Rick Veitch, Denis Kitchen Added to Baltimore Comic-Con 2015

Baltimore Comic-Con 2015 Welcomes Kitchen, Moore, Root, and Veitch

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - The Baltimore Comic-Con returns to the Baltimore Convention Center on September 25-27, 2015 for its 16th annual show! We are proud to announce our returning guests, Denis Kitchen, Terry Moore, Budd Root, and Rick Veitch.

The Harvey Award-winning Denis Kitchen began his comics career as a self-published underground cartoonist (Mom's Homemade Comics, 1969), but quickly became primarily a publisher. His Kitchen Sink Press for three decades published such legendary and diverse artists as Will Eisner, Harvey Kurtzman, R. Crumb, Mark Schultz, Charles Burns, Al Capp, Scott McCloud, Neil Gaiman, Alan Moore, Eddie Campbell, Dave McKean, Howard Cruse, and countless others. Kitchen also founded the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and chaired it for eighteen years. A monograph of his cartoons, The Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen, was recently published. Kitchen curates exhibitions, is an art agent, a literary agent, a comics historian and author (The Art of Harvey Kurtzman and a biography, Al Capp), and has recently brought back Kitchen Sink Books as an imprint of Dark Horse Comics with partner John Lind. This is Denis's 6th appearance at Baltimore Comic-Con where he has a special connection: as the representative of the Kurtzman estate, he was responsible for bringing the annual Harvey Awards to us.

Having decided to publish his initial work, Strangers in Paradise, via his Houston-based Abstract Studios, Terry Moore won an Eisner award for his work. Since then, he has gone on to write several titles for Marvel, including the hit series Runaways. Through Abstract Studios, he created the Harvey award-winning Echo, which ran for 30 issues and has since been collected, and his current title, the Harvey-nominated Rachel Rising, for which Moore both writes and provides the art.

Budd Root initially broke into the mainstream comics industry with his first published work at London Night Studios. Ultimately, Root decided he would publish his own comics, forming Basement Comics in 1993 and issuing the now-synonymous Cavewoman. The title has since gone on to see publication with Caliber Press and Avatar Press. It has also garnered an Ignatz Award nomination in 1999.

A member of The Kubert School's first graduating class, Rick Veitch made a name early in his career as a fantasy artist and writer for Marvel's Epic line of titles, where he worked on Epic Illustrated, Heartburst, and The One. He went on to work on the critically acclaimed Swamp Thing from DC Comics, as well as Miracleman from Eclipse Comics, for which he both wrote and provided art. Veitch then moved into the indie comics scene, working initially on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from Mirage Studios and then launching his own King Hell publishing house, with titles like Bratpack and The Maximortal. Returning to larger publishers, Veitch has worked on Image's 1963 and Supreme, and DC's Tomorrow Stories, America's Best Comics, The Question, and Aquaman. More recently, he wrote the Vertigo title Army@Love and The Big Lie from Image. You can find his Miracleman work reprinted these days from Marvel Comics.

"Each one of these creators have left an indelible mark on the comics industry, both with larger publishing houses as well as through their own publishing efforts," said Marc Nathan, promoter of the Baltimore Comic-Con. "It is a great privilege for us to welcome them all back to Baltimore, and we're excited to present them to their fans, old and new!"

