Showing posts with label Robert E. Howard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Robert E. Howard. Show all posts

Monday, October 5, 2020

Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for October 7, 2020

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

JUL201452    ADLER #4 CVR A ROYLE (RES)    $3.99
JUL201453    ADLER #4 CVR B MCCAFFREY (RES)    $3.99
JUL201454    ADLER #4 CVR C VICTORIAN HOMAGE (RES)    $3.99
AUG201214    AMERICAN RONIN #1 (OF 5) CVR A ACO (MR)    $3.99
AUG201215    AMERICAN RONIN #1 (OF 5) CVR B DEODATO JR (MR)    $3.99
JUL201779    ANCIENT MAGUS BRIDE GN VOL 13    $12.99
APR208553    APOCALYPSE GIRL #6 (OF 6)    $3.99
AUG201211    ARCHANGEL 8 TP    $9.99
AUG201177    ARCHIE SHOWCASE DIGEST #2 JUGHEAD    $7.99
AUG201175    ARCHIES HALLOWEEN SPECTACULAR #1    $2.99
AUG201394    ARIO & PIPS YR HC GN VOL 01 KING OF BIRDS    $12.99
AUG201393    ARLO & PIPS YR GN VOL 01 KING OF BIRDS    $7.99
MAR202300    ATTACK ON TITAN COLOSSAL ED TP VOL 05 (MR)    $49.99
APR208554    BACKFIRED #3 (OF 5) (MR)    $3.99
AUG201488    BACKTRACK #7 (MR)    $3.99
AUG201378    BOOK OF SECRETS GN    $14.99
APR208555    BROKEN GARGOYLES #2 (OF 3) (MR)    $3.99
APR208556    BUG BITES #2 (OF 3)    $3.99
AUG201901    CASE CLOSED GN VOL 76    $9.99
AUG201119    CAT NINJA GN VOL 01    $9.99
AUG201120    CAT NINJA HC GN VOL 01    $13.99
AUG201527    CAT STORY GN    $12.99
AUG201528    CAT STORY HC GN    $22.99
JUL200939    CIMMERIAN PEOPLE OF BLACK CIRCLE #2 CVR A EJIKURE (MR)    $3.99
JUL200940    CIMMERIAN PEOPLE OF BLACK CIRCLE #2 CVR B JAE KWANG PARK (MR    $3.99
JUL200941    CIMMERIAN PEOPLE OF BLACK CIRCLE #2 CVR C MONTLLO (MR)    $3.99
JUL200942    CIMMERIAN PEOPLE OF BLACK CIRCLE #2 CVR D CASAS (MR)    $3.99
AUG201836    CITY GN VOL 09    $12.95
AUG201529    CLASS ACT GN    $12.99
AUG201530    CLASS ACT HC GN    $22.99
AUG201387    CLEOPATRA IN SPACE GN VOL 06 (OF 6) QUEEN OF NILE    $14.99
AUG201388    CLEOPATRA IN SPACE HC GN VOL 06 QUEEN OF NILE    $24.99
JUL201723    COMBATANTS WILL BE DISPATCHED GN VOL 03 (MR)    $13.00
JUL201171    COMPLETE NOIR MANCHETTE TARDI HC VOL 02 STREETS PARIS    $29.99
FEB201491    CRIMSON SCORPION #2 (OF 3)    $3.99
JUL201782    CUTIE & BEAST GN VOL 01    $12.99
JUN201222    DASH #6 (OF 6) (RES)    $4.99
JUN201489    DEADLOCK GN VOL 02 (MR)    $14.95
AUG201086    DISASTER INC #4    $3.99
AUG201622    DOCTOR WHO TIME LORD VICTORIOUS #2 CVR A TONG    $5.99
AUG201623    DOCTOR WHO TIME LORD VICTORIOUS #2 CVR B PHOTO    $5.99
AUG201624    DOCTOR WHO TIME LORD VICTORIOUS #2 CVR C QUAH    $5.99
AUG201115    EL DEAFO SUPERPOWERED ED HC GN    $19.99
APR202254    FAIRY TAIL BOX SET VOL 03    $120.89
JUL201614    GRAND BLUE DREAMING GN VOL 11 (MR)    $12.99
APR208557    GRIEF TP 2ND PTG (MR)    $9.99
JUL201564    GRIMM FAIRY TALES #41 CVR A VITORINO    $3.99
JUL201565    GRIMM FAIRY TALES #41 CVR B GOH    $3.99
JUL201566    GRIMM FAIRY TALES #41 CVR C SANTACRUZ    $3.99
JUL201567    GRIMM FAIRY TALES #41 CVR D GARVEY    $3.99
AUG201389    GRUMPY UNICORN YA GN VOL 01 HITS THE ROAD    $8.99
JUL201744    HATSU HARU GN VOL 12    $13.00
APR208558    HOLLOW #3 (OF 4) (MR)    $3.99
AUG201464    HOLLYWOOD TRASH #1 (OF 5)    $3.99
JUL201445    HORIZON ZERO DAWN #3 CVR A MOMOKO    $3.99
JUL201446    HORIZON ZERO DAWN #3 CVR B  GAME ART WRAPAROUND    $3.99
JUL201447    HORIZON ZERO DAWN #3 CVR C LOISH    $3.99
AUG201212    HOTELL TP    $9.99
JUL201793    HOW NOT TO SUMMON DEMON LORD GN VOL 09 (MR)    $12.99
FEB201490    ILLUM TP VOL 01    $14.99
JUL201615    INTERVIEWS WITH MONSTER GIRLS GN VOL 08    $12.99
AUG201600    JOHN CARPENTER PRESENTS STORM KIDS STANLEYS GHOST #1 (OF 1)    $4.99
JUL201794    KINGDOM OF Z GN VOL 02 (MR)    $12.99
