FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA UNLEASHES THE BLACK BEETLE!

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Dark Horse Comics is proud to announce a new three-part story by New York Times best-selling artist for Batman, and current Captain America artist, Francesco Francavilla: The Black Beetle!

The Black Beetle is centered on a pulp-noir character and takes place in a fictional universe that’s based in Colt City. Francavilla published several stories online and even put out an ashcan. When the ashcan sold out, Francesco quickly realized that many fans were interested in exploring this world with him. It was only a matter of time before Dark Horse approached him about bringing some Black Beetle tales to Dark Horse Presents!

“I’m working on a 24-page story, titled ‘Night Shift’ that will be spread over three issues of Dark Horse Presents. I am hugely influenced by pulp stories of the ‘30s and ‘40s, and wanted to develop a series that used that influence as a jumping-off point to explore some modern storytelling with fun twists. I think this will be a great introduction to readers who are new to this character and universe, but will also be an exciting new adventure for those who’ve been reading the online stories over the years,” Francesco states.

“As a huge fan of pulp and noir, working on my own characters and stories really gives me free reign to explore this world and create lots of fun scenarios and thrilling situations. The stories are definitely full of mystery and intrigue, plus I get to give The Black Beetle lots of cool and funky gadgets. ‘Night Shift’ promises to be full of action, excitement, danger, and double-crosses, so I am overjoyed to see this new tale in print, and hope this is the first of many more to come in Dark Horse Presents.”

For more on Francesco Francavilla’s art, check out his official website, www.francescofrancavilla.com, and his pulp blog, http://pulpsunday.blogspot.com.

Dark Horse Presents #11 is on sale April 18 th , 2012!

Encore brings back the boom!

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Takara Encore has brought back two classic Japanese Transformers, this time with a little twist. If you are a true Transformers fan, you will know who Soundblaster and Twincast are. If not check out this video:

Transformers Encore #21 brings back the new and improved Soundblaster in this cool set with two new cassette tape buddies.

Encore #21 Soundblaster with Enemy and Wing Thing.

Soundblaster is just the same as his previous release and comes with the bigger chest compartment.

What makes this set new is the inclusion of Enemy and Wing Thing, which are just simple repaints of Rumble and Ratbat.

Now on the flip side of evil is the heroic Autobots.

Encore #22 Twincast with Nightstalker and Stripes

Twincast is just his repaint of Blaster in the Twincast color scheme.

He also comes with two new little buddies to help him fight, Nightstalker and Stripes,

which are repaints of Steel Jaw and Ravage.

What makes these toys different aren’t much but if you are a Transformer completest, you will want both, I know I will.

Hit up the PCN forums and thanks for reading.

“TIll all are one”

Review- The Immortal

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By Chuck Suffel

Demon in the Blood #1

Writer: Ian Edginton, Penciller: Vicenç Villagrasa Inker: José Luis Río Colorist: José Luis Río, Dan Jackson Cover Artist: Long Vo

“This book is due out 12-21-2011, so please be aware some of the things mentioned here could constitute spoilers! I have done my best to avoid mentioning anything specific that wasn’t in the solicits.”

Japan 1859, the rule of the shogun is fading and along with it the samurai. The ancient culture slowly eroded by the encroaching world, the wonders of the Steam Age challenging the ancient magic of the past. But Amane Ichinose, a samurai, will soon find out the ancient magics are still strong and his life will be forever changed by them. Branded a traitor and left for dead his life is saved by a tattoo artist and the immortal “oni” Amane is now linked to. What life will this ex-samurai now apprentice tattoo artist have, what price will the gift of life he’s received cost?

This was a very basic issue one, we meet the cast of characters follow the setup and are left to ponder the inevitable “what’s next”. The story is well told, the art is really good with characters that are well thought out and easily recognizable from one panel/page to the next. I was especially impressed with the depictions of the “oni”. I’m not a huge fan of Japanese stories per-say but this one has my interest. If you’re a completion-ist then by all means pick this up but I have a funny feeling issue 2 will have a decent recap and hopefully give us a clue as to where are protagonist will head on his new path.

Adapted from the Japanese novel URA-ENMA by Fumi Nakamura.

Publication Date: December 21, 2011 Format: FC, 32 pages Price: $3.50 UPC: 7 61568 19207 0 00111

Come see me @ http://charlessuffel.com