Webcomics Update: Grumble #2, Page 6

Grumble Chapter Two, Page 6 is here:  http://www.comicbookbin.com/grumbletwopage006.html

NOTE:  Last year, I printed some promotional copies of Grumble: Chapter One through a POD printer.  I will sign and number a copy of this "rare" comic book for $5 post paid, which you can purchase here or http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/p/i-reads-shopping.html

I am also on Patreon.

The Killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson - May 2015 Edition - Update #30

From Politico:   Policing scandals threaten to overwhelm the Justice Department... Ha!

From TheVox:  For me, it's not so much the picture, but the future behavior of the two cops in the photo.

From teleSUR:  Beyonce and Jay Z post bail for "Black Lives Matter."

From GuardianUK:  A Klan jury... I mean grand jury actually indcits all six killer cops involved in the death of Freddie Gray.

From DemocracyNow:  Matt Taibbi on police engaging in an endless campaign of harassment.

From Esquire: What the Cleveland PD had planned to do to Tamir Rice... after they'd already killed him.

From YahooNews:  He stood on the hood of car and fired 49 shots through the windshield at two unarmed occupants and the judge acquitted him.

From YahooNews:  Why aren't the bikers who got into a gun battle with cops after rioting amongst themselves called "thugs?" Hmm...

From GuardianUK:  Obama combats the militarization of American police departments.

From YahooNews:  As far as I'm concerned, these guys have been coddled by law enforcement for too long, either that or law enforcement is afraid of them.

From RSN:  Miami cops sent racists and pornographic emails?  They're just showing their true colors.

From the New York Times via RSN:  Police unions experience the loss of their privileged position.

From GuardianUK:  Brian Rice, one of the Baltimore cops charged in the death of Freddie Gray, has twice had his police weapons confiscated because of behavior.

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From TheDailyBeast:  George Zimmerman's blood feud.

From YahooNews:  Almost there...
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From TheGuardian:  New Attorney General Loretta Lynch opens federal probe of Baltimore PD.

From the ACLU: The group likes the city of Newark's cop watch accountability board.

From BuzzFeed:  Racist emails by San Francisco cops causes a review of 3000 arrest.

From the SacramentoBee:  California state senators seek to keep grand juries from investigating cases in which people are killed by police excessive force.

From GuardianUK:  Reporters get beat-downs and locked-up covering Freddie Gray protests.

From TheDailyBeast:  Cops can't stop stopping Chris Rock.

From TIME:  Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on Walter Scott.

From Truthout:  Mumia on Walter Scott shooting.

From RollingStone:  Matt Taibbi on how cell phones are changing the narrative.

From TPM:  How to destroy a black life.

From teleSUR:  That number, in six years, may exceed the number of lynchings over a 100-year period.

From Alternet:  Racists pretending to be Baltimore protestors.

From TheBaltimoreSun:  Six officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray - officers' arrest photos with specific charges.

From RSN:  The terrorism we suffer from police - Morgan Freeman.

From TheVillageVoice:  In light of Freddie Gray, New York's "antiquated" knife law.

From RSN:  Baltimore explained.

From RSN:  Cop beats his wife at Chicago PD black site, Homan Square.

"Hip Hop Family Tree" Grows into a Monthly Comic Book

Ed Piskor's Hip Hop Family Tree to Drop Monthly

Deconstructed: The New York Times best-selling book series, Hip Hop Family Tree, is making its debut as a monthly comic book with new covers, splash pages, a "director's commentary" by Ed Piskor that traces the creator's motivations, processes, and research involved in making this masterpiece-plus other surprises!

Hip Hop Family Tree is the first monthly comic in Fantagraphics Books' 39-year history. The first issue traces the very beginning of hip-hop: it spotlights the breakdancers, graffiti artists, DJs, and MCs who formed hip-hop culture in the tenement rec rooms of the south Bronx in the 1970s. Readers will discover who invented the term "Hip-Hop," and cultural pioneers like Grandmaster Flash and Afrika Bambaataa will make appearances...every month!

Hip Hop Family Tree is the history of hip-hop as told through comics. Piskor can't stop, won't stop until the entire story is told. Painstakingly researched, Ed Piskor is delivering the most thorough account of the who, what, where, and when of the most infamous music genre the world has ever seen.

This collectible rerelease will be available exclusively through Diamond Comics Distributors and on the remastered Fantagraphics website.

"We've found that the existing treasury editions are most popular through the book trade and we thought it would interesting to make an effort to do some outreach with the direct comic shop reader," says creator Ed Piskor. "Our Free Comic Book Day editions were highly sought after at the comic shops who carried it and we took this as a good sign to try some unprecedented moves."

The series will also mark another first for Fantagraphics: exclusive variant cover editions by Piskor produced for retail partners ordering 1000 copies. This will include the Eh! Variant edition, featuring a Slick Rick cover that will be available exclusively from Gotham Central Comics and Collectibles in Mississauga, Ontario.

