New series’ first issue and three more Image Comics titles get second printings

DANCER #1, the first issue of a new Image Comics thriller series by Eisner-nominee Nathan Edmondson (WHO IS JAKE ELLIS?) and Nic Klein, has sold out at the distributor level the same day that it was in stores, May 16.

Following the flight through Milan of an ex-assassin and the woman he loves, a ballerina named Quinn, as they evade a sniper’s bullets, the debut garnered early raves on the day of its release.

DANCER #1′s second printing is available for order now (APR128084) and will be in stores on June 13, the same day as DANCER #2.

Also selling out on its Wednesday release date this week was the second issue of the Teen Titans-meets-The Lord of the Flies series DANGER CLUB by Landry Q. Walker and Eric Jones (Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Supergirl: Cosmic Adventures in the 8th Grade) that MTV Geek calls ” a relentless and unique take on the ‘teen superhero team’ genre.” continuing its strong performance after a critically-acclaimed first issue that also sold out and received a second printing. Its second printing (APR128085) will be in stores on June 13.

THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS #3 by Jonathan Hickman and Nick Pitarra (THE RED WING) also sold out this week. The alternate history science fiction series that Comics Alliance calls “pure mad science in comic book form” continues its nuclear assault on readers’ minds, with sales numbers on the third issue matching those of the first. The second printing of THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS #3 (APR128086) will also be on shelves on June 13.

SAGA continues its soaring success with a sell-out of its third issue this week, as Image Publisher Eric Stephenson revealed in an interview with ICv2 that SAGA #1′s sales are nearing 70,000 copies. The latest issue of the Brian K. Vaughan-penned, Fiona Staples-drawn epic series was called “stunning, entertaining, and relevatory” by Comic Book Resources. A second printing of SAGA #3 (APR128087) will be in stores on June 13 as well.

IDW Brings back James O’Barr’s iconic anti-hero this summer!

Proving that the spirit of vengeance is timeless, Bram Stoker Award-winning author and co-screenwriter of the original The Crow film, John Shirley, has teamed with Eisner Award-nominated, Fishtown artist Kevin Colden, to bring the dark spirit back to comics. Concurrently, the film’s producer Edward R. Pressman, in conjunction with Relativity Media and Dimension Films, is in pre-production on a gritty reinvention of the 1994 cult classic to be directed by F. Javier Gutiérrez (Before the Fall) and written by Jesse Wigutow.

The comic book, which explores its own unique storyline from the film, is set in Tokyo, Japan where the Crow returns in the guise of a foreign exchange student named Jamie Osterberg. When Haruko, the love of his life, is stolen away from him, Jamie must search for answers–ones that turn deadly, and transform him into the spirit of vengeance, the Crow! With a sword that seeks truth, the Crow hunts down those responsible for this crime, discovering a web of horror that may lead him to kill his one true love.

“I was thrilled to help bring James O’Barr’s The Crow to the screen, and am equally thrilled to rediscover the character in this new incarnation of The Crow for IDW—it’s as if he’s come back from the grave all over again,” said Shirley. “It feels like The Crow is taking me on the journey into some very dark realms. All I can do is come along and hope to survive the trip. It helps to have a great talent like Kevin Colden along.”

“I’m very happy to be able to bring back The Crow with such esteemed creators,” said Chris Ryall, IDW’s Chief Creative Officer/Editor-in-Chief. “To be able to lead off with John Shirley and Kevin Colden in a story that takes the concept of James O’Barr’s The Crow in very unexpected ways is as thrilling to me as it hopefully will be to fans.”

Also featuring covers from Kyle Hotz and Ashley Wood, the vibrant, exotic setting and rich mythology of Japan should prove a thrilling and intriguing environment for Shirley and Colden’s fresh take on the beloved hero. The first of the monthly five-issue series will be released in print and digital in July, with more series to follow. Plans have also been announced for The Crow original creator James O’Barr to return with his own new series.

THE CROW #1 ($3.99, 32 pages, full color) will be available in July. Diamond order code MAY12 0349.

Written by: Nathan Edmondson

Art by: Nic Klein

Cover by: Nic Klein

Published by: Image

Cover Price: $3.50 (USD)

This comic opens with a great sequence in Brazil, showing just what protagonists Alan and Quinn will be facing as a sniper’s bullet is followed in an imaginative way through multiple panels and into the targets head.

But the opening is probably the strongest part of this debut issue as there are a number of problems that follow. Firstly there’s the lack of balance between Alan and Quinn. It seems that Alan is the most important character and his ballerina girlfriend Quinn is just there to run, scream and repeatedly shout Alan. Maybe things will change as the story progresses, but it seems strange to feature Quinn on the cover, but have her seem in a less than crucial role in the opening issue (Quinn doesn’t even get her name into the solicitation).

The art however, is very well done, particularly regarding the depiction of the sniper’s power, but the city and environments also add to the atmosphere greatly. The strength in this series seems to be the sniper from both an artistic and written perspective. He is frightening and makes a great foe, as by nature snipers are hidden, at a safe distance and almost always have the upper hand. The cat and mouse chase between the sniper and Alan and Quinn should be good.

However, the twist at the end is not very impressive and threatens to disappoint. I know it is difficult for me to judge how a twist like this will play out across multiple issues, but it is the kind of reveal that is setting itself up for a fall just by the difficultly to satisfactorily explain it.

I had higher hopes for Dancer, especially after hearing good things about it, but this first issue is quite an average comic that doesn’t do much new, until the final page, when it does something that could derail it all completely.

5/10

IN COMIC STORES EVERYWHERE THIS COMING AUGUST!

Thun’da makes his return to comic books this August from Dynamite!  Written by Robert Place Napton with art by Cliff Richards and an INCREDIBLE cover by Jae Lee!  As a bonus, this over-sized issue also includes the original first Thun’da story with fantastic art by the one-and-only Frank Frazetta at no extra cost!  Be sure to pick up Thun’da #1 in August!

In August’s Thun’da #1, a Military helicopter crash lands in a remote valley in Africa.  A lone survivor awakens with no memory of who he is or what he was doing there, but he’s wearing a uniform and is a skilled combatant.  From the wreckage he learns only his name — ROGER DRUM.  As he explores his new surroundings he is confronted by a bizarre lost world of dinosaurs and other strange creatures.  Drum must learn to survive in this terrifying new reality while coming to terms with fragments of a past he isn’t sure he wants to remember.

“What excited me about THUN’DA is the aspects that differentiate him from other Jungle Lords,” says writer Robert Place Napton.  “One of the coolest elements of the original story that we are expanding on as we move the character into the modern day is that he is a CIPHER — ROGER DRUM has amnesia as a result of his crash in Africa so the details of his past life are murky.  He was like JASON BOURNE before there was JASON BOURNE, so we are picking up the baton on that aspect and taking it a step further.  He has military training, he’s a bad ass, but instead of being pitted against other combatants he’s facing the dangers of a LOST WORLD so even with all his skill, he is facing challenges he’s not prepared for, with the added burden of being haunted by his past.”

“This project came as a gift to me,” adds artist Cliff Richards. “Since I was young reader, Frank Frazetta´s drawings always fascinated me. I couldn’t be happier about Thun’da and I bet the readers will love the book!”

“Robert Place Napton’s story will surely please all Thun’da fans everywhere,” says Dynamite President and Publisher Nick Barrucci.  “The interior art by Cliff Richards is unbelievable in how much passion Cliff is pouring into every page.  We don’t want to give away a lot yet, but these sketches by Cliff says a lot.  And the Jae Lee cover is just amazing!  And with a 48-page count sold at regular price, readers can also enjoy the first Thun’da story by Frank Frazetta!”

