Comic Nation
Review: Peanuts #1
By Robert Greenwood
Story by Vicki Scott, Shane Houghton, Charles M Schulz Art by Vicki Scott, Paige Braddok, Matt Whitlock
Colors by Lisa Moore, Bob Scott, Justin Thompson,Cover by Charles M. Schulz published by Boom
Review:
Growing up with the Peanuts had been something generations of people could collectively say. Then, one day Charles Schulz passed away. It has been a little over a decade ago, and It was a sure bet that the Peanuts went with him. Here we are 2012 and we finally get all new tales of Charlie Brown and the gang.
But,How does the book hold up?
If you thought only Charles Schulz could write for the Peanuts you would be sadly mistaken. But, I’m getting a little ahead of myself. The book isn’t a traditional comic book in the sense of a ” one” cohesive story. The book works more like a anthology, broken up with new short stories and a few classic Peanuts tales by Charles Schulz himself.
The stories not done by Schulz retain all the classic humor and character development we have come to expect from the world of Snoopy and Charlie Brown. There is so much to love about this series that its almost impossible to condense into a few paragraphs. The art work captures the essence of Schulz perfectly, but with a more dynamic perspective we have come to appreciate with modern comics.
It’s still amazes me how seeing Snoopy being used as a blood hound is still funny and classic Peanuts fair. Yet, the use of an almost Will Eisner-esque perspective shots gives new life in the once 2 dimensional world. If you are a fan of the Peanuts or if you have kids, this is a title you need to be collecting ASAP!
Follow Rob on Twittering @AltMindz
Review: Fathom Blue Descent #4
by Charles Suffel
David Schwartz – Story Alex Sanchez & Peter Steigerwald – Art John Starr – Colors Josh Reed – Letters
“Aspen Matthews is a child of two worlds. Born amongst the Blue, an underwater race, she was raised on the surface among humans. As a marine biologist aboard the experimental DMD facility she was awakened to her true heritage. Aspen, along with the help of Cannon Hawke, Protector of the Elite Council of the Blue, foiled a plot by the Blue dissident Killian to destroy both the surface and underwater worlds.
However, uncertainty remained concerning the events leading up to Aspen’s remarkable appearance on the Paradise ocean liner and the obscured truth surrounding her parents below the surface—until now…
Amidst the chaos and dangers within the secret citadel of the Black, Abseloma managed to find and rescue his captive wife Eilah. Now, the weight of the future of an entire civilization threatens to crush his plans for escape, as well as the Black’s powerful leader Rahger, who is still after both of their lives and closing in fast…”
This is the fourth book in Aspen Matthews’ origin story and it really ties up the loose ends well. I’m still not really clear why the people of the Blue, the Black, and the Humans are all enemies but at least I now totally understand how Aspen got to the surface world and why and what happened to her parents.
As for the art, the book is just beautiful, underwater scenery can be difficult but I think Sanchez & Steigerwald do a great job. I have to admit I’m not a huge fan of this type of fantasy I find it to be too complicated and the dialogue a tad over the top. But even for me, someone with limited experience with this series, this was an enjoyable book.
It hits shelves on Jan 25th, check your local comic shop!
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REVIEW: Gantz
By Jeff Steward
Written By: Hiroya Oku Published By: Shueisha (Japan) and Dark Horse Comics (USA) Age Rating: Mature (18+) Genre: Horror, Science Fiction
Synopsis:
Two high school students Kei Kurono and Masaru Kato are trying to save the life of someone who had fallen off the platform in a subway but wind-up getting killed in a horrific accident that leaves them asking a lot of question because even though the where killed somehow they did not die. After mysteriously being saved they are transported from the subway to a small house that is filled with total strangers who have just as many questions as them. Besides the people who are in the room with them there is a strange large black ball in the middle… The ball is called Gantz. After a few tense moments and some introductions’ Gantz starts playing music and we start to find out what is going on. The Gantz ball suddenly opens up to reveal a naked man with a breathing mask inside and racks of weapons protruding out of both sides of the sphere. At the same time text appears on the front of Gantz letting everyone in the room know that their “Lives have ended and now belong to” Gantz. A picture is also displayed on Gantz along with a description of a target that the group has to track down and kill. Gantz starts transporting the group out of the room and they cannot return until their target is eliminated or they end up being killed themselves. And so begins the mystery that is Gantz…
Review:
Gantz is one of the most messed up things I have ever laid my eyes on! The story is very original and highly entertaining. It is very graphic with some serious kill scenes, lots of blood and some nudity. Kei is the main character in the story and he is kind of a pervert with an over active teenage sex drive. He is extremely attracted to the main female in the story mainly because she is the first real live woman he has seen naked and because she has huge breast. When Kei Kishimoto is transported into the room with the rest of the group she is totally naked and Kei Kurono starts kissing her while she is passed out which pretty much sums up what kind of sex crazed kid he is.
