Showing posts with label Ann Nocenti. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ann Nocenti. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 31, 2023

I Reads You Juniors: January 2023 - Update #50

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon.

NEWS:

DC STUDIOS - From YouTube:  Here is DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn's video announcement about Chapter One: Gods and Monsters of the new DC Studios film and TV slate.

From DCBlog:  Here is a run down on the next generation of DC Comics movies and television, according to DC Studios co-bosses, James Gunn and Peter SafranChapter One (not Phase One) is entitled "Gods and Monsters."

From DCBlog:  DC Studios Co-Chairmen and co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran talk about building a new DC Universe.

DC COMICS - From CBR:  Writer Mark Waid explains why DC Comics' latest event comic book series, "Lazarus Planet," focuses on Damian Wayne/Robin.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:  Writer Josh Trujillo talks about the six-issue, Blue Beetle limited series, "Blue Beetle: Graduation Day."

MARVEL STUDIOS - From Variety:  Actor Stephen Dorff, who starred in the 1998 "Blade" film as the villain, "Deacon Frost," is criticizing Marvel Studios again and mocking its current attempt at rebooting the "Blade" film franchise.

OSCARS - From DigitalSpyAngela Bassett becomes the first actor in a Marvel Cinematic Universe film to earn an Oscar nomination in an acting category. Bassett was nomination for "Best Supporting Actress" for "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" at the 2023 / 95th Academy Awards.

From BatmanNews:  Director Matt Reeves' "The Batman" received 3 nominations at the 2023 / 95th Academy Awards.  The categories were "Sound Design," "Make-Up & Hairstylying," and "Visual Effects."

DC STUDIOS - From Deadline:  Social media rumors suggest that actor Jason Momoa will stop playing DC Comics character, "Aquaman." in film so that he can start playing another DC character, "Lobo."  Momoa seems to hint that he could play more than one role...

IDW - From BleedingCoolIDW Publishing will publish a new comic book starring the late Dave Stevens' comic book character, "The Rocketeer."  The one-shot, entitled "The Rocketeer," will feature the work of Adam Hughes and Jae Lee and will be edited by Scott Dunbier.

COMIXOLOGY - From BleedingCool:  As part of major layoffs at Amazon, reports indicate that 50 percent to 75 percent of the staff at digital comics company, comiXology, has been laid off (fired).

EN MEMORIAM - From BleedingCool:  Apparently on comic book artist, Jason Pearson, died at the age of 52, Monday, December 19, 2022.  According to his family, he passed away of a heart attack.  Pearson was best known for his creator-owned comic book, "Body Bags."  He also drew, Batman, Deadlpool, and X-Men comic books, to name a few.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Prolific comic book writer, Cullen Bunn, is launching his own horror imprint, "Outer Shadows," via Outland Entertainment.  It will publish comics, games, and prose fiction.

MARVEL - From GameSpot:  The X-Men's Storm returns to her punk rock days in a new five-issue miniseries from 1980s "X-Men" editor, writer Ann Nocenti, and artist Sid Kotian, who drew Chris Claremont's recent "Gambit" miniseries.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:  DC Comics prepares readers for the "Dawn of DC" in this article.

IMAGE - From CBR: The site offers a profile of Mark Millar/Netflix's upcoming crossover event, "Big Game," that will involve 24 different comic book/media franchises that Millar has created, from "Kick-Ass" to Kingsman.

DC STUDIOS - From Variety:  The rise and fall of Dwayne Johnson and "Black Adam" at Warner Bros. Discovery.

COMICS - From BleedingCoolJimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner are planning to revive their comic book series, "Painkiller Jane," in 2023.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  A Pennsylvania man allegedly killed his wife because she would not support him opening a comic book store...

DC STUDIOS - From GameSpot:  Director Patty Jenkins talks about the "Wonder Woman 3" situation, by which she means that her idea for the film was rejected on the way to the film being cancelled.

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DECEMBER 2022 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Action Lab for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Bad Kids Press for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Bad Moon Comics for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Frank Miller Presents for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Kodansha Comics for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Cold War" event for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for December 20211
From BleedingCool:  Opus Comics for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Red 5 Comics for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Seven Seas Entertainment for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Sumerian Comics for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  WhatNot Publishing for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for December 2022

JANUARY 2023 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze Publishing for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Band of Bards for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Black Mask Studios Entertainment
From BleedingCool:  Blood Moon Comics LLC for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  CEX Publishing for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainent for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Frank Miller Presents for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Kodansha Comics for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Opus Comics for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion Comics for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Seven Seas Entertainment for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Sumerian Comics for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  TOKYOPOP for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Whatnot Publishing for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for January 2023
From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for January 2023

