Welcome to the 23rd instalment of the new Leave Your Spandex @t the Door, part B!
Since the column ran too long today, I had to post it in two segments. To read this week’s advance reviews, follow this link.
Special Preview: Agents of Atlas: All New Action With Golden Age Heroes
Secret Wars, Civil Wars, Infinity Wars”¦years before these events, Marvel Comics was Atlas Comics with a wide variety of heroes spanning several genres including science-fiction and espionage. Now, in times of a new crisis, some of those heroes have reunited for one final mission, in Agents of Atlas #1.
Led by FBI Special Agent Jimmy Woo, the Agents of Atlas were an odd assemblage of heroes that rescued a kidnapped President Eisenhower almost 50 years ago, disbanding quickly thereafter. Now, threats from the past begin to rise again and the Agents of Atlas must band together once more in all of their Golden Age glory.
Comprised of a spy, a spaceman, a goddess, a robot, and a gorilla, the eccentric members of the Agents of Atlas may be the only thing that can save a world at peril from forces that even S.H.I.E.L.D couldn’t handle.
It’s the Golden Age reborn as these classic characters from Marvel’s past resurface to show today’s heroes how superheroing is done in Agents of Atlas #1.
And visit the Temple of Atlas weblog for an interactive game involving the mystery of the Agents of Atlas with exclusive content that can only be found on Marvel.com. Click here to join other online agents in the Temple of Atlas game right now.
AGENTS OF ATLAS #1 (of 6) (JUN061943)
Written by JEFF PARKER
Penciled by LEONARD KIRK
Cover by TOMM COKER
32 PGS./T+ …$2.99
FOC – 7/13, On Sale – 8/2/2006
Special Preview: IDW’s Cobb Off The Leash #2
Summer blockbuster action continues with Cobb: Off the Leash #2! IDW Publishing presents the second issue of the critically acclaimed miniseries by writer Beau Smith and artist Eduardo Barreto. Cobb: Off the Leash #2 busts into comic book shops July 12.
Cobb: Off the Leash #2
Beau Smith (w), Eduardo Barreto (a & c)
NOTE TO READERS AND RETAILERS FROM BEAU SMITH: Cobb #2 is jacked-up, jaw-busting, bone-breaking, non-stop actionâ€â€PERIOD! Cobb #2 grabs you by the throat on page one, beats you senseless throughout the book, and doesn’t let you go until the last page when it tosses your broken body down a flight of stairs. The head of the Russian Mafia has sent his best men to retrieve his former girlfriend who has turned informant. What they didn’t count on is that she is now under the protection of Cobb. Crime better find religion and pray they can get past Cobb. Diamond Order Code: APR063232
B&W “¢ 32 pages “¢ $3.99
Indy News & Views
After Hours Press: GIRLS, GUNS, & MOTORCYCLES IN “MODEL OPERANDI”
NEW JERSEY – After Hours Press announces “MODEL OPERANDI,” a new comic
book graphic novel that mixes girls, guns, and motorcycles in a
high-adrenaline action comic.
“Model Operandi” is about Legsy Diamond…model by day”¦carefree
adventurer by night. She’s part of a team of hot, fun-lovin’ babes who
stumble into trouble all over the world”¦and maybe fight some crime
along the way. Jump in to their first exciting adventure as the
stunning gals must recover a priceless gem”¦the legendary Heart of
Josephine diamond, which was stolen by (you guessed it) evil, sexy
babes! It’s packed with action, mystery, intrigue and humor.
Created by Dennis Budd and Joe Caramagna, this 88-page full-color
graphic novel is priced at only $5.99 to attract new readers. It’s
good, light fun with a terrific story and fantastic art.
“People who like the action and humor of the Alias TV show will get a
big kick out of this high-octane story about Legsy Diamond,” says
Buddy Scalera, President, After Hours Press. “And if people were
impressed by Dennis and Joe’s work on 7 Days to Fame, then they are
going to be floored by the fluid art style featured in Model
Operandi.”
Both Dennis Budd and Joe Caramagna are graduates of The Joe Kubert
School in New Jersey. Aside from their work on “7 Days to Fame”,
Dennis Budd has illustrated Lord of the Rings trading cards for Topps
Cards, and Joe Caramagna has lettered Marvel Comics via the Virtual
Calligraphy studio.
“We are so confident that Model Operandi will be a hit, that we
actually printed the graphic novels in advance and have begun selling
them at conventions,” says Scalera. “There’s already a buzz and the
book isn’t even out yet.”
Archie Comics: THIS OCTOBER, REDISCOVER THE MAGIC”¦ AND MANGA”¦ OF SABRINA
2004 was a milestone year for Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Not only did Sabrina celebrate her 42nd year as a pop culture phenomenon that year, she also received a very special makeover. A MANGA makeover!
It all began when aspiring writer/cartoonist Tania del Rio entered and won a contest that led to her artwork being published in a prestigious collection of new manga talent. Tania’s newfound celebrity caught the eye of one of the longest running comic book publishers in the business”¦ a publisher whose flagship character just happens to have a tic-tac-toe pattern on the side of his red-haired head!
Two years later, it is obvious that Tania’s stylings have really struck a chord with fans. Sabrina readers can hardly wait to enjoy the sophisticated mix of magical intrigue, romantic entanglements, and trademark Archie Comics humor that del Rio delivers month after month.
Now, you can relive Sabrina’s “manga makeover” in SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH: THE MAGIC REVISITED. This special 5 x 7 ½ inch edition printed on superior stock reprints the first four issues to feature Tania at the helm. Stories include:
“Spellfreeze” (issue #58): When fellow witch Shinji does a charm school project on mortals living without magic, he ends up an exchange student at Sabrina’s high school. Thus the Sabrina, Harvey, Shinji “love triangle” is born! Further complicating matters, Sabrina uses the forbidden “Spellfreeze” in the mortal world!
