The first issues of many of the new series launched in the first half of Image Comics’ iconic twentieth anniversary year are now free at the digital distributor comiXology. The issues will remain free permanently, starting on August 24.
The free issues include the first issues of some of 2012’s best-selling comics, including SAGA #1 by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples, FATALE #1 by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips, THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS by Jonathan Hickman and Nick Pitarra, THIEF OF THIEVES #1 by Robert Kirkman, Nick Spencer, and Shawn Martinbrough, AMERICA’S GOT POWERS Jonathan Ross and Bryan Hitch, and MIND THE GAP #1 by Jim McCann, Rodin Esquejo, and Sonia Oback.
The other free first issues are ALPHA GIRL #1, CREATOR-OWNED HEROES #1, DANCER #1, DANGER CLUB #1, EPIC KILL #1, GLORY #23 (first issue of the relaunch), GRIM LEAPER #1, HELL YEAH #1, HOAX HUNTERS #1, NO PLACE LIKE HOME #1, PETER PANZERFAUST #1, PLANETOID #1, PROPHET #21 (first issue of the relaunch), and SECRET #1.
Many of these titles have been or will soon be collected into trade paperbacks, making the free issues the perfect way for readers to sample new Image Comics titles before purchasing collections.
It’s always encouraging to see a new publisher appear in the pages of the monthly Previews comics catalogue. You can find 6 new comics from Kingstone on pages 319-320 in the current Previews. Kingstone is a Christian publisher and what I’ve seen of their diverse offerings has impressed me, so I recommend checking them out. They have OGNs based on Bible stories and historical figures, as well as sci-fi stories such as 2048 and dramas like Echoes of Eden.
Another Christian (self) publisher I’ve been meaning to mention for ages is American creator C. Souba Reyes and her work on the Jackket Nightmare series which follows a trenchoat clad avenger. It’s been great to see how her work has progressed in leaps and bounds in the 3 issues released thus far, which you can find here.
As part of Marvel’s relaunch of sorts, one of comics’ best writers is teaming with one of its best artists. I’m excited.
The Future of HULK Is Marvel NOW!
Superstars Mark Waid & Leinil Yu Take The Reins Of Marvel’s Most Incredible Avenger!
This November, prepare for an all-new definition of incredible as Indestructible Hulk #1 kicks offthe all-new ongoing series from the blockbuster creative team of Eisner Award Winning writer Mark Waid & superstar artist Leinil Yu! As part of Marvel NOW!, Indestructible Hulk 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!
Through his entire history, the Hulk has always been an indomitable force, more weapon than man. His alter ego, Dr. Bruce Banner, is one of the most intelligent men on the planet. NOW! combined, they have become the strongest, smartest weapon alive – INDESTRUCTIBLE HULK, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.!
“Banner’s a changed man. No more stooping under the weight of “woe is me,” no longer bespectacled, no longer a fashion victim in purple,” explained Mark Waid in an interview with Marvel.com. “For decades, Banner’s felt like he’s no more than the Hulk’s helpless puppet. Now Banner’s USING Hulk to his own mysterious ends”
Marvel NOW! is the culmination of Marvel ReEvolution, the groundbreaking new initiative to evolve the comic book experience through innovation. With Indestructible Hulk, Marvel NOW! ensures fans will discover an entirely new perspective on the Jade Giant.
“Mark and Leinil’s spin on the Hulk mythos will have fans — new and old – exclaiming, ‘Why didn’t I think of that!?'” said Marvel Editor In Chief Axel Alonso. “It’s the brute force of the Hulk and the brainpower of Bruce Banner, together at last — but not the way you think. And with S.H.I.E.L.D. in the wings, readers can expect a globe-hopping adventure with an unlimited special effects budget.”
Each issue of Indestructible Hulk includes a code for a free digital copy on the Marvel Comics app for iOS and Android devices. Additionally, each issue of Indestructible Hulk 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.