AUG201884    KOMI CANT COMMUNICATE GN VOL 09    $9.99
AUG201459    KUSAMA HC GN    $19.99
AUG201230    LADY MECHANIKA OVERSIZED HC VOL 04    $32.99
AUG201090    LONELY RECEIVER #2 CVR A HICKMAN (RES)    $3.99
AUG201206    LONG WAY DOWN HC GN (MR)    $19.99
AUG201533    MAX MEOW CAT CRUSADER GN VOL 01    $12.99
AUG201379    MEGA DOGS OF NEW KANSAS GN VOL 01    $10.99
AUG201719    MONEY SHOT #9 (MR)    $3.99
APR208560    MONSTROUS WITCH HUNT #3 (OF 4)    $3.99
JUL201800    MY NEXT LIFE AS A VILLAINESS GN VOL 04    $13.99
JUN201460    MYTHS & LEGENDS QUARTERLY ARES #1 CVR A VITORINO (RES)    $8.99
JUN201461    MYTHS & LEGENDS QUARTERLY ARES #1 CVR B TOLIBAO (RES)    $8.99
JUN201462    MYTHS & LEGENDS QUARTERLY ARES #1 CVR C GARVEY (RES)    $8.99
JUN201463    MYTHS & LEGENDS QUARTERLY ARES #1 CVR D ROYLE (RES)    $8.99
AUG201043    NATHAN HALES DONNER DINNER PARTY BIGGER BADDER ED    $19.99
MAR201578    NINJA HIGH SCHOOL #177    $3.99
MAR201579    NINJA HIGH SCHOOL #177 RETRO B&W VAR    $1.50
APR208561    NO HEROINE #3 (MR)    $3.99
JUL201553    NO ONES ROSE #5    $3.99
APR208350    NO ONES ROSE #5 CVR B GORHAM    $3.99
APR208562    NORAH VOL 2 #3 (OF 4) (MR)    $3.99
JUN200937    PATRIOTIKA #2    $3.99
AUG201096    PENULTIMAN #1 (OF 5) CVR A ROBINSON (RES)    $3.99
AUG201097    PENULTIMAN #1 (OF 5) CVR B IGLE (RES)    $3.99
APR208563    PRISONER #1 (MR)    $3.99
AUG201213    RED BORDER TP    $9.99
AUG201747    ROBYN HOOD JUSTICE #4 CVR A COCCOLO    $3.99
AUG201748    ROBYN HOOD JUSTICE #4 CVR B VITORINO    $3.99
AUG201749    ROBYN HOOD JUSTICE #4 CVR C CARDY    $3.99
AUG201750    ROBYN HOOD JUSTICE #4 CVR D ROYLE    $3.99
AUG201362    RUSH MAKING OF A FAREWELL TO KINGS GN    $24.99
JUL200997    SHOPLIFTERS WILL BE LIQUIDATED TP VOL 01 (RES)    $16.99
JUL201609    SOMETHINGS WRONG WITH US GN VOL 03    $12.99
AUG201390    SPARKS GN VOL 02 DOUBLE DOG DARE    $14.99
AUG201391    SPARKS HC GN VOL 02 DOUBLE DOG DARE    $26.99
AUG201426    STRANGELANDS TP VOL 02 (RES) (MR)    $14.99
AUG201209    THE RESISTANCE TP    $9.99
AUG201578    THE TIMES I KNEW I WAS GAY GRAPHIC MEMOIR HC (MR)    $25.00
JUL201811    THERES A DEMON LORD ON FLOOR GN VOL 08 (RES) (MR)    $12.99
JUL201179    TIMO ADVENTURER GN    $10.99
JUL201180    TIMO ADVENTURER HC GN    $19.99
APR208564    TOUCHING EVIL #8    $3.99
AUG201891    TRANSFORMERS CLASSIC TV MAGAZINE MANGA HC VOL 03    $24.99
DEC191321    VAMPBLADE SEASON 4 #10 (#47) CVR A MACCAGNI (MR)    $4.99
DEC191322    VAMPBLADE SEASON 4 #10 (#47) CVR B MACCAGNI RISQUE (MR)    $4.99
DEC191323    VAMPBLADE SEASON 4 #10 (#47) CVR C JOE PEKAR (MR)    $4.99
DEC191324    VAMPBLADE SEASON 4 #10 (#47) CVR D JOE PEKAR RISQUE (MR)    $4.99
DEC191325    VAMPBLADE SEASON 4 #10 (#47) CVR E CELOR (MR)    $4.99
DEC191326    VAMPBLADE SEASON 4 #10 (#47) CVR F CELOR RISQUE (MR)    $4.99
JUN200938    WALL MIGHT 3 THE MAGALORIAN ONE SHOT    $4.99
JUL201289    WILLIE NELSON HC    $16.99
APR201713    WORLD OF WARCRAFT COMIC COLLECTION HC VOL 01    $14.95
AUG201210    YEAR ZERO TP (MR)    $9.99
AUG201124    ZITS TREASURY TP SCREENTIME    $19.99
JUL200971    ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #74 CVR A MACCAGNI (MR)    $4.99
JUL200972    ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #74 CVR B MACCAGNI RISQUE (MR)    $4.99
JUL200973    ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #74 CVR C YOUNG (MR)    $4.99
JUL200974    ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #74 CVR D YOUNG RISQUE (MR)    $4.99
JUL200975    ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #74 CVR E TARUSCOV (MR)    $4.99
JUL200976    ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #74 CVR F TARUSCOV RISQUE (MR)    $4.99

