The Light TPB Out Now

Now out, just in time for Christmas, is the excellent The Light collection of the 5 ish mini-series from Image Comics. I also read the original mini-series and it really is stylish and intelligent. Created by writer Nathan Edmondson (Olympus, the upcoming Who Is Jake Ellis?) and artist Brett Weldele (The Surrogates) it’s described as follows, and you can see a generous 24 page preview right here. Great for thriller fans and comic newbies, it’s a moody and intriguing tale.

It is as sudden as it is deadly. Its origins are unknown. When it strikes, a father must risk all to protect his daughter and escape across the Oregon countryside-before they are infected by THE LIGHT. This December, prepare for the wildly acclaimed horror-thriller from writer Nathan Edmondson and artist Brett Weldele. Learn to love the darkness; learn to fear THE LIGHT.

Extra Sequential Podcast Episode Seventeen

Because WE demanded it! Two podcast episodes in one week! Actually, we’re just changing the day on which we record our show, so we can have more time to properly digest new comics.

49 mins. After our sweet sixteenth episode, comes our sour seventeenth episode. It’s not that sour really, but we do run the gamut of topics as usual. Apart from comics, films and manga news and reviews, we also discuss Mladen’s dodgy pronunciation of “news,” the Back to the Future game and unfunny Ricky Gervais films.

LISTEN TO IT BELOW, DOWNLOAD IT HERE, ON ITUNES OR MIXCLOUD.

2:25 NEWS

Pretty boy actor Matthew Goode as a possible Clark Kent/CGI Superman, the Locke and Key TV series based on the hugely popular horror comic, San Diego Comic-Con online registration crashes again and the film based on Daniel Clowes’ Wilson.

11:40 WHAT WE’VE BEEN READING

Manga Ooku by Viz Media set in feudal Japan, Call of Duty: Black Ops,  Star Trek II and III, El Borbah by Charles Burns, the fun, time travelling Rift Raiders OGN, Dynamite’s relaunch of Vampirella and Firebreather Vol.3 #1 from Image Comics.

45:38 CONCLUSION



Firebreather Film

You may have seen the ads for the upcoming Firebreather cartoon film based on the Image comics series, in some of this week’s new comics. Well, below is all the info you need to know.
DOUBLE DOSE OF FIREBREATHER

First issue of new FIREBREATHER miniseries gets variant cover from Cartoon Network movie
The FIREBREATHER movie debuts on Cartoon Network on November 24, 2010, and FIREBREATHER VOL. 3: HOLMGANG #1 is getting both a variant cover and an early release on the same day to celebrate!
Advance reviews for the movie version of the critically acclaimed Image Comics series have been stellar, and HOLMGANG #1 is a great place for new fans to jump onto the series. The variant cover features exclusive artwork from the TV movie and will be in stores November 24 alongside the regular cover.
Teenager Duncan Rosenblatt has a human mother and a giant, city-stomping, kaiju father. He also has all the worries of a normal high schooler, from bullies to girls to fitting in. Written by Phil Hester and drawn by Andy Kuhn, FIREBREATHER VOL. 3: HOLMGANG picks up where FIREBREATHER VOL. 2 left off: Duncan deals with not only losing his father but with keeping his father’s death a secret, even from his mother. But Duncan’s mysterious extended family may not let him keep that secret — or his life — much longer.
“We are super excited to have the first issue of our new Firebreather mini-series hit stores the same day the animated film debuts on Cartoon Network,” says Kuhn. “The film’s director Peter Chung really knocked it out of the park, and the Cartoon Network variant cover is a great looking piece of art that really gives you a vibe of what to expect in the movie. Please watch it, you won’t be disappointed, AND buy the comic, because it’s insanely awesome!
Hester adds, “I’m excited that people will get a glimpse of the gorgeous treatment Peter Chung and company have worked up for Duncan on this alternate cover. The 24th is a chance for fans new and old to get a double dose of classic and animated Firebreather. The best of both worlds!”
FIREBREATHER VOL. 3: HOLMGANG #1 (of 4) (OCT100443), a 32-page full-color comic book for $3.99, will be in stores November 24, 2010, with a cover by series artist Andy Kuhn and a variant cover featuring artwork from the Cartoon Network television movie. Catch up on Duncan’s adventures with FIREBREATHER VOL. 1: GROWING PAINS ($14.99, APR090360) and FIREBREATHER VOL. 2: ALL THE BEST HEROES ARE ORPHANS ($16.99, AUG082239), available now. Finally, don’t miss the FIREBREATHER movie, premiering on Cartoon Network on November 24, 2010!

