DC Comics Announces "The Vigilante: Southland," a New Look for a Classic Character

A NEW TAKE ON A CLASSIC DC CRIME-FIGHTER—THE VIGILANTE: SOUTHLAND

Crime Novelist Gary Phillips Reimagines the Vigilante on the Mean Streets of Los Angeles in a New Six-Issue Monthly Miniseries Scheduled for October

The spirits of Greg Saunders and Adrian Chase are alive and well at DC, but instead of the open prairie or the skyscrapers of Manhattan, the next Vigilante will be battling crime on the seedy backstreets of Los Angeles, as DC Entertainment announced today that THE VIGILANTE: SOUTHLAND, a six-issue miniseries written by Gary Phillips (Vertigo’s COWBOYS, Violent Spring, Perdition U.S.A.) with pencils and inks by Elena Casagrande, colors by Giulia Brusco and covers by Mitch Gerads (Vertigo’s SHERIFF OF BABYLON), will be hitting comic retailers October 5, 2016.

"This take on Vigilante incorporates current social and political issues, making THE VIGILANTE: SOUTHLAND both relevant and contemporary, which sounds like an incredible direction to take new stories featuring this character,” said DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Dan DiDio. “Gary’s experience with crime fiction will give Vigilante an edginess and grittiness that hasn’t been seen before.”

THE VIGILANTE: SOUTHLAND is the story of Donny Fairchild, a failed NBA player who’s just making ends meet as a maintenance man. When his girlfriend stumbles on a conspiracy to steal water rights through a series of shady land-development deals, she’s mysteriously murdered. Once Donny starts getting too close to the cause of her death, his house is blown up and he’s left for dead. Determined to bring the killers to justice, Donny undergoes training from an urban legend known as the Eastsider to become a masked vigilante.

“THE VIGILANTE: SOUTHLAND is incredibly relevant to our times,” said writer Gary Phillips. “It’s a politically tinged story that touches on a myriad of contemporary issues, such as gun violence, class struggle and Black Lives Matter. The book also provides me an opportunity to contemporize classic issues/tropes, like the fight over water rights in Southern California. I’m very excited to show readers this character, reimagined for the 21st century.”

THE VIGILANTE: SOUTHLAND #1 arrives at comic retailers on October 5, 2016.

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Image Comics Announces a New Story Arc for "Ringside"

RINGSIDE TACKLES ITS SECOND ACT THIS AUGUST

Issue #6 kicks off a new story arc: WORK

"Joe Keatinge and Nick Barber completely sucked me into the seedy and complex world of RINGSIDE, and I never want to leave." —Jeff Lemire

Writer Joe Keatinge (SHUTTER) and debut artist Nick Barber will launch the highly anticipated second act of their ongoing noir drama, RINGSIDE, this August 2016.

Previously in RINGSIDE, fans explored the crossroads of art, industry, and identity within the world of professional wrestling through a literary lens and the rotating perspectives of the wrestlers themselves, the creatives they work with, the suits in charge, and the fans cheering them all on. Comic Bastards praised the series as having "a quiet poetry to the whole thing, like a Steinbeck novel, with frog splashes."

In RINGSIDE #6, former professional wrestler Danny Knossos has made a Faustian pact to save the life of his beloved, but as his new arrangement crosses over with his past life in the ring, he's in for more than he ever bargained for. Danny's got what he's always wanted, but now the true work begins...and he may not make it to the end.

"Ringside's first act is entitled 'Kayfabe,' after the wrestling term meaning the scripted 'reality' of what happens in the ring and dealt, in part, with the different realities we build around ourselves," said Keatinge. "The second is entitled 'Work,' which goes into the wrestling terminology meaning anything which is planned to happen, 'working a crowd,' but quickly delves into how hard it is to maintain false narratives and, in turn, the devastating consequences of their hidden truths."

RINGSIDE #6 (Diamond code: MAY160613) hits stores Wednesday, August 10th, 2016. Final order cutoff deadline for retailers is Monday, July 18th, 2016.


ABOUT IMAGE COMICS
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.

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I Reads You Comics Review: The Moth - Special

THE MOTH – SPECIAL
DARK HORSE COMICS/Rocket Comics – @DarkHorseComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

SCRIPT: Gary Martin
PENCILS: Steve Rude
INKS: Gary Martin; Andy Bish
COLORS: Glenn Whitmore
LETTERS: Patrick Owsley; Willie Schubert
COVER: Steve Rude
56pp, Color, $4.95 U.S. (March 2004)

The Moth created by Steve Rude

“Not of Flesh and Blood!”