Now Masaru Kato on the other hand is a protector of the week and a pretty up standing guy. He and Kei are friends from childhood but lost contact over the years until their fateful encounter at the subway. I like the balance that Kato brings to Kei in the story. The characters are well developed with some decent depth through the first four volumes; the art style is great with fantastic attention to detail. The enemies are not to over the top for a science fiction story which in my opinion is great for some level of believability. I am enjoying the manga so far and I’m really looking forward to getting more volumes to find out how the story ends up. I highly recommend this manga to any fan of the horror sci-fi genre; it is a very enjoyable read. Otakustew.net gives Gantz the manga…
Go To Jeff’s website http://www.otakustew.net/
Follow him on Twitter @CrazedOtakuStew
Boom Town Brings you PETE AND MIRIAM
EISNER AWARD-WINNER RICH TAMMASO
& BOOM! TOWN BRING “PETE AND MIRIAM”
TO STORES THIS MARCH
This March, Eisner Award-winning BOOM! Town adds the original graphic novel PETE AND MIRIAM, written and drawn by the Eisner Award-winning artist of SATCHEL PAIGE: STRIKING OUT JIM CROW, Rich Tammaso.
In his first full length graphic novel, Tammaso tells the story of Pete and Miriam, the title characters, in a complicated relationship as best friends growing up in New Jersey in the 1970s: Mischief Night, schoolyard fights, parents, washed-up film directors, and a roomful of ex-girlfriends. The mundane and the unpredictable collide as Pete and Miriam forge their friendship through the odyssey of coming of age in America.
“It’s a timeless story. We all struggle with identity and the mystery of being an adult when we grow up,” said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. “Tammaso brings a lucidity to this slice-of-life that reflects why he’s already and Eisner Award-winner.”
The PETE AND MIRIAM graphic novel by writer and artist Rich Tommaso will ship in March with 112 pages of black and white art for $14.99.
About BOOM! Town
BOOM! Town is the lit comix imprint of the Eisner, Harvey, and “Best Publisher” Award-winning BOOM! Studios (www.boom-studios.com). BOOM! Town recently won the Eisner Award for its first book, Shannon Wheeler’s I THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE FUNNIER. BOOM! Studios generates a constellation of bestselling comic books and graphic novels with the industry’s top talent, including Mark Waid’s series IRREDEEMABLE, new HELLRAISER comics written by Clive Barker, PLANET OF THE APES, 28 DAYS LATER, and Philip K. Dick’s DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP?. BOOM!’s all-ages imprint KABOOM! publishes Charles Schulz’ PEANUTS, Roger Langridge’s SNARKED, Cartoon Network’s ADVENTURE TIME and Scholastic’s WORDGIRL.
ROCKETEER ADVENTURES Vol. 2 #1 Coming in March!
IDW to release second all-new anthology of Dave Stevens’ beloved character
The second all-new, all-fantastic Rocketeer Adventures series launches into stores in March! Each extra-long issue—boasting 25 pages of story and art— will feature covers by Darwyn Cooke and Dave Stevens. The first issue’s line-up includes Peter David, Marc Guggenheim, Sandy Plunkett, Stan Sakai, and Bill Sienkiewicz, with Arthur Adams supplying a pin-up.
“The Rocketeer takes us back to another time,” said series editor Scott Dunbier, “one stuffed to the brim with heroism and thrilling adventures. Some might call these stories old-fashioned—and what’s wrong with that?”