“Not only does every book with the Marvel NOW! logo feature a new superstar creative team and blockbuster story, but they also come with all-new incentives for our retailer partners,” explained David Gabriel, Senior Vice-President of Sales, Marvel Entertainment.. “We want to make sure every comic shop nationwide is fully stocked to meet the high demand we’re already seeing for Marvel NOW! And want to make sure their voices are heard throughout this exciting time. Stay tuned for more news on how Marvel will be working directly with retailers to make sure our programs address their needs.”
An all-new direction! All-new threats! All-new piles of rubble! This is Hulk NOW!
This November, Mark Waid and Leinil Yu redefine destruction in Indestructible Hulk #1!
For more on Marvel NOW!, please visit now.marvel.com and join the conversation on Twitter using #MarvelNOW.
Hot Toys, makers of super detailed action figures have released a 6 minute short film with their Batman toys in action. It’s cool and rather whacky and features Commissioner Gordon, Batman, Joker and Bane. Watch Batman: The Dark Knightfall below and drool over more of their great work here.
Frank Miller’s influential and groundbreaking 1986 mini-series featuring an ageing Batman in a terrifying future Gotham is the next release from Warner Bros. slate of animated films based on DC Comics stories. Below is the official info of The Dark Knight Returns and the cool trailer.
FRANK MILLER’S COMIC MASTERPIECE IS NOW AN ALL-NEW DC UNIVERSE ANIMATED ORIGINAL MOVIE BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, PART 1COMING SEPT. 25, 2012 FROM WARNER HOME VIDEO
RoboCop star Peter Weller leads Stellar Voice Cast as Batman
in Animated Blu-rayTM Combo Pack & DVD
Frank Miller’s landmark graphic novel about fear, hope and redemption is celebrated with proper measures of haunting visuals and intense action in Batman: The Dark Knight
Returns, Part 1, the next entry in the popular, ongoing series of DC Universe Animated Original Movies. Produced by Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation, the all-new, PG-13 rated film arrives September 25, 2012 from Warner Home Video as a Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and DVD, On Demand and for Download. The Blu-ray™ Combo
Pack will include UltraViolet™.
The DC Universe Animated Original Movies have been a fan favorite since debuting in 2007 with Superman Doomsday. Now averaging three releases each year, the DCU animated films are based on classic tales from DC Comics’ revered library or original stories featuring DC’s
fabled characters. Stars of feature film and primetime television populate the stellar voice casts of the DCU animated films. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 represents the 15th film in the ongoing series.
Fanboy demi-god Peter Weller (RoboCop) leads a stellar voice cast as Bruce Wayne/Batman. Joining Weller behind the microphone is David Selby (The Social Network, Dark Shadows) as Commissioner Gordon, Ariel Winter (Modern Family) as Carrie/Robin, three-time DCU veteran Wade Williams (Prison Break) as Harvey Dent/Two-Face, and Michael McKean
(This is Spinal Tap) as Dr. Bartholomew Wolper.
In the bleak and ominous future of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1, it’s been a decade since Bruce Wayne hung up his cape, following most of the other superheroes who had been forced into retirement. Facing the downside of middle age, a restless Bruce Wayne
pacifies his frustration with racecars and liquor – but the Bat still beckons as he watches his city fall prey to gangs of barbaric criminals known as The Mutants.
The return of Harvey Dent as Two-Face finally prompts Wayne to once again don the Dark Knight’s cowl, and his dramatic capture of the villain returns him to crime-fighting – simultaneously making him the target of law enforcement and the new hope for a desolate Gotham City. Particularly inspired is a teenage girl named Carrie, who adopts the persona of Robin and ultimately saves Batman from a brutal attack by the Mutant leader. Armed with a new sidekick, and re-energized with a definitive purpose, the Dark Knight returns to protect Gotham from foes new … and old.
