It’s finally arrived. Woohoo! Our second issue is 88 pages long (30 pages more than our first issue!) and features more interviews, features and reviews. Inside you’ll find stuff on the new Flash Gordon, the Brit detective series Harker, the all-ages Kid Beowulf, artist Joe Jusko, the scary Dread Force mechs, and a look at the gorgeous work of Steve Pugh in Hotwire. There’s so much more of course. Hope you enjoy it! Check it out right here.
I 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
Official press release below regarding Top Cow’s unique initiative to give out free comics to participating comic shops in the U.S and Canada. See if yours is on the list!
Top Cow Productions, Inc. revealed today the names of the participating retailers in their “Let Us Win YOU Over” initiative for March and the program would continue with another highly anticipated anniversary issue – Witchblade #125.
The “Let Us Win YOU Over” initiative is a yearlong campaign by Top Cow Productions to give out free copies of its regular comics to potential fans in the U.S. and Canada through participating comic book stores. Each month, a different set of stores, each month a different free comic. The stores vary by geography and demographics. Top Cow has partnered with ComicsPRO to bring this promotion to fans and all of February’s retailers are members of ComicsPRO.
Witchblade #125 is an over-sized 40-page comic, which launches the six part “War of the Witchblades” storyline. Since the events of First Born, Detective Sara Pezzini and dancer Danielle Baptiste have shared the mystical gauntlet, the Witchblade; but recently cracks have appeared in their relationship. The story is written by regular writer Ron Marz and ongoing artist Stjepan Sejic. The issue will be in comic shops on Wednesday, March 18th, 2009 and normally retails for $3.99.
“Let Us Win YOU Over is off to a great start,” said Filip Sablik, Publisher of Top Cow. “The reaction from retailers and fans at the copies of The Darkness #75 given away was very gratifying and we’re equally excited to give potential fans a taste of our flagship title, Witchblade.”
“”With a Witchblade movie in the works, and writer Ron Marz working on a long-term plan for the character, issue #125 is a great place to jump on to the series,” said Matt Price, co-owner of Speeding Bullet Comics in Norman, OK. “And getting that first taste for free is even better! I applaud Top Cow for making this effort to draw in new readers to direct-market stores.”
“”Top Cow is to be commended for ‘putting their money where their mouth is’ with this promotion — there’s no better tool to create new readers than a free sample. I’m certain this will widely increase the number of eyes looking at Top Cow comics this year”,” added Brian Hibbs, owner of Comix Experience in San Francisco, CA.
A list of the participating retailers during the month of March (listed alphabetically by state) is included below. Additional information can be found at the official online home of the “Let Us Win YOU Over” initiative – www.topcow.com/freecomics. Customers who currently purchase The Darkness at the stores below will be able to purchase an extremely limited “All Beef” Edition (limited to just the stores listed below) at the regular cover price. Fans are encouraged to contact the specific retailer they wish to visit for specific details, below.
I’ve picked up a few nifty items from these guys in the past. They have a wide selection of books and mags catering to the fan of comic book history, specifically stuff from the 1970s and 80s. And now they have a sale on! Woo hoo! The largest sale in their 15 year existence, in fact, including $2 magazines and 50% off books and DVDs, as part of a “Back-To-School Blowout” sale, now through September 30, 2008. You can check out the full list below, or grab further details at their official site. While you’re there, you may also like to download a few free PDFs, including the art lesson mag Comics 101, film and TV adaptation mag Comics Go Hollywood, or the Lego fan mag, Brick Journal #9.
If you’re a fan of bold crime fighters, without super powers (well, sort of) then Daredevil may just be the hero for you. Forget the bad Ben Affleck film, Ed Brubaker has carefully woven an intricate, violent crime saga in blind lawyer Matt Murdock’s title these last few years. Ol’ Hornhead has certainly had an eventful life and you can read all about it in The Daredevil Saga, a handy recap of his recent events, right here. A great jumping on point for curious readers, or catch up to past readers, it’s an insightful look at DD’s busy life, as well as offering a sneak peek at Daredevil #111, the debut of Lady Bullseye.
Known as the Golden Guardian of Good, he has the power of a million exploding suns. (That’s a lot of suns.) The Sentry is an interesting character. Created by writer Paul Jenkins and artist Jae Lee in 2000, Marvel touted the character as a forgotten creation from way back in the dawn of Marvel, and only recently discovered in a drawer somewhere. It was all later declared to be a prank, but now the character exists in the pages of The New Avengers as shy, mysterious and way too powerful.
You can now read his adventures in The Age of Sentry by Jeff Parker & Paul Tobin, with art by Nick Dragott & Ramon Rosanos. Yeah, I’ve never heard of them either, but this series, done in the retro style of the classic Silver Age may be some good old fashioned fun. You can find out yourself by reading the first issue for free, right here, on Marvel’s new Digital Comics Unlimited extravaganza. You can buy the paper version on September 17.
As any fanboy will tell you, comics are complicated. Howvere, if you venture into a comic shop for the first time, there are little ways to make it easier for yourself. Ask the employees for help, pick up a Trade Paper Back collection (with a no.1 on the spine) or just look at what freebies are on offer. Most comic shops will have them, such as flyers, posters, or the weekly newsletter, CSN. Now there’s soemthing new to add to the collection. Marvel: Your Universe, has a cover by artist Tom Raney and features a complete look at the major Marvel events of the last five years, as narrated by the all-knowing guy with the big head, Watcher. Cool. This will prove very helpful, as the MU has been a very busy place over the last 5 years, with Captain America’s death, Wolverine’s children, red Hulk, Spidey’s divorce and mutant numbers being drastically reduced. Marvel: Your Universe also contains prview material from various hardcovers too. It’s 32 pagers of handy info and absolutely free. It arrives on August 27, so keep your eyes open for it and be you too can be a well informed master of the MU.
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BOOM! Freebies
Relatively new publisher, BOOM! Studios have made a mark on the comics biz by offering a wide range of genres in a fairly short amount of time, and also by appointing High Priest of Fanboys, writer Mark Waid as EIC. High Rollers is one of their latest series, and is written by renowned novelist Gary Phillips. In this first of a four part series, Gary talks about his upbringing, his long love of reading and the basis of the new crime mini. I must say High Rollers certainly makes an impression in the first few pages with a brutal, yet strangely noble death, and seeing gangsters dressed up in suits while discussing business in a boardroom is a fine idea. If you’re a fan of Phillips, or stories where everyone has a gun and a funky nick-name, then this series is for you. If you don’t like either of those things, but do like large men with deep voices talking about “the streets,” then watch the video.
If that whet your appetite, then check out the rest of BOOM!’s vids here.
Lastly, there’s now a text commentary for BOOM!’s recently released Station #1, if murder on an international space station is your thing. And why wouldn’t it be? It’s written by TV writer Johanna Stokes and is a great insight into her inspiration and storytelling craft. Her explanation about that creepy two-page murder spread makes it even more frightening.
July 15, 2008
Categories: Comics . Tags: Boom Studios, free comics, Gary Phillips, High Rollers, Station #1 commentary . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: 1 Comment