“Blue Ribbon Blues” (issue #59): It’s time for the annual tradition of high school basketball players giving ribbons to the girls they want to cheer for them. Sabrina gets a ribbon from Harvey of course, an act that leaves several jealousies in its wake! All this, plus Sabrina makes her own broom in charm school!
“Councils & Concerts” (issue #60): Shinji decides he better make a move before Sabrina gets too serious with Harvey, so he asks Sabrina out on their first official date! However the council”¦ especially the queen”¦ has other ideas, brought on by Sabrina’s misuse of “Spellfreeze” a few issues earlier!
“The Magic Within” (issue #61): Conveniently “forgotten” invitations to Amy’s Halloween party as well as Amy talking up her witch friend Gwen, leaves Sabrina feeling disconcerted. Luckily, Harvey invites Sabrina to the party as his date, but Sabrina still must contend with Gwen’s authenticity, not to mention Shinji’s mysterious date!
SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH: THE MAGIC REVISITED #1, ships 10/18. 112-page, full color paperback, $7.49 US. SCRIPTS AND ART: Tania del Rio.
For more about Archie and his friends go to www.archiecomic.com
Avatar: WITCHMAN interview with Mike Wolfer @ CBR
Sure, John Constantine gets to be in a comic book titled “Hellblazer” and utter all kinds of too-cool-to-be-true remarks in his series, and even be featured in a big budget motion picture, but there’s more than one man of magic in the comic book world. But Avatar Press’ “Witchman” isn’t just a book about magic, mysticism and curses: it’s an authentic horror comic book. Premiering in September, “Witchman” is written and illustrated by Mike Wolfer, who wants to bring something fresh and new to the world of comic books.
“The Witchman himself is a bit of an enigma, a mysterious and murderous instrument of vengeance that lurks in the Louisiana bayou,” Wolfer told CBR News of the series titular character. “On stormy nights, the residents of the swamp country have always been fond of telling ghost stories of the Witchman and have always treated his existence as an urban legend, but in their hearts lies a fear that there may be more truth to their tales than they wish to acknowledge. Through the course of the series, we’ll learn that the swamp dwellers’ fears are well-founded, because if you venture into the dark, into the swamp, into his domain, ‘The Witchman’ll get you.’
Read the interview at CBR.
AC Comics new website launch
Experience the ALL NEW completely-redesigned AC Comics® website www.accomics.com, featuring HUNDREDS of pages of comic book content, DVDs, downloads, products and video clips. The AC Comics ® online store now contains over 500 products ready for immediate shipment, including high-quality Golden Age & Western reprints, the ever-popular ongoing FemForce title (now at Issue 136 and counting) as well as hundreds of limited series and one shot specials.
AC Comics® was part of the initial quartet of independent color comics companies who pioneered the direct sales phenomenon in the early ’80’s. AC Comics ® continues to break new ground by bringing their original creations and licensed characters to life in the form of feature length DVD movies AND publishes as many as four new comics per month. Recently released DVD’s include Digitally Remastered editions of sci-fi classic The Blob, Gargantarama (Attack of the 50 ft. Woman), Nyoka and the Tigermen and the original AC production Nightveil : Witchwar. AC Comics® invites you to explore the all new www.accomics.com – but be warned, our comics and DVD’s can be addictive!
Actionopolis: BLACKFOOT BRAVES SOCIETY interview @ CBR
Summertime is a time many of us remember with fond memories. Beautiful weather and beautiful people. Long summer nights and laid back music. I’m sure we all remember supernatural summer camp.
What, you don’t?
This fall, Actionopolis brings readers “Blackfoot Braves Society: Spirit Totems,” a new illustrated novel written by Christopher Long (“Easy Way”), As part of the young reader imprint, the novel explores what happens to a young boy whose summer camp turns out to be quite more than they expected. Long told CBR News all about the book.
“‘Blackfoot Braves Society: Spirit Totems’ is a story about Jackson Brady, a young boy who has lived a very privileged life being the son of a wealthy business man,” explained Long. “In an attempt to shed the confines of his elite upbringing, he talks his father into allowing him to spend his vacation at the Blackfoot Braves Society summer camp, which is located at the base of Granite Mountain in Montana. Once there, he quickly befriends two other outcasts, Austin, a wisecracking prankster who’d walk a thousand miles to help a friend, and Mazzy, who feels more comfortable in the company of animals than with people, but that’s until she befriends Jackson and Austin. They soon discover that they’ve gotten more than they bargained with their summer vacation. Seeking shelter from a storm in a cave, they encounter a Ghost Shaman who teaches them to unleash their own animal spirit. It’s a good thing, too, because they’ll need those powers to fight a monstrous force that thirsts for revenge against humanity.”
Read the interview at CBR.
Actionopolis: BLACKFOOT BRAVES SOCIETY @ Newsarama
Komikwerk’s line of illustrated novels is set to debut this month with Dan Mishkin and Tom Mandrake’s The Forest King, and Adam Beechen and Dan Hipp’s What I Did On My Hypergalactic Interstellar Summer Vacation.
However, the line keeps on expanding and in September, writer Christopher E. Long (Easy Way, X-Men Unlimited and artist Michael Geiger (artist for video game shops such as EIDOS, Ubisoft and Sony) present Blackfoot Braves Society: Spirit Totems. According to Long, it is “a story about Jackson Brady, a young boy who has lived a very privileged life as the son of a wealthy businessman. In an attempt to shed the confines of his elite upbringing, he talks his father into allowing him to spend his vacation at the Blackfoot Braves Society summer camp, which is located at the base of Granite Mountain in Montana. Once there, he quickly befriends two other outcasts, Austin and Mazzy, and they soon discover that they’ve gotten more than they bargained for with their summer vacation. Seeking shelter from a storm in a cave, they encounter a Ghost Shaman who teaches them to unleash their own animal spirit. It’s a good thing, too, because they’ll need those powers to fight a monstrous force that thirsts for revenge against humanity.”
Read the rest of this article at Newsarama.