The Moth is a character that acclaimed comic book artist Steve Rude created to appear in a trading card set, The Creator's Universe (1993).  Rude's frequent inker, Gary Martin, encouraged him to create comics featuring the character, and eventually Martin wrote and Rude drew an eight-page story “The Moth,” which appeared in Dark Horse Presents #138.

The comic book focuses on Jack Mahoney, an exceptionally-talented circus acrobat for the Vansant Family Circus.  Part of his act involves dressing in costume as a character called “The Moth.”  However, The Moth is also Jack as a costumed-vigilante, in which he uses his excellent wrestling and brawling skills; a gliding apparatus on his suit; and a gas gun to take down criminals.  Jack catches these criminals in exchange for bounties.  He uses money that he earns (or takes) from The Moth's crime-busting activities to do good and also to pay for the medical needs of his twin brother, Tad.  The Moth seems like a blend of Batman and Marvel Comics' Daredevil with a bit of Spider-Man.

Martin and Rude eventually planned to make The Moth a regular comic book feature.  The character debuted in his own comic book, a one-shot entitled, The Moth – Special, written by Gary Martin; drawn by Steve Rude (pencils) and Martin (inks); colored by Glenn Whitmore; and lettered by Patrick Owsley.  Published by Rocket Comics, a defunct imprint of Dark Horse Comics, The Moth – Special led to a four-issue miniseries, entitled The Moth.

The Moth – Special (“Not of Flesh and Blood!”) opens with The Moth landing his latest bounty. Meanwhile, in Port Nolloth, South Africa, events are in motion that will bring something terrible to the United States.  A few weeks later, the Vansant Family Circus is in full swing somewhere near the New Jersey Shore.  Jack's boss, Victor, informs him that the local sheriff has asked for their help to capture an escaped lion, but Jack is in no mood to help the law.  Soon, Jack will find himself forced to deal with something so horrible and so seemingly unstoppable that it will also require the help of mysterious powers all the way in Northern Botswana, Africa.

I read The Moth – Special when it was first released 12 years ago.  I am sure that I liked it, as Steve Rude is an artist whose work I have loved since I first discovered it.  I just didn't remember a thing about this comic book.  Having re-read it, I am saddened that The Moth did not catch on.  Rude had apparently planned on producing at least one miniseries featuring The Moth every year, yet the four-issue one the appeared after The Moth – Special was all that appeared (as of this writing).

In The Moth – Special, Rude is in top form.  This comic book is filled with all the elements that mark the work of Steve Rude:  inventive page layouts, his sterling composition, the attention to set design in just about every panel, his impeccable draftsmanship, and his stellar figure drawing.  Rude is one of the most talented artists ever to draw a comic book.  Over the past four decades, he has consistently been one of the best comic book artists in North America.  No one drawing for DC Comics or Marvel right now even approaches his ability, and that includes Jim Lee.  Steve Rude's love of the comics medium is so evident in The Moth – Special, and that love is evident to the reader.

Writer Gary Martin (who also inks Rude's pencils) offers a story that is part rip-roaring crime, part monster comics, and part lurid horror tale.  The monster in this comic book is genuinely scary, and until the matter is resolved, the battle between good and evil seems like a forgone conclusion – with evil winning and everyone else becoming a meal.

Someday, there will be comic book justice, and The Moth will be back.  Until then, The Moth – Special and the miniseries that followed it are lovely comic books with timeless appeal.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Titan Comics Announces New "Warhammer 40,000" Comic Book

TITAN COMICS REVEALS CREATIVE TEAM FOR NEW WARHAMMER 40,000 SERIES

NEW ORIGINAL ONGOING COMIC ADVENTURES BASED IN THE UNIVERSE OF THE LEGENDARY TABLETOP MINIATURES WAR GAME

Games Workshop and Titan Comics are thrilled to announce the exciting creative team of writer George Mann (Dark Souls, Warhammer Black Library, Eighth Doctor) and artists Tazio Bettin (Independence Day, Sally of the Wasteland) and Enrica Eren Angiolini who kick-off the phenomenal new Warhammer 40,000 comic series this October 2016.

Now in its seventh edition, the ever-popular tabletop miniatures war game Warhammer 40,000 continues to go from strength to strength. The universe is also explored in dozens of best-selling novels, roleplaying and card games, apps and videogames. Additionally the new Dawn Of War III videogame has been announced for 2017 and looks set to join the previous two games in the series as both a critical and sales smash hit!

Hitting stores on October 12, 2016, the new Warhammer 40,000 comic sees Mann and Bettin take the series to new heights with the first adventure, entitled “Will of Iron”. The story follows Baltus, a Dark Angel newly-elevated to the rank of Space Marine, as he is baptized on the bloody battlefield and uncovers the price his Chapter has paid for victory! Secrets as old as the Horus Heresy are on the verge of being revealed...

