DC Comics Goes Primal!!!

Do you love DC Comics?  Do you love Funko?  Do you wish I would stop asking you questions?  Well, you are in luck on the first two!  DC Comics announced that they are releasing a 100-Page One-Shot Inspired by Funko toys!  That's right, you are getting a comic books based on toys that are based on comic book characters.  

Before you plan out your pull list, keep in mind that this is a Target Exclusive, so you will need to make two stops this week!  And when it includes the tagline of "the Joker on a Giant Lizard" and a lineup including Marv Wolfman, Louise Simonson and Jerry Ordway, how can you pass this up?!

Check out the press release, with all the juicy, giant lizard details, right after the break.

BOOM! Studios Announces WWE WRESTLEMANIA 2019 SPECIAL #1

I'm so excited! BOOM! Studios just announced a WWE Wrestlemania one-shot for 2019. Not that I'm surprised they're doing this, but it's nice to have the official announcement. I've been reading the comics, and I love the extra layer of kayfabe the stories give. They might not be considered canon, but they're a lot of fun. Check out the press release:

"LOS ANGELES, CA (December 20, 2018) – BOOM! Studios and WWE today announced WWE WRESTLEMANIA 2019 SPECIAL #1, an oversized one-shot special featuring action-packed stories of the most iconic moments in modern WWE history on-sale in March 2019.

You never know what to expect at WrestleMania, and this special is no exception! Writer Bill Hanstock (WWE) and artist Hyeonjin Kim (WWE) explore groundbreaking champions Charlotte Flair and Asuka’s rivalry leading up to their match at WrestleMania 24. Andy Belanger (Southern Cross) brings to life the pivotal match between the Brothers of Destruction, Undertaker and Kane. Ryan Ferrier (Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: Coronation) and Kendall Goode (WWE) dive into Ric Flair’s Retirement Match against Shawn Michaels.

WWE WRESTLEMANIA 2019 SPECIAL #1 features a main cover by Rahzzah (Luke Cage), along with a wraparound preorder cover by artist Xermánico (Injustice:Gods Among Us) and a variant cover by Marco D’Alfonso (I Am Groot).

“WrestleMania has brought us some of the most exciting, jaw-dropping moments throughout WWE history,” said Chris Rosa, Editor, BOOM! Studios. “Fans will see brand new sides to their favorite Superstars and discover never-before-seen details of the stories they thought they knew in this can’t-miss special!”

WWE WRESTLEMANIA 2019 SPECIAL is the latest release from BOOM! Studios’ eponymous imprint, home to a world-class group of licensed comic book series and ambitious original series, including Joss Whedon’s Firefly and Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Planet of the Apes, Bone Parish, Mech Cadet Yu, Grass Kings, and Klaus.

Print copies of WWE WRESTLEMANIA will be available for sale on March 27, 2019 at local comic book shops (use comicshoplocator.com to find the nearest one) or at the BOOM! Studios webstore. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers, including comiXology, iBooks, Google Play, and the BOOM! Studios app.

For continuing news on WWE WRESTLEMANIA and more from BOOM! Studios, stay tuned to  www.boom-studios.com and follow @boomstudios on Twitter."

"

 

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They Forgot About Rachel Pollack

By Reboot

Earlier this week, Comixology launched a sale with DC Comics to introduce readers to DC’s new Young Animal imprint. The sale runs through September 12th. Comixology tweeted about it here. They have all 70 issues of Shade The Changing Man from the Vertigo run, as well as relevant issues of War That Time Forgot, War of the Gods, and Resurrection Man. The flagship title of Young Animal, however, is Doom Patrol. Comixology is offering 45 issues of the run on sale encompassing Grant Morrison’s run on the title. There was one glaring omission to this sale, and that was leaving out Rachel Pollack's run on Doom Patrol yet again, despite it being currently available on Comixology.

I know, other runs of the book are available on Comixology and were not included in the sale. I get that. However, Paul Kupperberg’s run, which was right before Grant Morrison’s, has its first issue available for free and the second issue half off. Rachel Pollack’s run takes place immediately after Grant Morrison’s run with many of the same characters and carries on the tone that Morrison brought to the book. And with her run combined with Morrison’s, they would still have less Doom Patrol comics on sale than Shade The Changing Man. So why are they doing this?

