All-New X-Men #9 Preview

Man, Stuart Immonen is a great artist. It makes me happy that Marvel send their previews text-free. Below is a look at the March issue of this series that has the time-travelling original X-Men teaming up with their modern day counterparts.

Marvel NOW! – ALL-NEW X-MEN #9 First Look!

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at All-New X-Men #9, from the critically acclaimed creative team of writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Stuart Immonen! Hot on the heels of the Uncanny X-Men facing Sentinels in their first issue, the All-New X-Men find themselves face-to-face with Sentinels for the very first time. Something is boiling under the surface of the Marvel Universe! Also, Mystique continues to make some big moves that will have huge circumstances for the X-Men.

As part of Marvel NOW!, All-New X-Men joins a number of titles that will take the Marvel Universe in an exciting all-new direction, as the industry’s top creators join the top Super Heroes to deliver all-new ongoing series, great for new and lapsed readers alike!

Each issue of All-New X-Men includes a code for a free digital copy on the Marvel Comics app (for iPhone®, iPad®, iPad Touch® & Android devices). Each issue of All-New X-Men features special augmented reality content available exclusive through theMarvel AR app – including cover recaps, behind the scenes features and more that add value to your reading experience at no additional cost.

An all-new direction! All-new threats! All-new consequences! This is All-New X-Men #9!

ALL-NEW X-MEN #9 (JAN130676)

Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS

Art & Cover by STUART IMMONEN

FOC – 02/25/13 On-Sale – 03/20/13

February 20, 2013
Categories: Comic Art, Comics . Tags: Marvel, X-Men . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Skullkickers In May

Image Comics’ charming fantasy series, Skullkickers is going through somewhat of a cheeky Marvel inspired revamp in May. Official details below.

ONE ADJECTIVE ISN’T ENOUGH FORSKULLKICKERS IN MAY

All-New #1 is All-New, Secret

This May, Image Comics forces you to wonder why we keep pushing this silly comic book over and over again in a new adjective-laden comic called– THE ALL-NEW SECRET SKULLKICKERS!

“We can’t stop now. It… it has a life of its own. This reboot-itis has permeated our souls,” said Image PR and Marketing Director Jennifer de Guzman. “I hated it at first but now it feels kind of good. Warm… safe… In a darkened world full of uncertainty it’s all we have left.”

THE ALL-NEW SECRET SKULLKICKERS #1, written by promotional broken record Jim Zub and drawn by innocent mp3 Edwin Huang, continues the epic six-arc SKULLKICKERS storyline on a haunted island of mystery, apes and rampant violence. It’s good.

“At this rate I figure we’re still a couple months away from using up any goodwill I might have built up in this industry,” said series creator Jim Zub. “This is the kind of thing that can happen when you let creators write their own press releases.”

If you’re a diehard collector of SKULLKICKERS who’s sad that you won’t have a SKULLKICKERS #22 to add to your collection, fret no longer. In addition to the regular “All-New Secret” cover we’re offering a special “issue #22 variant” B cover to make sure your numbers stay in order. You can tell everyone you started reading “before they became horrible sell-outs.”

We’re sick. We can’t help it. Comic price guide makers will curse this stupid string of title changes for the rest of their natural lives. THE ALL-NEW SECRET SKULLKICKERS #1 will be available in May wherever fine comics are sold. Pre-order it now from the March issue of Previews and stop the hurting.

February 20, 2013
Categories: Comics, New To Comics?, News . Tags: Image Comics . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

The Deep: The Vanishing Island Review

Here at Broken Frontier you can read my review of the fun, all-ages OGN The Deep: The Vanishing Island. It’s a gorgeous and entertaining book by Tom Taylor (Injustice: Gods Among Us) and James Brouwer (Justice League Beyond) and now it’s in development as an animated series too. The press release for that nifty bit of news is below.

Award-winning ALL-AGES graphic novel ‘The Deep’ to become TV series

NEW ANIMATED SERIES TO BE PRODUCED BY TECHNICOLOR, BASED ON AUSTRALIAN GRAPHIC NOVEL SERIES ABOUT A MULTI-ETHNIC FAMILY OF UNDERWATER EXPLORERS.

Gestalt Comics’ international hit graphic novel The Deep is to be turned into an animated TV series by Technicolor(Euronext Paris: TCH).

The Deep, created by Australian playwright and best-selling comic book writer Tom Taylor (Injustice: Gods Among Us, Star Wars: Blood Ties) and illustrator James Brouwer (Justice League Beyond), follows the adventures of a family of explorers, the Nektons.

