (now with twin pistols) and Black Canary exist in the same world as Doc Savage, The Spirit and others. Details below.
FIRST WAVE #1
On sale MARCH 3 • 1 of 6 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US
Written by BRIAN AZZARELLO
Art by RAGS MORALES
Cover by J.G. JONES
1:10 Variant cover by NEAL ADAMS
DC’s shocking new pulp universe is finally unveiled! In the shadows of the War, the roots of the Golden Tree cabal grew deep into the heart of a fallen world… and the leaders at the heart of this secret organization see no place in their utopia for heroism. Doc Savage, struggling with the loss of his father, has been blind to their advance – until now. Central City’s mysterious Spirit has caught wind of their plans as well. But whose side have the Blackhawks chosen? What is the Red Right Hand? And where is the Batman? Eisner Award winner Brian Azzarello (100 BULLETS, JOKER) and superstar Rags Morales (IDENTITY CRISIS) craft a DC universe like you’ve never seen before! It’s a world with no supermen, only mortal men… Death can come at any moment, and adventure can still be found at every corner of the map! Will Doc Savage be the first to lead the coming world or the last to be crushed under its heel?
On the same subject, Greg Hatcher at CBR has a great post about all the classic illustrators fom pulp novels back in the day, with some looks at vintage Doc Savage covers. It’s well worth a look to see an impressive gallery of old-school covers.
The Complete Alice in Wonderland #1. Like most people, I am more familiar with adaptations of Lewis Carroll’s master work, rather than the source material. However, the faithful work that writers John Reppion and Leah Moore have done on this title is obvious from the die-cut cover, as Carroll’s name is above theirs. It probably means more to those who have read the novels, but there’s something quite odd and charming about this issue. I felt like I was reading a lost Monty Python script, with all the zaniness and seemingly random plot advancements. Choosing a manga artist was a bold choice that pays off splendidly. Erica Awano’s delicately flowing renderings are quite beautiful, and she’s aided greatly by PC Siqueria’s muted colours. The whole book is presented like a centuries old bedtime tale. It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, as essentially Alice falls down the hole and meets a bunch of different characters and has strangely lyrical conversations with them. She never has a panic attack, but recalls her family and talks to animals with child-like confidence. This is the kind of book that seems out of synch with all the other comics on the shelves, and that’s what makes it rather appealing.
The Brave and the Bold #30. I picked up last month’s team-up with Batman and one of DC’s forgotten characters, Brother Power the Geek last month and quite enjoyed it. J. Michael Straczynski continues his little character studies in this series here and fixes his focus on Dr. Fate and Green Lantern. Both characters are long-time faves of mine and JMS masterfully manages to give both characters equal billing and bring readers new to both up to speed. There’s no titanic tussles that we’d expect from a superhero tale, but rather a simple story which has GL stranded on a planet with his ring power failing, when the golden Doc shows up and the two reminisce and discuss the power of will and fate. JMS has a firm handle on these characters and distills their essence to put on the page with care and confidence. Anyone who’s seen Changeling (written by JMS and directed by Clint Eastwood) will understand how Straczynski can get inside a character’s head without ever being too obvious or schmaltzy. We should be thankful he applies those skills to comics.
Batman 80 Page Giant #1. Truthfully Batman only appears in 2 of these 8 short stories, but his supporting cast has always been rich enough to sustain themselves. The link between them all is that they’re set in modern continuity (ie, Batman is dead) and there’s a blizzard in Gotham. It’s good to see Commissioner Gordon and Mr. Freeze tangle again, and writers like Kevin Grevioux and David Tischman tackle Gotham’s cast, the latter in a tale focusing on Alfred’s friendship with a prostitute that isn’t as strange as it could’ve been. Amongst this collection is a variety of art styles, and the highlight for me would be Rafa Garres, and especially Kat Rocha and Josh Finney in their Catwoman tale. The partners (from Archaia’s great Titanium Rain) have a style somewhere between Alex Ross and Stjepan Sejic, though that description isn’t quite adequate. There are places where faces appear a little lifeless, but the duo work well together and bring a diversity to these pages.
Now up at Broken Frontier is my interview with Steve Mannion, from Asylum Press’ Fearless Dawn series, for which words like “cheesecake,” “romp” and “madcap” would be suitable descriptions. He’s a great artist too.
His The Bomb TPB is out now and the Fearless Dawn mini-series has just begun. If you like Tank Girl-like heroines fighting Nazis with tongue-in-cheek action and humour, then it’s an enjoyable romp.
Just when you think it’s over, it begins again. There’s some impressive editing here. Thanks to Empire Online for the heads up.
comicbookjesus 