DC Comics has been participating, consciously or unconsciously, in trans erasure. Rachel Pollack is one of the only trans writers to ever freelance for the company. The only other trans woman who I'm aware of that has freelancer at DC Comics was Maddie Blaustein who passed away in 2008 at 48 years old.  Not a single one of either Maddie Blaustein or Rachel Pollack’s works have been reprinted by DC Comics. These works are now about twenty years old, and both writers created trans characters who have not been used since, with the exception of Coagula being brought back in a flashback to kill her off. I wrote about Coagula last year in more detail at ComicMix if you'd like to know more here.  

Though Rachel Pollack has worked on other comics at DC, the fact they were reviving Doom Patrol again and going for a tone that more closely resembles her own seemed to be a great opportunity for DC to bring her Doom Patrol work back in graphic novel form. They have made no indications they would do so. The absolute least they could have possibly done would be to put her work on sale along with Grant Morrison’s run to raise awareness and showcase her work. DC Comics and Comixology couldn't even do that. Rachel Pollack has been so forgotten by an industry that only fairly recently has been making bigger pushes for diversity. How can DC say they care about diversity while participating in trans erasure of their own comics and creators? It's insulting.  

On top of all of this, Rachel Pollack was diagnosed with Lymphoma back in 2015.  A GoFundMe campaign was launched at the time to help her cover the crippling medical costs that cancer brings. Having her work back in print could have potentially brought in a little extra money in royalties to cover some of those costs.

I'm so frustrated by this latest slight. I'm frustrated as a queer person witnessing this sort of treatment of someone else who's a part of the queer community. I’m frustrated as someone who had to go through back issue bins in multiple comic shops and use eBay just to read Rachel Pollack’s comic work. I'm frustrated because Rachel Pollack is an incredibly sweet, humble, and supportive member of the creative community and is not getting that support back from the comics community. I'm frustrated as a fan of Doom Patrol that some of the best issues of that series are not in print. I’m frustrated that an entire generation of queer comic readers have been denied a character like Coagula. I'm frustrated as a DC Comics fan who loves their work and many of the people that have or currently work for them and yet they forget about someone as important to queer comics history as Rachel Pollack.  There is no good reason for this to be happening. 

DC Comics let Rachel Pollack’s comics and her comics career fade into obscurity. And yes, I do understand that's happened to many creators. Recently, DC Comics has made some great efforts to raise the profiles of freelancers like Norm Breyfogle by reprinting many of his Batman stories after he suffered from a stroke. DC reached out to Tony Isabella and started to make things right by reprinting Black Lightning.  Those are both great things, and I'm glad they happened. 

DC Comics now needs to do better for Rachel Pollack. Not just for Rachel Pollack, but for every queer reader, and especially every trans reader being denied a part of their history in comics. Trans writers worked on comics decades ago and they created trans characters. More people need to know this, and it is DC Comics responsibility to help. They were once instrumental in giving trans creators a chance to tell their stories in comics. Please, DC Comics, take a stand and do what's right.


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Review: Guardians of the Louvre

 By Reboot

Recently, I got my hands on a copy of Guardians of the Louvre by acclaimed manga artist and storyteller Jiro Taniguchi. This English language edition of the graphic novel was released through NBM Publishing and is a part of their Louvre collection, a series consisting of over a half dozen graphic novels from other acclaimed artists commissioned by the Louvre itself. It's the kind of new and interesting approach to this graphic medium that deserves attention.

Guardians of the Louvre is my first outing in this collection. An important note to anyone wishing to try these graphic novels from NBM is they are all self contained. Each artist seems to have been given free reign to tell the kind of story they want. There is no order to read any of these books. If any of them stand out to you or seem interesting enough, don't be shy, give it a try. You can see the different titles available so far over at NBM's website.

Now to get into the specifics on this title. Jiro Taniguchi is an award winning manga artist with decades of work and experience behind him. Prior to my reading this graphic novel, I was unfamiliar with his work. Manga is an area in my comics reading that is not as well developed as I'd like it to be. My experience with manga doesn't go too far beyond titles like Akira, Sailor V, and 20th Century Boys. Now I can add Guardians of the Louvre to my still embarrassingly short list.

Review: House of Penance #2

By Reboot

After enjoying Dark Horse’s House of Penance #1 by Peter Tomasi (w) and Ian Bertram (a) as much as I did, I figured I should give issue #2 a go. So, did issue #2 keep the momentum going after House of Penance came charging strongly out the gate last month?

One of the first things I noticed as I read this issue is the pacing. As the first issue is a slow, methodical build-up to the unknown, the second issue wastes no time jumping in head first. References the characters bring up hints at the time period, such as how the construction workers mention the Spanish-American War and Theodore Roosevelt's Rough Riders, but as the first issue takes the time to slowly drag you down into this world via the time period, issue #2 focuses nearly exclusively on the psychological horror of it all.

