It’s Wednesday! (July 31, 2013)

 

COLLIDER #1

Written by: Simon Oliver; Art by: Robbi Rodriguez; Cover by:  Nathan Fox

Published by Vertigo

 
It started small: temporary gravity failures, time reversal loops, entropy reversals. With much fanfare a new government agency was formed with a mandate “to prevent and protect.” Its official title: The Federal Bureau of Physics. Humans, if nothing else, adapt to the changing parameters of their existence. What was extraordinary soon became ordinary, a part of people’s daily lives. They move on and do what people have always done: survive. But even that new status quo is now under threat. Things are getting worse, and it falls to Special Agent Adam Hardy and his FBP team to figure out what’s going on, before it’s too late… 
 
I consider this the first new Vertigo original series under the guidance of new executive editor Shelly Bond. The other titles – The Wake, Astro City, Tom Strong, Brother Lono, and Trillium – are either established franchises/characters or were announced when Karen Berger was still running the imprint.
 
I only know Simon Oliver from The Exterminators, which I’ve only read the first 5 or 6 issues. But it was fresh and the sort of thing I turn to Vertigo for.
 
So for these two reasons I’m giving this one a chance.
  
FIVE GHOSTS HAUNTING OF FABIAN GRAY #5
 Story: Frank J. Barbiere; Art: Chris Mooneyham
Published by Image Comics
 
…THE END?
 
So we already know this isn’t the end because it was announced that Five Ghosts will be returning in October as an ongoing after a two-month break. One the one hand, I’m glad for Barbiere and Mooneyham. This is one of the two pulp genre books out now that is getting it right, with the other being Francesco Francavilla’s excellent The Black Beetle, which is also coming back in October for a second 4-issue mini. On the other hand, I was counting on this mini-series coming to a close so I could try out other books once this one ended its run.
  

ADVENTURE TIME SUMMER SPECIAL 2013
Writer(s): Becky Dreistadt, Frank Gibson, Noelle Stevenson, Ryan Pequin

Artist(s): Becky Dreistadt, Noelle Stevenson, Ryan Pequin
Published by Kaboom
 
Put on that sunscreen and grab your beach-towel, because it’s an ADVENTURE TIME summer special! Featuring all-new sun-kissed stories from acclaimed creators, starring Finn, Jake and all of your favorites and showcasing a fully-painted cover by Becky Dreistadt!

It’s the dog days of summer, and kicking back on the front porch with an extra-sized special brings back so many memories. I remember picking up a few Marvel annuals, taking them home and diving into them during the hot summer afternoons.
 
Kaboom certainly is milking the interest in the Adventure Time franchise with lots of extra issues and mini-series to accompany the regular monthly. This isn’t the first Adventure Time annual-size book in 2013. And there is still a graphic novel and an extra-sized Halloween issue to come. That said, the quality of the story and art (not to mention zaniness!) in these books is pretty good compared to what else is on the store shelves these days.
  
CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT #1
Writer: Joshua Williamson; Artist: Fernando Dagnino; Colorist: Ego; Cover Artist: Felipe Massafera
Published by Dark Horse Comics
 
On the run from the US government after fleeing custody, Captain Midnight has been labeled a security risk. In the forties, he was an American hero, a daredevil fighter pilot, a technological genius . . . a superhero. But since he rifled out of the Bermuda Triangle into the present day, Captain Midnight doesn’t know what or who to trust!

* Written by Joshua Williamson (Masks and Mobsters, Voodoo, Uncharted) with art by Fernando Dagnino (Resurrection Man, Suicide Squad)!

 
Part of the relaunch of the Dark Horse superhero line.  This just sounded interesting, so I’m picking it up more out of curiosity than something I’d planned on picking up regularly, but I have this feeling that I’ll be looking for issue #2 in a month’s time.
  

SEX #5
Story: Joe Casey; Art: Piotr Kowalski
Published by Image Comics
 
Simon Cooke’s night out has disastrous consequences! And not just socially. But, hey, at least he’s trying! Meanwhile, life in Saturn City’s criminal underworld rolls on… just not as smoothly as expected. Never forget: SEX is real! SEX is now! But, most importantly, SEX has infected your local comic book store!
 
I’m finally starting to warm up to this one.

  

And since I’ve missed a few of these, I’ll drop the occasional notable mentions from recent weeks. This time around, it’s GAMMA

 
Writer: Ulises Farinas, Erick Freitas; Artist: Ulises Farinas; Cover Artist: Ulises Farinas
Published by Dark Horse Comics
 

Dusty Keztchemal is a pathetic coward. He failed the entire planet, and now, the only way he can make a living is by getting punched in the face for money. But when a beautiful stranger wanders into his saloon looking for help, Dusty thinks he can conjure up the man he once was—the greatest monster trainer in the world!

* The first original story from Catalyst artist and rising star Ulises Farinas (Transformers: Heart of Darkness, Glory)!