Heaven Sent From Image Comics

I’m always curious to read any vaguely supernatural themed comic that uses a Christian worldview, or variations thereof, in its storytelling. Usually I end up rolling my eyes in frustration, much like I did as expected in the recent Legion film. I’ll give this new Image series a go though. Official details below.

HEAVEN SENT
The mission is murder in new Image Comics title from Marc Guggenheim’s Collider Entertainment
An average man gets sent on a heavenly task this February in THE MISSION, from Marc Guggenheim’s Collider Entertainment.
In THE MISSION, a typical working guy finds his life upended when he’s approached by a mysterious figure who claims to be the archangel Gabriel. Gabriel tells him he’s been chosen for a mission in the battle between good and evil. The mission? Murder! Did our hero actually get a command from an angel or is he losing his mind?
Written by JON HOEBER and ERICH HOEBER, who wrote the screenplays for Red and Battleship, THE MISSION is produced by ALISA TAGER (HALCYON, Serenity) and MARC GUGGENHEIM (HALCYON, No Ordinary Family). The series is stunningly illustrated by WERTHER DELL’EDERA (Dark Entries, Loveless) and colored by ARIANNA FLOREAN.
“Jon and Erich have written the perfect supernatural thriller,” says Guggenheim. “People have questioned the existence of God and angels for millennia, but the main character of THE MISSION has to face the reality of this conundrum, and the twists and turns will have the readers guessing as well. Werther’s art is a flawless companion to the story, putting into pictures the discord our hero confronts.”
Whether the battle is between good and evil or between sanity and lunacy, it begins in THE MISSION #1 (DEC100433), a 32-page full-color comic book for $2.99, will be in stores February 23, 2011. Collider Entertainment’s first release with Image Comics, HALCYON #1, is available now.

Term Life From Image Comics

Launching in January from Image is a new original graphic novel by writer AJ Lieberman and artist Nick Thornborrow. I interviewed Thornborrow recently in the pages of the final Extra Sequential magazine for the excellent The Anthology Project, the second volume of which is now being funded by Kickstarter. Check it out here, and the official details for Term Life below.

AJ Lieberman takes on crime noir with TERM LIFE OGN

What would you do if you had a family to care for, but everyone from the mob to dirty cops wants you dead?
Writer AJ Lieberman (COWBOY NINJA VIKING) and artist Nick Thornborrow (The Anthology Project) ask just this question of the hero of their new graphic novel TERM LIFE, coming in January 2011 from Image Comics.
“Coming off COWBOY NINJA VIKING, I wanted to write something a little less… insane,” says Lieberman. “And I wanted it to have a lot less Vikings. I’m a huge fan of crime fiction. TERM LIFE is a puzzle — a bloody, violent puzzle! Our hero is trying to do one very simple thing: stay alive for the next 21 days. But the great thing about crime fiction is that the hero rarely gets what he wants.”
“I’d say if you’re into Brubaker or Cooke or Lapham, this is right in your wheelhouse. If, on the other hand, you buy your comics for the stunning art, you’re in luck. TERM LIFE has that in spades!” Lieberman adds.
TERM LIFE: If Nick Barrow can stay alive for 21 days, he’ll die happy. Everyone Nick knows wants him dead: mob bosses, contract killers, and dirty cops. Performing the last act of a desperate man, Nick takes out a million dollar insurance policy on himself, payable to his estranged daughter. The problem? The policy doesn’t take effect for 21 days. 21 days? Nick knows he’ll be lucky to be alive for 21 hours…
TERM LIFE (NOV100427), a 144-page full-color graphic novel written by AJ Lieberman and drawn by Nick Thornborrow, will be on sale January 12, 2011, for $16.99.