FEBRUARY 2023 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  AWA for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Kodansha Comics for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Spider-Man" and "Dark Web" for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Opus Comics for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion Developments Ltd for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Red 5 Comics for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Seven Seas Entertainment for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Silver Sprocket Press for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Storm King Productions, Inc. for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Sumerian Comics for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Whatnot Publishing for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for February 2023
From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for February 2023

MARCH 2023 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Asylum Press for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Band of Bards for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Blood Moon Comics LLC for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  BOOM Studios for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  CEX Publishing for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Frank Miller Presents LLC for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Opus Comics for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion / 2000 AD for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Sumerian Comics for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Udon Entertainment for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for March 2023
From BleedingCool:  Whatnot Publishing for March 2023

APRIL 2023 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for April 2023
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for April 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for April 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel's "Captain America: Cold War event solicitations for April 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel's "Sins of Sinister" solicitations and checklist for April 2023
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for April 2023

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Monday, September 30, 2019

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 2, 2019

DARK HORSE COMICS

JAN190471    ART OF COMIC BOOK INKING TP 3RD EDITION    $34.99
MAY180351    AVATAR LAST AIRBENDER TP TEAM AVATAR TALES    $10.99
MAY190259    AVATAR LAST AIRBENDER TP VOL 18 IMBALANCE PART 3    $10.99
AUG190261    BERSERKER UNBOUND #3 (OF 4) CVR A DEODATO    $3.99
AUG190262    BERSERKER UNBOUND #3 (OF 4) CVR B NGUYEN    $3.99
AUG190257    EVERYTHING #2 (MR)    $3.99
AUG190246    GRENDEL DEVILS ODYSSEY #1 (OF 8) CVR A WAGNER (MR)    $3.99
AUG190247    GRENDEL DEVILS ODYSSEY #1 (OF 8) CVR B MOON (MR)    $3.99
JUL190403    JOE GOLEM OCCULT DETECTIVE CONJURORS #5 (OF 5)    $3.99
JUN190335    MIND MGMT OMNIBUS TP VOL 03 ERASER & THE IMMORTALS    $24.99
AUG190294    NO ONE LEFT TO FIGHT #4 (OF 5)    $3.99
AUG190256    RUBY FALLS #1 (OF 4) (MR)    $3.99

Monday, July 30, 2018

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for August 1, 2018

DARK HORSE COMICS

APR180049    3 STORY SECRET HISTORY OF GIANT MAN EXPANDED GN    $19.99
JUN180302    DISNEY FROZEN BREAKING BOUNDARIES #1    $3.99
JUN180303    DISNEY FROZEN BREAKING BOUNDARIES #1 FRANCISCO CVR    $3.99
MAR180046    DRAGON AGE HARD IN HIGHTOWN HC    $19.99
APR180065    GIANTS TP    $17.99
APR180032    I AM A HERO OMNIBUS TP VOL 07    $19.99
NOV170029    PAYBACKS TP    $24.99
JUN180322    QUANTUM AGE FROM WORLD OF BLACK HAMMER #2    $3.99
JUN180323    QUANTUM AGE FROM WORLD OF BLACK HAMMER #2 MACLEAN CVR    $3.99
JUN180299    SEEDS #1 (MR)    $3.99
APR180064    SUIT GN    $12.99
FEB180089    TOMB RAIDER 2016 TP VOL 03 SURVIVORS CRUSADE    $17.99
JUN180341    XERXES FALL OF HOUSE OF DARIUS #5 (OF 5) (MR)    $4.99
FEB180060    ZODIAC STARFORCE TP VOL 02 CRIES OF THE FIRE PRINCE (RES)    $17.99

Friday, May 23, 2014

I Reads You Review: X-MEN CLASSICS #1

X-MEN CLASSICS #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER: Roy Thomas
PENCILS: Neal Adams
INKS: Tom Palmer
LETTERS: Sam Rosen, Artie Simek
NEW MATERIAL: Mike Zeck and Tom Palmer
COLORS: Daina Graziunas
EDITORS: Stan Lee (original), Carl Potts and Ann Nocenti (reprint)
EiC: Jim Shooter
COVER:  Mike Zeck and Tom Palmer
48pp, Colors, $2.00 U.S., $2.25 CAN (December 1983)

One of my favorite comic book miniseries is actually a reprint series.  Originally published in late 1983 (with 1983 and 1984 cover dates), X-Men Classics reprinted writer Roy Thomas and artist Neal Adams’ celebrated run on The X-Men comic book series circa 1969-70.  Adams drew The X-Men #56-63 and #65, while Don Heck was the fill-in artist for #64.  X-Men Classics reprints The X-Men #56-63.