This year's confirmed guests for the show include: Neal Adams (All-New Captain America); Jeremy Bastian (Cursed Pirate Girl); Christy Blanch (The Damnation of Charlie Wormwood); Mark Buckingham (Fables); Sean Chen (Secret Origins); Cliff Chiang (Wonder Woman); Frank Cho (Jungle Girl); Steve Conley (Bloop); Amanda Conner (Harley Quinn); Katie Cook (Gronk); Darwyn Cooke (Richard Stark's Parker); Ramona Fradon (Spongebob Annual-Size Super-Giant Swimtacular); John Gallagher (Buzzboy); Cully Hamner (Convergence: The Question); Dean Haspiel (The Fox); Jaime Hernandez (Love and Rockets); Klaus Janson (Superman); Dave Johnson (Inhumans: Attilan Rising); JG Jones (Strange Fruit); Denis Kitchen (The Best of Comix Book: When Marvel Went Underground); Barry Kitson (Empire: Uprising); Seth Kushner (Schmuck); Paul Levitz (Convergence: World's Finest Comics); Mark Mariano (The Other Side of Hugless Hill); Ron Marz (Convergence: Batman and Robin); Terry Moore (Rachel Rising); Tom Palmer (The Avengers); Jimmy Palmiotti (The Con Job); Dan Parent (Archie); David Peterson (Mouse Guard); Ron Randall (Convergence: Catwoman); Budd Root (Cavewoman); Don Rosa (Donald Duck); Stan Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo); Matteo Scalera (Black Science); Bart Sears (Bloodshot); Louise Simonson (Convergence: Superman - The Man of Steel); Walter Simonson (Convergence: Superman - The Man of Steel); Andy Smith (Earth 2); Charles Soule (Uncanny Inhumans); Ben Templesmith (Gotham by Midnight); Frank Tieri (Suicide Squad); Peter Tomasi (Green Lantern Corps); John Totleben (Swamp Thing); Rick Veitch (Saga of the Swamp Thing); Charles Vess (Little Nemo: Dream Another Dream); Mark Waid (Daredevil); John Watson (Red Sonja); Kelly Yates (Doctor Who); and Thom Zahler (My Little Pony: Friends Forever).

In the coming weeks, look for more announcements from the Baltimore Comic-Con. We are looking forward to highlighting our guests, the Harvey Awards, industry exclusives, and programming. The latest developments can always be found on our website, Twitter, and Facebook pages.

Contact Information
Please use the following e-mail addresses to contact the Baltimore Comic-Con:
press@baltimorecomiccon.com - for any general press inquiries or to be added to our PR distribution
registrar@baltimorecomiccon.com- for exhibitor, publisher, and Artist Alley registrations
harveys@baltimorecomiccon.com - for the Harvey Awards ceremony and banquet
general@baltimorecomiccon.com - for general Baltimore Comic-Con inquiries

About The Baltimore Comic-Con
The Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating its 16th year of bringing the comic book industry to the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area. For more information, please visit www.baltimorecomiccon.com.

About The Harvey Awards
The Harvey Awards are one of the comic book industry's oldest and most respected awards. With a history of over 20 years, the last 10 in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con, the Harveys recognize outstanding achievements in over 20 categories. They are the only industry awards nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals. For more information, please visit www.harveyawards.org.

---------------

Review: "Avengers: Age of Ultron" is Bigger and Better

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 20 (of 2015) by Leroy Douresseaux (support on Patreon)

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
Running time: 141 minutes (2 hours, 21 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action, violence and destruction, and for some suggestive comments
DIRECTOR: Joss Whedon
WRITER: Joss Whedon (based upon the comic book created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby)
PRODUCER: Kevin Feige
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Ben Davis
EDITORS: Jeffrey Ford and Lisa Lassek
COMPOSERS: Brian Tyler and Danny Elfman

SUPERHERO/ACTION/DRAMA/FANTASY/SCI-FI

Starring: Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, Cobie Smulders, Don Cheadle, Anthony Mackie, Idris Elba, Stellan Skarsgard, Claudia Kim, Linda Cardellini, Andy Serkis, Thomas Kretschman, Stan Lee, Henry Goodman, Julie Delpy, Haley Atwell, Kerry Condon (voice), and James Spader (voice), and Samuel L. Jackson

The answer to your likely first question is a resounding “Yes!”  It is good and even better than the first  movie, which was itself quite good.  I want to see this movie again.  Now, on to the formal review...

Avengers: Age of Ultron is a 2015 superhero movie written and directed by Joss Whedon and produced by Marvel Studios. The film, which is based upon the comic book created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, is the sequel to 2012's Marvel's The Avengers.  Jon Favreau and Stan Lee are among the executive producers of this film

Avengers: Age of Ultron features the comic book superheroes, the Avengers:  Captain America (Chris Evans), Iron Man (Robert Downey, Jr.), The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner).  In this new film, a well-meaning peacekeeping program inadvertently creates a powerful artificial intelligence, which decides to destroy the Avengers before destroying all of humanity.