Ape Entertainment: interview with Co-Founder @CBR
Legendary DC Comics Editor Julius Schwartz once said that if you slap a gorilla on the cover of a comic book then you are almost guaranteed to see an increase in that issues sales.
So when Brent Erwin and David Hedgecock set out to start their own comic book company, they figured out a way to ensure that a gorilla appeared on the cover of each and every single comic they published. How? Why, they named their new company Ape Entertainment, and made their logo a big ol’ gorilla.
And, well, Schwartz seems to have been right (once again) because in the past six months or so Hedgecock and Erwin’s Ape Entertainment has really been making some serious waves in the indie comics marketplace, churning out a number of critically acclaimed and innovative new series, with many, many more equally impressive titles to follow in the coming months as well.
CBR News recently caught up with Ape Entertainment Co-Founder and Director of Finance David Hedgecock to get the 411 on all things pertaining to the big, hairy comic book company that he helps to oversee.
Read the interview at CBR.
Burlyman Entertainment SHAOLIN COWBOY #6 preview @Newsarama
Burlyman Entertainment has provided Newsarama with a preview at this week’s Shaolin Cowboy #6 by the Eisner nominated (best writer/artist) Geoff Darrow.
The solicitation for the issue reads:
THE SHAOLIN COWBOY #6
Created, illustrated & written by Geofrey Darrow
With ass-ologue by the Wachowski Brothers
Can you spell “CARCHARODON CARCHARIAS”? Then imagine having to fight one!!! Can kung-fu defeat nature’s perfect killing machine? Issue 6 addresses that and many other questions facing today’s multi species anglers!!!
FC, 32 pages………….$3.50
Read the preview pages at Newsarama.
BLVD: Tommy Lee Edwards interview @ Newsarama
With the convention season upon us and a slew of up-and-coming creators vying for readers’ attention, teaming up with other artists as a studio has its advantagesâ€â€even if that “studio” exists only in the aether of cyberspace. A collective of artists who do not share a physical space, the crew at theBLVD have nevertheless banded together to make their voices heard. Following up on our earlier interview with John Paul Leon, we had a chance to chat with Tommy Lee Edwards, about theBLVD’s tag-team jam sketchbook this August at Boom! Studios, his upcoming work on J. Michael Straczynski’s Bullet Points, and how to paint a $2000 computer.
Newsarama: First, your story for the sketchbook. What can you tell us about Strata, as it appears in the sketchbook and any future plans you might have for it?
Tommy Lee Edwards: Well the five of us – me, John Paul Leon, Sean Chen, Trevor Goring, and Bernard Chang – all wanted to put an original story into the second BLVD sketchbook. We all have a ton of ideas, and used a bit of space in our schedules to each get at least one down and published. Strata is a story I plan on tackling here-and-there, while doing my three years at Marvel. Before Strata, though, I plan on turning Teddy Grant (one of my other titles) into a multi-part graphic novel. So, some of these plans are long-term. What we get in theBLVD 2.0 is a taste of things to come.
The guys and I pretty much create stories around what we like to draw. Therefore, for me, Strata combines the classic “space opera” feel of Star Wars or Flash Gordon with a good old-fashioned love story. The story is about royalty, war, and social status. It’s all stuff I’d like to see more of as an audience member, as well. It would be a great animated project- going back to a kind of story structure and themes that proved so successful in Disney (and other) pasts. Sooner or later, I hope people will tire of the safe and predictable “cute-animal” CGI movies that drown the theater today.
Read rest of this interview at Newsarama.
Boom Studios: YOSHITAKA AMANO on HERO @ CBR
American comic book readers probably best know Yoshitaka Amano from his collaboration with Neil Gaiman on ” Sandman: The Dream Hunters” or his “Elektra & Wolverine: The Redeemer.” Actually, they’ve probably had the most exposure to Amano’s work from his character designs on the “Final Fantasy” video game series.
This July, Boom! Studios is releasing the first chapter in Amano’s latest creation, “Hero.” The story follows a man without a past as he searches for his beloved and rediscovers himself. The journey crosses both globe and time (chapter one is “From New York to Paris”), with full-page illustrations by Amano.
CBR News caught up with Amano, who’ll be making an appearance at Comic-Con International in San Diego at the end of this month. He’ll be signing at the Boom! Studios and Dark Horse Comics booths.
CBR:Is Hero your first personal project? What’s your favorite thing about it?
Yes, it is. Since, it’s my own, I really enjoyed the freedom of leading it to whatever direction or putting together the elements I’m interested in. Each volume will have different elements leading you through the maze of imagination. The first volume is the entrance to the world of “Hero.”
Read the interview at CBR.
Citizen Press: JOHNNY REPEAT AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER IN JULY PREVIEWS
Cosmic Noir epic is “Certified Cool” and scheduled to hit stores September 2006
JUNE 28, 2006 (LOS ANGELES, CA) – Citizen Press Publisher Elizabeth James announced that JOHNNY REPEAT, her company’s first dose of Entertainment for the People, has been “Certified Cool” by Diamond Comic Distributors and is now available for pre-order in their July edition of PREVIEWS. “As a first time publisher, I’m completely blown away by the final product and have no problem telling readers that JOHNNY REPEAT is worth every penny of its $12.95 cover price.”
To back her claim, the publisher has been posting sneak peaks of JOHNNY REPEAT every Monday at www.citizenpress.net and letting the fans decide for themselves. “Eight weeks. Eight chapters. Forty pages of Entertainment for the People risk free!” Already four chapters in, Elizabeth said her website has witnessed a significant and steady rise in traffic. “The proof is definitely in the pudding. This has been a labor of love for the entire JOHNNY REPEAT team, who has crafted a sprawling and powerful story overflowing with second chances, existential overtones, Machiavellian machinations, and ultimately, passion.”