This hotly anticipated debut issue comes with five art covers to collect by artists Tazio Bettin & Enrica Eren Angiolini, John McCrea & Dee Cunniffe, Fabio Listrani, Boo Cook, and Nick Percival, plus a blank sketch cover.

"I’ve long had an affinity with the rich, gothic universe of Warhammer 40,000, and it’s a privilege to be able to continue it in this way, crafting stories brimming with intrigue, suspicion, heroism and conflict,” says writer George Mann. “Terrible things await the Dark Angels beyond the warp veil of Calaphrax. We’ve got big plans, and we’re about to embark on a terrifying mission into the darkest recesses of the universe. May the Emperor of Mankind protect us!"

Fans can get a special first look at this thrilling new series at the San Diego Comic-Con Warhammer 40,000 panel on Thursday 21st July (1:30pm - 2:30pm) located in Room 4. This panel is not to be missed and will have artwork previews, announcements and exciting reveals from Warhammer 40,000 writer George Mann and editor Andrew James.

Titan is also producing a special issue #0 edition of Warhammer 40,000, which will be available in October’s edition of White Dwarf magazine – published by Games Workshop. This special 32-page preview comic, designed to direct fans to their local comic book store, features an original 10-page strip by the creative team from the regular series, exclusive ‘making of’ features and comes with a brand-new cover by series artist Bettin.

Warhammer 40,000: Will of Iron #1 hits stores and digital platforms on October 12, 2016 and is available to order from the August edition of PREVIEWS. This all-new original adventure set in the world of the esteemed Warhammer 40,000 universe will delight old and new fans alike!

To keep up to date with news about Warhammer 40,000 comic series, follow Titan Comics on Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr.

Warhammer 40,000 #1 covers:
-       Cover A: Tazio Bettin & Enrica Eren Angiolini
-       Cover B: John McCrea & Dee Cunniffe
-       Cover C: Fabio Listrani
-       Cover D: Boo Cook
-       Cover E: Nick Percival
-       Cover F: Blank Sketch


About Games Workshop
Games Workshop® Group PLC (LSE:GAW.L) is based in Nottingham, UK. Games Workshop designs, manufactures, retails, and distributes its range of Warhammer® and Warhammer® 40,000® games, miniature soldiers, novels and model kits through more than 400 of its own Hobby centres, the Internet and independent retail channels in more than 50 countries worldwide. More information about Games Workshop can be found at www.games-workshop.com and further details about all of Games Workshop's licensees and their products are at licensing.games-workshop.com.

About Titan Comics
Titan Comics offers astounding comics and graphic novels from the world's greatest licensed properties, alongside creator-owned comic books from new and world-renowned talent and classic graphic novels re-mastered for brand-new audiences.

For more information, visit: https://www.titan-comics.com

Connect with Titan Comics:
https://twitter.com/ComicsTitan
https://facebook.com/ComicsTitan
http://titancomics.tumblr.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/ComicsTitan

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Dark Horse Comics Announces Its San Diego Comic-Con 2016 Plans

Dark Horse Announces San Diego Comic-Con 2016 Programming Schedule

MILWAUKIE, OR— It's here. San Diego Comic-Con 2016 is upon us, and Dark Horse Comics is delivering a full slate of signings from your favorite creators!

DARK HORSE COMICS | SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON 2016 | BOOTH #2615

SIGNING SCHEDULE

All creators signing in our booth offer their autographs for FREE. FREE prints, comics, or posters are provided for most of our 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.

Some signings require a wristband for entry, as noted on the schedule. Drawings for wristbands for these events will begin at show opening the day before and day of each signing. Come to the Dark Horse booth early for the best chance to join these events.

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

We have two signing stages. One features art by Mike Huddleston and Mike Mignola for Hellboy; the other showcases the Xenoverse with art by Massimo Carnevale for Aliens: Defiance and Dave Palumbo for Prometheus: Life and Death and Predator: Life and Death. The location of each signing is indicated by the following abbreviations:

HB = Hellboy Signing Stage  XV = Xenoverse Signing Stage

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

THURSDAY, JULY 21

10:00 a.m.–10:50 a.m.  HB HARROW COUNTY, DEATH FOLLOWS, CONAN THE SLAYER: Cullen Bunn
                                            CONAN THE SLAYER SDCC EXCLUSIVE COVER: Rafael Albuquerque

10:00 a.m.–10:50 a.m.  XV CREEPY: Dan Braun

11:00 a.m.–11:50 a.m. HB TARZAN: Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc.