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Thom Zahler returns with new Love and Capes series

Exclusive variant releasing at San Diego Comic-Con

IDW Publishing is excited to announce LOVE AND CAPES: WHAT TO EXPECT, the fourth installment of the Harvey Award-nominated comic book series. The fan-favorite “heroically super” romantic comedy by creator Thom Zahler is back with an addition to the cast, a super baby!

Mark and Abby are expecting, but they’re not telling anyone yet. Will they be able to keep the secret from Darkblade, the world’s best detective? Plus, Mark has a secret of his own.

“I’m thrilled to be able to tell another chapter in Mark and Abby’s adventures. And there’s no greater adventure than parenthood,” said Zahler. “Except, of course, for a fight for existence itself against an all-consuming galactic threat, and this book isn’t about that. Well, probably not. Fifty-fifty, tops.”

The first issue will be in stores in August, but a special “Baby Name” cover variant will be released in July during San Diego Comic-Con. The exclusive variant is drawn by Zahler and features Mark and Abby exchanging baby names. Fans will have a chance for Zahler to draw their name into Abby’s notepad, as another baby name idea for the couple. LOVE AND CAPES: WHAT TO EXPECT will contain special guest inkers for the covers throughout the series including Sean Tiffany, Jerry Ordway, Mike Manley, Chris Bailey, and Rich Faber.

Fans looking to catch up on the series will be pleased to learn that the first three collections of Love and Capes will be reprinted and offered again in August. Also, the entire Love and Capes series is now available digitally from IDW and ComiXology. In addition, last February, Zahler offered a free digital six-page Love and Capes Valentine’s Day story that has never been printed. For those who missed it, click here to download the comic!

LOVE AND CAPES: WHAT TO EXPECT #1 ($3.99, 32 pages, full color) will be available in August. Diamond order code JUNE12 0384.

LOVE AND CAPES, VOL. 1: DO YOU WANT TO KNOW A SECRET? ($5.99) is now available in ComiXology here: http://bit.ly/LuvCapes1.

LOVE AND CAPES, VOL. 2: GOING TO THE CHAPEL ($7.99) is now available in ComiXology here: http://bit.ly/LuvCapes2.

LOVE AND CAPES, VOL. 3: WAKE UP WHERE YOU ARE ($7.99) is now available in ComiXology here: http://bit.ly/LuvCapes3.

New dystopian mini-series from Image Comics in July

The future looks bleak for humankind in DEBRIS, the new Image Comics/Shadowline mini-series by the co-creators of the critically acclaimed GREEN WAKE, Kurtis J. Wiebe (PETER PANZERFAUST, GRIM LEAPER) and Riley Rossmo (REBEL BLOOD, COWBOY NINJA VIKING). Earth itself, covered with the detritus of civilization, has risen up against humans, as ancient spirits called the Colossals take physical forms constructed from the debris to wage war against the destructive species.

In the midst of this chaos, a warrior woman named Maya becomes the champion of humankind. She sets out to find the world’s last source of pure water, combatting Colossals along the way as she fights to save her fellow humans.

“I’m very fond of Scandinavian and European folklore, so I injected a lot of those concepts into the monsters that will appear throughout the series,” Wiebe told Comic Book Resources in an April 25th interview. “It’s also very influenced by Native American (Canadian) mythology and even a touch of Mayan for some of the creatures. I like the idea that all these ancient monsters were once part of our world and have returned to end us when we are at our weakest.”

With a look inspired by video games like Final Fantasy, DEBRIS boasts extraordinary creature design by Rossmo and vivid colors by Owen Gieni (AVENGELYNE) that set the comic apart from many other post-apocalyptic visions of Earth.

In an April 27th interview at IGN about the influence of the revolutionary video game series, Wiebe noted that DEBRIS shares the subject of “a world-changing battle against impossible odds, which is a constant theme throughout Final Fantasy.” The IGN feature also included several FF-inspired teasers, showing Maya in battles against various Colossals.

In May, Wiebe also talked about the hotly-anticipated series at iFanboy, where a six-page preview of DEBRIS #1 was posted.

DEBRIS is a monthly four-issue miniseries published under Image Comics’ Shadowline imprint. The first issue will be in stores on July 25. It is available for pre-order now from the May issue of PREVIEWS with the code MAY120516.

DUBLIN — Simon FitzGerald doesn’t need much to make him happy: a good, comfortable seat in the dark; a screen 40 feet wide with engaging stories unfolding on it; and afterward, maybe a pint. Or two. Over which he’ll write out his latest blog entry — before checking his watch and moving on to the next large, dark room, fitting in as many movie screenings as he can before his wallet empties and it’s time to go back out into the sun.

FitzGerald, 32, a native of Ballybrack, County Dublin, launched his ambitious cinema blog project, “Republicof Cinema,” last fall. But he’s not just another online movie reviewer. His stated goal is to see a movie in every cinema hall in the Republic of Ireland. Not just in every cinema; on every screen. All 462 of them.

Six months into the project, he’s almost a fifth of the way there. He’s been from Dublin to Wicklow, Wexford to Tipperary, standing in queues and sitting in the dark. In his blog, “The Republic of Cinema,” he ponders the movies he sees — sometimes by the luck of the draw, as he juggles multiple screenings to make the most of a weekend excursion. While trying to hit all the screens in one theatre, he’s even found himself watching certain films more than once — sometimes with delight (MIDNIGHT IN PARIS and 50/50), sometimes not (IMMORTALS).

Either way, he doesn’t shy away from a passionate review. His writing is reflective, personal, funny — and it’s clear he deeply loves the medium and magic of film. “Give me a movie that is smart, funny, surprising, thought-provoking and has some heart,” he declares. “Throw in a beautiful redhead, and I’m sold.”

But FitzGerald also carefully considers the places where he and so many others gather to see these cinematic delights. His blog dwells at length on the bustle and convenience of the multiplex and the hidden delights of the independent film hall. He’s unabashed in his criticism of moviegoers whose behavior disrupts a good picture, and writes rousingly about how the right clutch of fellow film buffs can deepen one’s enjoyment.

He even points out good, nearby places to grab a post-show pint and debate with friends the finer points of the movie they’ve just seen.

That’s a big part of the fun, he says — and it has a dual purpose. In addition to juggling a full-time banking job and his “Republic of Cinema” mission, FitzGerald is also one-third of the award-winning “Pubcast” podcast, wherein he and fellow “Irish nerds” Wayne Talbot and Graham Doyle visit a variety of pubs to raise their glasses and record energetic, insightful dissections of movies, TV shows, comics and other pop culture offerings.

Despite his busy schedule, FitzGerald has checked off more than 85 movie hall screens to date in his cinematic trek across Ireland. He anticipates finishing his tour latenext year — by December, if possible, just ion time for The Hobbit: There And Back Again.

But he also knows he’s aiming at a moveable target. When he began, on Sept. 23, 2011, there were 443 total cinema halls across Ireland. With the opening of the new IMC multiplex in Tallaght last month, that total climbed to 462. Time is also precious, and ticket prices can be dear.

“I work a full week, and I’m not the millionaire I’d hoped to be at this stage in my life,” he says, a characteristic twinkle in his eye. But he remains undaunted.

“To see a movie in every film hall in the Republic, and remind people why nothing compares to the big screen?” he says. “That’s a worthy goal.”

He adds: “If nothing else, it’s giving this Dublin boy a chance to see as much of our beautiful country as possible.”

After another adventure in the dark, anyway.

Visit the Republic of Cinema blog at:

http://www.republicofcinema.com

Learn more about Pubcast at:

http://www.geekplanetonline.com/hosting/originals/pubcast

MCM London Comic Con: More Games, More TV Shows, More Comics… and Danny DeVito!