Intended as the first in a series of graphic novels, JOHNNY REPEAT is written by Elizabet’s husband, creator Jason James and features a wraparound cover by Tim Sale and Dave Stewart (Catwoman: When in Rome). Each of its chapters drawn by a different artist, the moody 104-page black and white graphic novel is illustrated by superstar talents Paul Azaceta (Talent), Fabio Cobiaco (Gunned Down), Bruno D’Angelo (Prey), Mark Dos Santos (Western Tales of Terror), Geof Isherwood (Conan), and Noel Tuazon (Elk’s Run).
If you can’t wait until September, JOHNNY REPEAT will be making its convention season debut in July with an exclusive and extremely limited San Diego Comic-Con edition. “We’re talking about a print run of a couple hundred copies tops,” said Elizabeth. Citizen Press will be on the move throughout the show, appearing at other companies’ booths during a series of guerrilla signing sessions to promote the book. “Everyone has been extremely gracious and supportive of the idea.” Comic book impresario Larry Young (who also provides JOHNNY REPEAT with an introspective Afterword) will be hosting signings at the AIT/Planet Lar booth, as will the folks at Komikwerks and Masterminds. Tim Sale will also have copies on hand during his scheduled appearances at Richard Starking’s Active Images booth. “We’ll be announcing the final schedule of when, where, and who very, very soon.”
JOHNNY REPEAT is a 104-page black and white graphic novel with a cover price of $12.95. Available for pre-order in the July edition of PREVIEWS, the book will arrive in stores September 2006. For more information, visit www.citizenpress.net.
ABOUT CITIZEN PRESS
Formed in February 2005, Citizen Press is a publishing company dedicated to “Entertainment for the People,” producing high-quality graphic novels and comic book-related products to be distributed to the masses through mass-market bookstores, online, and specialty bookshops around the world.
Conventional Confessional Preview @ The Pulse
After six years working the convention circuit, I’ve taken it upon myself to be the Michael Clark Duncon, from “The Green Mile”, of the comic industry. I ingest the rude, ignorant ways that people treat anyone with a hope to climb the ranks of comics and regurgitate it out through my pencil. I’ve never bonded so quickly with my fellow cartoonists, swamping “war stories”.
So where does one find the inspiration to complain about his inability to succeed? Simple, self- publish two issues of a title with the work “Cock” in it and struggle to sell more than five books at a show. Although people who bought that title really seemed to enjoy it, it was a tough sell. After three years, my ego couldn’t take another beating and I swore off comics forever.
It was my good friend, Steven Walters who got me entertaining the thought of doing comics again. I spent a year outlining out the entire three part series and completing the first issue based on my experiences at conventions. Every story is based on a real event, it’s 90% factual and 10% fictional. Besides therapy, the book’s intent was to entertain while educating convention attendees and professionals on how to act like civilized people.
Read the rest of this preview at The Pulse.
Dark Horse Comics: The Dark Times Are Upon Us! Dark Horse Announces the Untold Chapter of the Star Wars Story.
“For over a thousand generations the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic. Before the dark times, before the Empire.”
â€â€Ben Kenobi
In Star Wars Dark Times, the time period referenced in Ben Kenobi’s immortal words is finally unlocked! The new series to be released this fall from Dark Horse Comics will move into the new, unexplored territory of the time period immediately following Revenge of the Sith, with references to the Del Rey novel Dark Lord.
“True to the series’ title, Dark Times, the first arcâ€â€The Path to Nowhereâ€â€is a dark, bleak, plunge into the kind of despair one would imagine would follow a Sith takeover of the galaxy,” says editor Randy Stradley.
Even as the worlds of the former Republic are drawn into the iron grip of Palpatine’s Empire, the galaxy seems adrift in a sea of chaos, lawlessness and despair.
On Coruscant, Darth Vader waits for his Master to reveal his vision for the future. But is there a plan beyond obtaining power? On New Plympto, Jedi Master Dass Jennir leads a Nosaurian army in a war they have already lost. Is this what it now means to be a Jedi?
“While well-known characters like Vader and Palpatine are integral to the plot,” says Stradley, “the story really focuses on new and lesser-known characters who find themselves suddenly adrift in this new era.”
Dark Times #1 is the gateway to a new era in Star Wars history, one where the future is grim, evil is on the rise, and all paths seem to lead nowhere . . .
The new five part mini-series, Star Wars Dark Times: The Path To Nowhere features new story by Welles Hartley and Mick Harrison, with art by Doug Wheatley. The first issue arrives on sale October 25 carrying a $2.99 price tag.
© 2006 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All rights reserved. Used under authorization. Text and illustrations for Dark Times are © 2006 Lucasfilm Ltd.
Dynamite Entertainment: LONE RANGER interview with Cassaday and Cariello @ CBR
When you hear the William Tell Overture, there’s likely one image that comes to mind: a masked crusader for justice, riding a white horse, and protecting the old west with the coolness of Steve McQueen, but with the manners your mom tried to impart to you. There’s something timeless about that hero, the Lone Ranger, who represents the American ideal, and the notion that we can truly achieve some measure of justice in the world. With his Native American partner Tonto, the Lone Ranger has captivated the imaginations of people young and old across the world for decades, as audiences have thrilled to the Ranger’s attempts to bring law & order to the wild west. As announced earlier on CBR News, Dynamite Entertainment will be launching a “Lone Ranger” series this fall and will feature the art team of John Cassaday (on covers) and Sergio Cariello (interiors), both of whom spoke to CBR about the series and their love for the character.
“I’ve been interested in the character almost my whole life, but have rarely seen it reach its greater potential,” said Cassaday of his love for the Lone Ranger. “I see it as a challenge for us and have my fingers crossed. You’re in for some surprises. And more than a few moments of, ‘Oh, that’s why he does that/wears that/rides that.’ This is his origin. There will be mysteries and just enough answers to keep you coming back.”
Read the interview at CBR.
Dynamite Entertainment: BRETT MATTHEWS LONE RANGER interview @ Newsarama
Sure, he’s tackled a Western before, together with Joss Whedon on Firefly, but ask Brett Matthews to talk about The Lone Ranger, and he’s a man possessed. Arcane lore starts to bubble up, along with a deeply personal connection to the character and his mythology. Along with the connection and knowledge, of course, comes a great respect for the character, and a desire to see him done correctly, and well.