11:00 a.m.–11:50 a.m. XV GIRLFIEND: Arnold Pander, Jacob Pander

12:00 p.m.–12:50 p.m. HB CALL OF DUTY: Jason Blundell, Craig Houston, Jonathan Wayshak

1:00 p.m.–1:50 p.m. HB BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: Christos Gage, Kel McDonald, Yishan Li

1:00 p.m.–1:50 p.m. XV PREDATOR VS. JUDGE DREDD VS. ALIENS: John Layman, Chris Mooneyham

2:00 p.m.–2:50 p.m. HB LEAVING MEGALOPOLIS, WONDERFALL: Gail Simone

2:00 p.m.–2:50 p.m. XV FIGHT CLUB 2, KABUKI: David Mack

3:00 p.m.–3:50 p.m. HB ANGEL CATBIRD: Margaret Atwood, Johnnie Christmas
(WRISTBAND REQUIRED)

3:00 p.m.–3:50 p.m. XV TARZAN ON THE PLANET OF THE APES: David Walker

4:00 p.m.–4:50 p.m. HB HELLBOY AND THE B.P.R.D.: Chris Roberson

4:00 p.m.–4:50 p.m. XV HOW TO TALK TO GIRLS AT PARTIES, TWO BROTHERS: Gabriel Bá, Fábio Moon

5:00 p.m.–5:50 p.m. HB SYFY’S DARK MATTER: Alex Mallari Jr. (Four), Anthony Lemke (Three), Jodelle Ferland (Five), Melissa O’Neil (Two), Melanie Liburd (Nyx)

5:00 p.m.–5:50 p.m. XV ELFQUEST: Richard Pini, Wendy Pini

6:00 p.m.–6:50 p.m. HB THE ART OF BATTLEFIELD 1, MIRROR’S EDGE: Robert Sammelin

6:00 p.m.–6:50 p.m. XV BANDETTE: Paul Tobin, Colleen Coover
                                       PLANTS VS. ZOMBIES, THE WITCHER, MYSTERY GIRL, COLDER: Paul Tobin

FRIDAY, JULY 22

10:00 a.m.–10:50 a.m.  HB USAGI YOJIMBO, 47 RONIN: Stan Sakai

10:00 a.m.–10:50 a.m. XV EI8HT: Rafael Albuquerque, Mike Johnson
                                           CONAN THE SLAYER SDCC EXCLUSIVE COVER: Rafael Albuquerque

11:00 a.m.–11:50 a.m. HB LADY KILLER: Joëlle Jones

11:00 a.m.–11:50 a.m.  XV BRIGGS LAND, REBELS, THE MASSIVE: Brian Wood
                                           THE MASSIVE: Garry Brown

12:00 p.m.–12:50 p.m.  HB ANGEL CATBIRD: Margaret Atwood, Johnnie Christmas
(WRISTBAND REQUIRED)

12:00 p.m.–12:50 p.m.  XV THE SECRET LOVES OF GEEK GIRLS: Hope Nicholson, Katie West, Jen Aprahamian

1:00 p.m.–1:50 p.m. HB DEAR CREATURE, THE NEW DEAL, GREEN RIVER KILLER: Jonathan Case

1:00 p.m.–1:50 p.m. XV BLACK DOG: THE DREAMS OF PAUL NASH, CAGES, PICTURES THAT TICK:   Dave McKean

2:00 p.m.–2:50 p.m. HB THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY, THE KILLJOYS: Gerard Way, Gabriel Bá 
(WRISTBAND REQUIRED)

2:00 p.m.–2:50 p.m. XV THE ROOK: Paul Gulacy, Steven Grant, Ben DuBay, Luke Gonzalez

3:00 p.m.–3:50 p.m. HB SLAYER: Tom Araya, Kerry King, Gary Holt, Paul Bostaph and special guests!
(WRISTBAND REQUIRED)

3:00 p.m.–3:50 p.m. XV HALO: TALES FROM SLIPSPACE: Frank O’Connor, Tyler Jeffers, Dave Crosland, Jonathan Wayshak

4:00 p.m.–4:50 p.m. XV RESIDENT ALIEN, KING’S ROAD: Peter Hogan

4:30 p.m.–5:20 p.m. HB BANDETTE: Paul Tobin, Colleen Coover
                                       PLANTS VS. ZOMBIES, THE WITCHER, MYSTERY GIRL, COLDER: Paul Tobin

5:00 p.m.–5:50 p.m. XV LARA CROFT AND THE FROZEN OMEN, DEEP GRAVITY: Corinna Bechko

5:30 p.m.–6:20 p.m. HB THE STRAIN: Edgar Salazar

6:00 p.m.–6:50 p.m. XV COLONUS: Ken Pisani

SATURDAY, JULY 23

10:00 a.m.–10:50 a.m.  HB ELFQUEST: Richard Pini, Wendy Pini

10:00 a.m.–10:50 a.m.  XV SERIES TBA: Kate Leth, Megan Levens, Marissa Louise

11:00 a.m.–11:50 a.m.  HB SYFY’S DARK MATTER: Alex Mallari Jr. (Four), Anthony Lemke (Three), Jodelle Ferland (Five), Melissa O’Neil (Two), Melanie Liburd (Nyx)