Likewise, the Third Eye variant, featuring Eazy E on the cover, will be available for purchase this summer at Third Eye Comics locations and online at www.thirdeyecomics.com/hiphopfamilytree. Piskor will be making an appearance at Third Eye Comics in Annapolis, Maryland to sign the variant at a date in August t.b.a.

Each variant cover by Piskor riffs on the beloved Marvel 25th Anniversary cover promotion from 1986 and spotlights a different figure from the history of Hip Hop. Fantagraphics and Piskor will also be producing a convention exclusive variant available only from Fantagraphics or Piskor himself.

"If you would have told me a year ago that we were going to publish a monthly comic book for the first time ever, with variant covers no less, I would have made a face," says Associate Publisher Eric Reynolds. "But Ed is a singular talent, and Hip Hop Family Tree has proven to be a singular property. When Ed first floated the idea of a comic book series, we jumped. I knew he could pull it off in the way that few ever could."

Hip Hop Family Tree #1 will be solicited in the Previews for items shipping in August 2015. August will also see the release of Hip Hop Family Tree Book 3: 1983-1984, the latest volume of the best-selling book series, which spotlights The Beastie Boys, Run DMC, The Fat Boys, and many more.

HIP HOP FAMILY TREE #1
by Ed Piskor
$4.99 / Comic / 32 pgs / 6.5 x 10

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Dark Horse Takes "Heart in a Box" Graphic Novel Digital

GET READY TO OPEN UP A DIGITAL ‘HEART IN A BOX’

KELLY THOMPSON AND MEREDITH MCCLAREN’S OGN TO BE SERIALIZED ON DARK HORSE DIGITAL PRIOR TO RELEASE

MILWAUKIE, OR—Before fully opening Kelly Thompson and Meredith McClaren’s Heart in a Box in September 2015, become one of the first to get a FREE glimpse at the duo’s original graphic novel via Dark Horse Digital.

As a special advance look, Dark Horse will serialize Heart in a Box in seven chapters over the next six weeks, with the first two chapters available now on Dark Horse Digital. The first chapter is FREE for all users, and all subsequent chapters will be priced at an affordable $0.99.

In a moment of post-heartbreak weakness, Emma wishes her heart away, and a mysterious stranger—who may or may not be totally evil—obliges. But emptiness is even worse than grief, and when Emma learns that her heart can be regained piece by piece, she takes the strange bargain. But will the cost of her heart be her soul?

A fresh, funny, and action-packed take on heartbreak, Heart in a Box is Thompson and McClaren’s first graphic novel collaboration and comes hot on the heels of Thompson’s novels, The Girl Who Would Be King and Storykiller; as well as her critically acclaimed work on Jem and the Holograms.

“We couldn’t wait to share Heart in a Box with readers, so we’re very excited to get it out early through our digital platform,” said Dark Horse editor Brendan Wright. “Kelly and Meredith have created something truly special, and after fans read it digitally, they’re definitely going to want to have a copy for their shelf.”

Heart in a Box chapter one and chapter two are available now on Dark Horse Digital.

Heart in a Box
Kelly Thompson (W), Meredith McClaren (A/Cover)
$14.99, 978-1616556945
On sale September 29, 2015


About Dark Horse
Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent, such as Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Brian Wood, Gerard Way, Felicia Day, and Guillermo del Toro, and comics legends, such as Will Eisner, Neal Adams, and Jim Steranko, Dark Horse has developed its own successful properties, such as The Mask, Ghost, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Its successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Mass Effect, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, EVE Online, Halo, Serenity, Game of Thrones, and Domo. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading publishers of both creator-owned content and licensed comics material.

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Negromancer's Fave Poli-Reads - May 2015 Edition - Updated #14

From RSN:  I voted for him, but I always thought that he was a bit of dishonest cretin.

From TheVox:  Kansas is at war against the poor.

From Haaretz:   Wow!  No wonder they were supportive of South Africa.

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From the LondonReviewofBooks:  Seymour Hersh calls into the question the official account of the American raid that killed Osama bin Laden.

From Salon: Hersh says he's not backing down on anything he said about Osama raid.

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From AlJazeera:  Oppression, segregation, anti-free speech: so much for the MidEast's only democracy.

From BloombergBusiness:  Harold Hamm, a billionaire oil CEO, wanted the University of Oklahoma to dismiss earthquake scientists and he wanted to sit in on the interview process to pick a new head of the geological survey.

From TPM:  He should blame the party he supports.

From TheDailyBeast:  Details on De Blasio's contract with America.

From CommonDreams:  Another financial meltdown looms as many of the practices that caused the 2008 financial crisis remain in practice.