Skullkickers #2 Review

I’ll admit, I was perhaps a tad harsh of my examination of Image’s new Skullkickers series. Last month saw the title debut from writer Jim Zubkavich and artists Chris Stevens and Edwin Huang. Even before it had premiered the net was all abuzz (well, the comic sites at least) about the impending awesomeness and popularity of the series. However apart from a cool name and a Dungeons and Dragons-like vibe, not much was known about it.

So, when I read Skullkickers #1 last month I was somewhat disappointed, but now that I’ve read the follow-up I can appreciate it for what it is. In age of similarly hyped Image series such as Chew and Morning Glories the lack of complexity and “big ideas” in Skullkickers was…unexpected and really, quite a brave move in this age of long reaching epics that require dedicated minds and wallets. To go against the grain is rather brave and honestly, Skullkickers, like all the other hyped titles before it was always going to leave some lack of satisfaction. It’s not Skullkicker’s fault though. It’s actually quite enjoyable, especially now that I’ve read the second issue and had time to let the hype die down.

The first issue was a simple story, but with enough charm and action and light, impressive visuals to make it worthy of a look. This second issue begins in the same manner, with the un-named pair of main characters (a grouchy dwarf with an axe and a hulking bald man with a pistol) battling ugly monsters. After the fight, there’s a great page in which the duo do their best to casually walk away from the fire they’ve just unwittingly caused, with an unconscious victim as a captive. The townspeople gather and watch in horror and react in different ways. This well constructed scene sums up the series rather nicely, with a deft mix of cheeky and likeable leads causing mayhem in their adventurous wake. It’s like a long lost cartoon from the wonderful ‘80s re-imagined for today’s audience.

Zubkavich has described the series in interviews as an unapologetic “beer and pizza” tale that doesn’t demand much and admittedly that didn’t jive with this fanboy’s expectations as a devoted weekly comics buyer who expects his sequential art stories to build layer upon layer until they become a maze of confusing backstories with a cast of thousands. I do enjoy films that I can switch my brain off too, so really, why should my comics be any different? Skullkickers is like that; a Steven Seagal or Jean Claude Van Damme film, but which looks like a Michael Bay production, and that’s the other charming quality about this series. It looks great. Edwin Huang and Misty Coats concoct an unusual take for fantasy comics, with a light, fun and energetic approach, but one which suits the fast moving plot. Every page is bristling with energy and filled with the warm glow of some gnarled witch’s smoking cauldron. The colourful palette aids the loose manga-like pencils superbly and makes sure that even in potentially darker moments, like an interrogation and stick-up scene, the pages are still warm and fuzzy and as likeable as our mercenary duo.

Skullkickers seems almost cut from the same cloth as Scott Pilgrim, with an appreciation of what us big kids love, with a healthy dose of wide-eyed wonder and nostalgia for pop culture tropes. With goblins (“Humans suck!”) lots of action, wise cracking tough guys and great looking pages, it’s that rare beast in comics –something that’s rather fun and funny. Comedy can be hard to pull off on the printed page, but with great pacing and expression and effective visual gags such as the just-visible top of the dwarf’s head at the bottom of a panel as he speaks,  Skullkickers is a book that we can breeze through and not take too seriously.

The second printing of #1 is now available and along with #2 it’s a good buy for a newbie. You don’t have to wait until the Trade is out, as the story is so accessible you can jump right in now.

The dialogue is modern, but not jarringly so and like the rest of the book is a great mix of elements that could easily be annoying or try-hard. Zubkavich weaves a deft balancing act though, and an entertaining one to boot. I’d still like to see something happen, rather than a series of encounters but that looks set to change next issue with the pair perhaps gaining a nasty surprise from their robbery victims.