Sounds like Dynamite Entertainment found the right guy to be writing the September-debuting Lone Ranger ongoing series, with art by John Cassaday, Sergio Cariello, and Dean White.
Wednesday, we’ll be talking with the art side of the series, and today, we caught up with Matthews to talk lore, legend, and the Lone Ranger.
Newsarama: The Lone Ranger seems to be a character that virtually everyone knows, but many people couldn’t tell you how they know of him. What is your first memory of the Lone Ranger, and how does that influence your writing in the book?
Brett Matthews: The Lone Ranger is pretty much the only thing I can ever remember my father loving that wasn’t baseball. So, growing up, I was probably aware of it a lot more than the average person my age. The radio plays. The old episodes. They were around and available. I’d take them or leave them at the time, but they made an impression. My earliest memory — and it really is one of my earliest — is of my father taking my older brother and I to see the Eighties remake. We’re talking about a guy that didn’t get excited about any movie ever, and it was all he could talk about leading up to the day. I remember that… and the depths of his disappointment after. It might have been rage. But even that flawed version, there was something there. And when the William Tell Overture finally hits in that movie, I got it. I understood how this could be a thing you could love.
All this influences my writing in that they’re my experiences, which always influence a writer’s work. In a lot of ways, I’m trying to reconcile what I always got about the character and what I never did into a take both loyalists and newcomers can appreciate.
Read the interview at Newsarama.
Image Comics : Rosario Dawson on OCT @ Newsarama
Out this week, O.C.T. #1 (Occult Crimes Taskforce) marks actress/producer Rosario Dawson’s initial entry into the world of comics, as well as the launching of what Dawson and the team behind the book hopes to be a far-reaching franchise, touching film, television, computer games and more.
We sat down with Dawson at last weekend’s Heroes Convention to talk about the four issue miniseries, as well as her plans for its expansion.
Newsarama: Let’s start at the beginning. Gus Vazquez is your uncle, so you’ve got an “in” to comics already”¦so how did this all come about?
Rosario Dawson: Gus has known David [Atchison, writer] and Tony [Shasteen, artist] for a really long time, and they came up with this idea over the past few years, and had been wanting to put it together, but had been doing separate stuff, and had never really been able to get things working so they could do their own project, since they’re both still pretty new to the business. But they created this very much in line with me in mind, and we’d met a few times over the years, and felt I might be interested in something like this, because I’ve always been around comics. My uncle is a comic book artist, my brother is a huge Green Lantern fan, and my boyfriend is a huge fan as well – so it’s all good. We can all go to the comic shop together, and it’s like family time. [laughs]
It seemed like a normal thing for me to be interested in. They brought it to me, and I read it and loved it, and saw the potential in it. I’ve just produced my first feature, and am starting work no another one, and am expanding where my interests lie in entertainment aside from just acting, and I really love good stories. They created this very specifically to be a multi-media type of project, so when they brought it to me, it wasn’t so much as being the face of Sophia Ortiz, but it’s more about launching it and having creative control – I own a third of the company.
Read the interview at Newsarama.
Image Comics: G0DLAND #12 interview and preview
Creators Joe Casey and Tom Scioli have provided Newsarama with an eight page preview of this mont’s Godland #12, the big ‘ol wrap up to the first major storyline of the series. While the 26 pages of story (for the same $2.99 cover price) issue will wrap many storylines (what’s going on with Neela Archer? Will Adam stop Nickelhead? Will the aliens bring their god to this dimension and destroy Manhattan?), it will also be the final issue before a brief hiatus, with issue #13 picking up again in October.
The solicitation for issue #12 reads:
written by JOE CASEY
art by TOM SCIOLI
cover by TOM SCIOLI & RICHARD STARKINGS
BOOK TWELVE: HIGH NOON, TEA TIME
The lives of every New Yorker hangs in the balance as Commander Adam Archer confronts the combined evil of King Janus and the Never and their scheme of metropolitan annihilation! More than a rescue, more than a fight – the outcome of this adventure will change EVERYTHING!
32 pg – FC – $2.99
Read the previews pages at Newsarama.
Newsarama: So – here we are”¦issue #12. First off, and be honest – you know the market”¦did you ever think we’d be here, talking about issue #12 of your creator-owned series at Image? The odds were against you all the way”¦
Joe Casey: Of course they were, but that’s how it is for just about any new series, regardless of who’s publishing it. But Tom and I were going to make the comic book regardless. I call it willing a series into existence. It’s the Coppola school of creation… we didn’t need anyone’s permission to do GØDLAND. So, getting this far didn’t seem too far-fetched to me. Where we got lucky is with Image being so behind the book.
Read rest of this interview at Newsarama.
Image Comics: Noble Causes Interview @ the Pulse
Five years later since it first made its debut, Jay Faerber’s superhero soap opera Noble Causes is still winning new fans and keeping its readership glued to the “tube” to see what happens next between the Nobles and the Blackthornes. Imagine the Ewings and the Barnes from Dallas with superpowers and you might have some idea of what’s going on between the pages. It’s outrageous and over-the-top sometimes, but working for Faerber. Do you tune in each issue to see what happens next?
THE PULSE: When you first started working on Noble Causes did you think it would be something you’d be doing for years and years or were you just thinking it would be a few miniseries and then done. Did this take on a life you hadn’t anticipated?
JAY FAERBER: I certainly hoped it would be something I’d do for years and years. I designed the book to be pretty much open-ended. I don’t have a master plan for it. There’s no end-point we’re building towards. If sales dip or I get bored, I can certainly write an ending. But I hope that doesn’t happen for a long time.
Read the rest of this interview at The Pulse.
Image Comics: DEADWORLD BRINGS DEAD-KILLER TO LIFE
Popular comic series features graphic novel on a hunter of the dead.
