New COBRA COMMANDER Revealed

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After the bloody COBRA Civil War, a new commander is crowned.

COBRA will never be the same.
IDW Publishing’s COBRA CIVIL WAR end today when the new COBRA COMMANDER is crowned in G.I. JOE: #8, and the stunning aftermath will infect all three intertwined G.I. JOE series—G.I. JOE, COBRA, and SNAKE EYES. This December and under license from Hasbro, IDW’s G.I. JOE universe will never be the same, and each issue reveals a piece of this brand-new direction.

In stores December 7th, G.I. JOE: #8 features writing by Chuck Dixon (Batman, Superman), art by Will Rosado (Green Arrow, Robin) and a cover by Tom Feister (Iron Man, Green Lantern). After months of COBRA CIVIL WAR, the kills have been tallied and it’s time to name the all-new COBRA COMMANDER. Marking this once-in-a-lifetime event, G.I. JOE: #8 will feature a special scratch-off lottery cover, revealing the identity of the new COBRA COMMANDER.

The action and aftermath continue on December 14th in SNAKE EYES #8, written by Dixon with art by Casey Maloney (Star Trek, Children of the Grave), as the ninja commando attempts to rescue his teammate, DUKE, who’s been infected by a lethal virus that’s diving him violently mad. If SNAKE EYES cannot save him in time, DUKE could be the last casualty of the COBRA CIVIL WAR.

In COBRA #8, available on December 21st from writer Mike Costa (Blackhawks, Smoke & Mirrors) and artists Antonio Fuso (Wolverine: Origins, G.I. Joe: Hearts and Minds) and Werther dell’Edera (X-Force, Punisher), the reign of the new COBRA COMMANDER begins—leading to January’s status-quo shattering COBRA COMMAND crossover series. An unstoppable series of events is set in motion, the world is about to learn what COBRA already knows: this is a very different kind of COBRA COMMANDER.

All three issues are part of IDW’s photo-cover month, each sporting a variant action cover featuring classic G.I. JOE toys.

Also available on December 7th, G.I. JOE: COBRA: COBRA CIVIL WAR, VOL. 1 takes fans back to the beginning of the COBRA CIVIL WAR, with the first four issues of the COBRA series plus the 10-page prologue from G.I. JOE #0, including origins of the Cobra candidates who aspired to be the next COBRA COMMANDER. Readers can relive the early battles of this unprecedented war.

“Mike Costa has delivered readers with what could well be one of the best BARONESS stories to ever show up in a comic.” – TheTerrordrome.com

The plague is coming and we want to know how you will survive.

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Win a chance to get killed in the 2nd Story Arc of The Strain!

We’re making preparations for the coming infestation, storing food, comics and weapons. The Strain #1 is on its way, infecting comic shops on Dec. 14th. And here’s a little contest to get you excited for the comics from Guillermo del Toro, Chuck Hogan, David Lapham and Mike Huddleston. 

We want to hear how you will survive the vampire plague. In the comments below give us at least a 200 word description of how you plan to survive the coming epidemic. What supplies will you need? Where would you go to hide? Who would be with you? What weapons would you need? Give us all the details, we need help figuring out how we’d survive.
Official Rules:
1. Post a comment of at least 200 words on the Dark Horse Blog (http://www.darkhorse.com/Blog/741/strain-survive-plague-contest) by 11:59p.m. PT on Sunday Dec. 4th, 2011 and describe how you plan to survive the coming plague.
2. Come back next week as we post the top 5 Survival Tales, once per day through Dec. 9th. 
3. Starting Dec. 9th. come back to the blog and Vote for the best Survival Plan Through Dec. 13th. 
***We’ll post the winner on Dec. 14th, the release date of The Strain #1
The Winner of this contest will have their likeness drawn into one of The Strain arc two comics to be killed by a Vampire. We will finalize details with the winner individually.
The fine print: No purchase necessary. One online entry per person (one e-mail address per person/address). You must be eighteen years of age or older to enter. Contest entries only accepted if they are submitted by 11:59p.m. (PDT), Dec. 4th, 2011, to be eligible. Winner will be selected based upon the quality of submitted comments (as determined at Dark Horse’s sole discretion) from all applicable entries and will be notified by Dec. 13th, 2011. Entry becomes the property of Dark Horse upon receipt. Entry constitutes agreement by winners to be publicized and permission to use each winner’s name for the purposes of promotion of the Contest without further compensation. Contest void where prohibited. Odds of winning dependent on number of entrants.