“Hilarious, awesome and hilariously awesome.”—ComicsAlliance.com

People are saying some pretty nice things about this book. I believe it reprints the 3-part story that ran in Dark Horse Presents about 6 months ago, in which case you should seek this out. Ulises’ style is great (Comics Beat described it as neo-Moebius) and the story is fun.

Apple bans Saga #12 on iOS apps (or not?!?)

Below is the press release from Brian K. Vaughan & Image Comics reacting to Apple’s decision to ban the sale of Saga issue #12 on iOS apps.

(Scroll down for an update to the story…)

Without having seen the offending issue, I think this is hilarious because the last issue opens with our protagonists having orgasms and baring titties and such.

I’d be surprised if this move doesn’t help drive up sales of the book even further.

Oh, well.  Silly Apple

Here’s what BKV had to say.

For immediate release:

As has hopefully been clear from the first page of our first issue, SAGA is a series for the proverbial “mature reader.” Unfortunately, because of two postage stamp-sized images of gay sex, Apple is banning tomorrow’s SAGA #12 from being sold through any iOS apps. This is a drag, especially because our book has featured what I would consider much more graphic imagery in the past, but there you go. Fiona and I could always edit the images in question, but everything we put into the book is there to advance our story, not (just) to shock or titillate, so we’re not changing shit.

Apologies to everyone who reads our series on iPads or iPhones, but here are your alternatives for Wednesday:

1) Head over to you friendly neighborhood comics shop and pick up a physical copy of our issue that you can have and hold forever.

2) While you’re at it, don’t forget to support the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, which helps protect retailers who are brave enough to carry work that some in their communities might consider offensive. You can find signed copies of Saga at the CBLDF site right now.

3) Download the issue directly through sites like https://comics.imagecomics.com or on your non-Apple smartphone or tablet.

4) If all else fails, you might be able to find SAGA #12 in Apple’s iBookstore, which apparently sometimes allows more adult material to be sold than through its apps. Crazy, right?

Anyway, special thanks to Eric Stephenson and everyone at Image for supporting our decision, and for always being so supportive of creators. Sorry again to readers for the inconvenience, but I hope everyone will be able to find an issue that Fiona and I are particularly proud of.  And after you do, please check out PanelSyndicate.com, the new digital comics site I own with artist Marcos Martin, which remains 100% uncensored by corporate overlords.

Your pal,
Brian

UPDATE 4/10
Apparently it’s available. Did Apple change its mind?

By the way, SAGA 12 is live in the iBookstore itunes.apple.com/us/book/saga-1…

— Ron Perazza (@Perazza) April 10, 2013

UPDATE 4/10 #2
Comixology never submitted the book in the first place? And then they let Apple take the heat for 24 hours before coming out (so to speak) with a statement? Say what? Read the details.

It’s Wednesday! (January 30, 2013)

Finally a week to catch my breath, and catch up on the read pile. Still, a few books that require immediate attention…

SILVER SURFER: PARABLE
Artist: Moebius

Galactus has converted humanity into his followers, and he’s leading them to their doom! His only challenger is the hero he himself trapped on Earth: the Silver Surfer! It’s a war for Earth’s worship, but how much will be left when it’s over? Collecting SILVER SURFER: PARABLE #1-2.

We’re kicking things off with a reprint. What? That’s right, you heard me. Originally published in 1988 and ’89. This one was done by my man Moebius (rest in peace) so inclusion in this list is a must.

It won an Eisner. Chew on that as you debate whether or not to pick up a copy. I think Marvel is calling this reprint something different to boost sales. I don’t give a crap. I’m calling it the original name – Parable.

GLORY #32
Story by: Joe Keatinge; Art By: Ross Campbell, Owen Genie, Emi Lenox, Greg Winkle, Sloane Leona, Jed Dougherty; Cover By: Ricken

“WAR TORN,” Part Two
The dawn before war. Glory and her allies face inevitable death. With only hours left to live, everyone’s final moments are revealed in short stories illustrated by some of the greatest new talents in comics, including OWEN GIENI, GREG HINKLE, SLOANE LEONG, JED DOUGHERTY and a very special crossover with EMI LENOX’s EMITOWN!

That’s a whole lotta people on art for this issue. I’m not gonna pretend I understand what’s going on until I’ve taken a look at the issue.

Needless to say, the countdown to the end is on. There are only 3 issues left (including this one) until the grand finale. And I for one cannot wait to see how Keatinge plans to wrap this one up.

MARA #2
Story by: Brian Wood, Art By: Ming Doyle & Jordie Bellaire, Cover By: Ming Doyle

As superstar athlete Mara Prince’s superpower manifestation is caught on live TV, her life rapidly starts to spiral out of control. The media descends like vultures. Her handlers go into spin mode. The footage is seen around the world, and this young woman, who only hours ago was the darling of pop culture, is now being slammed and ridiculed for being a fraud and a liar. But the more she tries to fight back, the only thing she’s doing is escalating the problem.

A sci-fi take on real world superheroes by the powerhouse team of BRIAN WOOD, MING DOYLE and JORDIE BELLAIRE!