Other contributors to the series include Kyle Baker, J. Scott Campbell, Eric Canete, Paul Dini, Michael Golden, Dave Johnson, David Lapham, John Paul Leon, Bill Morrison, Louise Simonson, Walter Simonson, Chris Sprouse, Tom Taylor, Matt Wagner, Colin Wilson, and more. Rocketeer Adventures is in the current issue of Diamond Previews.
As with the first series, a portion of the profits from Rocketeer Adventures will be donated to the Hairy Cell Leukemia research. Dave Stevens, the creator of The Rocketeer, died of the disease in 2008 at the age of 52.
ROCKETEER ADVENTURES VOL. 2 #1 ($3.99, 32 pages; full color) will be available in March 2012. Diamond order code: JAN12 0408.
Review Conan Road of Kings
By Alex Vazquez
This trade collects the first six issues of Conan: Road of Kings. To the delight of many fans, it marks legendary writer Roy Thomas’ return to the Hyborian age. For those of you well versed in said mythos, this story takes place after the events of “Iron Shadow’s in the Moon”.
Mr. Thomas is in top form, masterfully spinning all the tropes one expects from a Conan tale; buxom damsels, hideous beasts, blood-drenched sword-play, foul sorcery, and chamber full of treasure. Throughout this story arc we are treated to Conan the pirate, thief, lover, and waaait for it…barbarian. It’s a satisfying journey that spans the Vilayet Sea, the back alleys of Shadizar, and the gilded city of Aurolla.
Regrettably, I can’t speak as highly about the artwork. While serviceable, it’s a bit too angular, lacking the more realistic style I’ve come to expect from such legendary artists as Frank Frazetta and Barry Smith. An unfair comparison to say the least, but it just suits the tone of the world, I feel.
The colors don’t do much to salvage the visuals either. There isn’t much variation in tone, adding to what I feel is a slightly ‘cartoonish’ look (for lack of a better term). If you don’t mind your barbarians looking like something from Cartoon Network, then you’re in for a solid Conan story that’ll suit your savage tastes.
Follow Alex on Twitter @nettomono
DC Universe Presents #5 : DEADMAN Twenty Questions The Conclusion
By Chuck Suffel
PAUL JENKINS & BERNARD CHANG Storytellers
BLOND colorist DAVE SHARPE letterer
RYAN SOOK cover artist WILL MOSS editor
DEADMAN created by ARNOLD DRAKE
So with issue number five we see the end of the first story arc of this wonderful Deadman series. I never read a book with Boston Brand in it (that I remember reading anyway) and I must say I’m hooked.
Let’s get a little info on Deadman (Boston Brand) shall we?
Deadman is a ghost, a former circus trapeze artist, he was murdered during a performance by a mysterious assassin. The goddess Rama gave him the ability to possess any living being ostensibly to search out the persons responsible for his death. But so far she has forced him to possess certain mortals in need in order to “help them”, and avoid damnation himself. She gives him no guidance on why this person needs help or how he should go about helping them, nor is she forthcoming in how long this task will last of how many people he needs to help.
This first five issue arc really dealt with Boston’s acceptance of his situation, in life he was an arrogant obnoxious user and in death he wasn’t much better. But that’s what this arc was really about, becoming more than you are. Deadman is well on his way to becoming a real hero and I was happy to be along for the ride.
Deadman also appears in Justice League Dark, another of the New52 titles I’ve been reading, along with Zatana, John Constantine, Shade, and Enchantress. Since next month starts a new story in DC Universe Presents I strongly recommend checking out Justice League Dark for more from this very cool character.
Next month in DC Universe Presents
DC Universe Presents #6
Written by DAN DIDIO and JERRY ORDWAY
Art by JERRY ORDWAY Cover by RYAN SOOK
On sale FEBRUARY 15 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US RATED T
The Challengers. Out of time and on the run. Eight survivors of a fiery plane crash, bound by fate and death, are on a desperate mission to uncover the mysteries of the Unknown before the powers that saved their lives, claim them for eternity.