July 1, 2006 (Ann Arbor, MI) Deadworld, the long running comic series featuring world overrun with zombies is currently being published by Image Comics, one of the top four comic publisher in the U.S. Now, in addition to the regular series, a graphic novel spotlighting the Dead-Killer character will be released in September, 2006.
Written by Gary Reed, Deadworld is the saga of human survivors where the dead not only walk the earth, but are led by an intelligent zombie, the sarcastic and cruel, King Zombie. King Zombie, a chain-smoking, Harley-riding, talking zombie is on a mission”¦to turn the world completely dead. The storyline centers of a group of teens riding in their school bus and trying to survive.
The original series was released by Caliber Comics with some of the earliest issues from Arrow Comics. The character known as the Dead-Killer first appeared in the first volume as a back up story before spinning into his own three issue mini-series. Now, all of the Dead Kille’s appearances in the back up and mini-series will be collected into the trade paperback. “The Dead-Killer has proven to be one of the most popular characters in Deadworld,” said writer Gary Reed, ” and we figured this was a good time to release the trade as starting with issue seven of Deadworld, the story will bring the Dead-Killer into quite a more prominent role.”
The artist on The Dead-Killer is Ron McCain who may be known to comic fans for his work on Batman: Dark Knight for DC and Daredevil for Marvel. Reed explained that McCain has a different style than the regular artist of Deadworld, Dalibor Talajic, “but they’re both excellent artists, just different styles,” he said.
Reed said that Deadworld has been well received since he brought it back last year after a hiatus. “I put it in hibernation when it was signed up to Warner Bros by George Clooney’s company, but after I turned down the renewal option, I figured it was time to relaunch the series and keep it true to what it was,” said Reed. Although no movie deal is currently pending, Deadworld is still active with a recent announcement that Shocker Toys will produce action figures on the characters, Rotten Cotton Graphics has produced t-shirts for mass market distribution, a Halloween mask company will make masks of King Zombie, and a novel is near completion by Gary Reed and co-writer, Gary Francis of Young Dracula fame.
Deadworld ships bi-monthly from Image. The trade of Deadworld: Dead-Killer ships in September. The ISBN for the book is 1582406545 and the order number from Diamond Comics is JUL061680 and the 120 page graphic novel retails for $14.99
For any further information or any graphics, contact deadworldcomic@aol.com
For more information on Deadworld, go to www.deadworld.info
For more information on Gary Reed, go to www.garyreed.net
DEADWORLD…
Death is just the beginning of the horror
MASTERPIECE COMICS: UPDATED FOR JULY 2006
JULY 2006 –– The Masterpiece Comics website
(www.masterpiececomics.com) has been updated for July 2006.
Updates have been made to the titles FIREBLAST and WILD BOYS.
FIREBLAST:
Issue Three, Careful With Wishes Part Three, synopsis and four page
preview is now on-line. The is the penultimate chapter of FIREBLAST’s
first three part story arc.
WILD BOYS:
Issue Three of the mini-series, Dawn of the Wild Part Three, synopsis
and four page preview is now on-line. The preview pages are currently
black and white, the colored pages will be on-line soon.
Three new character profiles have been added to the WILD BOYS section,
Cannon, Quinn and Traskal.
Sincerely,
Masterpiece Comics.
Papercutz: new in September
The next set of Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew!
With close to 250,000 Nancy Drew GNs and 200,000 Hardy Boys GNs sold,
Papercutz is flying!
HARDY BOYS Graphic Novel #7
“THE OPPOSITE NUMBERS…”
By Scott Lobdell and Daniel Rendon
Traveling across the country on the maiden voyage of a sleek new
modern train, the HARDY BOYS find themselves framed for murder! But
they can’t depend on A.T.A.C. to help them — because every
indication is that it is a super secret spy organization that framed
them!
5x 7 1/2, 96pp., full color; paperback: $7.95 ISBN 1-59707-034-3
hardcover: $12.95; ISBN 1-59707-035-1
NANCY DREW Graphic Novel #7
“THE CHARMED BRACELET”
By Stefan Petrucha and Vaughn Ross
Ned Nickerson arrested for shoplifting! Nancy Drew threatened with a
lawsuit! A rare computer chip stolen from Rackham Industries! It all
gets even more exciting when Nancy receives a mysterious charm
bracelet in the mail – and soon a crime is committed for each charm!
Will Nancy, even with the help of Bess and George, be able to find
the real culprit before Ned is convicted?
5x 7 1/2, 96pp., full color; paperback: $7.95 ISBN 1-59707-036-X
hardcover: $12.95; ISBN 1-59707-037-8
SEE PREVIEWS ON WWW.PAPERCUTZ.COM
SEVEN SEAS LAUNCHES 3 NEW WEBMANGA
(LOS ANGELES, July 7, 2006) – Seven Seas Entertainment announced today the debut of three new web manga on Gomanga.comâ€â€Hollow Fields, Moonlight Meow, and The Outcast! This exciting new trio of series joins Seven Seas’ fan-favorite harem comedy Aoi House, which also appears in Newtype USA each month as an exclusive color 4-panel comic strip.
Serialized in the popular web manga format, a new page of each series will be posted every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Seven Seas’ website, www.gomanga.com . As with all Seven Seas titles, all three new series will be published individually in book format in late 2006 and early 2007.
Hollow Fields:
Story & Art by Madeleine Rosca
Little Lucy Snow was meant to be enjoying her first day at the nice elementary school in town; however a macabre twist of fate sees her enrolled instead at Miss Weaver’s Academy for the Scientifically Gifted and Ethically Unfetteredâ€â€also known as Hollow Fields. Located on the outskirts of Nullsville and run by the insidious Engineers, the grim boarding school dedicates itself to raising the next generation of mad scientists and evil geniuses!
Moonlight Meow:
Story by Bambi Eloriaga
Art by Roland Amago
Womanizing Englishman and curry shop owner Gabriel Solo suffers from a catastrophic conundrum… Every night, he turns into a black cat, thanks to the peculiar curse placed upon him by an Indian feline goddess. Or so he thinks. For unknown to Gabe, he is not the only shape-shifter in town.