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 is directed by Jay Oliva (Man of Steel, Green Lantern: Emerald Knights) from a screenplay by Bob Goodman (Warehouse 13). Sam Register (Young Justice, Teen Titans, Ben 10) and Bruce Timm (Justice League: Doom) are the executive producers. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 will provide the epic story’s
thrilling conclusion with its release in early 2013.
“Frank Miller’s classic re-imagining of Batman has been faithfully recreated under Bruce Timm’s skilled guidance as a masterpiece of storytelling,” said Mary Ellen Thomas, Warner Home Video Vice President, Family & Animation Marketing and Partner Brands. “This
story has been treated with great reverence, including a tour-de-force performance by science fiction legend Peter Weller as the voice of Batman. We know our fans will not only love this film as a stand-alone, but will clamor for the release of the second half next year.”
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 Blu-ray™ Combo Pack has more
than 2 hours of exciting content, including:
• Standard and high definition versions of the feature film
• UltraViolet™*
• Sneak Peak at Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2, the next DC
Universe Animated Original Movie
• Featurette – “Her Name is Carrie … Her Role is Robin” – An all-new
featurette. Experience the role of Robin, through the eyes of a
female warrior.
• Featurette – “Batman and Me: The Bob Kane Story” – A documentary
comprehensively chronicling the remarkable life of the creator of
Batman.
• Two bonus episodes from Batman: The Animated Series handpicked by
producer Alan Burnett: Two-Face, Parts 1 and 2
• Digital Comic – “Batman: The Dark Knight Returns” (digital comic
with cover art and three full comic pages)
* Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 UltraViolet offer is a
limited time offer. Restrictions and limitations apply. Go to
ultraviolet.flixster .com/info for details.
Finally, here’s a short video showing many of the different Batman symbols used over the decades. There have been a lot.
A new suit of armour, a new creative team, and a new direction for the suave genius Tony Stark. Details below.
The Future of IRON MAN Is Marvel NOW!
Superstars Kieron Gillen And Greg Land Take The Reins Of Marvel’s Armored Avenger!
This November, Tony Stark soars to new heights in Iron Man #1, kicking offthe all-new ongoing series from the chart topping creative team of writer Kieron Gillen and artist Greg Land! As part of Marvel NOW!, Iron Man joins a line 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!
Technical visionary. Unparalleled engineer. Avenger. Iron Man has done it all, from combating the greatest threats facing the Marvel Universe to dealing with his own inner demons. Now, when his greatest invention becomes his greatest mistake, Iron Man must act fact…and build faster! The lethal techno virus Extremis is out in the wild and for grabs to the highest bidder! It’s up to Tony Stark to contain it and that means creating a new suit of armor!
“Kieron and Greg are about to take Iron Man on a journey unlike anything he’s ever experienced,” said Marvel Editor In Chief Axel Alonso. “This creative team took the X-Men to the next level, and with Iron Man they’re taking everything you know and love about the character and putting a spin on it that will have readers buzzing. Wait until you see what the new suit — I mean, suits — of armor can do!”
Marvel NOW! is the culmination of Marvel ReEvolution, the groundbreaking new initiative to evolve the comic book experience through innovation. With Iron Man, Marvel NOW! ensures fans will see a side of Tony Stark, never seen before.
The story will focus on him questioning things about himself and trying to find out exactly how the universe ticks, what’s this all about and why he does this anyway,” explained Kieron Gillen in an interview with Marvel.com. “There will be a lot of changes in the armor throughout the series; in the first five issues there will be a different armor every issue.
Each issue of Iron Man includes a code for a free digital copy on the Marvel Comics app for iOS and Android devices. Additionally, each issue of Iron Man 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.
“Not only does every book with the Marvel NOW! logo feature a new superstar creative team and blockbuster story, but they also come with all-new incentives for our retailer partners,” explained David Gabriel, Senior Vice-President of Sales, Marvel Entertainment.. “We want to make sure every comic shop nationwide is fully stocked to meet the high demand we’re already seeing for Marvel NOW! And want to make sure their voices are heard throughout this exciting time. Stay tuned for more news on how Marvel will be working directly with retailers to make sure our programs address their needs.”