11:00 a.m.–11:50 a.m.  XV HOUSE OF PENANCE: Peter Tomasi

12:00 p.m.–12:50 p.m.  HB HOW TO TALK TO GIRLS AT PARTIES, TWO BROTHERS: Gabriel Bá, Fábio Moon

12:00 p.m.–12:50 p.m.  XV THE ROOK: Paul Gulacy, Steven Grant, Ben DuBay, Luke Gonzalez

1:00 p.m.–1:50 p.m.  HB THE SHAOLIN COWBOY, THE BIG GUY AND RUSTY THE BOY ROBOT: Geof Darrow

1:00 p.m.–1:50 p.m.  XV LADY KILLER: Joëlle Jones

2:00 p.m.–2:50 p.m.  HB HELLBOY IN HELL, HELLBOY AND THE B.P.R.D., BALTIMORE: Mike Mignola

2:00 p.m.–2:50 p.m.  XV PROJECT TBA: Cecil Castellucci, Jose Pimienta

3:00 p.m.–3:50 p.m.  HB HARROW COUNTY, DEATH FOLLOWS, CONAN THE SLAYER: Cullen Bunn

3:00 p.m.–3:50 p.m.  XV ALIENS: DEFIANCE: Brian Wood

4:00 p.m.–4:50 p.m.  XV PREDATOR VS. JUDGE DREDD VS. ALIENS: John Layman, Chris Mooneyham

5:00 p.m.–5:50 p.m.  HB SERENITY, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, ANGEL & FAITH: Joss Whedon
(WRISTBAND REQUIRED)

5:00 p.m.–5:50 p.m.  XV WORLD OF WARCRAFT CHRONICLE: Matt Burns, Robert Brooks

6:00 p.m.–6:50 p.m.  HB SERENITY, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, ANGEL & FAITH: Joss Whedon
                                        SERENITY: Nathan Fillion, Alan Tudyk
(WRISTBAND REQUIRED)
                                        *NO POSED PHOTOS
                                        *LIMIT TWO ITEMS PER PERSON FOR NATHAN FILLION
                                        *LIMIT ONE PRINT FOR ALAN TUDYK

6:00 p.m.–6:50 p.m.  XV OVERWATCH: Matt Burns

SUNDAY, JULY 24

10:00 a.m.–10:50 a.m.  HB AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER: Gene Luen Yang

11:00 a.m.–11:50 a.m.  HB BUFFY: THE HIGH SCHOOL YEARS: Kel McDonald, Yishan Li
                                           MISFITS OF AVALON: Kel McDonald

12:00 p.m.–12:50 p.m.  HB CHIMICHANGA, THE GOON: Eric Powell

12:00 p.m.–12:50 p.m.  XV MIRROR’S EDGE, THE ART OF BATTLEFIELD 1: Robert Sammelin

1:00 p.m.–1:50 p.m.  HB ITTY BITTY HELLBOY, AW YEAH COMICS!, GRIMMISS ISLAND: Art Baltazar, Franco

DARK HORSE PANEL SCHEDULE

Please join us at the panels below, brought to you by Dark Horse Comics and friends! Please visit http://www.comic-con.org/cci/programming-schedule for more panels featuring Dark Horse creators and guidelines for attending panels.

THURSDAY, JULY 21

12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m. WELCOME TO THE WHEDONVERSE (Room 23ABC)

Dark Horse’s continuations of Joss Whedon’s cult favorites (Serenity, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel & Faith) remain some of the most-talked-about comics in the industry. Dark Horse is giving you an exclusive chance to hear all there is to tell about the end of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 10 and what’s in store for Serenity from the series’ top talent. Join Buffy Season 10 writer Christos Gage, Buffy: The High School Years writer Kel McDonald, and surprise guests for some big news!

5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.  VIDEO GAME COMICS: LEVEL UP (Room 23ABC)

With Dark Horse, video game franchises found a foothold in comics. With a line of video game–related comics and deluxe art books, including the best-selling World of Warcraft Chronicle, the publisher now works with the biggest studios and brands in the business. Join Dark Horse editor Ian Tucker alongside DICE, 343 Studios, Microsoft, Blizzard, and BioWare for news and announcements on all your favorite video game tie-ins!