Avengers: Age of Ultron opens in the Eastern European country of Sokovia.  There, The Avengers are in the midst of raiding a Hydra outpost led by Baron Wolfgang von Strucker (Thomas Kretschmann).  The Baron has been experimenting on humans using the scepter of Loki, Thor's villainous brother.  The Avengers retrieve Loki's scepter, but encounter the results of von Struker's experimentation, a twin brother and sister who now both possess super powers.

Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) a.k.a. Iron Man and Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) a.k.a. the Hulk discover an artificial intelligence (A.I.) inside the scepter's gem.  They decide to use that A.I. to complete Stark's global defense project, but they don't tell their fellow Avengers about their experimentation.  The result is a dangerous new being calling itself “Ultron” (voice of James Spader) that decides to exterminate humanity and has the power to match the Avengers.

My summary of Avengers: Age of Ultron is wimpy compared to the actual size and scale of this movie.  Avengers: Age of Ultron, in terms of action, is as massive as one of Michael Bay's Transformers movies, but Age of Ultron is more entertaining than any Transformers movie by far.  In terms of story, this movie is big, encompassing multiple settings, enough characters for three movies, and a plot surrounded by multiple sub-plots.  Age of Ultron, however, does not collapse under its own weight, and it is not hard to follow.  Because the story has so much... well, story, I find myself ruminating over it still, two and a half days after I saw it.

Writer-director Joss Whedon is beloved by fans because the story writing and storytelling he brought to his television series, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”  Whedon takes fantasy seriously enough to be serious about crafting a story about vampire hunters and superheroes with all the careful consideration that other writers give to such Oscar winners as Terms of Endearment and A Beautiful Mind.  Concerning the parts of the script that deal with the personalities, motivations, and interior lives of the Avengers, Whedon makes Age of Ultron intimate, probing, and surprisingly individualized.

As I wrap up this review, Age of Ultron lingers in my mind.  I could talk about the eye-popping effects and the fantastic superhero action that are true to the comic book while simultaneously breaking free of the confines of the comic book page.  I could talk about the high-quality acting; the performers take these characters seriously, also.  However, I will say that with Avengers: Age of Ultron, Marvel Studios delivers again... and again... and again...  This is one of the best superhero films ever made.

9 of 10
A+

Sunday, May 3, 2015


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.

TwoMorrows Announces New Printing of "Will Eisner: A Spirited Life"

The Spirit's creator is immortalized in TwoMorrows' Deluxe Edition of Will Eisner: A Spirited Life

Will Eisner's influence has been felt by such diverse talents as Batman creator Bob Kane and Marvel Comics legend Jack Kirby, as well as underground comics legend R. Crumb and Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonists Jules Feiffer and Art Spiegelman—all have hailed Eisner's cinematic approach to comics, and his enduring character The Spirit. This week, TwoMorrows Publishing is re-releasing the definitive biography of the man who changed comics storytelling forever, Will Eisner: A Spirited Life.

So much more than just a new printing, this remastered and expanded, full-color hardcover Deluxe Edition of Bob Andelman's long out-of-print biography explores the fascinating life of Will Eisner, detailing a more than 70-year career that in which he spearheaded comics for adult readers and created the first widely accepted graphic novel, A Contract with God.

From his childhood to famously turning down a proposal for Superman, to educating Army soldiers in P.S. Magazine and creating The Spirit, Eisner's personal and professional life is told in dramatic detail. Andelman spent almost three years interviewing Eisner prior to his passing, researching his life and work and interviewing friends, family, and colleagues including Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons, Neil Gaiman, Denis Kitchen, Joe Kubert, Stan Lee, Jules Feiffer, Neal Adams, and Patrick McDonnell.

"This full-color hardcover is what I always envisioned the book to be, with expanded text, gobs of luscious Eisner art, and a beautiful presentation that makes it a totally different book than its original incarnation," declared author Bob Andelman, who is currently embarking on a book signing tour, which includes his not-to-be-missed talk/slideshow presentation on Will’s life and career. New dates are being added, and interested venues are encouraged to contact TwoMorrows Publishing to arrange signings.