Not more is revealed about the characters or their fantasy world (shorty and baldy seem to be nick-names, but that doesn’t tell us anything we don’t already know) but as Zubkavich explains in his afterword, it’s an intentional choice and their real names will appear in a future issue.

I rarely pick up a second issue from all the new series I give the benefit of the doubt too, but Skullkickers looks set to be worthy of my dedication, despite my initial hesitation. I’m glad it proved me wrong.

Sonny Liew Interview

My interview with the editor of the second Liquid City anthology is up now at Broken Frontier right here. Sonny Liew is the man behind Image’s anthology which is an original collection of short tales from talented Southeast Asian creators. While you’re there, check out BF’s latest issue of The Frontiersman magazine. It’s free and has features on Return of the Dapper Men, Green Lantern Guy Gardner and much more.

Daomu To The West

Press release below about Image bringing a popular, new Chinese comic to a Western audience. Curiously though, there’s no mention of the creator/s involved, not even on the cover. However it must be pretty awesome if Image swooped on it so quickly.

Image Comics and Concept Art House Bring China’s Best-Selling Daomu Series to the U.S.

First issue to arrive in stores this December

Image Comics and Concept Art House announced plans to release a series of Daomu comics based on one of China’s best-selling novel series. This will be Daomu’s debut in the U.S., following a successful graphic novel launch in China earlier this year. The upcoming comic book series is the first of several Daomu releases planned to include games, an animated series, and a feature film.

Daomu, which translates to “tomb raider,” explores an underground world that has been active in China for thousands of years. After witnessing his father’s violent murder, Sean Liu discovers that his family belongs to a secret society of tomb raiders. Led by his uncle, Sean joins an elite team of Daomu to go deep underground in search of answers. Who are they? Who—or what—killed Sean’s father? And what horrors await beneath the earth’s surface? With a distinctive digital art style and high-energy adventures steeped in Chinese tradition and superstition, the comic series will follow Sean’s coming of age as a modern-day tomb raider and his quest to uncover the truth behind his father’s death.

The Daomu Bi Ji or “tomb raider’s journal” novel series on which the comics are based has become a sensation in China since its debut in 2007, reaching well over 20 million fans. Concept Art House, a leading digital art and entertainment company with a focus on transmedia storytelling, is responsible for the popular novel’s conversion to graphic format. Their first Daomu graphic novel released in Asia in early 2010 and quickly secured the #2 spot on Dangdang.com, China’s leading ecommerce website. Though Western audiences have long embraced Japanese comics and cartoons, Daomu’s arrival in the U.S. is a first for a high-profile Chinese entertainment property.

“The quality of comics in China is exceptional,” says Image Comics Publisher Eric Stephenson. “Daomu is no exception. Daomu has exemplary digital art and an outstanding story. We’re excited to be bringing this amazing graphic novel to the United States for its first English translation.”

“American comics are extremely popular among Chinese comic book fans due to their great stories and amazing artwork. We believe the American audience will love Daomu for the same reasons,” says James Zhang, Concept Art House’s CEO. “Image is a great partner, not only because they understand quality art and story, but also because they truly respect the creator’s vision. We’re thrilled to be working with Image to introduce Daomu to the U.S.”

Intended for readers ages 13 and up, the first Daomu comic book will release this winter. To learn more, visit Image Comics at http://www.imagecomics.com.

The Light #4 Review

My review of the penultimate issue of this excellent mini-series from Image is now up at Broken Frontier. Every issue has been a winner.

Science Dog and $1 Comics

Thanks to Image, here’s 2 good news press releases!

FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE. FIGHT EVIL WITH SCIENCE!

SCIENCE DOG gets his first collection from Image Comics

Half man, half dog and all hero, Science Dog gets his first collection in SCIENCE DOG SPECIAL #1, coming this September from Image Comics. He’s INVINCIBLE’S favorite comic book character. Soon, he’ll be yours as well!

“In the INVINCIBLE universe, Science Dog is a superstar — comic books, movies, action figures — the works,” says writer Robert Kirkman. “This is a step toward making him the superstar he should be in our universe!”