Technicolor Digital Productions aims to develop and produce 26 half-hour television episodes, which follows the Nekton’s incredible adventures.

Targeting children aged 8-12 and their families, each self-contained episode of The Deep will bring the family a step closer to unraveling the mysteries of the deep sea; and every story will be filled with action, adventure, incredible sea monsters, fantastic vehicles, unbelievable bravery, and the odd family squabble, of course!

“The Deep is one of those unique properties that truly appeals to all ages and genders by delivering compelling entertainment in the form of enthralling adventure, heart-pounding danger, laugh out loud humor and incredible discoveries all wrapped in unbreakable familial relationships,” said Steven Wendland, Vice President, Technicolor Digital Productions.

“It’s the family we all dreamed of being a part of when we were kids and are anxious and excited to share with our own children now.”

The Deep graphic novels are currently available to order for the direct comics market worldwide via Diamond Comics using order codes:

FEB131046 THE DEEP GN VOL 01 HERE BE DRAGONS
FEB131047 THE DEEP GN VOL 02 VANISHING ISLAND

Or for Australia/New Zealand via Madman Entertainment (b2b.madman.com.au)

February 7, 2013
Categories: Cartoons, Comics, New To Comics?, News, Reviews . Tags: Gestalt . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

New X-Men #8 Preview

The premise of the original X-Men meeting their very different modern equivalents is a great premise for a new series, although I’ve only read the first issue. Here is a text-free preview of next month’s issue of All New X-Men.

The Avengers Meet Original Five X-Men In ALL NEW X-MEN #8!

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at All New X-Men #8, from the blockbuster creative team of Brian Michael Bendis and David Marquez! Angel, plucked from the past, finally meets his future self and the two end up fighting Madame Hydra and a Hydra cadre. This doesn’t go unnoticed by Earth’s Mightiest Heroes! How will the Avengers react to the time-swept X-Men?

Each issue of All-New X-Men includes a code for a free digital copy on the Marvel Comics app (for iPhone®, iPad®, iPad Touch® & Android devices) and in the Marvel Digital Comics Shop. Additionally, each issue of All-New X-Men 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.

So what are you waiting for? Head on out and reserve a copy of All-New X-Men #8 today!

For more on Marvel NOW!, please visit now.marvel.com and join the conversation on Twitter using #MarvelNOW.

ALL-NEW X-MEN #8 (JAN130674)

Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS

Art by DAVID MARQUEZ

Cover by STUART IMMONEN

FOC – 2/11/13, ON SALE – 3/6/13

February 5, 2013
Categories: Comic Art, Comics . Tags: Marvel, X-Men . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

The Lone, Fast Iron Trek

Yay! The Superbowl was today, and not that I care much for such sporting events, but I do care for the multi-million dollar ads. Some of us at work watched the game live, but seeing it was broadcast on Australian TV, we didn’t get all the cool ads that the Americans did. Thankfully, the internet has solved our impatience with the three best movie trailers that screened today. Unfortunately, there’s no Man of Steel trailer though.

Feast your eyes on July’s The Lone Ranger (yes, Johnny Depp is Tonto), a wonderfully cheeky and action-packed Iron Man 3 look, and the next film in the faster and furious Fast and Furious franchise. Finally, the shortest but best looking trailer goes to Star Trek: Into Darkness which also opens in May.

February 4, 2013
Categories: Movies, News . Tags: Star Trek . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Superman Unbound Trailer

The latest animated film from DC Comics/ Warner Bros is based on the 2008 Brainiac storyline from the comics by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank, in which Superman must fight the green skinned alien. The series was pretty entertaining and deservedly epic for the Man of Steel, and does a FAR better job of interpreting Brainiac (and Superman, and everyone else for that matter) than this never made screenplay that recently surfaced online.

February 2, 2013
Categories: DC Comics, Movies, New To Comics? . Tags: Superman . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

New Conan and Tomb Raider From Dark Horse

No, it’s not across-over, although that’d be pretty cool. Publisher Dark Horse have been pumping out some great new, and reprints of classics, focused on the sword swinging barbarian for a while now, and they’re next two Conan series have great creative teams attached. Press release below.

DARK HORSE COMICS TO PUBLISH

KING CONAN: THE HOUR OF THE DRAGON!

ADAPTING ROBERT E. HOWARD’S ONLY CONAN NOVEL!