In addition to dozens of full-color images from Will's archives and private collections (not found in the original edition), this expanded Deluxe Edition includes a series of new interviews with Drew Friedman, Howard Chaykin, Darwyn Cooke, Sergio Aragones, Michael Uslan, and others, which clear the air on some topics left unfinished by the first edition, and add depth to the reader's knowledge of Eisner’s body of work. It features an insightful introduction by Michael Chabon, and a Foreword by Neal Adams.

This full-color hardcover is 256 pages long, and retails for $39.95. It is available now in both print and digital editions, through TwoMorrows website (www.twomorrows.com), comic and bookstores through Diamond Comic/Book Distributors, on Amazon.com, and through the company's app on the Apple and Android platforms.

Will Eisner: A Spirited Life (Deluxe Edition)
(256-page FULL-COLOR HARDCOVER) $39.95
(Digital Edition) $12.95
ISBN-13: 978-1-60549-061-8
Diamond Comic Distributors Order Code: DEC141691

A free preview of the book is available at the publisher's ordering link:
http://twomorrows.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=133&products_id=1197

------------------

Josh Trank Departs (is Fired from) "Star Wars" Anthology Film

Josh Trank Departs Star Wars Anthology Film
Josh Trank, who was attached to direct the second Star Wars Anthology film, has decided to depart the project.

Trank said, “After a year of having the incredible honor of developing with the wonderful and talented people at Lucasfilm, I’m making a personal decision to move forward on a different path. I’ve put a tremendous amount of thought into this, and I know deep down in my heart that I want to pursue some original creative opportunities. That said, the Star Wars universe has always been one of my biggest influences, and I couldn’t be more excited to witness its future alongside my millions of fellow Star Wars fans. I want to thank my friends Kathleen Kennedy, Kiri Hart, Simon Kinberg, and everyone at Lucasfilm and Disney for the amazing opportunity to have been a part of this. May the Force be with you all.”

Lucasfilm VP of Development Kiri Hart said “It was a privilege to collaborate with Josh.  We are grateful for the energy and love of Star Wars that he brought to the process, and we wish him all the best.”

The Star Wars team is continuing to develop the project.

---------------

"Mayday" Comic Book Headed to Television

Heroes' Tim Kring, Imperative Entertainment & Black Mask team for 'Mayday' Adaptation

As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Imperative Entertainment, the company run by "Heroes" creator, Tim Kring, as well as Dan Friedkin, Farrelly Brothers producer Bradley Thomas, and Zak Kadison, is joining forces with Black Mask Studios for a scripted TV adaptation of MAYDAY, the new comic from red-hot writer Curt Pires (POP, THEREMIN) and breakout artist Chris Peterson (GRINDHOUSE, upcoming BROKEN WORLD), which Black Mask co-founders Matt Pizzolo and Brett Gurewitz will executive produce alongside Imperative.

The intent is to adapt the material for a scripted television series.

MAYDAY lives in the underbelly of the Hollywood scene, where a washed-up, drug-addicted screenwriter and a transgender bartender stumble onto a Satanic cult’s plan to sacrifice people all across LA and bring on Armageddon. As our damaged heroes embark on a suicide mission to stop the crazy cultists, they begin to wonder if this is all really happening or if they're just plain crazy… Probably both.

MAYDAY marks Black Mask's latest foray into TV, joining the adaptations of Steve Niles and Christopher Mittens' THE DISCIPLES in development with Wes Craven at Universal Cable Productions and Frank Barbiere and Chris Mooneyham's FIVE GHOSTS in development with UCP and BenderSpink at Syfy where Evan Daugherty (Snow White And The Huntsman) is writing the pilot.

Imperative and Black Mask are currently out to writers to adapt MAYDAY. Imperative sees the show as a perfect fit for their multi-platform business model, which includes the ability to finance the series, feature films, book series, and video games.

MAYDAY #1 hit stores on April 29, 2015. It's currently sold out at Diamond Distribution, but still available at some retailers. If your local comic shop is sold out, ask them to back-order it using Diamond order code JAN151091.