The Outcast:
Story by Vaun Wilmott
Art by Edward Gan
There are fallen angels who live among us, who torment and tempt every person they encounter, looking for a weakness to exploit. Their sole purpose is to destroy lives wherever they can and Riley, a vulnerable girl with a tragic past, seems to be the perfect target. Or is she?
About Seven Seas Entertainment, LLC:
Established in 2004, Seven Seas Entertainment is devoted to producing original manga, comics and graphic novels, and bringing the best in Japanese licenses to North American audiences. The company’s current line-up includes such original manga properties as Amazing Agent Luna, Aoi House, Destiny’s Hand, Last Hope, No Man’s Land, and Ravenskull; a trio of color collections of the hit webcomics Chugworth Academy, Earthsong, and Inverloch; and is currently releasing English language versions of the hit Boogiepop series of Japanese licensed novels and manga. Seven Seas launched its web site, www.gomanga.com, in October 2004, and has since become a daily stop for thousands of visitors eager to read manga online and contribute to an ever-growing forum community.
SIGHT UNSEEN Interview @ The Pulse
The Robert Tinnell/Bo Hampton horrific collaboration Sight Unseen is available now and both men shed some light on the scientist, ghost, and ghoulies creeping through these pages.
THE PULSE: When I hear a title like “Sight Unseen”, I think of those horror movies where you never actually saw the monster, but knew it was doing all the damage. I think that’s sometimes more frightening than the “payoff” of seeing the big bad.
ROBERT TINNELL: So, you’re from the Val Lewton school – he was the producer who did the cool forties’ horror films like CURSE OF THE CAT PEOPLE and I WALKED WITH A ZOMBIE – I love those films. They run on atmosphere. We certainly set things up in that fashion But then our affection for the great Italian horror films of Mario Bava and Dario Argento kicks in and things get ugly. Not overly graphic or anything – well, mostly not overly graphic – but certainly disturbing. You see, there’s this rat and… oh, never mind…
Read the rest of this interview at The Pulse.
SLG publishing: GARGOYLES back to press
SLG Publishing enthusiastically announced that the 10,000-copy first printing of Gargoyles #1, one of four properties published under SLG’s Disney licensing agreement, had all but sold out. “We are going to be shipping our last copies to Diamond immediately, but sadly there will not be enough to satisfy all of the reorders being placed,” said SLG Publishing president Dan Vado.
Comic books stores scrambled to keep Gargoyles #1 on shelves after its release on June 21, but it soon became clear that supply of the eagerly-anticipated comic book could not keep up with the demand of Gargoyles fans. So SLG Publishing is stepping in by re-printing Gargoyles #1, written by the Gargoyles animated series creator Greg Weisman, drawn by David Hedgecock, and colored by Will Terrell.
Gargoyles is the saga of “The Clan”–gargoyles who were formerly warriors in Medieval Scotland who have been awakened from a curse in modern-day Manhattan. Faced with the growing fear and suspicion of Manhattan’s residents, the Gargoyles must convince the world to trust them or else retreat to live a life in the shadows. The original animated series ended ten years ago, but its fanbase has remained strong and active; there is even a well-attended Gargoyles convention, Gathering of the Gargoyles, every year. SLG attended this year and watched copies of Gargoyles #1 fly off the shelf.
That enthusiasm has been matched in comic book stores throughout the country as Gargoyles #1 sold out in a matter of weeks. Supplies of the comic will be replenished by August.
SLG’s Dan Vado pointed out that he felt that the first issue was severely under-ordered by retailers. “We over-printed by almost 40% of our initial orders,” he added. “I would highly advise retailers who are carrying the comic to check their orders for Gargoyles #2.”
Returning the enthusiasm of his fans, creator Greg Weisman is supporting the return of Gargoyles with convention appearances, and he will be a special guest at San Diego Comic-Con International, which takes place from July 20 to July 23.
Gargoyles is one of four Disney-licensed comics being produced by SLG Publishing. For information about and previews of Gargoyles, Haunted Mansion, Wonderland and Tron, as well as SLG’s creator-owned titles, visit their website at www.slgpublishing.com
ONIPress: SIDESCROLLERS press release
Oni Press is way excited to announce the release of Matthew Loux (F-STOP)’s gnarly new graphic novel SIDESCROLLERS — a hilarious story of friendship, small town desperation, a pack of scouts, summer, God cats, Satanic cats, football, Street Fighter, junk food, romance, rock, and roll.
Brian, Brad, and Matt are three best friends who have stuck with each other through thick and thin, despite the fact that they love to tease each other constantly. It’s a sweet summer off from the bummers of high school in their small boring suburban town in Connecticut. They are the losers at their high school, the oddities of their town. When they’re not working at the local fast food joint, you can find them either playing video games, eating junk food, or collecting comics.
“SIDESCROLLERS is a story about the kids who in school were considered either the nerds or the screw-ups,” explained Loux. “These three guys are best friends going nowhere, but they’re totally okay with that. Until of course, one fateful day when life takes them on an unexpected adventure they will never forget.”
Read rest of this press release and 17 preview pages at CBR.
Thrill House Comics: SHARK-MAN 20 page preview @ CBR
Thrill House Comics has provided CBR News of their upcoming new release, “Shark-Man”. The issue will also feature a cover by the legenday Gene Colan, shipping at a ratio of 1 for every 5 copies a retailer orders, though it won’t be available on re-order. With a 20% free overship, plus 3 copies of the book being sent to the 200 largest accounts that didn’t order the book FOC, expect to see “Shark-Man” at a comic book retailer near you.
Read the preview at CBR.
Tails Interview @ The Pulse
Not just animal fans, but anyone interested in slice-of-life comics should enjoy Ethan Young’s debut work, Tails. The first three issues of the “slightly auto-biographical” comic are available now and we’ve “caught” Young for a few answers about his animal rights romantic dramedy.