An all-new direction! All-new threats! All-new armor! This is Iron Man NOW!
This November, Kieron Gillen and Greg Land redefine what it means to be invincible in Iron Man #1!
For more on Marvel NOW!, please visit now.marvel.com and join the conversation on Twitter using #MarvelNOW.
Below is a text-free preview of August’s issue of FF, the monthly series focused on the Fantastic Four. I love the layouts, and Black Bolt’s expression on the last page. Keeping it family focused, here’s a look at writer Jonathan Hickman’s infographic from his stint on the series.
Your First Look at FF #21!
Marvel is proud to present your first look at FF #21, brought to you by the superstar creative team of writer Jonathan Hickman and artist Nick Dragotta! In a stunning move that surprises everyone, Black Bolt makes the decision to return with his Inhumans back to Earth! What are his motives behind this decision? What will it mean for Marvel’s First Family, and for the Inhumans? Find out this August, in FF #21, hitting comic shops everywhere, the Marvel Comics app, and Marvel Digital Comic Shop.
Text-free preview pages below of the Ultimates Universe version of The Avengers.
The Ultimates Are Back in Action in ULTIMATE COMICS ULTIMATES #14!
Marvel is pleased to present your first look at Ultimate Comics Ultimates #14 – a Divided We Fall tie-in! With America still in turmoil from the City’s attack, someone is mysteriously working behind the scenes to keep it that way – but who? Can even the newly reunited team of Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor discover the identity of their foe and hold together the country at the same time? The red-hot creative team of writer Sam Humphries, and artist Billy Tan & Timothy Green II bring you the answers inUltimate Comics Ultimates#14, assembling in comic shops everywhere, the Marvel Comics app, and Marvel Digital Comic Shopthis August.
How could I not share this? Mike Allred, he of the kooky and unmistakable visual style, is drawing August’s issue of the award winning Daredevil monthly series, with weird villain Stilt-Man included for no extra charge. A few pages below.
Eisner Winning Artist Mike Allred Makes His Return To Marvel in DAREDEVIL #17
“It’s the issue Mike Allred was born to draw” – Marvel Senior Editor, Stephen Wacker
Prepare for non-stop action as not one, not two, but THREE, Eisner Award winning creators present your first look at Daredevil #17! Courtesy of Mark Waid and special guest artist Michael Allred & colorist Laura Allred, this pulse-pounding adventure pits the Man Without Fear against an old foe…Stilt-Man! Can Daredevil make it out of this grudge match in one piece? Find out inDaredevil #17, hitting comic shops everywhere, the Marvel Comics app, and Marvel Digital Comic Shop this August.
“The Dark Knight Rises is certainly an epic film, and enjoyable in parts. It’s that rare film that actually manages, at times, to capture the intense battles and overblown dialogue that superhero comics can do so well, but if it focused on Batman, Bane and Catwoman, there’d be a greater depth at work.”
Catch my full review of the film right here and an excellent analysis of all the plot holes and frustrations here.
Let’s be honest, there were some pretty bland superhero comics when Image launched in 1992, but at least Cyber Force and its characters have had some recent success, which looks to continue. Details below.
INFORMATION WANTS TO BE FREE IN CYBER FORCE Marc Silvestri’s top-selling series returns in October with five free issues
Image Comics and Top Cow Productions are excited to announce the highly anticipated return of CYBER FORCE, in celebration of the title’s twentieth anniversary, in October 2012. Comics legend and Top Cow founder Marc Silvestrireturns to the property that helped launch his company and Image Comics as co-writer, art director, and cover artist, spearheading his unique vision for the new series.
And now, CYBER FORCE is embarking on a new path, using 21st century social media to make the first five issues (to be published monthly) available for free, both digitally and in print. A Kickstartercampaign launched on July 17, taking advantage of the year-long build-up of excitement for Image and Top Cow’s 20th anniversary.