MAGAZINES

JUL201132    COMIC SHOP NEWS [90CT BUNDLE] #1729  (RES)    $PI
AUG201727    CREEPS #27 (MR)    $5.95

BOOKS

JUL201819    CLASSROOM OF ELITE LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 06    $13.99
AUG201517    DOLPHIN GIRL YA GN VOL 01 TROUBLE IN PIZZA PARADISE    $12.99
AUG201518    DOLPHIN GIRL YA HC GN VOL 01 TROUBLE IN PIZZA PARADISE    $22.99
AUG201438    FROM FILMS OF HARRY POTTER MINI BOOK SPELLS & CHARMS HC    $11.99
AUG201116    GARBAGE PAIL KIDS HC VOL 01 WELCOME TO SMELLVILLE    $14.99
AUG201439    HARRY POTTER COLORING WIZARDRY SC    $12.99
JUL201821    HIDDEN DUNGEON ONLY I CAN ENTER LIGHT NOVEL VOL 01    $13.99
JUL201657    HOW TO MAKE CAPCOM FIGHTING CHARACTERS HC    $49.99
AUG201283    I AM ANNE FRANK YR HC    $15.99
AUG201284    I AM BENJAMIN FRANKLIN YR HC    $15.99
AUG201290    LEGO MINIFIGURE VISUAL HISTORY NEW ED HC    $40.00
AUG201392    MARVEL AVENGERS ASSEMBLY NOVEL VOL 01 ORIENTATION    $13.99
AUG201540    MELLYBEAN & GIANT GHOST MONSTER GN    $12.99
AUG201541    MELLYBEAN & GIANT GHOST MONSTER HC GN    $20.99
JUN201562    MONSTER HUNTER ILLUSTRATIONS 3 HC    $54.99
AUG201579    NEXT WORLD TAROT ART COLLECTION HC (MR)    $50.00
AUG201272    ROBERT E HOWARD RATTLE OF BONES HC    $29.99
AUG201580    SICK TATS FLASH QUARANTZINE ANTHOLOGY ONE SHOT (MR)    $10.00
JUL201351    STAR WARS FASCINATING FACTS HC    $15.99
JUL201257    STAR WARS ROGUE ONE BOOK & MODEL HC    $11.99
MAR201809    STAR WARS THRAWN ASCENDANCY HC    $28.99
AUG201044    STEVEN UNIVERSE END OF ERA HC    $35.00
AUG201583    WALKING DEAD NOVEL SC TYPHOON    $16.00
AUG201514    XAVIER RIDDLE & SECRET MUSEUM HC ELENOR ROOSEVELT    $15.99
AUG201513    XAVIER RIDDLE & SECRET MUSEUM SC ELENOR ROOSEVELT    $4.99
JUL200947    X-FILES OFFICIAL ARCHIVES CRYPTIDS ANOMALIES & PHENOMENA HC    $50.00


Friday, March 13, 2020

#IReadsYou Review: KING CONAN: Wolves Beyond the Border #1

KING CONAN No. 21
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Timothy Truman
ARTIST: Tomás Giorello
COLORS: José Villarrubia
LETTERS: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
COVER: Tomás Giorello
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2015)

Wolves Beyond the Border: Part 1 of 4 “The Iron Crown”

Conan the Cimmerian (also known as Conan the Barbarian) was born in the pulp fiction of Robert E. Howard (REH), first appearing in the magazine, Weird Tales (1932).  In 1970, Marvel Comics brought Conan to the world of comic books, and with only few pauses, Conan comic books have been published for over four decades.

Many Conan comic book stores are adaptations of or are, at the very least, based on the Conan stories written by Robert E. Howard.  One of the most acclaimed Conan comic book writers of the last decade, Tim Truman, has taken an original REH story, “Wolves Beyond the Border,” to create the new comic book miniseries, King Conan: Wolves Beyond the Border.  The artist for the series is Tomás Giorello, who has worked with Truman on earlier Conan comic books.  Series colorist is José Villarrubia, and Richard Starkings & Comicraft provides the lettering.

King Conan: Wolves Beyond the Border #1 (“The Iron Crown”) opens in Tarantia, the capitol of the nation of Aquilonia, where an aged Conan is king.  Conan's bodyguards, Crassus and Dariun, wait in the shadows of the “Street of Dogs,” while their king lurks in the shadows of a den of thieves-type tavern.  In one of his dark moods, Conan spoils for a fight., but someone is also lurking and watching the king.  He is Gault, and he has come to tell a dark tale of a cursed crown, of the Picts, and of the wolves of the border.

The story “Wolves Beyond the Border” is a story that REH began writing in the 1930s.  It became a fragment that Howard did not finish, nor was it published in his lifetime.  Conan is mentioned in the story, but does not appear in it.  In a piece that is published at the end of this first issue, Truman writes that he has loosely based King Conan: Wolves Beyond the Border on the “Wolves Beyond the Border” fragment.  That may not matter to many readers.  Truman also hints that he may use the story to connect REH's three most significant characters:  Kull, Conan, and Bran Mak Morn.  That may matter more to the fans of REH's fiction and to fans of comic books based on his work.

I am a huge fan of Tim Truman and Tomás Giorello fantastic comic book adaptation of Hour of the Dragon, the only Conan novel that REH every wrote.  Obviously, I was more than excited when I read about Truman and Giorello coming together again to work on King Conan: Wolves Beyond the Border, and I am not disappointed by the resulting work.

Roy Thomas was the first to write Conan comic books, and I have always thought of him as the best Conan comics writer.  Truman is the next guy up for me.  He retains the power and sensibility of REH and if his prose, but Truman can also create original text that seamlessly blends with REH's words.  Truman's work has always mixed a sense of adventure that was every bit as imaginative and inventive as it was brawny.  He does that here.  Every panel is filled with language that strains against the grain, determined to break loose and to send the story careening off into adventure.

Giorello takes the muscularity of Truman's storytelling, delivering the most beautiful art work that surges the narrative forward.  Many of the panels are like small paintings, capturing the spirit of REH and the power of Truman's script.

OMG, I need a cigarette.  Four issues won't be enough, but, dear readers, we will have to take what we can get.  I heartily recommend this exceptional comic book to Conan fans and to readers looking for quality comic books.

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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Monday, December 30, 2019