Review: Goldie Vance #1

Goldie Vance is about Goldie, a 16 year old who lives in a Florida resort with her dad, who manages the resort, and uses her smarts, skills, and knowledge of the ins and outs of the resort, to help the in-house detective, Mr. Tooey solve a mystery. 

Okay, while "help" is the right word, Goldie really just inserted herself into the case. A resort guest, Dieter Ludwig, has been robbed. What was taken is priceless to him. He needs it back. Much to Mr. Tooey displeasure, Goldie claims she knows just what needs to be done to find the necklace. Without giving too much away, one mystery is solved, but it opens up a can of worms, and Goldie has to figure out what's going on. 

This was a delightful comic to read. It's a little weird for me to use that word, but it fits. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. This is just the first book, so we are introduced to a small host of characters, Goldie, Mr. Tooey, Goldie's stressed out father, Cheryl, the Alan Shepard loving front desk clerk, and Rob, the lovelorn valet. All are important to the story as they help set up the story and motivations, which drive the story. Goldie herself is plucky. I feel like she's who Veronica Mars would have been is she was around in the late 60's-early 70's, where this takes place. Goldie is smart, funny, and is driven to solve mysteries. And short. She's short and not to be underestimated. 

Lumberjanes Are Roadtripping to Gotham Academy!

Cover Art Courtesy of Boom! Box

In the best news of 2016 so far, Boom! Box announced today that the Lumberjanes (aka an amazing series that you should be reading) is going to crossover with DC Comics' Gotham Academy.  So that math works out to some word that hasn't been invented yet to describe how good this will be. 

I admit I am curious to how the two groups will meet up.   Will the Gotham Academy kids head out of the city for fresh air or are our favorite campers bound for the wilds of Gotham?  Or better yet, are both groups destined for parts unknown?  Sadly, we have to wait until June to actually see this happen.  Damn, I don't think I can make it. 

The six-issue series will be written by Chynna Clugston-Flores (Blue Monday) and illustrated by Rosemary Valero-O'Connell (Lumberjanes). The main cover seen above is illustrated by Mingjue Chen (Gotham Academy).

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Review: Bill & Ted's Excellent Comic Book Archive

By Reboot

In the last week, BOOM! Studios released all of the Bill and Ted comics that Marvel did back in the early 90's that were written and drawn by Evan Dorkin. BOOM! has had the rights for at least the last couple of years and have now finally put it all together in one, oversized hardcover volume called Bill & Ted's Excellent Comic Book Archive. Now, I haven't even thought about Bill and Ted for years let alone watched or read it, but BOOM! Studios has been making good decisions and Evan Dorkin is one of my favorite people in comics so I had to give this a read through.

Jessica Jones' Unintentional Easter Egg

So by now, most of you have probably tuned in and watched Marvel's Jessica Jones on Netflix. Wysefyre and I both really enjoyed it, but especially one particular part. I can tell you but be warned. It's spoilery so don't keep reading unless you watched the entire season.

Like, seriously. This is something that takes place in season one but hints to things potentially happening in season two.

Ok, if you are still here, it's at your own risk.

BOOM! Studios Announces Debut of New Series: Broken World

Who doesn't love an adventure/thriller series during the Earth's last day? Very few people, and that's why BOOM! Studios is bringing us Broken World, a series that does just that. 

"April 29, 2015 (Los Angeles, Calif.) - Award-winning publisher BOOM! Studios is pleased to announce the June debut of Broken World, a new sci-fi thriller and survival adventure series from Frank J. Barbiere (Five Ghosts, Avengers World) and Christopher Peterson (Grindhouse, Mayday). Broken World explores the lives of people left behind on the last days of Earth, perfect for fans of Y: The Last Man or The Massive.

 “It’s hard not to fall in love with a well-crafted survival story,” said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. “From zombie viruses to post-apocalyptic wastelands, we all love to cheer for the last survivors. For BROKEN WORLD, Frank and Christopher have created an intense, riveting story about a woman who chooses to live on in a world facing an extinction-level event from the stars.”

 With a meteor days away from causing an extinction-level event on Earth, time is running out for Elena Marlowe. While most of the planet’s population and her family were approved by the government to escape on one of the giant spaceships headed to another planet, her application was denied due to her mysterious past. With the meteor fast approaching, Elena tries desperately to find a way to fake her way onto the last ship or else be left behind to die with the rest of Earth’s rejected denizens.

