Hulk Continues To Sell Out
No, the Jade Giant isn’t compromising his creative integrity. It’s the other kind of sell out – the good kind. Tying into our first issue of course, with our Hulk/Rulk cover feature, “Marvel is pleased to announce that Hulk #9 has sold out at Diamond, shattering the previous Hulk sell out record set by…Hulk #8! That’s right True Believers, every issue and every printing of the gamma charged series by Eisner-winning, Emmy-winning, chart-topping, superstar scribe Jeph Loeb has sold out at Diamond and the series shows no signs of slowing down. Who is the Red Hulk, AKA Rulk? What is his-or her-connection to the green Hulk? One thing’s for sure-the hottest new series of 2008 is going to get even hotter in 2009!
“This has been the greatest ride ever,” said Loeb. “Having Arthur Adams and Frank Cho join us for those three issues (and for some surprises to come!) was not only a great pleasure, but it kept the HULK right on top! Be sure to come back next issue when Ed ‘Ed’ McGuinness returns!”
Now, prepare for a titanic tussle that only the acclaimed team of Loeb and superstar artist Ed McGuinness could bring you-Hulk & The Defenders (NAMOR! SILVER SURFER! DOC STRANGE!) versus Rulk & The Offenders (TIGER SHARK! TERRAX! BARON MORDO!) in Hulk #10!” The two alternate covers for Hulk #10 are below, by penciller Ed McGuiness. The issue goes on sale on February 25.
The Gallery: Solomon Grundy #1
Part of DC Comics’ Faces of Evil series, which spotlights some of the greatest villains in the DC Universe, is Solomon Grundy #1. A one-shot written by Geoff Johns, with art by Scot Kolins, it shows the Gotham zombie-like brute. It offers a brief origin , as a risen corpse from the 1800s, who has grappled with life, as well as foes like Superman, Batman and Green Lantern. It’s not a bad issue, and though I’ve never been a fan of Kolin’s sketchy style, it works with the distressed character here. The issue also looks like it sets the stage for his 7 issue mini-series beginning in March, written and pencilled by Kolins, as well as the beginnings of the Green Lantern Blackest Night epic that Johns is spearheading, which sees dead DC characters resurrected with a new purpose. This Grundy one-shot also features cameos from other less well-known charcaters, such as the Killer Croc and Phantom Stranger. If you’re interested in knowing more about DC’s baddies, a full list of January’s Faces of Evil one-shots and tie-ins can be found here, and a preview of Solomon Grundy #1 is at the link below.
Gestalt Comics Sale
Local (to me, anyway) Aussie publisher, Gestalt Comics are having a sale on their original graphic novels. It includes their entire range of unique books. Admittedly its only 3 books but they’re pretty different, and a bargain, as they start at only $10!
The sale has been extended until the end of January, so go here for the list and also previews of the great artwork. Gestalt will be a publisher to keep an eye on, with some interesting stuff in the works for 2009.
Read Hexed #1 For Free
I read BOOM!’s new series, Hexed about female magician/thief named Luci recently and really enjoyed it. Delightful art, an interesting Buffy-like protagonist and an engrossing story. It’s a great comic really – for fanboys and newbies alike. BOOM! believe it is too and now you can read the whole issue for free at MySpace. No questions asked. My review of the ish is here if you need further convincing, but trust me – take advantage of this opportunity.
The Gallery: Black Panther #1
Writer Reginald Hudlin and artist Ken Lashley launch a new Black Panther series, on February 4. Focusing on T’Challa, the King of Wakanda known as the costumed adventurer Black Panther, the series will soon shift to a new heir to the Panther legacy – a female!
The identity of the new Panther is a mystery for now, but to tide you over until next month, below are some preview pages from the first issue, featuring T’Challa, his wife Storm (from the X-Men) and Namor, the King of Atlantis.
Click on the link below to see Lashley’s gorgeous art.
Official Hulk Vs Site Launches
On January 27, Marvel’s newest direct to DVD animated feature hits shelves. Hulk Vs has the Jade Giant crossing paths, and trading blows with the blonde norse god, Thor and the scrappy X-Man Wolverine, in two separate films. The official site has just gone live. It’s filled with a picture gallery, clips, handy guides to all three characters and more.
Check it out here. This film will be a great jumping on point for new fans only familiar with these characters outside the comic books in which they exist. It will be available on DVD and Blu-Ray, in Standard and Special Editions, with some great features including trailers, looks at Marvel’s other upcoming cartoons featuring Wolvie and Thor, plus a doco on legendary artist Jack Kirby, who virtually created the Marvel Universe as we know it today, with writer Stan Lee back in the 1960s and 70s.
The Gallery: Broken Trinity Angelus #1
From Top Cow, this one-shot comes with a handy intro page for new readers and focuses on the adventures of Celestine, the new host of the Angelus force, as she deals with the supernatural goings on in the Top Cow Universe.