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 1, 2020

MARVEL COMICS

JUL191097    BLACK BOLT HC    $34.99
OCT191113    BLACK CAT TP VOL 01 GRAND THEFT MARVEL    $15.99
AUG198980    BLACK PANTHER AND AGENTS OF WAKANDA #5    $3.99
AUG198981    BLACK PANTHER AND AGENTS OF WAKANDA #5 SUAYAN MARVELS X VAR    $3.99
OCT191136    CONAN CHRONICLES EPIC COLLECTION TP BATTLE SHAMLA PASS    $44.99
OCT191137    CONAN TP HOUR OF DRAGON    $34.99
AUG198983    DAREDEVIL #16    $3.99
AUG198984    DAREDEVIL #16 BENJAMIN MARVELS X VAR    $3.99
AUG198985    DOCTOR DOOM #4    $3.99
AUG198986    DOCTOR DOOM #4 SLINEY MARVELS X VAR    $3.99
AUG198987    HAWKEYE FREEFALL #1    $3.99
AUG198989    HAWKEYE FREEFALL #1 SCHMIDT VAR    $3.99
OCT191118    LEGENDS OF MARVEL TP SPIDER-MAN    $15.99
AUG198991    MARAUDERS #5 DX    $3.99
NOV190002    MARVEL PREVIEWS VOL 04 #30 JANUARY 2020 EXTRAS    $1.25
AUG198993    MILES MORALES SPIDER-MAN #14    $3.99
AUG198994    MILES MORALES SPIDER-MAN #14 SHALVEY MARVELS X VAR    $3.99
OCT191116    MILES MORALES TP VOL 02 BRING ON BAD GUYS    $15.99
OCT191142    MOON GIRL AND DEVIL DINOSAUR GN TP FULL MOON    $12.99
OCT191134    NEW MUTANTS EPIC COLL TP DEMON BEAR SAGA DM VAR NEW PTG    $39.99
AUG198995    PUNISHER SOVIET #3 (OF 6) (MR)    $3.99
AUG198997    SPIDER-MAN & VENOM DOUBLE TROUBLE #3 (OF 4)    $3.99
AUG199000    STAR WARS #1    $4.99
AUG199004    STAR WARS #1 BLANK VAR    $4.99
AUG199009    STAR WARS #1 SPROUSE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK VAR    $4.99
AUG199010    SWORD MASTER #7    $3.99
AUG199011    TAROT #1    $4.99
AUG199039    TAROT #1 DAVIS VAR    $4.99
AUG199016    THOR #1    $4.99
AUG199025    THOR #1 ANKA RAINBOW BRIDGE VAR    $4.99
SEP199008    THOR #1 ART ADAMS VAR    $4.99
AUG199017    THOR #1 ARTGERM VAR    $4.99
AUG199068    THOR #1 BARTEL VAR    $4.99
AUG199019    THOR #1 BLANK VAR    $4.99
AUG199023    THOR #1 BROWN MARVELS X VAR    $4.99
SEP199006    THOR #1 KLEIN SIF VAR    $4.99
AUG199024    THOR #1 MR GARCIN COLLAGE VAR    $4.99
SEP199007    THOR #1 RON LIM VAR    $4.99
SEP199009    THOR #1 WOO DAE SHIM VAR    $4.99
AUG199028    TRUE BELIEVERS CRIMINALLY INSANE BULLSEYE #1    $1.00
AUG199029    TRUE BELIEVERS CRIMINALLY INSANE GREEN GOBLIN #1    $1.00
AUG199012    WEB OF BLACK WIDOW #5 (OF 5)    $3.99
AUG199013    WEB OF BLACK WIDOW #5 (OF 5) BIANCHI VAR    $3.99
OCT190906    X-MEN #4 DX    $3.99

Monday, September 30, 2019

I Reads You Juniors September 2019 - Update #94

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Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

DC CINEMA - From YahooMoviesUK:  Director James Gunn starts production on "The Suicide Squad" with a message to both Marvel and DC Comics fans.

From DigitalArtsOnline:  The late musician Prince was the star of two DC Comics titles.  Now, this "lost comic book past" has been animated.

From WausauDailyHerald:  Acclaimed comic book creator, Craig Thompson ("Blankets"), talks about his new comic book, "Ginseng Roots."

From Newsarama:  The late Stan Lee's daughter, Joan Celia "J.C." Lee, has filed a lawsuit against the company her father cofounded, POW! Entertainemnt.

MARVEL TV - From Newsarama:  The future of live-action at Marvel Television in doubt...

DC CINEMA - From Variety:  At Saturday night's Hollywood premiere (Aug. 28th) of "Joker," Warner Bros will only allow photographers at the red carpet.  The interview print and broadcast press has been uninvited.

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics had to stop the presses in order to remove Mark Waid's Captain America essay from the throughly mediocre "Marvel Comics #1000."

DC TV - From Newsarama:  HBO's "Watchmen" cast-to-characters revealed in Tweet.

SONY'S MARVEL U - From Collider:  Sony Pictures is reportedly developing a solo movie featuring Spider-Man character, "Madame Web."

From Newsarama:  Seven new comics creators have been inducted in the Harvey Awards Hall of Fame.  They are Mike Mignola (Hellboy) and Alison Bechdel (Fun Home), and five of Harvey Kurtzman’s core 1950s MAD collaborators:  Will Elder, Jack Davis, John Severin, Marie Severin, and Ben Oda (all of whom will be posthumously inducted).

DC CINEMA - From WABCRadio:  From the first paragraph of the article "The FBI has issued a warning regarding the potential for violence at theaters showing the upcoming movie “Joker,’ coming years after a mass shooting during a “Batman” movie in Colorado in 2012. According to multiple sources, authorities are concerned about the film’s plot inspiring someone to commit a mass shooting."

MARVEL TV - From Deadline:  Due to creative differences, Hulu has decided not to go forward wth its live-action "Ghost Rider." series.

From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing has closed Shelley Bond's "Black Crown" imprint.

DC CINEMA - From Variety:  Family members and friends of the victims of a 2012 mass shooting at a screening of “The Dark Knight Rises” in Aurora, Colo., have penned a letter to Warner Bros. concerning the upcoming film, "Joker" (Oct. 4th).  They are expressing concerns because this comic book adaptation has provoked controversy for its violent subject matter.

DC CINEMA - From Variety:  Warner Bros. responds to the letter from friends and family of the victims of the 2012 Aurora, Colorado mass shooting.

From TheNewYorker:  Is fandom become as toxic as politics? "The New Yorker" explores in the article, "Superfans: A Love Story."

DC CINEMA - From Variety:  Two-time Oscar nominee Jonah Hill is reportedly in talks for a secret role in Matt Reeves' "The Batman" film.

DC CINEMA - From THR:  Emmy-winning actor Jeffrey Wright is in talks to play "Commissioner Gordon" in Matt Reeves' "The Batman."

From THR:  Two-time Oscar-nominee, Dean DeBlois ("How to Train Your Dragon"), will write and direct a reboot of the "Micronauts" toyline, which some fans also know as a long-running Marvel Comics title.

From ICv2:  Seven Seas Entertainment announces five new "yuri" (girls' love/lesbian romance) manga titles and SuBLime Manga announces three new "boys' love" titles .