Already a freelancer for DC Comics, in 1969, Adams also began freelancing for Marvel Comics, where he penciled several issues of The X-Men.  In 1969, The X-Men comic book was on the verge of cancellation.  Adams joined Roy Thomas and inker Tom Palmer to produce acclaimed, award-winning work (the Alley Awards).

Adams not only penciled The X-Men, but he also colored and plotted the stories with Thomas.  Apparently, some comic book historians consider the Thomas-Adams-Palmer X-Men a highlight of that era (late 1960s to early 1970s) for Marvel Comics.  Adams’ work was popular, but it was too late to save The X-Men from cancellation with issue #66 (March 1970), and the title ended its initial run.

X-Men Classics #1 reprints The X-Men #56-58, in whole or in part.  It also features some new material, including a new splash page drawn by Mike Zeck and Tom Palmer, which summarizes the story leading up to the reprinted material.  Legendary X-Men artist, John Byrne, also provides an introductory piece for this series.

The X-Men, at the time of these stories, were Scott Summers/Cyclops, Jean Grey/Marvel Girl, Warren Worthington III/The Angel, Hank McCoy/The Beast, and Bobby Drake/IcemanX-Men Classics #1 opens with a summary of the connection between The Living Pharaoh/The Living Monolith and Alex Summers, Scott’s younger brother.  Beyond that melodrama, the story’s primary focus is the return of the mutant-hunting robots, the SentinelsLarry Trask is the son of Boliver Trask, the creator of the Sentinels.  Seeking revenge for his father’s death, which he blames on the X-Men, Larry restarts the Sentinels program.  One by one, the Sentinels kidnap the X-Men and other mutants with whom the X-Men had interacted (which at the time of this story arc’s original publication was a small number).

I have read the Roy Thomas-Neal Adams-Tom Palmer X-Men several times, mostly in reprint form, but I have read a few of the original issues.  I have never been disappointed.  Reading the series again for the first time in ages, I wondered if I would realize that my love of these classic X-Men comics was really about nostalgia.  That is not the case.  They were great superhero comics, and they remain so.

I think what Thomas and Adams created was their take on the soap opera theatrics of Stan Lee and the dynamism of Jack Kirby.  It as if the grand epic that was the Lee-Kirby Fantastic Four became a smaller epic, something like an intimately staged opera, in the pages of the X-Men.

Thomas has the characters scream dialogue, taking the saying, “wears his heart on his sleeve” as if it were some kind of comic book proverb.  Larry Trask practically vomits rage and the spirit of vengeance is in every one of his word balloons.  The X-Men yell at each other; to hell with discussion.  They command, demand, order, and bicker.  They are selfish and concerned about their own needs and interests.  At the same time, they are a family, constantly fighting to save one another from a world that wants to destroy them.

Neal Adams’ page design early in his career (and even later) was like a mosaic of broken, jagged, and angled panels united into a single page of narrative.  More diagonal and vertical than horizontal, the panels could be confusing.

There is another way of looking at Adams’ stylish and chaotic graphic design and graphical storytelling.  He was creating the illusion of life and movement in static images.  His art suggested 3D in what was clearly 2D.  That 3D, sense of movement makes Roy Thomas’ loud exposition even louder and makes the melodrama seem imperative and immediate, and maybe even genuine.  Pages 2 and 3 of The X-Men #57 form a splash page, in which Iceman seems to be flying off the page.

That splash page epitomizes the graphic and visual power of superhero comics.  It is not fantasy grounded in realism.  That power is a comic book in which the characters really seem to be exploding off the page.  And X-Men Classics is a great way to experience the master of explosive comic book art, Neal Adams.

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.



Thursday, July 25, 2013

I Reads You Review: WOLVERINE Volume 1

WOLVERINE VOL. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER: Chris Claremont
PENCILS: Frank Miller
INKS: Josef Rubinstein
COLORS: Glynis Oliver (#1-3), Lynn Varley (#4)
LETTERS: Tom Orzechowski
COVER: Frank Miller with Lynn Varley
EDITOR: Louise Jones
REPRINT EDITOR: Ann Nocenti
ASSISTANT EDITOR: Terry Kavanagh
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Jim Shooter
ISBN: 0-87135-277-X; paperback (1987)
96pp, Colors, $4.95 U.S., $5.95 CAN

Wolverine received his first solo comic book in the form of a four-issue miniseries, entitled Wolverine, which was originally published from September to December 1982.  Written by Chris Claremont and penciled by Frank Miller, Wolverine tells the story of Logan/Wolverine’s mission to Japan to learn why the love of his life has rejected him.