From CNN:  The poor in the U.S. are not the envy of America.

From RSN:  No a black man will not win the GOP nomination.  That means not you, Ben Carson.

From YahooNews:  Poverty is creeping into the 2016 Presidential race, putting Republicans in a tenuous position.

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From CNN:  Carly Fiorina is running for President.

From TIME:  Why Fiorina is controversial.
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From BuzzFlash:  5 steps to privatizing everything.

From RSN:  An actual socialist is running for President.

From Consortium:  The day after Damascus falls.

From RSN:  Bernie Sanders is running for the Democratic nomination in 2016.

From TheIntercept:  There is a protest over a PEN Award to Charlie Hebdo.

From AlJazeera:  Killers on Blackwater payroll get long prison sentences...  their boss needs to follow them to jail.

From RSN:  Free range parenting vs. busy body servants of the police state.

Review: "Scooby-Doo! Moon Monster Madness" is Rather Tame

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 22 (of 2015) by Leroy Douresseaux (support on Patreon)

Scooby-Doo! Moon Monster Madness (2015) – Video
Running time:  72 minutes (1 hour, 12 minutes)
PRODUCER/DIRECTOR:  Paul McEvoy
WRITER:  Mark Banker
EDITOR:  Kyle Stafford
COMPOSER:  Andy Sturmer

ANIMATION/FANTASY/FAMILY and ACTION/COMEDY/MYSTERY

Starring:  (voices) Frank Welker, Matthew Lillard, Grey DeLisle, Mindy Cohn, Diedrich Bader, Eric Bauza, Jeff Bennett, Jennifer Hale, Mark Hamill, Malcolm McDowell, Kevin Michael Richardson, and Fred Tatasciore

Scooby-Doo! Moon Monster Madness is a 2015 straight-to-video, animated, comic mystery film.  It is also the 23rd animated movie in the Scooby-Doo straight-to-video series from Warner Bros. Animation, which began in 1998 with Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island.  In Moon Monster Madness, Mystery Inc. travels to an elaborate moon base where they attempt to unravel the mystery of an alien monster.

Scooby-Doo! Moon Monster Madness introduces the billionaire Sly Baron (Malcolm McDowell).  His latest venture is to make “space tourism” more readily available.  To that end, Baron and his brother, Hudson (Fred Tatasciore), create the first space cruise ship, the “Sly Star One.”  Baron has picked an elite crew to accompany him on the Sly Star One's maiden voyage:  hero astronauts: Zip Elvin (Mark Hamill) and Colt Steelcase (Jeff Bennett); rising astronaut star, Shannon Lucas (Jennifer Hale); self-proclaimed alien hunter, Ridley (Jennifer Hale); football star, Uvinious Botango a.k.a "U-Boat" (Kevin Michael Richardson); and H.A.M. (Diedrich Bader), a robot who just wants to be useful and to be liked.

Baron also creates the “Sly Me to Space” sweepstakes, a lottery that give the last 5 seats on the Sly Star One to ordinary folks.  And the winners are Fred Jones (Frank Welker), Daphne Blake (Grey DeLisle), Velma Dinkley (Mindy Cohn), Shaggy Rogers (Matthew Lillard), and Scooby-Doo (Frank Welker).  The cruise is not filled with fun, however, as rivalry, jealousy, and hero worship cause trouble.  And the space tourists soon discover an alien monster wants to ruin their trip to end their lives.

Scooby-Doo! Moon Monster Madness is somewhat inventive.  It is sometimes funny.  It references and has allusions to famous science fiction movies and films about space travel, such as 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), Alien (1979), Aliens (1986), and The Right Stuff (1983).  The problem is that Moon Monster Madness just does not come together.  It is a little too long; has too many guest or supporting characters; and does not fully utilize many of the characters or sub-plots and themes.  Personally, I would have liked more screen time for “U-Boat” and H.A.M.

To be honest, it is also possible that I had high expectations for Moon Monster Madness coming off the previous Scooby film, Scooby-Doo! Frankencreepy, which I loved so much, to an extent that still surprises me.  Still, I will recommend Scooby-Doo! Moon Monster Madness, because... well... I always recommend Scooby-Doo movies.

5 of 10
B-

Monday, May 25, 2015


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

Dark Horse at Phoenix ComicCon 2015 - Full Schedule

DARK HORSE ANNOUNCES PHOENIX COMICON 2015 SIGNING & PANEL SCHEDULE

Visit Dark Horse Comics at Phoenix Comicon at booth #7052 for free swag, such as comics, buttons, posters, and more! Check out our show exclusives, signings, and panels, too!

PHOENIX COMICON EXCLUSIVE
Archie vs. Predator #1 Phoenix Comicon exclusive variant cover by Darick Robertson (500 copies).

A set quantity will be available at opening each day of the show. Limit of 5 per person per day while supplies last. Each comic is $5.00.