EVAN DORKIN INVITES YOU TO HOUSE OF FUN!

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With Dark Horse Presents continually adding new and awesome stories to the lineup, Evan Dorkin wants to tell you about House of Fun!

“While we were working on the Milk and Cheese collection with Scott Allie and Daniel Chabon, I pitched the idea to do new material for Dark Horse so I could revive some of my old characters. This dovetailed nicely with the revival of Dark Horse Presents, since most of my humor comics originally ran in various anthologies including several from DHC like Instant Piano, Deadline USA, and the first run of Dark Horse Presents.

“The idea was to bring back as many of my old characters and concepts from Milk and Cheese and Dork as possible, grouping it all under the new House of Fun name. I decided not to use Dork as a catchall title for these comics. I got sick of the name a long time ago and this relaunch felt a good opportunity to finally retire it.

“So, what I’m doing is twenty-four pages of comics to be spread over three issues of DHP, with each eight-page anchored by a new Milk and Cheese strip. The other features will include a new Murder Family episode; several pages of Fun gag strips, as well as the return of The Eltingville Comic Book, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror and Role-Playing Club. If all goes according to plan I’ll also be doing a one-page Fisher-Price Theater adaptation of Fahrenheit 451 and a short Devil Puppet story.

“Also, the comics will all be colored by my longtime collaborator and long-suffering wife, Sarah Dyer.

“This is something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time now. The last issue of Dork came out in 2006 and it’s been even longer since I worked on an Eltingville or Murder Family strip. I’m excited to be working on my own stuff again, I’m having a lot of fun making these comics, and I hope folks will have fun reading them. If not they can go suck an egg.”

House of Fun will premiere in Dark Horse Presents #10, on sale March 21, 2011.

DARK HORSE DELIVERS COMICS DIGITALLY AND IN PRINT SAME DAY

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STARTING DECEMBER 14! 

Dark Horse’s digital evolution continues after seeing huge success with digital sales. Dark Horse Comics will now make their comics available digitally the same day they are on sale in comic shops.

Beginning December 14, all titles from Dark Horse Comics will be on sale the same day in both print and digital format, allowing new-technology readers to access their favorite comics at the same time as their print-oriented counterparts.

Dark Horse Digital launched its standalone comic-reader app earlier this year and received incredible support from the continuously growing digital-comics fan base, a new type of comics fan eager to adapt to new technologies.

Since then, Dark Horse Digital has grown significantly in numbers and readership with the additions of several key titles to the digital roster, including Star Wars, Buffy, Angel & Faith, and Dollhouse. Dark Horse Digital also provides weekly sales and discounts to its readers, currently offers over eight hundred comics, and continues to increase the digital availability of the Dark Horse back catalog.

IDW and Barnes & Noble Partner to Bring Graphic Novels to NOOK®

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Major comics publisher launches graphic novel catalog on new NOOK Tablet™

Continuing to lead the charge of digital comics, IDW Publishing proudly debuted a collection of graphic novels for the new Barnes & Noble NOOK Tablet, the company’s fastest and lightest tablet with the best in HD entertainment. IDW’s initial NOOK entrée features over thirty complete graphic novels, including award-winning books and works by bestselling authors.

“We’re excited to partner with Barnes & Noble to bring IDW graphic novels line to NOOK,” stated Jeff Webber, IDW’s director of ePublishing. “With the NOOK Tablet, Barnes & Noble has developed a stunning display that works perfectly for viewing comics and graphic novels. Our digital graphic novels include all the special features and content found in the print versions also available through Barnes & Noble.”

IDW’s rich graphic novel catalog of top prose authors and comics creators is especially suited for eReaders. Fans of IDW writers such as Joe Hill, Anne Rice, Max Brooks, Peter S. Beagle, Steve Niles, or James Patterson can now find those graphic novels right next to their respective prose stories. Award-winning creators like Darwyn Cooke and his acclaimed adaptations of Richard Stark’s Parker books and the first installment of the BLOOM COUNTY: THE COMPLETE LIBRARY are also included in IDW’s diverse NOOK line.

IDW’s NOOK launch offers something for readers of all ages, from classics like Eric Shanower’s OZ series for younger audiences and Joe Hill’s best-selling LOCKE & KEY series for mature readers.