We’ve already announced a spectacular line-up of movie, videogame, sci-fi, comics, anime and cosplay content for this month’s MCM London Comic Con, but Britain’s biggest pop culture festival has just got even bigger! Here are some of the highlights from our latest wave of announcements, including a very special guest…

DANNY DeVITO PRESENTS THE LORAX

Danny DeVito plays the titular Lorax in the movie, which comes from the creators of Despicable Me and is based on the much-loved book by Dr. Seuss. The Lorax panel will be held on Sunday 27 May.

FILM AND TV GUESTS

• UK TV channel Watch will be hosting a panel for Grimm, the hit drama that blends police procedural with characters inspired by Grimms’ Fairy Tales. David Giuntoli, who plays Grimm’s central character homicide detective Nick Burkhardt, will be meeting fans and speaking about the show. Giuntoli has also appeared in series such as Nip/Tuck, Veronica Mars, Grey’s Anatomy, Ghost Whisperer and Cold Case.

• The Watch panel will also play host to Sanctuary star Pascal Hutton and give MCM London Comic Con visitors an exclusive sneak preview of the upcoming Primeval: New World show with Series Executive Katy Newman.

• Raphael Sbarge, star of hugely popular US fantasy drama Once Upon a Time. Raphael plays the dual roles of therapist Archie Hopper and his fairy tale counterpart Jiminy Cricket from Pinocchio in the hit ABC series.

• Saturday of MCM London Comic Con will see a panel on British supernatural drama series Bedlam, featuring cast members Jack Roth and Nikesh Patel plus the show’s three writers, David Allison, Neil Jones and Chris Parker.

• Anthony Daniels, best known for playing lovable protocol droid C3PO in all six Star Wars movies, will be joining our other great sci-fi special guests on the Saturday of MCM London Comic Con to meet fans and sign autographs

• Sarah Shahi, who plays lead character Kate Reed in Universal’s legal drama Fairly Legal. Sarah is also well known for playing in Carmen in The L Word.

COMICS

• Legendary comic creator Marv Wolfman (New Teen Titans, Crisis on Infinite Earths, Blade, Bullseye) will be making his first UK convention appearance in over 20 years. Attending the show as part of ShiftyLook, the Tokyo-based webcomics arm of Namco Bandai, Marv will also be announcing a brand-new webcomic based on a popular Namco arcade game!

• For a complete list of the great ShiftyLook comic creators coming to MCM London Comic Con, along with their panel, competition and free autograph signing schedules, please visit http://shiftylook.com/news/shiftylook-at-london-mcm-expo-the-full-schedule/

VIDEOGAMES

• First UK playable for Square Enix’s open world crime actioner Sleeping Dogs. Visitors to the Square Enix stand will also be able to preview Nintendo 3DS exclusive rhythm game Theatrhythm Final Fantasy and puzzle platformer Quantum Conundrum.

• Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment will be giving Comic Con visitors the chance to preview superhero-themed action-adventure sequel Lego Batman 2.

• Namco Bandai will be holding a Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm Gernerations tournament on MCM Stage B at 3.30pm on Saturday.

• Namco Bandai will be bringing Tekken Tag Tournament 2 arcade machines to MCM London Comic Con with Gamespot UK; not only is it one of the first opportunities for Tekken fans to try out the game, but the arcade machines themselves are very rare – there are none at all in the UK at all at present!

• Namco Bandai will also be hosting daily presentations on the Gamespot UK stage, giving show visitors the inside scoop on hot new titles including Tales of Graces f, Ni No Kuni and Tekken Tag Tournament 2.

• Other games coming to the Gamespot UK stand include Ubisoft’s Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, Tecmo Koei’s Dead Or Alive 5 and Airtight Games’ puzzle platformer Quantum Conundrum. Gamespot is also bringing Trials Evolution back to the show, with chances across the weekend for visitors to put times on their live leaderboard and win all manner of prizes.

• Rising Star’s stand will feature demo pods showcasing bullet hell shoot-’em-up Akai Katana and The King of Fighters XIII on Xbox 360; role-playing game Rune Factory Oceans on the PS3 and retro-style music game collection Bit.Trip Complete for the Nintendo Wii.

• Konami will be giving show visitors a flavour of the Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game and screening the latest Yu-Gi-Oh! film, Bonds Beyond Time. In addition, everyone taking part in a demonstration of the card game will receive a demo pack, Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG booster and Free Structure Deck flyer.

To buy tickets to the MCM London Comic Con at Excel London on 25-27 May, please visit: https://www.mcmexpostore.com/store/

You can find more about the MCM Expo at www.londonexpo.com; on Twitter at www.twitter.com/mcmexpo; on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mcmexpo and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/mcmexpo

For Editors:

Mature Readers (Contains Adult Content)

Mature Readers (Contains Adult Content)

IDW Publishing rings in its teen years with a string of successes

Buoyed by extraordinary fan response, explosive material, and a dedicated retail market, IDW is spending a lot of year thirteen making repeated trips to the printer!

Going back to press on multiple books, including Popeye #1, Road Rage #1 and #2, TRANSFORMERS: Robots in Disguise #1, TRANSFORMERS: More Than Meets the Eye #1, and multiple printings of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1-5, to name a few, has given IDW a lot of work to do and a lot to think about. That’s to say nothing of the fact that this week brought sell-outs of Frankenstein Alive, Alive! #1 and TRIO #1!

“In all my years in the Direct Market, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen things blow up quite like this,” said Publisher and CEO Ted Adams. “We’ve been overprinting aggressively, and still not meeting demand. The initial orders we’re seeing are huge, and the increases we’re seeing at Final Order Cut-off are substantial.”

It should also be clear to fans and retailers alike that this wave of comics awesomeness has far from crested. Extremely strong sales of Mars Attacks, KISS, Godzilla, and the hotly-anticipated Star Trek: The Next Generation and Doctor Who crossover, among others, are just a handful of indicators screaming that IDW does not plan to stop putting out some of the industry’s most popular and prosperous titles.

With more launches on the way later this year, from The Crow to Judge Dredd, clearly the publisher shows no signs of slowing down.

For those intrepid retailers out of stock on the titles mentioned above, here are the second printings now available from Diamond:

MAR128262 – POPEYE #1 (OF 4) 2ND PTG
DEC118180 – STEPHEN KING JOE HILL ROAD RAGE #1 (OF 4) 2ND PTG
DEC118133 – TRANSFORMERS MORE THAN MEETS EYE ONGOING #1 2ND PTG
DEC118181 – TRANSFORMERS MORE THAN MEETS EYE ONGOING #2 2ND PTG
DEC118134 – TRANSFORMERS ROBOTS IN DISGUISE ONGOING #1 2ND PTG
DEC118182 – TRANSFORMERS ROBOTS IN DISGUISE ONGOING #2 2ND PTG
OCT118132 – TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES ONGOING #1 GLOBAL CONQUEST ED
OCT118133 – TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES ONGOING #2 GLOBAL CONQUEST ED
OCT118134 – TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES ONGOING #3 GLOBAL CONQUEST ED
OCT118135 – TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES ONGOING #4 GLOBAL CONQUEST ED
OCT118136 – TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES ONGOING #5 GLOBAL CONQUEST ED
OCT118137 – TMNT MICRO SERIES #1 RAPHAEL GLOBAL CONQUEST ED
DEC118132 – TMNT MICRO SERIES #2 MICHELANGELO GLOBAL CONQUEST ED

IN COMIC STORES EVERYWHERE THIS COMING AUGUST!