“It’s exciting to finally see Science Dog in his own book,” adds artist Cory Walker. “The character is front and center in SCIENCE DOG SPECIAL #1, where he belongs.”

SCIENCE DOG SPECIAL #1 collects the never before reprinted Science Dog back-up stories from INVINCIBLE #25 and #50. This story leads right into the senses-shattering back-up story contained within INVINCIBLE #75. If you’re only reading INVINCIBLE in collected form, this is what you’ve been missing! Don’t miss out a second time!

SCIENCE DOG SPECIAL #1, a 32-page full-color comic book collecting the Science Dog backup stories from INVINCIBLE #25 and #50, will be available for $3.50 on September 1, 2010.

TRY SOME, BUY SOME

Image Comics reprints the first issue of classic series in IMAGE FIRSTS: WAVE TWO

This Fall, Image Comics is re-presenting 10 first issues as an introduction to some of its most acclaimed titles. Each debut acts as a perfect primer to its corresponding ongoing series and collected editions. Starting September 1, 2010, and continuing through November, each reprinted first issue will be available for only $1.

“Response to Image Firsts has been phenomenal,” exclaims Image Publisher Eric Stephenson. “So, we are expanding the line with a second wave of IMAGE FIRSTS. Image Firsts is a fantastic way for readers to discover new titles and for retailers to introduce customers to Image’s unsurpassed backlist.”

IMAGE FIRSTS: WAVE 2 shipping this September include:

IMAGE FIRSTS: THE DARKNESS #1

story GARTH ENNIS

art & cover MARC SILVESTRI

SEPTEMBER 1

IMAGE FIRSTS: LIBERTY MEADOWS #1

story FRANK CHO

art & cover FRANK CHO

SEPTEMBER 8

IMAGE FIRSTS: WANTED #1

story MARK MILLAR

art & cover J.G. JONES

SEPTEMBER 15

IMAGE FIRSTS: I KILL GIANTS #1

story JOE KELLY

art & cover J.M. KEN NIIMURA

SEPTEMBER 22

IMAGE FIRSTS: MAGE #1

story MATT WAGNER

art & cover MATT WAGNER

SEPTEMBER 29

Discover some of Image Comics’ best series in September with IMAGE FIRSTS: WAVE TWO, re-releasing the first issue of THE DARKNESS, LIBERTY MEADOWS, WANTED, I KILL GIANTS and MAGE for only $1.

Be on the lookout for more IMAGE FIRSTS in October and November!

The Guardians of the Globe Teaser

Image’s new superhero team debuts as a six ish mini on August 25. It’s written by Robert Kirkman and Benito Cereno with art by Ransom Getty. Below is a humorous teaser image, but obviously not all those on the cover will make the final cut.

Get The Light

Press release below about a great opportunity to get on board the new Image series, The Light. You can get the first two issues in collected form on June 9, and pick up #3 on the same day. If you’re new to comics, or want some solid storytelling in your diet, then make sure you pick it up next month.

SEEING THE LIGHT

The first two issues of Nathan Edmondson and Brett Weldele’s THE LIGHT sold out at the distribution level

Image Comics announces the distribution-level sell out of THE LIGHT #1 and #2, written by Nathan Edmondson (OLYMPUS) and illustrated by Brett Weldele (SOUTHLAND TALES, THE SURROGATES). The two sold out issues will be collected under an all-new cover. Release of THE LIGHT Bumper Edition will coincide with the release of THE LIGHT #3 on June 9, 2010.

“We’re excited to see that THE LIGHT is burning brightly out there,” exclaims Edmondson. “This is an opportunity to let this story glow in the hands of more readers — and we’re ecstatic about that!”

THE LIGHT: In Oregon, a mysterious virus infects anyone that looks into an electric light. An abusive father blindfolds his daughter and together they escape town as people are burning alive from the inside out. A fierce, action-packed and gritty tale of survival, THE LIGHT is 28 DAYS LATER meets 30 DAYS OF NIGHT.