BATMAN DAY 2019 - From THR:  Writer James Tynion IV and artist Tony S. Daniel are the new creative team on the comic book, "Batman."

BATMAN DAY 2019 - From BleedingCool:  Today, Sat. Sept. 21st is "Batman Day 2019," DC Comics will announce the name of the new "Batman" writer.  Rumors say it will be James Tynion IV.

BATMAN DAY 2019 - From BleedingCool:  James Tynion isn't saying anything about getting the Batman gig, but he is taking the congratulations.

From WeGotThisCovered:  The site is reporting that Robert Pattison will play Batman in Warner Bros.' reboot of its "Justice League" film franchise.  Pattison is Batman in director Matt Reeves' "The Batman."

From BleedingCool:  There may be issues between IDW Publishing and its imprint, "Black Crown," run by former DC Comics/Vertigo boss, Shelly Bond.

From Newsarama:  DC Comics has informed comic book stores that its long-running "Specialty Retailer Co-Op Advertising Program" will be "discontinued" at the end of 2019.

From Newsarama:   Tony S. Daniel will produce his first artwork for Marvel Comics in over 20 years - the covers for "The Amazing Spider-Man #35 and #36."

MEMORIAM - From TCJ:  The author Bill Schelly died Thursday, September 12, 2019 at the age of 67.  Schelly was a biographer of noted figures in both Hollywood and American comic books.  As a lifelong comic book fan, Schelly was also a chronicler of comics fandom.

From THR:  First "Birds of Prey" poster releases.

From Newsarama:  Mark Millar is teasing a secret project released from Christmas, which will be a sequel to one of his beloved "Millarworld" comic books series.

From Deadline:  Aaron McGruder's beloved comic strip, "The Boondocks," become a wildly popular Cartoon Network animated series, "The Boondocks."  Now, McGruder and Sony Pictures Animation is rebooting the series for WarnerMedia's streaming service, HBO Max.

From ComicBook:  Kodansha is working on new "Ghost in the Shell" manga.  "Ghost in the Shell: The Human Algorithm" is due this week in Japan.

From ANN:  Noted manga creator, Inio Asano ("Goodnight Punpun") has published a collection of essays on the subject of manga and himself.  "Introduction to a Manga Creator" is available in Japan.

From ComicBook:  Citing unspecified sources, the site is reporting that the current Iron Man series, "Tony Stark: Iron Man" is being cancelled.

From THR:  Matt Mair Lowery and Cassie Anderson have created a short story that has been released in conjuction with the second volume in their graphic novel series, "Lifeformed."  "Lifeformed Vol. 2: Hearts and Minds" is out in comic book shops and is due in bookstores soon.

CROWDFUND - From Kickstarter:  The vampire indie comic book, SUCKER, has a Kickstarter crowfunding campagin.

From JoeShusterAwards:  Canada's "Joe Shuster Awards" for 2019 have been announced.  Chip Zdarsky was named "Outstanding Writers" and Karl Kerschl was named "Outstanding Artist" for his work on "Isola."

From BleedingCool:  In June 2020, DC Comics will begin reprinting its 1970s, "Super Friends," comic book, with the first hardcover volume reprinting "Super Friends #1-26."

DC CINEMA - From BatmanNews:  Todd Phillips, director of "Joker," sets the record straight about comics influencing his film, which stars Joaquin Phoenix in the title role.

From CBR:  Gary Larson's classic newspaper comic, "The Far Side," is apparently returning.  "The Far Side" website says, "Uncommon, unreal, and (soon-to-be) unfrozen. A new online era of The Far Side is coming!"  Readers await more details.

From Newsarama:  The late Joe Kubert's family has sold the school for comic book artists, "The Kubert School," to writer-artist Anthony Marques.

From Variety:  Steven S. DeKnight has quite as the showrunner for Netflix's upcoming "Jupiter's Legacy" series based on the Mark Millar-Frank Quitely comic book.

From Ebony:  The magazines examines the evolution and the impact of the black superhero.

From ComicBook:  Even presidential candidate, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, has something to say about X-Men movie casting rumors.

From CBR:  The late TV and film actor, Sam Gillman (1915 to 1985), drew art for Marvel Comics #1 (October 1939) and appeared in an episode of the original "Star Trek" ("Spectre of the Gun") in which he played Doc Holliday.

From Syfy:  Oni Press' upcoming "The Black Mage" is compared to "Harry Potter."

From CBR:  Five great shojo manga that have been published and five that have not.

From Newsarama:  It was 28 years ago, Sept 13, 1991 that Rob Liefeld's Levi's "501 jeans" television ad debuted.  It was directed by Spike Lee.

From Newsarama:  Two months before its first issue debuts, Image Comics' series, "Undiscovered Country," has had its screen rights sold.

DC CINEMA - From BleedingCool:  James Gunn officially announces the cast of his upcoming film, "The Suicide Squad."

From Newsarama:  Frank Miller will return to the world of his "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns" with a one-shot comic book, "The Golden Child," which will be drawn by Rafael Grampa.

From THR:  The "Harbinger" film, based on the Valiant Comics title, is moving from Sony Pictures to Paramount Pictures for development.

From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics will be adapting more of Robert E. Howard's characters to comics, including Solomon Kane, a character that previously appeared in Marvel titles.

From BleedingCool:  The Wachowskis are bringing "The Matrix" comics back, following a recent announcement of a reboot of the film franchise.  "Doc Frankenstein" comics are also being reprinted.

From Collider:  Margot Robbie's "Tank Girl" reboot film reportedly has a director, Miles Joris-Peyrafitte.

DC TV - From TVInsider:  John Wesley Shipp played Flash/Barry Allen in the 1990-91 CBS TV series, "The Flash."  He also appeared on The CW's "The Flash."  Now, word is that Shipp will appear in The CW's "Crisis on Infinite Earths" crossover event later this year.

From Newsarama:  Peter Porker/Spider-Ham will be the star of a five-issue miniseries, "Spider-Ham."

DC CINEMA - From Variety:  Todd Phillips is not interested in a crossover of his film "Joker" with Joaquin Phoenix as Joker and "The Batman" with Robert Pattinson.

From WeGotThisCovered:  Vladimir Medinsky, Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation, said "But for an adult to read comics is to admit that ‘I’m a moron, I read comics.'"