About Black Mask Studios
Black Mask Studios is a publishing/production company that specializes in working with creators interested in utilizing technology to reach a range of audiences across multiple media platforms. Launched in 2013 by Brett Gurewitz (Bad Religion, Epitaph Records, ANTI- Records), Steve Niles (30 DAYS OF NIGHT), and Matt Pizzolo (GODKILLER), the company's mandate is to support unique creators and expand their audiences. Black Mask is currently developing the scripted series FIVE GHOSTS at UCP and Syfy and THE DISCIPLES with Wes Craven at UCP, and recently launched its 2015 publishing slate which features new works by Grant Morrison, Vanesa Del Rey, Matthew Rosenberg, and Steve Niles.

About Imperative Entertainment
Imperative Entertainment is a next generation entertainment studio focusing on the development, production, and financing of original & branded entertainment across all media including film, television, video games, books, comics, and new media. Imperative was founded by Dan Friedkin, Bradley Thomas, Zak Kadison and Tim Kring in 2014. Imperative is currently producing HEROES REBORN for NBC among numerous other projects.

-----------------

Jamal Igle Needs Help with "Molly Danger: Book Two"

Jamal Igle needs your assistance.

Jamal Igle is currently running a Kickstarter campaign to produce the second book in the Molly Danger series. This is the link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mollydanger/molly-danger-book-two-graphic-album-and-audiobook.

---------

DC Comics Announces Pivotal #40 Issues for "Superman," "Batman" and "Justice League"

Earth-Shattering New Issues of BATMAN, JUSTICE LEAGUE, SUPERMAN and THE MULTIVERSITY Hit Shelves Leading to Blockbuster Free Comic Book Day Release
The Biggest Super Heroes in History Present Momentous, Oversized #40 Issues Today, Intersecting in Free Comic Book Day Special Issue May 2

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Arriving on store shelves, oversized issues of the bestselling DC Comics series BATMAN, JUSTICE LEAGUE and SUPERMAN deliver breathtaking events that will forever change the fate of the most revered characters ever created, and set the stage for further events in the special Free Comic Book Day issue DC COMICS: DIVERGENCE, arriving at comics retailers nationwide on Saturday, May 2, 2015. Comic fans can also experience the final chapter of Grant Morrison’s super hero epic, THE MULTIVERSITY.

The bestselling writer/artist team of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo debuts the harrowing finale of “Endgame” in BATMAN #40 in which the Dark Knight and his allies (including some of his greatest foes) try to cure a Joker virus-infected Gotham City full of grinning maniacs. Batman has the ultimate showdown with The Joker to get the cure and save the city in a finale that’s shocking, game-changing and not to be missed!

As one climatic battle ends, an intergalactic war begins in JUSTICE LEAGUE #40 from celebrated writer Geoff Johns and artist Jason Fabok. The iconic team of Super Heroes face off against the most powerful entities in existence as a riveting, canon-changing adventure unfolds in this prologue to the blockbuster event, “The Darkseid War.”

He’s continued to bring Superman to life through his celebrated artwork, and now John Romita, Jr. will also write the newest issue of the bestselling series for the very first time in SUPERMAN #40. Writing and drawing this very special issue, Romita will helm the newest adventure when Superman tests his new power against an unlikely enemy – The Justice League.

All three of these fan-favorite series will intersect May 2 in the must-read Free Comic Book Day special issue, DC COMICS: DIVERGENCE. Not only will the results of the canon-changing events from these three issues unfold in this special issue, but award-winning writer Gene Luen Yang will also premiere his first installment as the new writer for SUPERMAN. Additional details, including a list of participating locations, can be found at www.freecomicbookday.com.

In THE MULTIVERSITY #2, Mastermind Grant Morrison teams up with Ivan Reis to bring fans the final chapter in the most mind-blowing super hero adventure of all time. THE MULTIVERSITY brings together the greatest and bravest heroes of the DC Multiverse to fight one last battle. But more than just a mere cabal of Super-Villains, they face the greatest evil that ever existed; an evil so massive, not even the magnitude of DC’s multiverse stands a chance against it! The final fates of the mystic hero Super Demon, the nightmare henchmen known as The Gentry and Nix Uotan, the Super-God, will all be revealed in this stunning finale to Morrison’s ultimate super hero tale.


About DC Entertainment:
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world.

-----------------