Dark Horse Comics is thrilled to announce the return of a fan-favorite Conan creative team. Writer Timothy Truman, artist Tomás Giorello, and colorist José Villarrubia are set to adapt Robert E. Howard’s only Conan novel in two six-issue miniseries.

The first series, titled The Hour of the Dragon will run through October 2013 and continue in a second arc titled King Conan: The Conqueror starting in February 2014.

More about The Hour of the Dragon: King Conan has faced many threats to his throne in Aquilonia—but none more deadly than a traitorous alliance backed by the resurrected sorcerer Xaltotun, at whose command mountains crumble!

With The Legend of Conan announced for 2014, King Conan is essential reading!

Praise for Timothy Truman, Tomás Giorello, and José Villarrubia:

“With both King Conan: The Scarlet Citadel and King Conan: The Phoenix on the Sword Truman, Giorello, and Villarrubia have been making some the greatest Conan adaptations ever made. I look forward to their next series. Hour of the Dragon, Dark Horse. Twelve issues. It will be beautiful” – Comics Bulletin

For a sneak peak at the variant cover and a full-color interior page, check out the exclusive on MTV Geek!

King Conan: The Hour of the Dragon #1 is on sale in comic stores everywhere May 29!

Next month sees a new Tomb Raider game, which looks at Lara Croft’s origins. It actually looks pretty great, and it may just be the first Tomb Raider game I buy. Lara is also returning to the comic shelves. Press release below.

CRYSTAL DYNAMICS AND DARK HORSE

BRING LARA CROFT BACK TO COMIC BOOKS STARTING WITH

TOMB RAIDER: THE BEGINNING

Crystal Dynamics™, a Square Enix® studio, and Dark Horse Comics, today revealed they have partnered to bring the re-imagined Lara Croft back to print in the world of comics. Look for news on the new series following the release of TOMB RAIDER®, the highly anticipated origin story for Lara Croft®, available March 5, 2013, and will chronicle Lara’s journey after her harrowing adventure in the Dragon’s Triangle.

To kick off the partnership, Crystal Dynamics and Dark Horse have teamed up to create “TOMB RAIDER: The Beginning.” This will be the first installment in the new TOMB RAIDER comic book series, and is a prequel to the events in TOMB RAIDER. “TOMB RAIDER: The Beginning,” was written by lead game writer Rhianna Pratchett. Fans can get the first series early when they pre-order TOMB RAIDER at Best Buy.

A 48-page, six-part hardcover omnibus, “TOMB RAIDER: The Beginning” follows the story of how the crew came together for The Endurance’s fateful mission to discover the lost Japanese kingdom of Yamatai. Originally intended to feature as the latest instalment of Dr. James Whitman’s successful archaeology show, Whitman’s World, the show-biz archaeologist gets more than he bargained for when he enlists the help of Captain Conrad Roth. As Roth’s unique and eccentric crew gradually come together and share their stories and secrets, the expedition faces unexpected threats before it’s even begun.

“Lara Croft is an icon across all forms of media, including comic books,” said Karl Stewart, global brand director for TOMB RAIDER and Crystal Dynamics. “The team at Crystal Dynamics has worked closely with Dark Horse on ‘The Beginning’ to bring the relatable, re-imagined Lara Croft back to the comic book world.”

“Whilst penning Lara’s origins story for the game I had lots of ideas about the world she and the other characters inhabited, and the story behind their voyage: as great to be able to flesh out the world of TOMB RAIDER and work with the talented team at Dark Horse to bring Lara Croft back to comics,” said Rhianna Pratchett, lead game writer for TOMB RAIDER.

“The bold new vision of the game demanded we bring an equally fresh approach to the comics,” said Dave Marshall, editor at Dark Horse. “We’re excited for TOMB RAIDER fans to experience a new side of Lara Croft as they accompany her on the earliest parts of her first adventure.”

To celebrate the partnership, Crystal Dynamics and Dark Horse revealed four pages from “TOMB RAIDER: The Beginning.” The full comic is available as a bonus when you pre-order TOMB RAIDER at Best Buy. More news on Tomb Raider comics will be available in the coming months.