“Barnes & Noble is excited to offer IDW Publishing’s graphic novels on NOOK Tablet,” said Theresa Horner, vice president of Content and Digital Products for Barnes & Noble.  “With the launch of NOOK Tablet, we now offer a vast collection of full-color comics, graphic novels and kids’ comics in high resolution that makes the action virtually jump off the page.  IDW’s graphic novels are a great addition.”

NOOK devices are the perfect choice for anyone who wants access to their favorite reads anywhere they go.  NOOK Tablet is the company’s fastest and lightest tablet with the best in HD entertainment. NOOK Tablet offers access to popular movies, TV shows, music and more through the top entertainment services, including Netflix, Hulu Plus, Pandora and others, plus a collection of high-quality apps, fast Web browsing and e-mail. NOOK Tablet features Barnes & Noble’s award-winning color reading experience, with access to the world’s largest digital bookstore via Wi-Fi®.

Soundwave before the sound!

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Today’s image is from the “Transformers Vault” table top collectors book.

What I find funny is that in the caption below the figures feet it refers to Soundwave as Blaster. It’s a simple text error but one to point out, either way to see what Soundwave would have been is just amazing.

Such a simple design yet it has all the elements that make Soundwave who he is.

Go here to buy the book.

Hit up the PCN forums and tell me what you think and thanks for reading.

“Till all are one”

Review-Green River Killer – A True Detective Story

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By Chuck Suffel

Writer – Jeff Jensen Artist – Jonathan Case

This graphic novel from Dark Horse tells the story of the Green River Killer, the 48 murders which took place in the Seattle area in the 1980’s that were attributed to him and the twenty year manhunt that led to his capture and conviction.

But its more than just a true crime book, it was written by the son of Detective Tom Jensen, you see Jeff’s father is one of the only detectives to work the case from start to finish. Even in his retirement as a consultant. His father spent almost his whole career tracking this killer and after finally catching him he spent 180 days interviewing him and documenting his story. Jeff has said he wrote this to gain a better understanding of his father and to express his love for him. The writing of this must have been no easy feat as he shows us through out the story that his father didn’t speak much to his family about the case. One can only imagine the sessions father and son had getting all this on paper.

The author gives us a good look at the detectives, some of the victims families and the killer. He takes his time with the story really letting us feel the frustration the task force felt as well as the misery the victims families endured. He also let’s us see the toll it took on his father. The art is good, Jonathan Case’s pencils tell the story well giving life to the characters in a very natural way. The only thing I can take away from this book is that the nonlinear story-telling can be a little confusing, we get to see how the case was solved and subsequent interviews with the killer all at once and I will admit to being a little lost now and again.

The facts of the case are public record and several TV movies and documentaries have been made so what does this graphic novel add to all that? It adds the insights of a son into his fathers world, a view he graciously shares with us.

Genre: Non-Fiction, Crime Publication Date: August 31, 2011 Format: B&W, 240 pages, HC, 6″ x 9″ Price: $24.99
Age range: 16 ISBN-10: 1-59582-560-6 ISBN-13: 978-1-59582-560-5

Come see me @ http://charlessuffel.com

Tiger and Bunny SH arts from winter 2011 show

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http://bulk.destructoid.com/ul/22243-/23-noscale.jpg

 

I’ve posted images of Tiger and Bunny before and I can’t wait to get my hands on them.

So, what the hell is the plot?

The series takes place in the year “NC 1978” in a fictional, re-imagined version of New York City called Sternbild City, where 45 years before, superpowered individuals known as “NEXT” started appearing and some of them became superheroes. Each of the city’s most famous superheroes work for a sponsor company and their uniforms also contain advertising for real-life companies. Their heroic activity is broadcast on the popular television show “Hero TV”, where they accumulate points for each heroic feat accomplished (arresting criminals or saving civilians, for example) and the best ranked hero of the season is crowned “King of Heroes”.

The story mainly focuses on veteran hero Kotetsu T. Kaburagi aka Wild Tiger who is assigned with a new partner, a young man named Barnaby Brooks Jr. However, Barnaby and Kotetsu usually have trouble working together as they have conflicting opinions on how a superhero should act while at the same time trying to crack the mystery of the murder of Barnaby’s parents. In addition, the appearance of a homicidal vigilante NEXT named “Lunatic” stirs up the public and makes them question the meaning of heroes.