This coming August, Vampirella and Barnabas Collins meet for the first time EVER in Dark Shadows/Vampirella #1!  Written by the acclaimed Marc (Manhunter) Andreyko and drawn by Patrick Berkenkotter, with a cover by Fabiano Neves, this will be a cross-over to remember!  Be sure to pick up Dark Shadows/Vampirella #1 this coming August!

In Dark Shadows/Vampirella #1, when the disappearance of a family friend brings Barnabas Collins to New York, he is ill-prepared for the seedy underworld of clubs that awaits him! And Vampirella’s quest to find the “Big Apple Butcher” sends her on a collision course with the vampire of Collinsport! Will Vampirella and Barnabas uncover the shocking identity of this madman before they kill each another?

“Barnabas Collins and Vampirella are two classic characters in vampire lore, so getting the chance to pen their first meeting is a blast,” says writer Marc Andreyko.  “I remember watching Dark Shadows reruns and sneaking peeks at the Vampirella magazines when I was just a wee lad, so getting to do this book seems like fate! And I’m not going easy on Barnabas or Vampi in this series, either! They are going to be put through a gauntlet of terror before this book is through!”

Jim Pierson, spokesman for Dark Shadows rights owner Dan Curtis Productions, adds, “It’s fun to further expand the reach of Dark Shadows and hopefully expose the classic characters to new fans who might just be discovering Barnabas with the new Johnny Depp movie.”

“Cross-overs get a bad rap when they’re not done right, or they feel forced,” adds Dynamite editor Joe Rybandt. “But this one felt like a natural the moment we had the idea. The setting, the characters, the bad guys…the whole thing has come together so naturally, and Marc and Patrick are the perfect pair to make it happen.”

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New Image series by Seeley and Norton in July

For one day, in one rural community in Wisconsin, the dead returned to life. And not just to life but to their lives as well. Rather than being mindless zombies, the “revived” in the new Image Comics series REVIVAL by Tim Seeley (HACK/SLASH) and Mike Norton (Runaways, Battlepug), seem to be the same people they were before death.

That impression gets put to the test when a murder is discovered and everyone — living and dead — is a suspect. With Wausau quarantined and under government surveillance after the revival and strange sightings of something otherworldly in the woods, isolation and fear will begin to take their toll on the close-knit town.

Seeley and Norton, who both hail from small towns, call REVIVAL a rural noir, and for writer Seeley, it gives him an opportunity to explore another facet of the horror genre.

“Revival is … rooted in psychological horror — the fear of what happens to us when we die, the fear of not being sure if we can trust those closest to us,” he said in an April Comics Bulletin interview.

The environment in REVIVAL is part of creating the tone of existential dread. Norton works with colorist Mark Englert to create barren winter landscapes, reinforcing the themes of life and death.

“I’m excited to try and create an environment for this mystery we’ve built,” said Norton. “Mark and I are working hard to set a mood that hopefully sets the reader on edge. I couldn’t be happier with how this is turning out.”

REVIVAL is a full-color, ongoing comic book series from Image Comics. Its first issue is available for pre-order in the May issue of Previews and will be in stores on July 11. REVIVAL #1 features two covers, one by Jenny Frison (MAY120495) and one by indie comics superstar Craig Thompson (Habibi, Blankets) (MAY120496). It will be supported by a promotional poster shipped to comic book retailers ahead of the series’ first issue.

DARK HORSE PUBLISHES RARE & OUT-OF-PRINT ARCHIVES!

With a jaw-dropping selection of well-known titles, accurate color restoration, uncoated off-white paper, and an impressive roster of foreword writers, Dark Horse Archives is hitting another peak season this year with a lineup of pre-Code collections!

This heavy-hitting year will see more volumes in the Crime Does Not Pay Archives series, with engaging forewords from Greg Rucka and Howard Chaykin. Adventures into the Unknown Archives will feature a series of essays by Bruce Jones, focusing on the long-running horror anthology and the climate that led to the Comics Code Authority.

Historian Dan Nadel will provide enlightening introductions for Forbidden Worlds Archives—a true “grab bag” anthology where anything strange, fantastic, or horrific can happen—and writer/artist/historian Michael T. Gilbert will write a series of information-packed foreword pieces for Silver Streak Archives Featuring the Original Daredevil.

“The comics found in these collections are incredibly hard to find, expensive, and full of freewheeling, pre-Code fun (and sometimes viscera). It’s a joy to be able to handle these comics and work on these collections—but a bigger joy comes from being able to bring these stories to new readers and to finally assign credits to some creators who have been uncredited for decades!” said Dark Horse editor Philip Simon.

The comics in these anthologies are seen as revered and influential—but they’ve been impossible to find. Now Dark Horse is making these gems available in affordable collections for discussion, dissection, and inspiration!

Adventures into the Unknown Archives Volume 1 is on sale May 30, 2012.

Silver Streak Archives Featuring the Original Daredevil Volume 1 is on sale June 27, 2012.

Crime Does Not Pay Archives Volume 2 is on sale July 11, 2012.

Forbidden Worlds Archives Volume 1 is on sale December 12, 2012.

If you look at everything coming out this week from Image alone, there is some stiff competition. I can see at least four of them right off the top of my head have been past picks of the week. They’re all good and then some. This week, though, Image’s HELL YEAH! has me the most excited.

Andre Szymanowicz is a newer artist and he’s shown an impressive amount of growth between issues. It’ll be interesting to see how much he’s improved with this issue. Between HELL YEAH! and Glory, I’m starting to think that writer Joe Keatinge should be jailed for keeping his talents away from the world for so long. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed everything I’ve read from him since I’ve discovered his books earlier in the year.

HELL YEAH!’s premise of a jerk, teen superhero becoming entangled in a truly crazy situation has been entertaining. I don’t want to spoil the situation because that’s how interesting I thought it was. Normally, I don’t give a crap and try to write something selling you on the premise of the book. BUT the main character finds himself approached by three women who have some SERIOUS baggage. It has me hook, line, and sinker.

It’s worth your 2.99 and this issue even features a back-up story. Trust me, its good comics. The creators are passionate. If you don’t believe me, then read this interview I did with them for the Pro Logs. It was so good, we had to add another interview on top of it.

Some shops even got it earlier than my shop will because of a shipping error. If your shop still doesn’t get it tomorrow then go drive to a shop that has it.

The war is here! Today in Avengers VS. X-Men #4, by the blockbuster creative team of Jonathan Hickman and John Romita Jr., both the Avengers and the X-Men have lost Hope! With Wolverine out of commission, and fights breaking out all across the Marvel Universe – do the X-Men have the upper hand to find the Mutant Messiah? And can Thor’s team in space stop the Phoenix Force?

Plus! Join the Marvel ReEvolution as Marvel brings fans a new comic reading experience! Every issue of Avengers VS X-Men comes packaged with a code for a FREE digital copy on the Marvel Comics app and Marvel Digital Comics Shop.

And that’s not all! Take the Avengers VS X-Men enjoyment even further by unlocking access to exclusive behind the scenes extras utilizing special augmented reality technology with the Marvel AR app powered by Aurasma. This is exciting bonus content that you cannot access anywhere else!

Which team will reign supreme? Join the conversation on Twitter with #AvX!

Here comes the pain as all your favorite super heroes enter the fight—and only one team will emerge victorious! Don’t miss out on this once in a lifetime comic event in, Avengers VS X-Men #4, on sale now in comic shops everywhere, on the Marvel Comics app, and the all-new Marvel Digital Comics Shop!

For more on Avengers VS X-Men, please visit http://avx.marvel.com

AVENGERS VS X-MEN #4 (MAR120534)

Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN

Pencils by JOHN ROMITA JR.