FRIDAY, JULY 22

10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. GEEK GIRLS & CATBIRDS (Room 25ABC)

Comics professionals come together to discuss their unique contributions to this beloved medium. In this star-studded panel, topics include creating engaging characters with Margaret Atwood (Angel Catbird), transitioning from artist to writer/artist with Joëlle Jones (Lady Killer), and going from Kickstarter to book deal with Hope Nicholson (The Secret Loves of Geek Girls). Sure to be a great panel for the budding cartoonist eager to explore the craft of making comics!

12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m. SPOTLIGHT ON MIKE MIGNOLA (Room 23ABC)

Comic-Con special guest Mike Mignola returns after the finale of his iconic creation Hellboy, star of comics, movies, and animation. Ask Mike and Chris Roberson (Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: 1953, Witchfinder) your questions in this casual Q&A on what’s in store for the future of the Mignolaverse!

3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.  DARK HORSE ORIGINALS (Room 7AB)

Comics literature has become the voice and visual for a changing generation, and Dark Horse Originals has it all—from underwater mystery in Jonathan Case’s Dear Creature to the surrealist return of Dave McKean in Black Dog: The Dreams of Paul Nash. Join panelists Dave McKean (Cages), Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá (Two Brothers), Peter Hogan (Resident Alien), Cullen Bunn (Harrow County), and Jonathan Case (The New Deal) as they discuss pushing the boundaries of what comics can accomplish in literature.

3:45 p.m.–4:45 p.m.  DARK HORSE PRESENTS: CONVERSATIONS WITH JOSS WHEDON (Hall H)

Joss Whedon has rewarded fans the world over with some of the most compelling characters and plot lines in the history of comics, television, and movies. Here’s your chance to find out what he has in store for us next and get exclusive insight into Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Serenity, and much, much more!

SATURDAY, JULY 23

3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.  30TH ANNIVERSARY OF DARK HORSE (Room 7AB)

Thirty years ago, Dark Horse arrived with an agenda different from that of any other publisher in comics. The young company was founded on the belief that comics creators should have the option to retain the rights to their own work, and it continues to be a highly fertile breeding ground for new characters, concepts, and more! Now, the publisher is poised to make headlines again with some of the biggest news about new original work since Frank Miller brought Sin City to the pages of Dark Horse Presents! Join panelists for an exclusive look at upcoming and unannounced creator-owned work from some of the biggest names in and outside the industry! This will be the comics panel everyone will be talking about at this year’s show!

SUNDAY, JULY 24

12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m. AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER—SPOTLIGHT ON GENE YANG! (Room 24ABC)

Please come celebrate Nickelodeon’s Avatar: The Last Airbender with the brilliant mind of Eisner winner Gene Luen Yang and special guests! Anything from discussing past story lines to teasing the future will be on the table at a panel full of surprises and behind-the-scenes stories.

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I Reads You Review - "DC COMICS PRESENTS: Batman"

DC COMICS PRESENTS: BATMAN - An I Reads You Review
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITERS: Geoff Johns; Len Wein
PENCILS: Carmine Infantino; Andy Kuhn
INKS: Joe Giella; Andy Kuhn
COLORS: Sno Cone; Bill Crabtree
LETTERS: Kurt Hathaway
MISC. ART: Carmine Infantino and Joe Giella
COVER: Adam Hughes
32pp, Color, $2.50 U.S., $3.85 CAN (September 2004)

Batman created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger

That late Julius “Julie” Schwartz (1915-2004) was known for his long association with DC Comics, where he was a longtime editor and guiding force.  For a time, he was the primary editor of DC Comics' flagship franchises, Superman and Batman.  Schwartz was also one of the earliest science fiction literary agents (being a co-founder of Solar Sales Service, a literary agency) and was basically one of the founders of early science fiction fandom.

After he died in February 2004, DC Comics created a short publishing event, the DC Comics Presents Specials, to celebrate Schwartz's contributions to the publisher.  There were eight DC Comics Presents comic books in all, each one bearing a bullet-logo comprised of a cartoon portrait of Schwartz and emblazoned with the words, “A Julie Schwartz Tribute.”

Apparently, one of the hallmarks of Schwartz's editorial and creative vision was to conceive imaginative covers that would serve as springboards for DC Comics writers in need of story ideas.  For these DC Comics Presents Specials, classic Schwartz “concept covers” were used to inspire new stories produced by creative teams that either worked with Schwartz or were inspired by his work.  Each DC Comics Presents Special was a stand-alone comic book and contained two stories.  Each comic book also featured a cover that re-interpreted, re-drew, or was inspired by a “concept cover.”

DC Comics Presents: Batman featured two stories inspired by the cover of Batman #183, which was drawn by Carmine Infantino (pencils) and Joe Giella (inks).  DC Comics Presents: Batman also sports a modern take on Batman #183's cover, as drawn by Adam Hughes.