From Newsarama:  "Tank Girl" co-creator, writer Alan Martin, says that he has heard that actress Margot Robbie has optioned the rights to make a "Tank Girl" from MGM.

From BleedingCool:  See cover art and interior from the sure-to-be delectable David Bowie graphic novel memoir, "Bowie: Stardust, Rayguns, & Moonage Daydreams" by Steve Horton, Michael Allred and Laura Allred.

From CNN:  The mayor of Rio de Janeiro has been chasing after a Spanish edition of Marvel's trade paperback, "Avengers: The Children's Crusade," because of the depiction of a "gay kiss" between two male characters.  That made the comic book sell out at Rio's biennial box fair.

From ComicBook:  Marvel and Japanese publisher Shueisha are uniting to create six new manga series based on Marvel Comics characters.  The manga will appear in Shonen Jump in Japan.

From BleedingCool:  Writer Nunzio DeFilippis says that he and his wife, writer Christina Weir, have been notified by Marvel that they will get a "character payment" for the film, "X-Men: Dark Phoenix."  Apparently, a minor character they created, Match, appeared in the film.

From BleedingCool:  Apparently, "Doctor Strange: Surgeon Supreme" is coming soon.

From Variety:  WarnerMedia's Crunchyroll, an anime streaming service, is now majority owner of VIZ Media Europe.

From BleedingCool:  Terrific Productions LLC announces "Youngblood Unchained."  No release date or creative team announced.

From Newsarama:  Marvel Entertainment announces its plans for 2019 New York Comic-Con (Thurs., Oct. 3rd to Sun., Oct 6th, 2019).

From Newsarama:  There is a "leaked" teaser for Warner Bros./DC Comics' "Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)."

From Newsarama:  Marvel Entertainment and Scholastic have signed a multi-year deal to produce prose novels based on Marvel characters.  The first two publications will be middle-grade books feature Black Panther's "Shuri" and the Avengers.

From ComicBook:  Todd McFarlane has announced that he is developing two animated series based on his long-running comic book series, "Spawn."  One will be adult-oriented and the other will be aimed at kids.

From TheBeat:  Dark Horse Comics has cut ties with writer Brian Wood in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations.

From TheWrap:   Sunday, Oct. 20th is the debut date for HBO's "Watchmen" adaptation.

From BleedingCool:  Hot gossip says that there will be a "black Batman," or black man will assume the identity of Batman.  But he won't be a new African-American version of Bruce Wayne.

From MentalFloss - The reason adults were never seen in the "Peanuts" comic strip is that creator Charles Schulz believed they were not needed.

DC CINEMA - From LATimes:  Comic book movies may never be the same after "Joker."

From DigitalArtsOnline:  This interview of book and graphic designer, Chip Kidd, talks about his association with Batman and about a Society of Illustrators exhibit for items from Kidd's private collection.

From Vulture:  Adult Swim/Toonami is apparently working on a four-part adaptation of Junji Ito's classic horror manga, "Uzumaki."

From Newsarama:  Artist June Brigman talks about her return to "Power Pack," the comic book she co-created in the 1980s.

DC CINEMA - From Variety:  Todd Phillips' "Joker," starring Joaquin Phoenix in the title role, got an eight-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival.

DC CINEMA - From DigitalSpy:   Todd Phillips, director of "Joker," said that comic book are like Shakespeare because of their continual re-imaginings, as the works of Shakespeare have continually been reworked and re-imagined.  Phillips' "Joker" is a re-imagining of the origin of the ultimate Batman villain, The Joker.


SEPTEMBER 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  September 2019 comics solicitations for 24 publishers on one page
From Newsarama:  AfterShock Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Aspen Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Drawn & Quarterly for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Fantagraphics Books for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Humanoids for September 2019
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Insight for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Lion Forge Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Titan Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for September 2019
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for September 2019
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for September 2019

OCTOBER 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  AC Comics for October 2019
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for October 2019
From BleedingCool:  Albatross Funnybooks for October 2019
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for October 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for October 2019
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for October 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for October 2019
From Newsarama:  Hero Tomorrow for October 2019
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for October 2019
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for October 2019
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for October 2019
From Newsarama:  Lion Forge for October 2019
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for October 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for October 2019
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for October 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for October 2019
From Newsarama:  Titan Comics for October 2019
From Newsarama:  Valiant Comics for October 2019
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for October 2019
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for October 2019
From Newsarama:  A Wave Blue World for October 2019
From Newsarama:  Yen Press for October 2019

HALLOWEEN COMICFEST 2019:
From Newsarama:  28 comic book titles for the industry's fall event taking place Saturday, October 26, 2019 at participating comic shops worldwide.

DC's HILL HOUSE COMICS Debut Solicitations:
From Newsarama:  These are the solicitations for DC Comics' "Hill House Comics" group overseen by Joe Hill.  The line is scheduled to kick off October 30, 2019 with "Basketful of Heads #1."

NOVEMBER 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for November 2019
From BleedingCool:  Action Lab for Novmeber 2019
From BleedingCool:  Aftershock Comics for November 2019
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for November 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for November 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM Studios for November 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for November 2019
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for November 2019
From Newsarama:  Fantagraphics Books for November 2019
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for November 2019
From Newsarama:  Lion Forge for November 2019
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for November 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for November 2019
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for November 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for November 2019
From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for November 2019
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for November 2019
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for November 2019
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for November 2019
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for November 2019

NOVEMBER 2019 "ADVANCED" COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  DC Comics advanced solicitations for November 2019 (for acetate covers)
From Newsarama:  "Dawn of X" for November 2019
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for 2019 with some guessing on the site's part


DECEMBER 2019 COMIC SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for December 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for December 2019
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for December 2019
From BleedingCool:  Storm King Productions for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for December 2019
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for December 2019


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


Friday, August 31, 2018

Review: KULL ETERNAL #1

KULL ETERNAL No. 1
IDW PUBLISHING – @IDWPublishing

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Tom Waltz
ART: Luca Pizzari
COLORS: Triona Tree Farrell
LETTERS: Christa Miesner
COVER: Luca Pizzari
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Alex Sanchez with Triona Tree Farrell (subscription cover); Xermanico (Retailer Incentive A); Jheremy Raapack with Jay Fotos (Retailer Incentive B); Julio Das Pastoras (Retailer Incentive C)
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (June 2017)

Kull of Atlantis (or Kull the Conqueror) is a fictional character created by writer Robert E. Howard. Kull's first published appearance was the short story, “The Shadow Kingdom,” which was published in the pulp magazine, Weird Tales (cover dated:  August 1929).  [Conan the Cimmerian (or Barbarian) made his first appearance in a story that was a re-write of a rejected Kull story.]