 Broken World #1 arrives in comic shops on June 3rd with a main cover by series artist Christopher Peterson for the price of $3.99 under Diamond order code APR151199. Also available in a limited quantity are a 10 Years incentive cover by Frazer Irving (Annihilator, Uncanny X-Men) and a retailer incentive cover by Christian Ward (ODY-C)."

Check out how beautiful this art is. 

I'm a big fan of Y: The Last Man, and I love those types of stories. I like Christopher Peterson and Frank J. Barbiere's previous works, so I'm into this. What do you think?

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NYCC '13: The Wonders of Artist Alley

By Reboot

Borrowed from panelsonpages.com

I was fortunate enough to spend all four days over at NYCC this year, and the vast majority of it I spent in Artist Alley. Having talked to many convention goers and people in and around the comic book industry, I often hear that Artist Alley is the heart of any comic convention. Not the Verizon booth or the GEICO booth, but Artist Alley (shocking, I know). That's not to say that those sort of things shouldn't be welcome as they do bring in a lot of money for the convention as far as paying for exhibitor space, but you get what I mean.

Review: Bluffton

By Reboot

This week, I review the original graphic novel Bluffton written and illustrated by Matt Phelan and put out by Candlewick Press.  Matt Phelan hias previously a Scott O'Dell Award for his first graphic novel, The Storm in the Barn and was nominated for two Eisners for another graphic novel of his, Around the World.  Bluffton is slated to be released this month.

To start, this is historical fiction piece taking place in the early 19th century revolving around a young boy, Henry, in small town in Michigan not far from The Actor's Colony of Bluffton.  This is a time period I happen to already enjoy.  And to make it even better, it involves a young Buster Keaton and the vaudeville scene.  I enjoy going to vaudeville shows to this day so it would be hard for me not to dig this book.

Matt gets me again with the water colors.  I love water colors.  I have a commissioned art piece done in water color and they're just great.  Everything about the illustrations in this book works exceedingly well.

And then there's the story telling.  This story is jam packed with heart.  It was so sweet and wonderful and pulled me right in all the way to the end.  I had a hard time not getting a little choked up by the end (no spoilers, don't worry).

If I had to pick one thing that could have made it perfect, it have been maybe changing up the lettering a bit.  I understand hand lettering is long and tedious and it is somewhat ridiculous to expect Matt Phelan to hand letter an entire graphic novel.  However, there are at least a few points in the book where the digital lettering pulls you out of the absolutely beautiful aesthetic that Matt has graciously created for all of us to enjoy.  If anything, this critique is more of a praise for his art than anything else.

Overall, I highly recommend this book for adults and kids alike.  Anyone that enjoys historical fiction, this time piece in particular, or just a light hearted adventure with a little drama, then this is a story for you.  

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Review: Spike: A Dark Place

By Reboot

Spike: A Dark Place TPB collects issues #1-5 of the mini-series of the same name.  Like all of Whedon's properties in comic book form, it is put out through Dark Horse Comics.  As always, Joss Whedon is credited as Executive Producer, and this particular story is scripted by Victor Gischler, penciled primarily by Paul Lee, with chapter break art by up and coming cover artist Jenny Frison whose done covers for Hoax Hunters, Revival, and will be doing one of the Red Sonja covers as well.

This particular story in the Whedonverse takes place in the middle of Buffy Season 9.  For those of you who familiar with Dark Horse, you know that Buffy has continued since it ended with its 8th season in comic book form with Joss' oversight and approval (so it counts!).  In the case of this story, if you aren't well read in the post-TV seasons, you will feel out of place.  There are wise cracking and endearing bug aliens, Spike is on a spaceship, and did I mention the bug aliens?  Do not let this discourage you, Buffy fans!  The same sort of witty exchanges can be found here.  However, in the case of this story, it does fall a little short at times.

Express Yourself Wordlessly for Dialogue Free Comics Day!

May 17th is the 4th annual Dialogue Free Comics Day, a day dedicated to expressing a story through the art of comics.  Noel Curry, the founder of DFCD, started this day because he sometimes forgets that comics "is primarily a visual artform."  With a day dedicated to storytelling without words, we can see how much can be shared through art.  It sounds difficult but it's not as hard as you might think, since each year webcomics flock to take part.

Kinda wondering if this is Noel Curry's Self Portrait?

If you have artistic talents, why not try submitting your own?   Wysefyre and I both took part (here and here) in 2011; after seeing our comics you will understand why we haven't since.  Even so, this is one of my favorite comic events of the year.  I enjoy the great art storytelling, plus checking out new webcomics!  I encourage all of you to take part by checking out the past and current submissions on the site.  I'm sure you will enjoy it too!  