THE PULSE: When I see a title like Tails, I’m imagining animals and something cat like. I know there were some important kitties in this story, but why ELSE did you call your saga “Tails”?
ETHAN YOUNG: It’s mainly just a play on words. ‘Tails’ sounds like ‘Tales’. At the time, I figured that it’d be clever and cute. All the stories have an animal rights slant to it, so I figured it’d stick. In a nutshell, Tails is a comedy, a drama, which just happens to be slightly auto-biographical. It deals with issues that are important to me – such as animal rights, love & relationships, and comics itself.
Read the rest of this interview at The Pulse.
Top Cow: Compendiums Deliver Bang For the Buck
1200-Page Volumes Listed as Deadly Weapons in Six States
Top Cow Productions is giving readers ultimate value and great reading for the bookshelf with its new Compendium editions.
The massive, 1248-page volumes will encapsulate years of great story and art in hardcover collections at the bargain price of only $49.99.
The Compendium line launches in August, as The Witchblade Compendium, Vol. 1 hits stores. Top Cow’s acclaimed Witchblade #1-#50 get the deluxe treatment. The origin of Sara Pezzini, Witchblade-bearer, is revealed here, along with 50 issues of great stories by top-notch talent such as David Wohl, Christina Z., Paul Jenkins, Michael Turner and Marc Silvestri.
One month later, The Tomb Raider Compendium will raid stores in September. Dan Jurgens, Andy Park, Michael Turner, Tony Daniel and many more outstanding creators pack 50 issues worth of action into this volume, with tales of Tomb Raider Lara Croft.
And in advance of February, 2007’s “Darkness” video game release, The Darkness Compendium will hit in October. Supernatural mafia hitman Jackie Estacado oozes blood and power in tales told by Garth Ennis, Paul Jenkins, Marc Silvestri, Joe Benitez and more.
“We’re very proud of our history at Top Cow, just as we’re proud of how these great books will tie in with our immediate future,” said Top Cow founder Marc Silvestri. “Big things are happening with massive changes in Witchblade #100, this year marks new adventures for Tomb Raider, and the Darkness video game will spawn an all-new comic in 2007. These great book allow readers to catch up on all the action at a great value price.”
Art attached: Witchblade Compendium, Vol. 1 cover
Top Cow was founded in December of 1992 by artist Marc Silvestri who co-founded Image Comics in the same year. Top Cow currently publishes its line of comic books in 21 languages in over 55 different countries. The company has launched 20 franchises (18 original and 2 licensed) in the industry’s Top 10, seven at #1, a feat accomplished by no other publisher in the last two decades. Its flagship franchise Witchblade was TNT’s #1 original film of 2000. Virtually all of Top Cow’s other properties are in development as feature films, live action television, animation or video games. Top Cow has also successfully licensed and merchandised its franchises into toys, statues, clothing, lithographs, puppets, posters, magnets, shot glasses, lighters, lunch pails, wall scrolls, mouse pads, die cast cars, calendars, Christmas ornaments, Halloween masks, trading cards, standees, video games and role playing games.
Vertigo: Exterminators Interview @ the Pulse
Writer Simon Oliver describes his Vertigo leads in The Exterminators as “Ghostbusters meets Naked Lunch.” Bugs beware, these guys don’t take many prisoners. With our flyswatters and Off on hand, we chat creepy crawlies with Oliver and artist Tony Moore.
THE PULSE: Who are the Exterminators? From pictures and a few descriptions they kind of seem like “Ghostbusters” but with bugs or something …
SIMON OLIVER: It’s kind of Ghostbusters meets “Naked Lunch”. They may save humanity in the end but you’re left with the feeling that maybe there wasn’t too actually much worth saving.
TONY MOORE: I’d say that’s the seed of a good description, only replace Egon and Peter and the guys with a bunch of misfit f***ups who most people would rather see pushed into the margins of society. You know when you have to call a plumber or an exterminator or something like that and when the guy shows up, part of you is wary of letting them in your house? These are our boys, front and center, serving as your last line of defense against mother nature.
Read the rest of this interview at The Pulse.
Wave Blue World: GET A FREE KICK OF ADRENALINE ONLINE NOW!
A WAVE BLUE WORLD’S PREMIERE TITLE, ADRENALINE IS AVAILABLE TO READ
ONLINE FOR FREE.
A Wave Blue World, Inc. ushers in a groundbreaking new style of comics
with its debut publication, ADRENALINE, written by creator Tyler
Chin-Tanner and featuring artwork by James Boyle and Fabio Redivo.
The company is making the entire first issue available for preview on
its website, www.AWaveBlueWorld.com .
A global epic adventure told in eight issues, ADRENALINE is the story
of American millionaire playboy, Alex Lowder and Dr. Saida Nri, a
beautiful Nigerian development worker. After their first explosive
encounter on an illegal hunting trip in Africa, Alex hatches a plan to
win back his position as heir to the Lowder media empire. He devises
ADRENALINE, a new reality television program starring himself and
Saida. As leaders of two teams of extraordinary people, they are
pitted against each other in the most extreme, death-defying,
globe-trotting race ever to have been filmed.
“ADRENALINE is my way of bringing together the heroic adventure
stories I loved as a kid with the character-driven independent style
that I’ve grown to admire,” enthuses Tyler Chin-Tanner.
“There’s an audience searching for more diverse and globally relevant
types of stories,” contends editor-in-chief Wendy Chin-Tanner, “At A
Wave Blue World, we deliver those stories with high-octane,
action-packed visuals.”
ADRENALINE will be available at comic book retailers in September.
Find out more about A Wave Blue World, Inc. at www.AWaveBlueWorld.com .
Welcome to a Wave Blue World.
Aaaaand that’s a wrap for this week! I’m waiting your comments and feedback through email to Manolis@gmail.com. If you self-publish your own comics or represent an indy comics company, add me to your press release list, and I will run your news in this space every week.
Manolis Vamvounis
a.k.a. Dr. Dooplove