Related Links

Official Homepage: www.TOMBRAIDER.com

Official Twitter: @TOMBRAIDER

Official Facebook page: http://facebook.com/TOMBRAIDER

Official Tumblr: http://officialTOMBRAIDERblog.tumblr.com/

Official YouTube Channel: http://youtube.com/TOMBRAIDER

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

WAI-CON in Perth

The increasingly popular WAI-CON convention is on again this year in Perth, Western Australia. It’s held at the Perth Convention Centre on Feb 2-3 (yes, this weekend!) and will feature cosplay, gaming, panels and more. Check out what the annual anime con is all about here.

Also, the Perth library, which has had comics for years, like most libraries around the world has now jsut started offering floppies (as in monthly comics). This is good news. Speaking with one of the staff, she said it’s just a trial basis now, and the monthly issues, which are mainly focused on superhero titles, can only be read in the library. However, if demand increases, they may just loan them out. She also said not too many people know about this service, so take advantage of it, and tell your friends!

January 31, 2013
Categories: New To Comics?, News . Tags: conventions . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Lots of Superman News

Phew. It has been a busy few days with Superman news being unleashed almost daily, in anticipation of the upcoming film, and if you go to your local comic shop, you may just be bale to get a double-sided bookmark with recommendations of great Superman comics too.

Firstly, as anyone with a passing interest in cinematic history will know, there was a go in the late-90s of making a Superman film starring Nicolas Cage (true!) and directed by Tim Burton. It never happened, but you can watch the amusing storyteller Kevin Smith tell the wild tale here.

Two pics of Cage in the proposed Superman suit have been recently unearthed, coinciding with a Kickstarter doco about the failed film, called The Death of Superman Lives: What Happened? It would be a fascinating insight and a cringe inducing one, that I’m sure would just serve to remind us of what a travesty the film could’ve been. I hope the doco gets made.

Two scripts have also been unveiled on the net this week at the resourceful Superman Homepage. They’re PDFs of a draft of Superman Lives! and a later 2003 attempt called Flyby that was to be directed by JJ Abrams (the man now behind the first of the 2015 Star Wars films).

Now, instead of what could have been, two pics have been released about what will be, focusing on June’s Man of Steel film starring Brit actor Henry Cavil (Immortals). Here he is on the cover of this week’s Empire magazine, followed by one of many action figures sporting the film’s interpretation of the Kryptonian. Check out more toy pics, including Jor-El, and Zod here.

With all this, plus the excellent Injustice: Gods Among Us comic, and upcoming game, it’s finally a good time to be excited about The Man of Steel once more.

January 31, 2013
Categories: DC Comics, Movies, News . Tags: Superman . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Joker and Iron Man Looking Good

Ah, how far ‘toy’s have come in the last decade or so. Collectors can have a field day with small reproductions of their fave pop culture characters. Oh, how I wish I had the money and a nice display case to start a collection. Well, here’s two more recent figures, courtesy of those artisans at Hot Toys.

Iron Man 3 opens in May, and to get in the mood, you can check out this highly detailed 1/6th rendition of tony Stark and his armour parts from the film.

Also 1/6th scale is this upcoming Joker figure from Sideshow Collectibles which costs $190 and is modelled on the classic Joker rather than the new hideous version with the stapled on skin-face. Yuck.

January 27, 2013
Categories: DC Comics, News . Tags: action figures, Marvel . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Read Kyle Baker’s Best Work For Free

Writer/artist Kyle Baker is a legend in the comic book biz, having brought his great cartoony style and sense of humour to titles such as Plastic Man, and The Shadow. However, his creator owned work is what he’s most known for, and now you can read most of it – for free! Baker has put several OGNs in their entirety on his site, possible to gain more deserved exposure. You can now check out Why I Hate Saturn, Special Forces, Nat Turner, and KIng David.

The only one I’ve read is King David, which is great, although thanks to the acclaim all his work has received, I’m aware of all of them. King David is described thusly:
King David: David, a poor shepherd boy, becomes an unlikely superstar when he slays a villainous giant single handed. David’s sudden fame arouses the jealousy of evil King Saul, who mobilizes his entire army in an attempt to destroy the young hero. What follows is an epic adventure which inludes swordfights, chases on horseback, romance with multiple wives, suspense, corruption and betrayal.

January 27, 2013
Categories: Comics, New To Comics?, News . Tags: free comics, Kyle Baker . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

The Dark Communion

My friend Joey Ruff has just published his first novel, and it’s now available on Amazon, with the Kindle version landing soon. The Dark Communion (Volume 1) is a massive 408 page supernatural thriller. I read an early draft and it was rather intriguing I must say. You can buy the book on Amazon right here (it’s only $15) and it will be available to order through libraries and Barnes and Noble stores soon.