Kull was born in pre-cataclysmic Atlantis c. 100,000 BC, but was exiled from Atlantis as an adolescent.  Afterwards he would become a slave, a pirate, an outlaw, and a gladiator before he eventually becoming the King of Valusia.

Kull has appeared in comic books published by Marvel Comics and Dark Horse Comics.  IDW is the current license holder for Kull comic books.  The publisher recently released its debut Kull comic book, which is entitled Kull Eternal.  The series is written by Tom Waltz; drawn by Luca Pizzari; colored by Triona Tree Farrell, and lettered by Christa Miesner.

Kull Eternal #1 opens in modern times in Antarctica, where Kull leads a group of armed humans against reptilians humanoid types.  Why is Kull in modern times?  Then, the story moves back eons to the original time of Kull.  There, we find a conspiracy fermenting against King Kull.  A mysterious woman, calling herself “Zarunna,” brings the king a message, a summons from the wizard Tuzun Thune to his “House of a Thousand Mirrors.”

What is Kull doing in modern times, indeed?  Tom Waltz, writer of Kull Eternal, explains in his afterword (entitled “Reflections”) that Kull Eternal uses Robert E. Howard's Kull story, “The Mirrors of Tuzun Thune” (1929), as a springboard.  I have read some stories by Robert E. Howard (REH), including a few Conan short stories.  The only Kull prose story that I have ever read is “Swords of the Purple Kingdom,” which I have read twice.  I have read several Kull comic books, but the character has always been second among REH characters to me – behind Conan.

However, my interest was piqued by the announcement of Kull Eternal, and what I read in this first issue has piqued my interest enough to keep reading.  Tom Waltz's concept, plot, and script (the triple crown of comic book writing) are all tantalizing.  I want to know why Kull is in Antarctica, and I am intrigued by the world of Valusia set up by Waltz.  How the mirrors of Tuzun Thune will initiate Kull's time traveling is a reveal I want to discover.

I like the art by Luca Pizzari, especially the second half of the story which takes place in Valusia.  Pizzari's compositions are well served by Triona Tree Farrell's coloring, especially the Valusia segment.  I am curious to see where this art teams goes.

I would like Kull Eternal to have a long run, but Kull as a comic book character has had a life that is but a fragment of the decades long comic book run that Conan the Barbarian has had.  I think Kull's recent stint at Dark Horse Comics yielded no more than three miniseries.  Kull Eternal has the potential to run at least a year, even in this tight market.

7 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Monday, June 26, 2017

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for June 28, 2017

IDW PUBLISHING

AUG138056    CLASSIC GI JOE TP VOL 01 NEW PTG    $24.99
APR170549    CLUE #1    $3.99
APR170550    CLUE #1 SUBSCRIPTION VAR A    $3.99
APR170551    CLUE #1 SUBSCRIPTION VAR B    $3.99
FEB170536    COMPLETE CHESTER GOULD DICK TRACY HC VOL 22    $44.99
APR170526    DUCK AVENGER #5    $6.99
APR170527    DUCK AVENGER #5 SUBSCRIPTION VAR    $6.99
APR170575    GHOSTBUSTERS 101 #4 (OF 6)    $3.99
APR170576    GHOSTBUSTERS 101 #4 (OF 6) SUBSCRIPTION VAR    $3.99
APR170622    GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO #241    $3.99
APR170623    GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO #241 SUBSCRIPTION VAR    $3.99
APR170669    HAUNTED HORROR #28    $4.99
APR170481    JEM & THE HOLOGRAMS INFINITE #1 (OF 3)    $3.99
APR170482    JEM & THE HOLOGRAMS INFINITE #1 (OF 3) SUBSCRIPTION VAR    $3.99
MAR170582    KILL SHAKESPEARE PAST IS PROLOGUE JULIET #3 (OF 4)    $3.99
MAR170583    KILL SHAKESPEARE PAST IS PROLOGUE JULIET #3 (OF 4) SUB VAR    $3.99
APR170553    KULL ETERNAL #1    $3.99
APR170554    KULL ETERNAL #1 SUBSCRIPTION VAR    $3.99
APR170493    MY LITTLE PONY MOVIE PREQUEL #1    $3.99
APR170494    MY LITTLE PONY MOVIE PREQUEL #1 SUBSCRIPTION VAR    $3.99
APR170508    POWERPUFF GIRLS TIME TIE #2 (OF 3)    $3.99
APR170509    POWERPUFF GIRLS TIME TIE #2 (OF 3) SUBSCRIPTION VAR    $3.99
APR170641    SAUCER STATE #2 (OF 6)    $3.99
APR170642    SAUCER STATE #2 (OF 6) SUBSCRIPTION VAR    $3.99
APR170564    STAR TREK TNG MIRROR BROKEN #2 (OF 6)    $3.99
APR170565    STAR TREK TNG MIRROR BROKEN #2 (OF 6) SUBSCRIPTION VAR    $3.99
APR170535    TMNT ONGOING #71    $3.99
APR170536    TMNT ONGOING #71 SUBCRIPTION VAR    $3.99
AUG160477    TOM TOMORROW 25 YEARS OF TOMORROW HC    $125.00
APR170593    TRANSFORMERS LOST LIGHT #7    $3.99
APR170594    TRANSFORMERS LOST LIGHT #7 SUBSCRIPTION VAR A    $3.99
APR170595    TRANSFORMERS LOST LIGHT #7 SUBSCRIPTION VAR B    $3.99
FEB170447    WALTER SIMONSON THOR RETURN OF BETA RAY BILL ARTIST ED HC    $125.00
APR170585    X-FILES (2016) #15    $3.99
APR170586    X-FILES (2016) #15 SUBSCRIPTION VAR    $3.99

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Review - KING CONAN: Wolves Beyond the Border #4

KING CONAN No. 24
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Timothy Truman
ARTIST: Tomás Giorello
COLORS: José Villarrubia
LETTERS: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
COVER: Tomás Giorello with Jose Villarrubia
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (March 2016)

Wolves Beyond the Border: Part 4 of 4 “The Worms”

Conan the Cimmerian (also known as Conan the Barbarian) was born in the pulp fiction of Robert E. Howard (REH), first appearing in the magazine, Weird Tales (1932).  In 1970, Marvel Comics brought Conan to the world of comic books, and with only few pauses, Conan comic books have been published for over four decades.