We’ll also have a variety of Dark Horse comics, graphic novels, art books, and collectibles for sale in our booth.

SIGNING SCHEDULE
All creators signing in our booth offer their autographs for FREE. FREE prints, comics, or posters are provided for signings (while supplies last). You may purchase or bring items to be signed; however, we may restrict the type or number of items to be signed as necessary. Please note that some of the titles listed below have not been released for sale yet—in those cases, special prints will be available.

Lines may also be closed for some signings due to crowding or time restrictions.

All events are subject to change. Some restrictions apply. Please ask the Dark Horse Comics staff if you have questions.

THURSDAY, MAY 28
5:00 p.m.–5:50 p.m. ARCHIE VS. PREDATOR, GRINDHOUSE: Alex de Campi
Archie vs. Predator #1 Phoenix Comicon exclusive variant cover by Darick Robertson available for purchase.

7:00 p.m.–7:50 p.m. MIDNIGHT SOCIETY: Drew Edward Johnson

FRIDAY, MAY 29
11:00 a.m.–11:50 a.m.  MIDNIGHT SOCIETY: Drew Edward Johnson

2:00 p.m.–2:50 p.m. THIS DAMNED BAND: Paul Cornell, Tony Parker

3:00 p.m.–3:50 p.m. TWO BROTHERS, DE:TALES, PIXU, THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY: Gabriel Bá, Fábio Moon

4:00 p.m.–4:50 p.m. EI8HT, X, B.P.R.D. HELL ON EARTH: Rafael Albuquerque

5:00 p.m.–5:50 p.m. GRINDHOUSE, ARCHIE VS. PREDATOR: Alex de Campi
Archie vs. Predator #1 Phoenix Comicon exclusive variant cover by Darick Robertson available for purchase.

SATURDAY, MAY 30
11:00 a.m.–11:50 a.m. TWO BROTHERS, DE:TALES, PIXU, THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY: Gabriel Bá, Fábio Moon

12:00 p.m.–12:50 p.m. ARCHIE VS. PREDATOR, GRINDHOUSE: Alex de Campi
Archie vs. Predator #1 Phoenix Comicon exclusive variant cover by Darick Robertson available for purchase.

1:00 p.m.–1:50 p.m. MASS EFFECT, X: Tony Parker

2:00 p.m.–2:50 p.m. THIS DAMNED BAND: Paul Cornell, Tony Parker

3:00 p.m.–3:50 p.m. EI8HT, X, B.P.R.D. HELL ON EARTH: Rafael Albuquerque

4:00 p.m.–4:50 p.m. MIDNIGHT SOCIETY: Drew Edward Johnson

SUNDAY, MAY 31
11:00 a.m.–11:50 a.m.  THIS DAMNED BAND: Paul Cornell, Tony Parker

12:00 p.m.–12:50 p.m.  MIDNIGHT SOCIETY: Drew Edward Johnson

1:00 p.m.–1:50 p.m.  EI8HT, X, B.P.R.D. HELL ON EARTH: Rafael Albuquerque

2:00 p.m.–2:50 p.m. GRINDHOUSE, ARCHIE VS. PREDATOR: Alex de Campi
Archie vs. Predator #1 Phoenix Comicon exclusive variant cover by Darick Robertson available for purchase.

PANEL SCHEDULE
Please join us at the panels below, brought to you by Dark Horse Comics and friends! Please visit http://www.phoenixcomicon.com/programming for more panels featuring Dark Horse creators, as well as guidelines for attending panels.

FRIDAY, MAY 29
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.  North 121  Dark Horse Comics!

For years, Dark Horse has brought the creations of the most talented creators in the comics industry to the stands—and now’s your chance to jump onboard! Join Dark Horse PR coordinator Steve Sunu as he heads up a panel of Dark Horse’s incredible creative talent, including Rafael Albuquerque (EI8HT), Paul Cornell (This Damned Band), Alex de Campi (Archie vs. Predator, Grindhouse), and more!

1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m. North 121 Spotlight: Gabriel Bá and Fábio Moon

From The Umbrella Academy and Casanova to Daytripper and De:Tales, Eisner Award–winning duo Gabriel Bá and Fábio Moon are two creators at the forefront of innovation in comics and graphic novels. With their newest anticipated graphic novel, Two Brothers, coming soon, join the twin brothers for a special spotlight panel discussing their careers, the joy of creating comics, developing Two Brothers following their incredible success with Daytripper, and much more.


SATURDAY, MAY 30
1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m. North 122 Spotlight: Rafael Albuquerque

Rafael Albuquerque is the Eisner and Harvey Award–winning co-creator of Crimeland, Mondo Urbano, and the New York Times best-selling series American Vampire (written by Scott Snyder and Stephen King). Come find out what Rafael is up to next!

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