Written by Ron Marz, with gorgeous artwork by Brian Stelfreeze (Batman: Shadow of the Bat) a few preview pages can be seen at the link below. If you like what you see, you can check out Stelfreeze’s The Ride and Gun Candy from 12 Gauge Comics, of which he is also the art director.
The 32 page issue is available now and comes in two covers. One is from Stelfreeze (shown here) while the other is from Jeffrey Spokes.
Become a HERO
Formerly known as A.C.T.O.R (A Commitment To Our Roots), the Hero Initiative aims to financially assist comic creators who’ve fallen on hard times. It’s a great idea, and since 2001 the not-for-profit company have given out over $400, 000 to writers and artists who through illness, or just bad fortune, have really needed it.
Now you can support HERO, and through them, some of your favourite creators through taking advantage of the new memberships they’re offering. If you want to look like the happy writers Paul Dini and Stan Lee below, then sign up today! I have, and I feel warm and fuzzy inside. The full details are below.
A Bronze membership costs $29 and includes: a personalized membership card (which will arrive approximately 4-5 weeks after you sign up), a quarterly newsletter and a Hero Initiative sketch card from a randomly selected artist. Artists include Mike Bencic, Dan Brereton, Dick Giordano, Bob Hall, Dan Jurgens, Mike Mayhew, George Pérez, Joe Quesada, John Romita Sr., Dave Simons, Jim Valentino, Carly Wagner, Bob Wiacek, Richard Zajac and more!
A Silver membership costs $99 and includes: all of the Bronze perks, plus a Hero Initiative T-shirt (your choice of Dawn or Hero Hand), a copy of the Marvel Then and Now DVD and a copy of The Unusual Suspects graphic novel.
A Gold membership costs $250 and includes: all of the Silver perks, plus invitations to Hero Initiative VIP Members-Only parties at 2009′s Wizard World Los Angeles and Wizard World Chicago.
An Excelsior! membership costs $500 and includes: all of the Gold perks, plus your flat item (maximum size 11″ x 17″), signed and personalized by the one and only Stan Lee.
“I’m always amazed and happy to see the support that fans have shown Hero,” said Hero Initiative President Jim McLauchlin. “Hopefully, this will be a new way they can show affinity, and get some nice goodies in the process.”
This is the first time memberships to The Hero Initiative have been offered. It was put into place with the fans foremost in mind and on consultation with GeekInTheCity.com, a website that covers all things geek, from comics to movies to games. As such, GeekInTheCity’s Aaron Duran is member #1, Jen Duran is member #2 and Stan Lee is member #3. Creator Paul Dini (Detective Comics, Madame Mirage) is also a member already, as is Mid-Ohio Con promoter Roger Price.
“The Hero Initiative does more than help people in need,” said Aaron Duran, explaining why he was eager to help start this membership drive. “They give back to those that inspired our hopes and dreams. They help artists and writers in need, artists and writers that inspired all our tomorrows. Please help the Hero Initiative protect theirs.”
To become a member of The Hero Initiative, fans can sign up at Atomic Comics or on-site at The Hero Initiative booth at the following upcoming comic book conventions: Phoenix Cactus Comic-Con, Jan. 23-25; New York Comic Con, Feb. 6-8; WonderCon, Feb. 27 – March 1; Orlando MegaCon, Feb. 27 – March 1; and Wizard World Los Angeles, March 13-15.
Hexed #1 Review
I’m used to hyperbole spewing forth from comic publishers, and having a limited amount of time means I can’t review everything I’d like to. A lot of the time I just have to take a gamble and hope that not only is the reading experience enjoyable with whatever I choose, but so much so that I’d gladly recommend it to others. Saying all that, I’m very glad I read this issue. It was originally promoted six months ago, and was then meant to launch last month. However no company is immune to late releases. So, here we are with Hexed #1 from BOOM! Studios, being released on January 7.
It starts with the protagonist ruminating on the pros and cons of being beautiful, and ends with her jumping into a portal she’s carved in a corpse’s stomach. In between there’s an interesting story that Buffy fans should take note of, but different enough from the vampire slayer to set itself apart.
Written by Michael Alan Nelson, who also writes Fall of Cthulhu for BOOM!, this first issue of a four issue mini-series is an enticing intro to Lucifer’s world. Lucifer is the nickname of the main character, also known as Luci Jenifer Neves. A young magician/professional thief who has severed her ties with her former boss, she is now working for the older Val, who runs a prestigious art gallery, and their new client, Mr Westinghouse. Luci presents her target to the pleased pair – angel wings hidden in a guitar case. They’re objects of beauty that bring Val to tears, but it’s not long before Luci’s previous employer Dietrich, who has tracked her down after three years of hunting, is now demanding another job.
Luci is a well formed character, a curious mix of equal parts Catwoman and Zatanna. Fans of those two DC women would be pleased with Hexed. A more original take than Mercy Sparx from Devil’s Due, Nelson does well to ease the reader into the central idea. Easily accessible for new comic book readers, we know all we need to know about Luci, her mission and supporting cast without any lengthy exposition.