Rewards for backers of the Kickstarter campaign, which has a goal of $75,000, include exclusive variant covers, a signed print, a hardcover edition of the collected first five issues, a smartphone case, original art, and one-on-one sessions with Matt Hawkins and Marc Silvestri. There are also several special rewards for comic book retailers who pledge — including exclusive signings by Marc Silvestri! The funding will not only go toward paying the art team but also toward offsetting print costs, thus ensuring the first five issues are available for free.
Excitement has been building for events marking Image and Top Cow’s 20th anniversary since the beginning of the year, including Top Cow’s REBIRTH initiative and exciting new projects from top tier industry talent. With an entire generation of fans who grew up on the series and new fans discovering Image and Top Cow every week, creator and Top Cow CEO Silvestri knew the time was right for CYBER FORCE to return.
“My obsession growing up was sci-fi and fantasy and the concept of Cyber Force has always been ripe for mining those genres,” said Silvestri. “The best sci-fi has its soul anchored in social commentary and the human condition and then goes nuts with the concepts. Comic books are unique in that they can add to that the thrill of wish fulfillment,” he added. “Mash those ideas together add a healthy dose of 21st century paranoia, and voila! You’ve got Cyber Force.”
Silvestri describes CYBER FORCE as an exploration of the consequences when technology — the product of humanity’s own intelligence — has interfered with the order of natural development. “We’re creating a world our species can’t survive in,” Silvestri said. “The end is coming and Mega Corporation Cyber Data Industries knows this when it happens. And now, a young girl named Velocity knows too.”
Joining Silvestri on the new series is interior artist Khoi Pham. Hot off of top-selling Marvel Comics titles including Avengers, Daredevil, The Mighty Thor, and X-Men, Pham’s art will bring to life this bold new vision of CYBER FORCE.
The new series will appeal to fans of the original, as well as reach out to a wider audience by creating a cutting-edge world based on real technology. Co-writer and Top Cow President Matt Hawkins (THINK TANK, THE TEST) will utilize his background in science to lead the series in a never-before-seen direction.
While staying true to the core concept of CYBER FORCE, cybernetically-enhanced resistance fighters on the run from a monolithic international conglomerate, the visual aesthetic of the new series will be updated for a modern audience coined “bio-cybernetic steampunk”.
Out of all the major announcements that came from San Diego Comic-Con last weekend regarding comic book films, this one may have slipped by, but it’s one to get excited about. Seeds is an engrossing, and real, OGN based on creator Ross Mackintosh’s own experiences with his father’s cancer. Mackintosh’s debut book came out last year and at first glance it may look simple, but there’s a real heart that’s easy to connect with. It’s obvious that every page is real, and not desperately trying to be that way. Now, the tale is being turned into an animated film. Persepolis has shown that animation can definitely work for stories based on dramatic sequential storytelling, so I’m rather curious to see Seeds on screen. Below is the press release.
SEEDS by Ross Mackintosh has been garnering critical acclaim in the US and UK since its release in 2011. It tells the story of a man’s relationship with his terminally ill father.
Space Age Films producer Robert Chandler said of the book:
“This is comics at its best. This is the death of Superman, the agony of Batman, the quest of Wolverine. And it’s all here in this simply illustrated book about a man losing his father to cancer.”
Benjamin Shahrabani from Com.X spoke of the film’s ambition to sit up there alongside serious animated fare such as WALTZ WITH BASHIR and PERSEPOLIS:
“Animation and comics can tackle any subject in the world. Ross’s book walks the same line as Harvey Pekar’s AMERICAN SPLENDOR series and Aneurin Wright’s THINGS TO DO IN A RETIREMENT HOME TRAILER PARK, works that look candidly and personally at life, family and death.”
The LA Times described Seeds as:
“A tribute to every father-son relationship. Seeds is an honest, inquisitive and candid memoir.”
Further information about the writer-director team behind the project, as well as pre-production artwork, will be issued soon.
The film is to be released Spring 2014.