THE LIGHT bumper edition (APR108074), a full-color 48-page comic book collecting THE LIGHT #1 and #2, will be on sale June 9, 2010, for $4.99. THE LIGHT #3 (APR100463), a 32-page full-color comic book for $2.99 will arrive in stores the same day.

Some praise for THE LIGHT:

“One new Image series that shouldn’t be overlooked.” — The A.V. Club

“…many critics are calling for Nathan Edmondson’s (OLYMPUS) newest horror laced offering THE LIGHT to be nominated for an Eisner Award” — Bloody Disgusting

“THE LIGHT #1 is a great opening to an exceptionally spooky horror series that gets you right into the greatest scares that you can get.” — Comics Should Be Good

“The Light #1 is magic, a gripping, chilling tale that is ambitious and promises to be complex.” — Comic Book Bin

“Edmondson and Weldele have created a fascinating meditation on the warp speed with which we now exchange and ingest information.” — Pop Matters

“When you’ve read this book, there’s no way you won’t be curious about what happens next.” — Broken Frontier

Nathan Edmondson and Brett Weldele Interview

Writer Nathan Edmondson (Olympus) and artist Brett Weldele (The Surrogates) have just launched a spectacular mini-series form Image called The Light. It’s a great new concept with suitably creepy and dramatic visuals. You can read my interview with the creative duo at Broken Frontier here.

Haunt #1 Review

Haunt #1 CoverRightly so, there are big expectations for this new ongoing series from Image. Writer Robert Kirkman has become an indie darling with the success of his Walking Dead and Invincible series. One is a dramatic zombie epic, and the other is a bloody superhero epic, but they both show Kirkman’s skills at generating interest in unique characters in a new comic series, and that is something extremely hard to do in today’s funnybook climate.

His co-creator on Haunt, and inspired by Kirkman’s gauntlet throwing to get him back in the biz, is Spawn creator Todd McFarlane. McFarlane hasn’t been a regular writer or artist for years, and although he’s not the penciller on this series, it still smells of McFarlane’s influence. And that’s a pleasant odour.

Living up to the hype, the first 3 pages are a treat. A woman, a man, a cigarette moving to reveal the “holy” job of the man – it’s all a subtle set up that hooks you immediately. The priest, Daniel is then party to a confession by Kurt, his military brother, which is revealed to us via flashback. The next few pages are like something from a Tarantino film with a Bruckehimer budget, and it’s all good. Kurt climbs out of a body bag, “rescues” a scientist and a few of his test subjects and the shooting begins. It’s all rather bold and boisterous, but very enjoyable.

Then as Kurt leaves the church he’s kidnapped, tortured for the whereabouts of the scientist’s notebook and killed (off-panel). Daniel begrudgingly visits Amanda, Kurt’s widow and Kurt shows up, obviously causing Daniel to ask himself if he’s crazy, as it appears no-one else can see him.

The bad guys chasing the notebook appear, ready for more brutal intimidation, and just when you think that the loose Spider-Man/Spawn hybrid character on the cover won’t show up, he does, in a rather surprising fashion.

Capullo’s layouts combined with Ryan Ottley’s (Invincible) pencils and McFarlane’s inks make for a true visual feast. At first I was hesitant to give this series a chance as it seemed like a dull nod to the very early days of Image, when dark heroes with brutal methods were a dime a dozen, but these gentlemen combine to form a dynamic creative team. It’s never over the top just for the sake of it and Kirkman’s script whisks us away every few pages to a new scene and characters without ever muddying the waters of simple storytelling.

Of course, it all looks great, but it doesn’t cast that generic, cross-hatched look I was expecting. Too many cooks don’t spoil the broth in this case. Ottley, Capullo and McFarlane make every page detailed, visually interesting and unique. People look like people. There’s no over-exaggerated musculature and the sole woman who appears in full, looks normal. The action scenes in the secret bunker are laid out with just as much flair as the dialogue scenes in the church, limo and lounge room.

Kirkman manages to ditch any lengthy exposition and just focus on a character driven action yarn with much bravado. It makes for a seamless and intriguing narrative. Consider me hooked.

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