Artist Emma Rios hails from Spain and is a relative newcomer to US comics. Infact, we have something in common. She’s actually an architect and I work with many in my ‘proper’ job. Not that I needed a loose connection like that to enjoy her work though. Like the angel wings, the art in Hexed is pleasant on the eyes. Similar to style in BOOM!’s other recent release, The Remnant, it’s realistic without being too stuffy. Vibrant and playful, with a rough but restrained line work, the pages are aided beautifully by Cris Peter’s varied colour palette. He uses all the colours of the rainbow which helps sell the daring magical core of this series.
All in all, this ish was an enjoyable reading experience with well-crafted characters and a seductive premise. Hexed will be a series to watch, and it was worth the wait.
Shrapnel #1 Review
New from Radical Publishing, Shrapnel is a product typical of the high-concept company. It’s no wonder Hollywood are sitting up and taking notice.
Written by M. Zachary Sherman this 5 issue mini-series (subtitled Aristeia Rising) comes from the unified minds of Mark Long and Nick Sagan, son of Carl Sagan, the well-known astronomer. Bagus Hutomo and Leos “Okita” Ng provide the painterly art, which fits in with Radical’s easily identifiable aesthetic. The presentation is wildly different from what Marvel and DC offer weekly, so fans expecting some clean and slick style the likes of X-Men’s interiors will be disappointed here. With wild brush strokes and murky colours, this is more Mad Max than Star Trek, and it fits the story perfectly. However therein lies the problem.
Kicking things off with a bang, Lieutenant Marcus of the Marines beautifully describes what it really feels like to be in a mech-suit, before heading off to war, or at least, the preparation of war, before the real things hits them. We later learn from a newsfeed that the Marines secured Jupiter from a Helot uprising. Sam, and her miner friends Randal, Stap and Jammer also learn this during a bar fight against prejudiced Splicers. Helots and Splicers, or Genotypes, are the two dividing classes of humans (a concept mirrored in another of Radical’s sci-fi series, Freedom Formula). Helots are treated as lesser citizens by the Splicers, who are genetically engineered humans. This has lead to unrest across the solar system in recent years.
After fleeing the cops descending upon the bar, the miners return to work and Sam saves Stap’s life after he starts floating away in space and then recounts her thoughts of doing so to her holographic therapist, Ria. Ria is a hologram that helps Sam deal with the guilt of not saving her sister’s life in her youth, and resembles her younger sibling.
The Solar Alliance of Planets then effectively demands the running of the neutral planet of Venus, which the President is none too happy about, and rallies his quickly trained citizens to defend their homeland.
I was disappointed with this debut issue. It has an intriguing miners vs Marines concept, though not entirely original, and some great production design, with its weapons, costumes and vehicles. The problem is that the story itself, like the art is murky. For a first issue of a new series from a new publisher, that’s a mistake. Like all of Radical’s books, it’s daring in its look and plot, and aims to stand apart from the mass of superheroes in the market. The problem is that Shrapnel isn’t an easy read. I had to look at a few pages more than once just to ascertain what exactly was going on, which is a death’s knell for any issue. At times it’s disturbingly difficult to tell who is who. I think perhaps the painterly approach that works so well for Radical’s other series, should have been shelved here. Or, at the very least, they should’ve given a more distinctive look to the main characters. All the faces kind of blend in together. For a visual medium the characters must be easily identifiable. Hopefully, seeing as this is the first ish, the artists may hit their groove with later issues, rectifying these errors.
Perhaps too many cooks spoilt this broth, but Sherman manages his best. He mixes things up with a few silent sequences, and a few talky pages, heaping up exposition that details all the political back story. Plus there are some plot points that will certainly reveal themselves in the next four issues. Sam’s past as a Marine which is hinted at here, and how that will play into the conflict. Switching between the Marines and miner’s points of view with equal care. The bigger picture with the other planets and the goal of the Solar Alliance to unify all planets regardless of the cost. These are all concepts that could form an epic, and Radical hope to achieve that very thing, with a total of three separate mini-series planned, in the Shrapnel story.
This 48 pager kicks things off not brilliantly, but with the feeling that it will pay off for the dedicated reader. Under all the murkiness of character identification and artwork, there is definitely a good story at play. It’s just a shame that it’s hard work to get to it. I do believe this story is going somewhere great, so I’m not giving up on it this early. For those of you that are unsure, perhaps wait until the Trade and see if the series lives up to the potential.
To see more pics of this issue, read our free first issue, or view the trailer below.
Chun-Li Film Trailer
Tying in to our first issue’s Street Fighter feature and the new Chun-Li comic series, there’s also a new live action film, entitled Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li. It stars Smallville’s Kristin Kreuk as the beautiful agent with the mad martial arts skills.
So far, only the Japanese trailer has been released. It looks…okay. The film is released on February 27.
B.P.M
I was fortunate enough to interview writer/artist/DJ Paul Sizer about his latest project, B.P.M for our first issue, so I thought I’d share this great piece of art from the man himself wishing his fans a great start to 09. Cool, huh?