Come see me @ http://charlessuffel.com
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EISNER-WINNING CREATORS TAPPED FOR MARS ATTACKS ONGOING SERIES
John Layman, John McCrea to reimagine cult sci-fi classic in June
IDW Publishing and Topps are pleased to announce the multiple Eisner Award-winning creative team for MARS ATTACKS, an all-new ongoing comic series based on the fan-favorite Mars Attacks franchise.
Debuting in June 2012, IDW’s comic series will offer the first stories of an all-new Mars Attacks universe, bringing the brand’s outrageous action and dark humor to a new set of tales. Writer John Layman, author and co-creator of the Eisner-winning series Chew, will pen the series, with art by John McCrea, best known for his collaborations with Garth Ennis, including Eisner-winner Hitman.
“I’m a huge fan of Mars Attacks from a long way back. I own about half the original card set from 1962 and have a pretty big collection of collectables and doodads,” Layman said. “It’s always been a dream of mine to destroy the Earth and inflict huge degrees of suffering on the rest of humanity. With this Mars Attacks series, I finally get my chance.”
Created in 1962, Mars Attacks celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2012 with major product launches throughout the year. IDW’s new comic series, as well as high-quality reprints of existing material, will be a cornerstone of that effort.
Originally published by Topps as a series of trading cards, Mars Attacks was created by Len Brown and Woody Gelman, after Brown was inspired by the Wally Wood cover to Weird Science #16 (EC Comics). The cards went on to achieve cult status for their then-shocking imagery—fully painted by pulp legend Norm Saunders and based on designs by Wood and Bob Powell—and remains a staple of pop culture. Topps revived the franchise in the mid 1990s with a second card set, comic book series and toy line. The story was also adapted into the 1996 feature film Mars Attacks!, directed by Tim Burton.
“We were excited to hear of the award-winning creative team that IDW had secured,” said Ira Friedman, Topps vice president of global licensing. “John McCrea was our first choice to illustrate Mars Attacks and we were thrilled that IDW was able to bring him aboard. His experience drawing over-the-top violence on comics like Hitman, Judge Dredd and The Boys, coupled with John Layman’s penchant for twisted, offbeat humor makes them the perfect team to relaunch Mars Attacks.”
MARS ATTACKS will include covers by McCrea and alternate covers by such comic-book luminaries as Sam Kieth, Ben Templesmith and Eric Powell. The first issue will also feature a unique approach to variant covers: It will ship with 55 different covers, each depicting one of the original trading cards from the debut set of Mars Attacks from 1962. A complete collector’s set of the 55 covers in a box that replicates the original card packaging will be offered separately as well.
MARS ATTACKS #1 ($3.99, 32 pages, full color) will be available in stores in June 2012.
Visit IDWPublishing.com to learn more about the company and its top-selling books. For information on Topps, please visit topps.com.
STEVE NILES AND MENTON3 DEBUT
THE MUCH-ANTICIPATED NOSFERATU WARS
IN DARK HORSE PRESENTS!
JANUARY 23, MILWAUKIE, OR—When Steve Niles (Criminal Macabre, 30 Days of Night) premiered artwork from his upcoming collaboration with artist Menton3 (Monocyte, Proof: Endangered, Crawl to Me) via his Twitter feed, speculation and anticipation spread like wildfire across the Internet. Today, Dark Horse is proud to announce that this new vampiric tale will premiere in Dark Horse Presents!
The Black Plague was a time of death and misery . . . except for the undead. For vampires, the Black Death was a welcome relief from being hunted and a time of incredible growth for the undead. On the night of their wedding, two vampire lovers are torn apart and separated for five hundred years, setting off a sequence of events that will bring the modern world to its knees!
“I haven’t been this excited about working on something in a long time. Menton3 is the perfect artist and we couldn’t be more thrilled to be doing this at Dark Horse,” Niles said. “This year I’m making a big push to become 100 percent creator owned. Nosferatu Wars will be a big part of that, I hope.”
Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith redefined the vampire genre with the groundbreaking comic series 30 Days of Night in 2002. Ten years later, Niles is poised to make history again, as he and Menton3 blow the sparkle off of the undead in Nosferatu Wars, premiering in Dark Horse Presents later this year!