It’s so difficult to have a proper opinion of a comic that’s only had two issues. But, you know, it’s Brian Wood so here I am. Issue #1 was alright – an interesting setup. Ming Doyle’s art has a cool look. I’ll stick through this one to the end given it’s a mini.

ADVENTURE TIME #12
Writer: Nat Jones, Art: Nat Jones

THE HOTTEST ALL-AGES COMIC CELEBRATES ITS ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY! BMO’s sick, but it’s not just any virus…it’s a magical virus! And now, Finn and Jake have to seek out a sorta-no-good-very-bad wizard to set things right! Don’t miss the latest issue of what critics called “the best series of 2012!”

Because I don’t want it to be all doom and gloom, I’m including one of the books I turn to each month for a laugh.

Something you need to know: Everything I know about this franchise is rooted in the comic.

I haven’t ever seen an episode of Adventure Time – not before picking up issue #1 or even now. Sounds crazy, right? The TV series is a bit too mature for my young kids and when I have time to turn on the TV, I prefer to watch something my wife will also enjoy so I’ve never bothered to seek this out.

But something about the concept and characters and tone in the book appealed to me, so I picked it up on a whim and was pleasantly surprised. The stories are solid and funny. I like the art. The backup tales are gold.

It’s Wednesday, time to get Happy!

Lots of great books on shelves this week that will make for some great reading over the holidays. I don’t have time to go through them all now, but here is one that I’m eager to crack open.

HAPPY! (#3 of 4)
Story by Grant Morrison, Art by Darick Robertson

With a day left until Christmas, and time running out for Santa’s innocent victims, Happy the Horse learns what turned Nick Sax from golden cop to broken-down hitman. But can he convince Nick to do the right thing or is it Happy’s turn to face some uncomfortable home truths?

This is one crazy concept and story. For the brief backstory, check out the blurb to issue #1. The book is somewhat disturbing and incredibly violent, if you couldn’t already tell by the picture here, so keep this one away from the kids.

It’s Wednesday! (December 12, 2012)

It’s Wednesday again! Here are five books on shelves this week I’m adding to the top my read stack.

CHANGE #1
Story by: Ales Kot, Art by: Morgan Jeske

A foul-mouthed struggling screenwriter who moonlights as a car thief. An obscenely wealthy rapper completely disconnected from the real world. A dying cosmonaut on his way back to Earth.

Los Angeles is being toyed with by destructive forces that repeatedly find the city through time and swallow it whole, and those three are the only people able to save it – if they survive the fanatics who live in the hills, National Security Agency agents, and the horrors that lurk in the Pacific Ocean.

I mentioned this title in my earlier post about the wave of Image #1s. The premise is strange. The preview art is cool. I’m interested to see if it delivers.

CLONE #2
Story by: David Schulner, Art by: Juan Jose Ryp & Felix Serrano

Dr. Luke Taylor’s world continues to unravel and open up as the hunt for his missing, and very much pregnant, wife continues. His clone counterparts show him just how many clones are out there – and how much the government had a role to play!

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #11
Writer: Brian Wood, Artist: Declan Shalvey, Colorist: Dave Stewart

Brian Wood introduces Conan to a kind of fear he’s never experienced, in part two of “The Death”!

After the salvage of a derelict ship, a terrifying illness spreads swiftly throughout the Tigress, felling Bêlit and her entire crew. Healthy but fearful of losing Bêlit, Conan seeks help in a nearby town, where the welcome he recieves is just as deadly!

I’m not a Conan fan. I took a flyer on this series when it launched because Brian Wood was writing. – and I have yet to be disappointed. It consistently impresses me with its all-around quality.

HOLLOWS #1

THE HOLLOWS is a new, creator-owned miniseries from Chris Ryall (Zombies vs. Robots, KISS) and Sam Kieth (The MAXX, Arkham Asylum: Madness).

To combat the catastrophic death of a decaying Japan, survivors create genetically engineered supertrees-wooden leviathans capable of supporting entire cities suspended above the radioactive wastes below. Traveling via jetpacks to stay above the toxic air below, the survivors must also band together against the Hollows, irradiated husks whose humanity has been supplanted by an unquenchable desire to consume human energy!

I know very little more about this title other than what is included in the Diamond Previews solicitations. It’s written by IDW’s Editor-in-Chief/Chief Creative Officer Chris Ryall but it’s the art duties by the one-and-only Sam Keith that has me giving this one a chance.

MASSIVE #7
Writer: Brian Wood, Artist: Garry Brown, Colorist: Dave Stewart

New arc! The Kapital stumbles upon a newly declared sovereign nation—a community of hundreds living on oil platforms with dreams of forming a new utopia. With the world’s governments and economies in shambles in the post-Crash world, is this new “country” the hope for the future that Callum Israel and Ninth Wave are looking for? Or is it the divisive issue that’ll bring his crew to their breaking point?

What is this Brian Wood week? Yes it is, in fact. I count three books that he writes this week:  Conan, Massive, and also Ultimate Comics X-Men.