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Artist Brad Walker at Midtown Comics September Book Club!

Last week, I attended the Midtown Comics Book Club. September's book was Guardians of the Galaxy: Realm of Kings written by Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning and the art by Book Club guest Brad Walker!

As a bit of back story, Walker loved superheroes when he was little especially Spidey. His mom taught him how to draw and got him started.  However, he decided to become a comic artist in his teens.  He loved drawing Disney-style back then but wanted to draw something real-looking.  He also loves that the comics medium doesn't have limitations like film.  Anything that you can imagine is reality.

Review: The Massive #1

Cover by Brian Wood
and Kristian Donaldson

Brian Wood must be the busiest guy in comics.  Today alone he has the release of X-Men #30, Ultimate Comics X-Men #13, Conan the Barbarian #5, DMZ TPB Vol. 12, and of course The Massive #1.  I got tired just typing that out.  Wood is joined on this new series by artist Kristian Donaldson.

This post is SPOILER-FILLED 
so if you are allergic to spoilers,

go read another tasty article 
on [insertgeekhere].

Spring Cleaning Your Comic Pull List

Borrowed from Londoner's Eye

Hello Spring! Traditionally, spring brings showers, flowers and cleaning.  With all of the traditional spring cleaning going on, make sure you take care of the other aspects of your life. One area I try to take care of is cleaning up my comic pull list. Making sure that you are happy with the pull list is good for you and your local comic shop. It saves you money on your purchases, and it prevents excess stock from cluttering up the shelves.

I have worked out a 6 step process in refreshing your pull list. Please make sure you have enough time to
dedicate to this!

1: Contact your Local Comic Shop for a copy of your pull list.
While I'm sure you are thinking that you know everything on your list. It is possible that something might be on your list that hasn't been published in a while or was added by mistake. This means you won't forget a single title.

2: Pick out the comics that you are dying to read.
You know, the ones where you put down the latest issue and can't believe it is another whole month until you find out what happens. These are definitely keepers and should go on your new list.

3: Look at what you are behind in reading but still buying.
Ask yourself why you are still buying them. Is it because you genuinely love the series or are you just buying because you like the writer/artist/character? Take a hour or two to read the next issue(s). If you want to keep reading, it's a keep. If not, delete it.

4: Look at what's left.
If you are buying something you aren't even reading, it is a delete.

5: What else are you reading?
Take a look at the comics you have been buying that aren't on your list.  If they are something you are dying to read, add them.

6: Add up how much everything costs.
If you can't afford it, go back and prune some more. On average, prices fall between $2.99 and 3.99. You can check a price at Diamond Comics Previews. If you are feeling lazy, you can ballpark it by using $3.99 for all of them except for DC titles.

Now just submit the shiny new list to your LCS and make sure they know it is replacing the old one.


Congrats! Now you can go to get your exciting comics every week and even have some spare room to add new series!


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Fairest #1 Review

I'm not sure what I expected for Bill Willingham's latest "Fables" spin-off, but I found myself both a little disappointed and wonderfully surprised. 


MILD SPOILERS AHEAD!

Preview Conan #1 from Dark Horse Comics!

A long, long time ago in October, Dark Horse Comics announced Brian Wood and Becky Cloonan as the new team for the classic hero, Conan.  As you all may remember, I got the awesome chance to interview them after this announcement.  That is why I am so excited to check out the preview pages Dark Horse sent along!

These aren't quite what I imagined but I am hooked.  The story starts off so quickly, and leaves you wanting more!  On top of that, the art is visually stunning, especially that last panel.  I have no idea how I'm going to wait until February when it's released to find out what happens next!  Take a look for yourselves and let us know what you think!

Sunday Links for Nov. 20th

I was traveling this week for the day job, but happily back in NY!  LA was fun though, including this awesome view of Fox Studios from my hotel room!  Even with me on the go, the geek news keeps coming....

Too bad I couldn't get down there....

Best reason to live in NYC?  Getting to see Newsies come to Broadway!  I can guarantee that Wysefyre and I will be camping out for tickets!
(via Entertainment Weekly)


This week, we lost quite a few Marvel comic series. With more losses potentially on the way, here are some tips to prepare yourself.
(via Robot 6)


With just 10 days left in Nov., I hope that everyone is doing well with their NaNoWriMo novels. Here is a list of 11 NaNo novels that made it to print.
(via Mental Floss)

As we get closer to the holiday shopping season, it gets harder and harder to pick out gifts. Here is a great reading list for the women on your list that are new to comics.
(via MTV Geek)


Until next week, sans the jet lag......





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