The first story is “Batman of Two Worlds” and is drawn by Infantino and Giella who drew the cover art for Batman #183.  Written by Geoff Johns, the story finds Batman and Robin always bickering... until Batman kills Robin!  No worries though, this Batman and Robin are fictional, the stars of a scripted television series based on the real Dynamic Duo.  When the real Caped Crusaders start investigating this strange Bat-case, they find that everything is not what it seems.

Then, writer Len Wein and artist Andy Kuhn take Batman to television again in “The Ratings War!”  The hottest show in Gotham City is “The Real Adventures of Batman and Robin.”  In fact, this reality series is about the real Dynamic Duo, because its cameras capture Batman and Robin live and in action across Gotham City.  And this show has taken bottom-feeding television station WGTM to the top of the ratings heap.  So how does WGTM know when and where Batman and Robin will be in action?

DC Comics Presents: Batman made for pleasant reading.  “Batman of Two Worlds” is the kind of simple, straight-forward story that would have fit right into almost any issue of 1960s era Batman or Detective Comics.  In fact, the 1960s where when Carmine Infantino (with inker Joe Giella) was producing what would be a hugely-influential run of Batman comic book cover and interior art for both Batman and Detective Comics.  However, Gardner Fox wrote many of the stories drawn by Infantino, and disappointingly, Geoff John's “Batman of Two Worlds” is a mere shadow of Gardner Fox's imaginative Batman tales of the 1960s.

Of the two stories, I prefer “The Ratings War!,” which I find truer to the spirit of Gardner Fox.  Yet it has a timeless quality.  The scenario for “The Rating War!” would be plausible (relatively speaking) in the 1960s.  Obviously, this story probably makes more sense today, especially because the last three decades have seen countless reality TV series that follow “real-life” law enforcement on the job, in the courtroom, and behind the scenes.

I could be cynical and say that this Julie Schwartz tribute is as much about selling comic books as it is about remembering a DC Comics luminary, and I'd be right.  There is a reason that when DC released this back in 2004, it threw around the names of the fan-favorite comics creators that were contributing to this “tribute.”  That reason is sales.

Why did I buy the comic books that comprise this series?  Well, I bought them because they are connected to Silver Age DC Comics.  I will buy pastiches and tributes to Silver Age DC almost as quickly as I will buy actual reprints of Silver Age DC.  And I like DC Comics Presents: Batman for what it reminds me of more than for what it actually is.

[This comic book contains an obituary of Julius Schwartz, “Softly: A Living Legend Passes,” written by Harlan Ellison with Brian M. Thomsen.]

Reviewed by Leroy Douressesaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from July 1st to 9th, 2016 - Update #44

Support Leroy on Patreon.

COMICS - From Indiewire:  Writer-producer Simon Kinberg hopes "Gambit" movie (with Channing Tatum playing Gambit) starts filming in 2017.

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MOVIES - From ScreenDaily:  "Tomb Raider" has been set for a March 2018 debut.

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MOVIES - From Deadline:  Kiefer Sutherland, who was an original cast member of the film, Flatliners (1990), is likely to join the remake.

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STAR TREK - From YahooNews:  "Star Trek Beyond" will introduce Sulu's husband.

From YahooMovies:   George Takei, the Sulu from the original Star Trek cast, wishes there were a gay Star Trek character, but does not want Sulu to be that gay character.

From Deadline:  Zachary Quinto and Simon Pegg respond to "gay Sulu" debate.

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MOVIES - From Variety:   Justin Timberlake joins Woody Allen's 2017 unnamed film, which begins shooting this fall.

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COMICS - From YahooNews:  It is finally revealed.  Mads Mikkelsen will play the villain, Kaecilius, formerly a goon in service of Baron Mordo.

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TELEVISION - From THR:  Former FOX News blonde bimbo, Gretchen Carlson, sues FOX News boss, Roger Ailes, for sexual harassment.

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COMICS - From YahooMovies:  Tony Stark has been replaced as Iron Man by a young Black woman.

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TELEVISION - From Hitfix:  The start of "Game of Thrones" Season 7 to be delayed.

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The Killing of #AltonSterling and #PhilandroCastille and #Dallas:

From YahooNews:  Cuba Gooding, Jr.  once took a photo with one of the Dallas police officers killed on Thursday, July 7, 2016.

From YahooNews:  Dallas Police Chief David Brown earns praise for his steady hand.

From HuffingtonPost:  Rudy Giuliani is an racist, opportunistic ass; yet people are still surprised.

From NYTimes:  Details emerge in the death of Philandro Castille.

From telSUR:  Cops kill detained man #AltonSterling in Baton Rouge, LA.

From RSN:  More video related to #AltonSterling

From YahooNews:  Katie Couric interviews family of #AltonSterling.