For the last decade or so, readers have become used to trade paperbacks arriving shortly after the publication of the story arcs and miniseries that they collect – sometimes as soon as a month after a story arc or series conclusion.  Once upon a time, trade paperback collections were not common.  Wolverine, which collected the miniseries, Wolverine (Vol. 1 #1-4) was published almost five years after the original miniseries first appeared on newsstands and in comic book shops.  Even the indicia for the trade paperback was nothing more than the indicia for Wolverine #1 with a few changes to indicate new dates and prices, as well as the change in Marvel Comics’ ownership.

I suggest that before jumping into this series (and it is worth jumping into) that you read Chris Claremont’s introduction to you story.  That introduction appeared in the original version of the Wolverine trade paperback.  I must note that I am reviewing Wolverine from a 1987 first printing of the trade paperback.  I don’t know if the introduction has appeared in subsequent collected editions of the miniseries.  Claremont explains how he approached the story and why he used it as an opportunity to redefine Wolverine.

For a time, this book was a personal favorite, one I subjected to numerous readings, but I think it has been close to two decades since I last read it.  Reading it for the first time in a long time, I found that (1) I still love this story and (2) there is something about it that has been nagging at me.  After finishing my recent read, I figured out what that something is.  Chris Claremont and Frank Miller were working together to tell the same story, but they were telling it by using different genres.

First, the plot of the 1982 Wolverine miniseries:  Wolverine is spending time away from the X-Men in Canada.  He discovers that all the letters which he has been sending to Mariko Yashida, the Japanese woman he loves, have been returned unopened.  She does not respond to his telephone calls, nor will anyone connected to Mariko help him make contact with her.

Wolverine travels to Japan, where he discovers that Mariko has entered into an arranged marriage to Noburu Hideki.  This arrangement has something to do with a debt incurred by Mariko’s father, Shingen, Lord of Clan Yashida, whom Mariko once believed to be dead.  Wolverine confronts Shingen only to be easily bested in combat by the clan lord, and then, finds himself marked for death by The Hand, an organization of ninja assassins.  Wolverine’s only ally may be Yukio, a mysterious woman of questionable motivations, who is crazy in love with Wolverine.

Claremont states in the introduction that he and Miller “wanted to utterly, ruthlessly and seemingly irrevocably destroy” Wolverine.  They would use their story to make the character better.  Neither creator was interested in the Wolverine that, at the time, was so popular with readers.  That was Wolverine the “pint-sized, hell-raiser with a hair-trigger temper.”  Claremont wanted a character that was more complicated.  Why just play Wolverine as a “psycho-killer” and an animal when he could be a human who struggles with his killer/animal nature?

Claremont reveals in the introduction that he saw Wolverine as a “failed samurai.”  Thus, he wrote a story in which Wolverine struggles to attain pride, self-respect, and honor, while circumstances require him to be a berserk killer.  By exploring this conflict and struggle, Claremont uses character to drive the plot rather than have plot drive the character, which is what would happen if the story was simply about Wolverine killing his adversaries and other assorted people who want to kill him.  Basically, Claremont tells Wolverine’s story as a samurai drama with a side of existential crisis.

Meanwhile, Frank Miller tells Wolverine the character drama as a kind of crime thriller and martial arts ninja movie.  Miller’s popularity with comic book readers isn’t just because of the many unique and varied drawing styles that he has employed over the better part of forty years of drawing comic books.  Miller captures readers with his graphical storytelling – using graphics and illustrations that are connected to tell a story, but Miller does this in an especially visually arresting manner.

Miller has mastered design, not just in the way he presents pages, but also in the way he composes content within panels, connects one panel to another, and how he uses and manipulates space.  He uses the comics medium to suggest, to evoke, to prod, to provoke, and even to challenge his readers.  He goes beyond simply engaging imagination; he goes after the reader’s emotions, and that is what his pencil art does in Wolverine.  Miller tells this Wolverine character drama by visualizing the struggle between man/samurai and animal/killer with bracing depictions of battle, duels, violence, and tests of will.  Whereas Claremont uses dialogue and exposition, Miller uses visceral action.

What else can I say?  I loved going back and reading Wolverine in anticipation of the movie, The Wolverine.  This film is apparently based in part on Claremont and Miller’s seminal Wolverine miniseries, and the filmmakers could not have made a better choice.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux




Thursday, October 25, 2012

Albert Avilla Reviews: Catwoman #0

Catwoman #0
DC Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Ann Nocenti
Pencils: Adriano Melo
Inks: Julio Ferreira

This is a story about nothing. We have no insight into Selina Kyle. The story jumps around so much I don’t think it gives itself a chance to tell us anything. I get the feeling that Nocenti tries to do too much without really revealing anything. It's understandable that there is a mystery to be solved, but the story does not motivate me to find out what the answers are. I cannot find words to continue writing about this story much less persuade anyone that they should read this story.

I rate Catwoman #0 Don't Waste Your Time and Cash.