Cover by JIM CHEUNG

Rated T+…$3.99

ON SALE NOW!

With overwhelming fan support, Tony Puryear’s Concrete Park is slated for a new story arc in Dark Horse Presents #14–#17!

Concrete Park’s return in Dark Horse Presents #14 brings us dark visions for Isaac and an event that will rock all the inhabitants of Scare City, human and non-human. This ongoing sci-fi series, written and drawn by screenwriter Tony Puryear (Eraser) takes you to a far-off planet where Earth’s poor youth have been exiled, and where they now must make a new world.

“Working with Dark Horse, getting to appear in DHP alongside great new work by Mike Mignola and Neal Adams is a terrific honor,” Puryear says. “I’m gratified that the reviews have been so positive, and more importantly, that the fans are finding and following Concrete Park. And on a personal note—we got the cover!”

Praise for Concrete Park:

“The visuals on Concrete Park are a highly graphic style that is incredibly appealing.”—Comic Book Resources

“[Puryear’s] art . . . instantly grabbed my attention. His thick, heavy inks are striking, forming his characters with a great deal of confidence and force. Through his art, you instantly get a feel for this near-future [city]; the swagger of his characters and their surroundings just bursts off of the page.”—Read About Comics

“Concrete Park is no longer the unexpected surprise of Dark Horse Presents. Now that we are three chapters into the story, I expect it to be good. And it is. Screenwriter Tony Puryear is making his debut in comics with this series, and he is doing damn fine double-duty as writer and artist. Every time I think I know what is going on in Concrete Park, Puryear throws me for a loop.”—Comics Bulletin

Dark Horse Presents #14 is on comic stands July 18, 2012!

Departure of the founder and president of Kazé, Cedric Littardi

After 18 years as head of Kazé, the company he founded, Cedric Littardi will leave the group and all related duties effective from Wednesday, May 16th, 2012.

Hyoe Narita, president of Viz Media Europe, will be named as his successor and replacement as the head of the Kazé group.
Kazé and Viz Media Europe would jointly like to thank him for everything he has achieved while at Kazé and appreciate his fundamental role in the promotion of Japanese content in France and Europe. Cedric has dedicated his entire career to promoting Japanese culture since the beginning of the 90s.

Under his direction, Kazé has allowed wide audiences in France to discover a huge number of masterworks of Japanese animation (Grave of the Fireflies, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time…), amazing directors (Mamoru Hosoda, Keiichi Hara…) and very talented artists of every kind. It is also under his leadership, that the company launched a music label (Wasabi Records), a TV channel (KZTV) and many new media initiatives (including KZPLAY.FR, the first simulcast site in France).

Viz Media Europe and Kazé Group is very confident as it looks towards its future. “We have a deep respect for the feats accomplished by Cedric Littardi, the founder of Kazé. As one of the leading companies for content distribution in Europe, we are looking forward to continuing to bring the best of Japanese entertainment to everyone”, indicated Hyoe Narita, new president of Kazé.

“After 18 years, it must be the time of adulthood for Kazé. Resuming my duties comes with a certain amount of sorrow and memories of the past, but I strongly believe that the current Kazé team is more than capable of taking on the challenges I have been carrying over the years even better than I ever did. I will now launch several new projects on my side that I hope will just as exciting as my prior one and I convey my best wishes and thanks to the many people I have had the privilege and honor of working with during my long time at Kazé”, says Cedric Littardi as a farewell message.

Viz Media Europe and Kaze wish the very best of all to Cedric as he embarks on new adventures, and extend their hope they will be just as exceptional as the previous ones.

All the employees of VME-Kazé would like to thank Cedric from the depths of their hearts for all the support, kindness and consideration he has given them throughout the years.

Gary Reed’s DEADWORLD returns in a weekly miniseries!

This August, IDW Publishing is proud to announce the return of original co-creator Gary Reed’s classic zombie series Deadworld! When vicious masses of undead monsters have taken over the planet, desperate humans cling to hope while warring factions of uniquely sinister zombies conspire against each other. Deadworld is a zombie tale unlike any other and a horrific and thrilling world that is decades in the making and unique unto itself.

“It seems like everything with Deadworld over the years is culminating towards this storyline, yet at the same time, it is an opportunity to introduce new readers to the Deadworld saga. That’s why I’m so excited about this series, as it accomplishes both” said co-creator Reed.

Deadworld has seen a number of different formats and volumes over the years, but Reed’s collaboration with artist Sami Makkonen, Deadworld: War of the Dead will be hitting comic shop shelves in a particularly thrilling fashion this August. War of the Dead will be released weekly in every one of August’s five weeks!

Five issues of grim and terrifying zombie action in one month? What could be better?

Oh, that’s right, five issues of Deadworld in horrifying, skull-crushing full-color! For the first time!

As a bonus salvo in IDW’s August Deadworld onslaught, Deadworld Classic Volume 1 and Volume 2 will be offered again; as well as the hit Deadworld: Last Siesta TPB!

Watch Boingthump’s story come to life in this awesome music video / book trailer!

We have a very special graphic novel coming in July: Ed Piskor’s WIZZYWIG, the thrill-packed tale of computer-hacking pioneer Kevin “Boingthump” Phenicle. Inspired by real events and real people but filtered through Ed’s off-kilter style, it’s a blast for anyone who enjoys a wild story, and packed with “Easter eggs” and references for the truly tech-savvy.

Now, with the book open for pre-orders, we’re pleased to present the official Wizzywig theme song, written and performed by nerdcore rapper Adam WarRock (The Browncoats Mixtape, Parks & Rec EP, that Downton Abbey rap song) and featured in this music video / book trailer.

Available for pre-order today, “Halo 4” Limited Edition provides the ultimate multiplayer experience and “Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn” Special Edition

As millions of fans worldwide eagerly await the return of the Master Chief with the launch of “Halo 4” on 6^th November, Microsoft and 343 Industries today revealed all-new details around the year’s most anticipated blockbuster.

Set almost five years after the events of “Halo 3,” “Halo 4” takes the series in a bold new direction and sets the stage for an epic new sci-fi saga, in which the Master Chief returns to confront his destiny and face an ancient evil that threatens the fate of the entire universe. In addition to a rich story and campaign, “Halo 4” introduces a groundbreaking new multiplayer offering, called “Halo Infinity Multiplayer,” that builds off of the “Halo” franchise’s rich multiplayer history and promises to continue to innovate and redefine the way people think about storytelling and multiplayer experiences.

Introducing “Halo Infinity Multiplayer”*

The hub of the “Halo 4” multiplayer experience is the UNSC Infinity – the largest starship in the UNSC fleet that serves as the centre of your Spartan career. Here you’ll build your custom Spartan-IV supersoldier, and progress your multiplayer career across all “Halo 4” competitive and cooperative game modes. Surrounded by the sights, sounds and crew of the biggest vessel in the UNSC fleet, your multiplayer experience will be embedded in the fiction of “Halo” like never before, where your progress and game choices affect your appearance, arsenal, and role on the battlefield.

• Spartan Ops. The story of the UNSC Infinity intersects with the “Halo 4” campaign, then continues on in a brand-new, story-driven experience known as Spartan Ops. A first of its kind and exciting new addition to the “Halo” franchise, Spartan Ops is an episodic adventure that blends immersive storytelling, high-quality cinematics, and action-packed gameplay to deliver an unprecedented serialized experience.