In July 2009, Ross Mackintosh learned that his father had cancer. Seeds is the autobiographical story of one man’s experience of family, life, love and death. Beginning with the diagnosis, then taking us through the journey of his father’s eventual decline, it is a powerful account combining humour, philosophy and honesty.
Robert Chandler is an award-winning producer, currently producing the animated feature film OSCAR WILDE’S THE CANTERVILLE GHOST with Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie and Freddie Highmore.
Com.x is the UK’s most exciting comics house. Its releases include classics such as THE LAST AMERICAN and CLA$$WAR, and new cult favorites 45, BLUESPEAR and MONSTER MYTHS.
Congrats to publisher Archaia for the three Eisner Award wins at San Diego Comic-Con on the weekend. It’s a luscious book that we spoke about on the Extra Sequential podcast right here, and below is the press release. And yes, it is an awesome book and you should buy it.
ARCHAIA’S ‘JIM HENSON’S TALE OF SAND’ WINS THREEWILL EISNER COMIC INDUSTRY AWARDS
Publisher wins coveted Best New Graphic Novel award for second straight year;Ramón K. Pérez and Eric Skillman also honored for Best Penciller/Inkerand Best Publication Design
The 24th Annual Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards (“The Eisners”) was held last night in the Indigo Ballroom of the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel, showcasing the best in comics for 2011, and publisher Archaia is happy to announce it was honored with three awards for its original graphic novel hardcover, Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand.
The awards won were:
Best Graphic Album – New Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand, adapted by Ramón K. Pérez
Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team Ramón K. Pérez, Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand
Best Publication Design Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand, designed by Eric Skillman
This is the second straight year that Archaia has won the top prize of Best Graphic Album – New. It previously won in 2011 for Best Graphic Album – New for Return of the Dapper Men. Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand was also honored with nominations for Best Lettering (Deron Bennett) and Best Coloring (Ian Herring and Ramón K. Pérez).
The Eisners, named for renowned cartoonist Will Eisner (creator of The Spirit and several award-winning graphic novels), are considered the “Oscars” of the comic book industry. The finalists on the ballot are selected by a blue-ribbon committee that considers thousands of entries submitted by publishers and creators. The nominees are then voted on by all parts of the comic book industry: writers, artists, and other creators; publishers; editors; and retailers and distributors.
Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand, written by Henson and his frequent writing partner, Jerry Juhl, is based on a dark, existential feature-length screenplay that built off of ideas Jim Henson had been developing around the time he produced his Academy Award-nominated short film “Timepiece.”
It tells the story of a young man who hears, “Run, boy… run!” as he is kicked out of a dusty town in the middle of the desert. There’s nothing but sand in every direction, but run he does, with only a rucksack of odds-and-ends to his name, as he embarks on an oddball journey. Under the supervision of The Henson Company CEO Lisa Henson, team Archaia and artist Ramón K. Pérez adapted the screenplay into a colorful, marvelous tribute to one of the most creative minds who ever lived.
“This is a wonderful honor and we are simply overjoyed by this recognition,” said Archaia Editor-in-Chief Stephen Christy. “Tale of Sand was an ambitious undertaking when we started the project in 2010, and to see Ramón and Eric honored, along with the team here at Archaia, makes it all worthwhile. I want to thank Lisa Henson for allowing us access to her father’s archived materials, and for believing we could do his legacy proud with this fantastic graphic novel. Thank you and congratulations to everyone who worked on Tale of Sand and everyone on team Archaia, especially our president PJ Bickett. On behalf of everyone at Archaia, thank you to our distributors Diamond Comics and PGW, and to all of the retailers, journalists, reviewers, and fans who supported this book. Most of all, thank you to Jackie Estrada and Comic-Con International for making the Eisner Awards even possible!”
Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand (hardcover, full color, 152 pages, 8.25” x 11”, ISBN: 978-1-936393-09-1, Diamond Code JUL110825, $29.95) is available for sale now in your local comic book shop or wherever books are sold.
comicbookjesus 