From YahooNews:   Federal civil rights investigators were called in Wednesday to probe the fatal police shooting of a black father of five in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  The death of 37-year-old Alton Sterling outside a convenience store in Baton Rouge was captured on cell phone video.

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HISTORY - From YahooNews:  Slave descendant unites with plantation owner for heartwarming dinner 181 years after families lived there.  The plantation owner, a descendant of the plantation's original owner is also a cousin to the slave descendant.

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JAMES BOND - From Variety:  Nicolas Winding Refn says that he turned down the directing gig on the recent James Bond film, "Spectre."

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COMICS - From Movieweb:  Colin Farrell will play a mystery role in "Justice League."

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COMICS - From DarkHorizons:  "Thor: Ragnarok" begins filming.

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OBITS - From TheWrap:  Acclaimed Iranian film director, Abbas Kiarostami, has died at the age of 76, Monday, July 4, 2016.

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MOVIES - From VillageVoice:  Post-"Twilight" Kristen Stewart continues to astound critic Melissa Anderson.

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OBITS - From TheWrap:  The actress Noel Neill has died at the age of 95, Sunday, July 3, 2016.  Neill's fame primarily comes from the fact that she was the first actress to portray the character, Lois Lane, from the Superman comic books.  She played Lois for the first time in the 1948 film, "Superman," and most famously in the classic 1950s TV series, "The Adventures of Superman."

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MOVIES - From YahooMovies:  Chris Costello talks about her father, Lou Costello of the legendary comedy duo, "Abbot & Costello," and her book, "Lou's on First."

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MOVIES - From Variety:  Has Steven Spielberg lost his platinum touch?

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BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo:  The winner of the box office for the four-day, July 4th (2016) holiday weekend is "Finding Dory" with an estimated take of $50.19 million.

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OBIT - From TheGuardian:  Robin Hardy, the director of "The Wicker Man" (1973), one of the most unsettling films ever made, has died.  He died Friday, July 1, 2016 at the age of 86.

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ANIMATION - From YahooStyle:  Disney getting heat about a fat character in their upcoming film, "Moana."

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BOX OFFICE - From TheWrap:  "Finding Dory" wins the Saturday box office of the 4th of July weekend.

From YahooCelebrity:  "The Legend of Tarzan" doing better than expected.  "The BFG" is in trouble.

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COMICS REVIEW - From Patreon:  "Don't Be Cruel 2-in-1 Edition Volume 1"

From Patreon:  "Tales from the Darkside #1" by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez

From Patreon:  "Star Wars: The Force Awakens #1" - Marvel Comics adaptation

From Patreon:  "Han Solo #1"

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COMICS - From BleedingCool:  The long-running worldwide hit manga, Bleach, will end this Fall.

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CULTURE - From TheWrap:  Patricia Clarkson on Hollywood Sexism: ‘A White Male Actor Should Never Be Allowed to Complain About Anything’

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OBIT - From TheWrap:  Director Michael Cimino has died at the age of 77.  He is best known for his film, "The Deer Hunter," for which he won a "Best Director" Oscar.  He also directed legendary film flop, "Heaven's Gate."

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OBIT - From NYTimes:  Elie Wiesel has died at the age of 87, Saturday, July 2, 2016.  Wiesel was an Aushwitz survivor and Nobel Peace Prize winner.  As an author, his most famous work is the short biographical novel, "Night."

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BOX OFFICE - From Variety:  Steven Spielberg's "The BFG" looks like the loser of the July 4th weekend's major new releases.  "The Purge 3" looks to be a big hit.  It may tie the other big new release, "The Legend of Tarzan" as the top new performer at the box office.

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COMICS - From ScreenRant:  Jon Watts is directing "Spider-Man: Homecoming."  What can his earlier films, "Cop Car" and "Clown" tells us about what to expect from Spider-Man.

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MOVIES - From BleedingCool:  "Underworld: Blood Wars" (the fifth film in the franchise) has been pushed from October 2016 to a January 2017.

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MOVIES - From YahooMovies:  "Gone with the Wind" star, Olivia de Havilland is 100 years old today.

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COMICS - From Kickstarter:  Veteran comic book writer-artist and illustrator, Kody Chamberlain, is working on a new comic book project with newcomer Gavin Guidry.  It is called "Smut and Jeff," and it has a Kickstarter campaign.

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ANIMATION - From Deadline:  The 2012 animated film, "Wreck-It Ralph" will have a sequel, due in 2018.

TRAILERS:

From Vevo:  See Rihanna's video for the song "Sledgehammer" from "Star Trek Beyond."

From Facebook:  Dr. McCoy gives Spock advice in latest "Star Trek Beyond" clip.

From YouTube:  The debut trailer for "Why Him?" with James Franco and Bryan Cranston.