Through a weekly series of cinematic episodes on Xbox LIVE, Spartan Ops will tell the continuing story of the UNSC Infinity, following the events of “Halo 4.” These episodes will center on the UNSC Infinity leaders and crew, and a new team of Spartans – Majestic Squad. These cinematic episodes will provide the backdrop for the weekly Spartan Ops gameplay missions. Playable in single-player or cooperatively (with up to three friends), explore the corners of Requiem in these objective-based missions, and help uncover the secrets of the mysterious Forerunner world.

A massive-scale adventure that builds off the “Halo 4” story, access to Spartan Ops is included with “Halo 4” at no additional charge – effectively delivering two campaign experiences in one game.*

• War Games. The competitive multiplayer modes of “Halo 4,” known as War Games, take place on the combat deck of the UNSC Infinity and revive the visceral and immersive experiences that “Halo” multiplayer is famous for. “Halo 4” introduces fresh, immersive new game modes and strategies to help you progress your Spartan-IV career, while also delivering an experience that’s still distinctly and uniquely “Halo.” More details on all the modes of War Games will be released at a later time.

• Total Combat Freedom and Player Progression. “Halo 4” features a vastly expanded suite of new multiplayer modes, weapons, vehicles, armor abilities, a new loadout and player progression system, and a new armor modification system that introduces gameplay-enhancing customizations for the first time in a “Halo” game. These advancements can be used in both Spartan Ops and certain War Games matchmaking playlists, empowering player choice, vastly expanding their creative options, and make the experience deeper for core fans and more approachable for newcomers.

The “Halo 4” player progression system goes beyond simple aesthetic upgrades, encouraging players to invest time and effort to create a Spartan that looks and plays the way they want. Players can earn and activate combat enhancements called “Specializations” based on the style of play they engage in, from stealth to all-out assault, and everything in between.

“Halo 4” Limited Edition

Available for preorder today, the “Halo 4” Limited Edition maximizes your multiplayer experience and puts you in the boots of a Spartan-IV aboard the UNSC Infinity – the hub of your “Halo” multiplayer career.

Available for €64.99**, the “Halo 4” Limited Edition includes:

• War Games Map Pack Access – The Limited Edition includes access to nine maps – three future competitive multiplayer map packs, each including three locations, available for download post-launch on Xbox LIVE.
  (A detailed release schedule for the map packs will be announced at a later time)
• Specializations – Receive early access to six Specializations, available at launch on Xbox LIVE, to achieve higher ranks in your Spartan career. In addition to gaining access to new ranks, Specializations unlock new customization options. Purchasers of the “Halo 4” Limited Edition will get access on launch day, while others will have to wait as Specializations are released over time.
• The Limited Edition also contains the UNSC Infinity Briefing Packet, which includes an armor customization schematic, a blueprint of the massive ship itself, and insight into what it means to be one of humanity’s finest warriors: the Spartan-IVs.
• Bonus digital content through Xbox LIVE:

o   Unique in-game Spartan-IV armor skin

o   Unique in-game weapon skin for the Assault Rifle

o   An exclusive in-game emblem

o   Xbox LIVE Avatar prop

o   Xbox LIVE Avatar Spartan-IV armor set

• “Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn” Special Edition – An extended 90-minute version of the live-action digital series that will bring the “Halo” universe to life as you’ve never seen it, and provide an enthralling backstory leading up to the events of “Halo 4.”

o   “Halo 4” Limited Edition also includes the following exclusive videos:

§  Bonus in-fiction content expanding the characters and stories of
“Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn”

§  Special Featurette: Bringing Gaming into Reality

§  Making of “Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn”

“Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn” – A Groundbreaking Live-Action Digital Series

Premiering this October on a soon-to-be-announced Machinima channel on YouTube, and on Halo Waypoint, “Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn” is a live-action digital series that takes fans back to the terrifying beginning of the Human/Covenant war,  when the Master Chief inspired a young cadet who would eventually become a leader aboard the UNSC’s greatest vessel: the UNSC Infinity. “Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn” tells a story leading into the events of “Halo 4,” the biggest entertainment event of 2012.

Created in partnership with top Hollywood talent from film, television and new media, “Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn” brings a brand new “Halo” story to life on a scale never before seen in the “Halo” Universe.   The series will debut this October on the new Machinima channel on YouTube and on Halo Waypoint as a series of five episodes.  The “Halo 4” Limited Edition will include access to the “Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn” Special Edition via Halo Waypoint, with never-before-seen bonus footage, as well as exclusive fiction and behind the scenes videos.

Launching on 6^th November 2012 exclusively on Xbox 360, “Halo 4” is the next blockbuster installment of the iconic franchise that has shaped entertainment history and defined a generation of gamers. Developed by 343 Industries, “Halo 4” continues the story of the series’ iconic hero the Master Chief as he returns to confront his destiny and face an ancient evil that threatens the fate of the entire universe. “Halo 4” takes the series in a bold new direction by delivering its most epic and explorative campaign yet, alongside an emotionally resonant story and a groundbreaking multiplayer offering unlike anything before it – setting the stage for an epic new sci-fi saga.

http://lightningstrikecomics.com/

Ghosts of London

Written by: Gordon Rennie       Art by: Tiernen Trevallion

ISBN: 978-1-78108-042-9          Price: £10.99

Pages: 96     Published: 21st June (UK and Ireland)

Dying of cancer, combating demons and swigging from a hip flask full of laudanum – Inspector Harry Absalom ain’t exactly Inspector bloody Morse.

Mixing The Sweeney with Hellboy, Absalom is the latest dark tale from Necronauts writer Gordon Rennie, brought to gritty life with artwork from newcomer Tiernen Trevallion.

An old-school London copper, Absalom has been on the force for many, many years. He’s also the head of a special police squad that enforces The Accord, a diplomatic treaty made in the 15th Century between the throne of England and the powers of Hell. Their mission: keeping tabs on the demons who walk amongst us.

A thrill-packed mixture of cops and horrors combining dark conspiracies and just a little bit of even darker humour – Absalom is another brand new twisted tale from the seminal British comic book, 2000 AD, which lends new meaning to the phrase ‘demonic force’.

Artists: Greg Capullo, Rafael Albuquerque

Inker: Jonathan Glapion

Colorists: FCO Plasencia, Dave McCaig

Letterers: Richard Starkings, Comicraft’s Jimmy B, Patrick Brosseau

Assistant Editor: Katie Kubert

Editor: Mike Marts

Publisher: DC Comics

The cover of Batman #9 says a lot.  It’s a reverse of the cover for Batman #4, where the Talon’s head loomed menacingly over the Gotham City skyline, Batman reflected in his goggles.  That image aptly reflected the power dynamic within the issue, with Batman vulnerable, the object of a predator’s gaze.  Here, that dynamic is reversed, both on the cover and in the issue.  We see Batman’s armour now hovering over Wayne Manor, with the cluster of Talons reflected in its visor.  Now, Batman is the predator, and the Court of Owls is his prey.

Snyder delivers a fun, action-packed issue, but as we approach the climax of this storyline, I can’t help but feel that it’s not quite so gripping as the buildup, and that this shifting dynamic could be the reason.  This is something of a recurring problem in the comics world, and Batman in particular it would seem, given the high volume of quality work surrounding the character.  In the early stages of the story, we are introduced to a seemingly unbeatable threat, and there’s a real air of menace, a sense of legitimate threat to Batman, that this is an enemy he cannot defeat.  We’re drawn in, and think we’re in a bleak noir/crime epic, or even a horror story.  And we almost forget that it’s a superhero story.  But of course, at the end of the day Batman still is a superhero, and that’s a big part of why we love him.  So of course, once we get to the end, that unstoppable, chilling foe ends up as just another villain to be battled and defeated, as the superhero mechanics start to kick in on the narrative.  This largely unavoidable plot beat has proved troublesome for other Batman stories in the past: the mostly excellent City of Crime springs to mind.  Grant Morrison escaped the pitfall by emphasizing it at the climax of Batman RIP and giving us a comeback/”I was just letting you think you’d beat me” switcheroo of epic proportions, and celebrating just how badass and unstoppable Batman is.  And perhaps that was a problem built into the very concept of the Court of Owls: that they followed the Black Glove, and ultimately Batman saw those guys off with little bother.