January 26, 2013
Categories: Uncategorized . Tags: novels . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

This Week’s Winners

Time for some quick reviews of recent comics.

Superior Spider-Man #1 is probably the most talked about issue in a long time. The last few issues of The Amazing Spider-Man seemed to attract much hatred, even death threats against writer Dan Slott, but the story he was creating is nothing extremely unusual for the world of superhero comics. In short, Doctor octopus was dying. He knew it, and wanted to live, so he swapped minds with Peter Parker. So, Peter is trapped inside the weakening body of one of his greatest enemies in his final moments, while Doc Ock’s mind is now in Spider-Man’s body. It’s a grand idea, but also sounds kind of silly. However, Slott made it work. Last week’s AMS #700 is the last issue, and is an anthology. The only story worth reading in that hefty issue is the one by Slott and artist Humberto Ramos, which establishes the new mind swap status quo that features in the new Superior Spider-Man title. It’s actually quite touching in parts, and having Ock relive Parker’s memories which turn him into a hero for the first time in his life is a great place to kick things off. This conflict is handled well in Superior. Ock now has a new Spidey costume, and is relishing being Peter Parker, especially ogling Mary Jane, and is frustrated at the new Sinister Six team of villains who are easily beaten by him. Peter Parker is dead, and no-one knows that, or that Ock is now really Peter, so amidst all the superhero stories there’s some good drama, and Ock’s monologues are entertaining.

I was thinking as I was reading it though, that Marvel can’t keep this up forever. For all the hype and press that this new direction has received, do people really want to read about a replacement Spider-Man, even if it’s a somewhat renewed villain who uses his vast scientific knowledge to fight the bad guys? And would they ever have “Peter” and MJ make love? That’s got to open a can of ethical worms for sure. However, the last page of Superior reveals that Parker is alive, of sorts, kind of like a fragment of Ock’s mind, trying to regain control. Eventually, he will. He has to, but it’ll be a fun ride until then.

Morbius #1 by Joe Keatinge and Richard Elson isn’t groundbreaking stuff, but is entertaining. I’ve always been a fan of C-List characters, and Morbius, The Living Vampire is certainly that. He’s been around since the ’70s but has never achieved superstar status. This is a good introduction to the character though, and Keatinge does well to establish the ‘rules’ for this particular pale, red-eyed vamp. Things kick off in the present with Morbius being blasted by a shotgun, and than flashback with Morbius explaining, “how I got here.” It’s more street-level than superhero which is a nice change of pace. Sure, Morbius now has a hoodie and streamlined goatee, and the gang leader has a blue mohawk and face piercings, but it doesn’t scream that it’s trying to be cool. Elson’s art is soft and likeable, and even the lettering and page designs are attractive. Nothing revolutionary, but a rare, accessible tale.

Star Wars #1. The time is right for this, with the new SW films being worked on nostalgia for the original trilogy is high, and writer Brian Wood’s star continues to rise, thanks to his work on The Massive, and a few Marvel series. Dark Horse have released so many SW series over the last 20 years, so it’s good to finally see a title focused on most people’s fave era. Wood and artist Carlos D’anda have given fans what they wanted – a thrilling new adventure with the classic characters. Set two months after the first film (Episode IV), the Rebel Alliance are looking for a new planet to call homebase. Luke and Leaia are flying through space in their X-Wings and talking about learning the ways of the Force, and trying to move on with the loss of so many of their friends when they’re ambushed.

Luke, Leia and Luke’s pal Wedge are forced to battle out of a tight spot, Han and Chewie have a talk about Han’s new heroic side, and the Emperor gives Vader a new mission, as does Mon Mothma to Leia. This is a fast paced ride filled with deft pacing and astounding, detailed visuals from D’anda. Vader has never looked so menacing. All the tech and ships look grand and the cast look similar to their movie counterparts. It’s a great time to revel in the Star Wars universe again.

This debut ish sold out within 24 hours, but the reprint is arriving on February 6.

January 12, 2013
Categories: Comics, New To Comics?, Reviews . . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Happy New Year

After almost a month away on holiday, I’m back, so a massively Happy New Year to all, and thanks for reading my less frequently updated blog!

Now, here you can vote for your fave comics of the past year, at Broken Frontier, which has more of an indie slant than most other comics sites.

January 8, 2013
Categories: Comics, News . Tags: Best Of 2012 . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

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