As I’ve said before, though, something that gave the Court of Owls that added layer of dread beyond the Black Glove was that they weren’t dastardly outsiders come to attack Gotham, they are Gotham.  But though they still make for compelling villains, Snyder does not seem to have been able to subvert that recurring dynamic, not yet at least.  The Talon was creepy when he was a silent mystery figure, stalking from the shadows and bafflingly unkillable.  And the Court of Owls thesmelves were even more unsettling, in that they were intangible, simultaneously everywhere and nowhere.  So, when the Talon gives way to an army of Talons, fought and dispatched with relative ease, their nature scientifically explained and exploited as a weakness?  Or when the Court of Owls is reduced to a piece of paper with a list of names, presumably of corrupt officials at a secret lair waiting to be uncovered by Batman?  It makes them knowable, and therefore less frightening.  It’s a problem that often crops up in horror sequels.  Now they’re just villains to be fought and defeated.

However, having said all that, do we really want it any other way?  The appeal of “Batman in grave danger with no hope of escape” followed by “Batman finds a way to overcome adversity and beat the bad guys” has been built into the character as far back as the old Adam West TV series and its “same Bat-time, same Bat-channel” cliffhangers.  Batman’s been put through the wringer in this arc, and now that he gets to turn the tables on the Court of Owls, that’s quite cathartic.  And seeing how even the most seemingly formidable foes are no match for Batman in the end, well, that’s part of the fun, isn’t it?  After all, as Bruce Wayne said long ago, and has been proven right time and time again, “criminals are a superstitious and cowardly lot.”

I’ve done my critique of genre narrative conventions largely outwith Snyder’s control, but in the actual execution of the issue itself, Snyder’s storytelling was as pristine as ever.  I loved the thematically appropriate narration about the incredible durability of bats when their habitat is invaded by owls, and there are a couple of nice beats, including the shock twist that Lincoln March is actually the nice guy he appears to be rather than a shock twist baddie.  But ultimately, this issue is a showcase for the artists.

Greg Capullo has garnered a lot of praise for his dark, atmospheric, character-driven work on Batman thus far, but here he gets to cut loose with some of the most high-octane action I’ve seen portrayed in a comic in a good while.  From the epic splash of the Batcave’s dinosaur finally revealing its purpose, to smaller moments like the Talon’s blade piercing the visor of Batman’s armour and almost poking out his eye, this is an issue crammed with incident, and Capullo frames everything in a way that it feels frantic and intense, but at the same time every little moment is clearly portrayed, nothing is muddy or inprecise.  And mention should also be made of the inker/colorist pairing of Jonathan Glapion and FCO Plascencia, who do an impressive job of having night gradually give way to morning over the course of the issue’s latter half.  Though we never see the actual sunrise itself, the light it casts on Batman – normally shrouded in shadow and night – makes for quite the potent closing image.

But perhaps what excited me the most this issue was that Rafael Albuquerque – Snyder’s artistic collaborator on American Vampire - was coming onboard to work on the backup feature, “The Fall of the House of Wayne.”  I don’t know what to make of the story itself – co-written by James Tynion IV – as while it was well-scripted, it raised a couple of ropey continuity questions that the geek in me has to ponder further.  The art, however, is stunning, as we have come to expect from Albuquerque, who in my mind is reaching that “comic art rock star” status.  Even American Vampire colorist Dave McCaig is along for the ride, and together they give us some moody, atmospheric work recalling the visual splendour that first made me fall in love with American Vampire.

Any complaints I have about Batman #9 are slight, and probably stem more from me reading too many comics than any substantial forthcomings of the actual creative talent involved.  But still, I didn’t enjoy this quite so much as the best issues of this run thus far.  But I’m still hoping that Snyder, Capullo and co blow us away with the finale.

8/10

Dynamic Forces is proud to announce our newest license with Warner Bros. Consumer Products for a line of collector toasters!

The new toaster collection will showcase iconic imagery featuring Warner Bros. properties ranging from classic movies to hit television series. The license includes such properties as The Wizard of Oz, A Christmas Story, Where the Wild Things Are, The Goonies, Gremlins, Little Shop of Horrors, Watchmen, Friday the 13^th, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Mad Magazine, Friends, AND MORE! The first toaster is scheduled to be on sale September 2012.

These collector toasters will imprint iconic images from your favorite Warner Bros. films and television series onto slices of bread to make a fun impression on your breakfast, lunch or midnight snack! The extra-wide slots allow you to not only toast bread, but also bagels and more. UL tested and approved, it includes illuminated function buttons for cancel, reheat and frozen. The toaster design is a beautiful glossy black finish featuring the logo from the film or television series, and is a compliment to any counter top.

This makes a great gift for any fan of these classic films and TV shows! Once the timer dings, it’s all fun with your Warner Bros. favorites right in the middle of your morning slice of toast. Collect them all, starting September 2012!”Dynamic Forces is excited to work with Warner Bros. Consumer Products to release these collectible image toasters that capture the spirit of some of Warner Bros.’ most admired properties and timeless brands,” states President of Dynamic Forces, Nick Barrucci. “We’re thrilled to give fans the opportunity to interact with their favorite brands and characters in a new way.”

###

™ & © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.(s12) ™ & © Turner Entertainment Co.(s12) ™ & © DC Comics.(s12)
™ & © New Line Productions, Inc.(s12) ™ & © E.C. Publications.(s12)

Written by: Brian K. Vaughan

Art by: Fiona Staples

Published by: Image Comics

Saga continues the adventure, introducing a new member to the cast.

There is a strange duality going on in this series that I think Vaughan wants to build on. From a visual standpoint you have floating ghosts, royalty with televisions for heads and a spell-casting escaped guard with horns on his head, in essence a mess of complete surrealism but what drives this series and makes it so compelling is the exact opposite, it’s how grounded and normal the characters are. They just want to look after their daughter, they want to start a family together. The contrast is beautiful!

Vaughan’s style reminds me of Joss Whedon in a way, he creates this mess of characters and creatures but peppers scenes with wise-cracking comments and people trying to remember ‘did I lock the back door before I went out?’, he litters the entire issue with quiet moments in order to give the reader something to grip on to as the roller-coaster ride spirals, twists and turns!

Staples art continues to be gorgeous! She understands that Vaughan is playing on this duality between the fantastical and the everyday so despite the creatures having horns on their heads and being corporeal, they’re wearing slightly baggy jeans and a t-shirt. She has a sense of form too, so clothes move with the body and you get a strong sense of body language in each panel (despite one of the characters not even having a full body).

The backgrounds suffer a little this issue with how busy some panels are but she still creates mood and atmosphere to even the most quiet of scenes.

This comic is rocking along quite well, Vaughan and Staples are slowly world building as they weave a tale that is, essentially, a love story surrounded by a giant space odyssey. In ways, this tale can be described as a space opera and the first act is really letting you know that something big is on the way and to stay on for the ride!

Rating: 8/10

Robert Kirkman series continues strong

The Image Comics/Skybound series THIEF OF THIEVES, Robert Kirkman’s cinematic crime comic has no zombies, no superheroes, and no larger-than-life arsenal — and it has become one of the best-selling independent comics hits of the year. The first three issues are now entering their fourth printings, with the fourth issue not far behind with a third printing.

With a story overseen by Kirkman (THE WALKING DEAD, INVINCIBLE), scripts by Nick Spencer (MORNING GLORIES) and art by Shawn Martinbrough, THIEF OF THIEVES is the story of a master thief, “Redmond,” who tries to leave a life of crime to reclaim his “real” life and family as Conrad Paulson. Or is it his real life? An estranged wife, a son set on following in his footsteps — Paulson is finding that identities can’t be changed as easily as suits.

The third printing of THIEF OF THIEVES #1 will be in stores this week, on May 16, and the third printings of #2 and #3 and the second printing of #4 will be in stores the following week, on May 23. The most current printings will land on shelves on June 13 and can be pre-ordered from comic book stores now. THIEF OF THIEVES is an ongoing series, and issue #5 will be stores on June 6.

Previews of each new THIEF OF THIEVES, which is published by Image Comics under Kirkman’s Skybound imprint, appear on The Hollywood Reporter website exclusively on the Friday before its release. It is available in comic book stores and digitally from multiple platforms. AMC has optioned the title as a series with Kirkman and Chic Eglee (Dexter) serving as Creators/Executive Producers/Writers.

Image Comics is crossing the Atlantic to attend Kapow Comic Convention on May 19 and 20 in London, marking the first time the independent comic book publisher has exhibited at a European event.

“With so many of Image’s creators hailing from the UK and our readership expanding in international markets, Kapow is a great opportunity to support those creators and that growth,” said Image Publisher Eric Stephenson, who is a special guest of the convention. “London’s one of the greatest cities in the world, and Kapow has quickly established itself as the UK’s premiere comics show, so what’s not to love?”

Taking place in the London Business Design Center, Kapow will also feature several Image creators as special guests:

Charlie Adlard (THE WALKING DEAD)
Kieron Gillen (PHONOGRAM)
Paul Grist (MUDMAN)
David Hine and Shaky Kane (THE BULLETPROOF COFFIN)
Mark Millar and Frank Quitely (JUPITER’S CHILDREN)
Sean Phillips (FATALE)
Jonathan Ross and Bryan Hitch (AMERICA’S GOT POWERS)
Scott Snyder (SEVERED)
Nick Spencer (MORNING GLORIES, THIEF OF THIEVES)

A timetable of signings by special guests is available at the Kapow website.

Stephenson will be moderating one of three Image-related panels, “Image Superstars.” Charlie Adlard, Sean Phillips, David Hine, Shaky Kane, and Paul Grist will talk about their current Image titles and upcoming projects. The panel takes place on Saturday, May 19 at 12 p.m. in the Gallery Hall.

Also on Saturday is the Millarworld panel, which will include enticing discussion of Mark Millar’s and Frank Quitely’s upcoming Image series JUPITER’S CHILDREN. It takes place at 4:15 p.m. in the Gallery Hall.

In the “Image Megastars” panel on Sunday at 10:30 a.m., TV personality and comics writer Jonathan Ross and acclaimed artist Bryan Hitch will talk about their hit comics series AMERICA’S GOT POWERS, and Nick Spencer will give the latest on Robert Kirkman’s THIEF OF THIEVES, the comic series he writes and that has recently been optioned as a TV show by AMC. This panel is also in the Gallery Hall.

On Saturday evening, winners of the Stan Lee awards will be announced in a ceremony at the convention hall. Several Image creators and titles are up for awards:

Best Writer — Scott Snyder (SEVERED)
Best Trade — WHO IS JAKE ELLIS by Nathan Edmondson and Tonci Zonjic and THE WALKING DEAD Volume 14: No Way Out by Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard
Best Newcomer — Justin Jordan and Tradd Moore (THE STRANGE TALENT OF LUTHER STRODE)
Best Publisher — Image Comics
Man or Woman of the Year — Robert Kirkman (THE WALKING DEAD, INVINCIBLE, THIEF OF THIEVES) and Scott Snyder (SEVERED)

William Hodge and Wyldcard Studio have started a campaign on Kickstarter to find financial backers for the Hardcover Collected Edition of “The Uncanny”.  This will be a 180 page black and white hard cover book created, written and illustrated by William Hodge collecting “The Uncanny Prologue and issues 1-6″.

Who are The Uncanny?

The Zen Brawler. The Voodoo Wildchild. The Faceless Mystery Man. The New Age Oracle. The Master of the Steel Skin Technique. The Psycho Soul. And the Gnostic spirit. They are “The Uncanny”.
The Uncanny, is a mystery school of revolutionaries fighting against conformity and spiritual oppression.  This is a modern day super hero comic book.  It’s a little bit Matrix, a little bit Doom Patrol and a heaping of everything fantastic thrown in.

The incentives

Main prize: For a $30 pledge, the backer will get the The Uncanny HC signed and dedicated to them.

Other incentives include pdf copies of The Uncanny individual issues, signed hard copies of the Prologue and issues 1 thru 7, The 100 Full Color TPB collecting the 100 variant covers for The Uncanny Prologue, and The Uncanny TPB collection with special Kickstarter Edition cover.  This cover will only be available through this campaign.

One of the most unique incentives being offered on Kickstarter EVER is The Omega Edition Trade paperback.  The Omega Edition has a one of a kind cover for the book; only one, never to be used again.  No one else will have that cover.

Everyone who backs this project will have their name put in the hard back book on the acknowledgement page and every edition will be signed and dedicated to the backer.  Some backers will even be able to make a cameo appearance in the book.  Also, there’s an incentive to help creators/writers design and develop their own personal characters.

Click the link for more information and to support The Uncanny on Kickstarter:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/williamhodge/the-uncanny-hardcover-collection

Visit the site to read The Uncanny Prologue entire issue for free:
http://wyldcardstudio.com/uncanny/?p=460

To learn more about William Hodge and Wyldcard Studio visit http://wyldcardstudio.com and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/williamdhodge

About the Creator

William Hodge has been a comic book fan for 40 years.

In the “extreme 90s” he did some professional work.  He pencilled a story in DC Comics Showcase ’94.  He did art chores on Dr. Weird for Gary Carlson and Big Bang Comics. After having flirtations with other companies that didn’t turn into work, he decided to go into creator owned work and published one issue of a sci fi comic called NanoSoup thru Millennium Publishing.   Over the past decade, the need to work consistently and pay bills took priority and comic books had to take a back seat.

But how can you ever forget your first love?

Over the past year with a tough economy, William has been working erratically as a freelance web  developer and this has given him the time to work on “The Uncanny”.  Three issues have been published and out for sale, another completed and currently working on the next.

It’s finally time to start living the childhood dream.

Valiant is proud to present an advance preview of Bloodshot #1 from acclaimed writer Duane Swierczynski and the lethal artistic tag team of Manuel Garcia and Arturo Lozzi! On July 11th, in the wake of X-O Manowar, find out why fans and critics agree – the Summer of Valiant simply can’t be stopped!

Your name is Angelo Mortalli. Your brother is trapped behind enemy lines and on the verge of — no. That’s not right. Your name is Raymond Garrison. You’ve retired from the dangers of the field, but a desperate plea from your oldest friend plunges you into a vicious firefight that — no. That’s not right, either. You are Bloodshot. You are the shade of gray that freedom requires. The perfect confluence of military necessity and cutting-edge technology.A walking WikiLeaks that is a powder keg of dirty secrets waiting to explode. But now you’ve just been captured, and you’re about to find out once and for all what’s more deadly: you or what’s inside your head?

This July, every mission is a suicide mission and even death won’t stop your tour of duty. Go back behind enemy lines with one of comics’ all-time bestselling heroes when Valiant unleashes Bloodshot #1 – on sale July 11th!