One of the most acclaimed Conan comic book writers of the last decade, Tim Truman, has taken an original REH story fragment, “Wolves Beyond the Border,” and has created a four-issue comic book miniseries, King Conan: Wolves Beyond the Border.  The artist for the series is one of the best Conan comic book artists of all time, Tomás Giorello, who has worked with Truman on earlier Conan comic books.  Series colorist is one of the best Conan color artists ever, José VillarrubiaRichard Starkings & Comicraft provides the lettering for this miniseries.

In King Conan: Wolves Beyond the Border, Conan is the aged king of the nation of Aquilonia.  He is alerted to a conspiracy involving his longtime enemies, the PictsKwarada, Witch of Skandaga, plans to gather the various Pictish tribes to her side, a confederacy that she will use to invade Aquilonia and eventually all the lands to the east.

In order to convince the other tribes to follower her, she needs the lost “Crown of Brule,” but not all Picts will follow her, in particularly, the Wolf Tribe.  The crown, an iron circlet, has come into Conan's possession.  In order to stop Kwarada's plot, Conan forges a tenuous alliance with an “old friend,” the high priestess Nai, and the war leader of the Wolf Tribe, Bril.

As King Conan: Wolves Beyond the Border #4 (“The Worms”) opens, Conan and the wounded Bril travel through the forest in order to reach “Uamh-Dagon.”  There, Kwarada plans to sacrifice the boy, Brune, Bril's nephew and the next chief of the Wolf Tribe.  With the boy's life and an incantation, Kwarada hopes to raise a dark army from the bowels of the earth.

Robert E. Howard began writing “Wolves Beyond the Border” in the 1930s, but it remained a fragment that he did not finish.  Conan is mentioned in the story, but does not appear in it.  In a piece that was published at the end of the first issue of King Conan: Wolves Beyond the Border, Truman wrote that he loosely based King Conan: Wolves Beyond the Border on the fragment.  That may not matter to many readers.  Truman also hinted that he might use the story to connect REH's three most significant characters:  Kull, Conan, and Bran Mak Morn.  That may matter more to the fans of REH's fiction and to fans of comic books based on his work.

What really matters is that King Conan: Wolves Beyond the Border is an excellent Conan comic book.  I consider Tim Truman, Tomas Giorello, and Jose Villarrubia to be the modern gold standard in Conan comic book creative teams.  How good is this comic book?  Well, I was sad when I came to the last page because I could have read at least one more issue.

Truman's sense of adventure is in evidence here, and as always, his story and script are imaginative and inventive.  Of course, Truman would never leave out the brawny storytelling that the best Conan comics require, but this isn't some phony masculine fantasy.  Wolves Beyond the Border can be enjoyed by anyone who loves Conan or the genre known as swords and sorcery.

Giorello takes Truman's script and creates the most beautiful art.  Giorello's graphical storytelling captures the essence of the world of Conan, where sullen-eyed, sword-wielding warriors, slayers, thieves, etc. tread the world.  Villarrubia's colors finish the process, adding the final touch that creates an undreamed of age of shining kingdoms spread across the blue mantle of the world like stars embedded in the firmament.

King Conan: Wolves Beyond the Border #4 delivers on the promise of the first issue.  Four issues are not enough, but still, they are four great issues.

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.

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

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for Apirl 1, 2015

DARK HORSE COMICS

FEB150053     ANGEL AND FAITH SEASON 10 #13 MAIN CVR     $3.50
NOV140103     BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL TP VOL 31 FINAL CURTAIN (MR)     $19.99
NOV140039     BPRD PLAGUE OF FROGS TP VOL 03     $24.99
DEC140135     BRODYS GHOST TP VOL 06     $7.99
NOV140052     DARK AGES TP     $14.99
NOV140068     DEMO TP     $24.99
DEC140112     ELFQUEST FINAL QUEST TP VOL 01     $17.99
NOV140075     EMPOWERED UNCHAINED TP VOL 01     $19.99
NOV140045     EVE UNIVERSE ART OF NEW EDEN HC     $39.99
DEC140082     GIRLFIEND TP     $19.99
OCT140043     GOON TP VOL 14 OCCASION OF REVENGE     $16.99
DEC140137     GROO VS CONAN TP     $16.99
FEB150059     HELLBOY AND THE BPRD #5 1952     $3.50
FEB150092     LADY KILLER #4     $3.50
DEC140172     LONE WOLF & CUB OMNIBUS TP VOL 08     $19.99
FEB150021     NEVERBOY #2     $3.99
NOV140067     POP TP     $14.99
FEB150072     RAT GOD #3     $3.99
NOV140014     ROBERT E HOWARDS SAVAGE SWORD #10     $7.99
NOV140053     TERMINATOR SALVATION FINAL BATTLE TP VOL 02     $19.99
FEB150105     WITCHER FOX CHILDREN #1     $3.99

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for September 24, 2014

DARK HORSE COMICS

JUL140054     ALIENS FIRE AND STONE #1     $3.50
JUL140124     BALTIMORE WITCH OF HARJU #3     $3.50
JUL140084     CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT #15     $2.99
MAY140061     CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT TP VOL 03 BETTER TOMORROW     $14.99
JUL140079     CONAN THE AVENGER #6     $3.50
JUL140064     DEEP GRAVITY #3     $3.99
JUL140066     ELFQUEST FINAL QUEST #5     $3.50
JUL140082     GHOST #8     $2.99
JUL140109     GROO VS CONAN #3     $3.50
JUL140077     HALO ESCALATION #10     $3.99
JUN140083     LONE WOLF & CUB OMNIBUS TP VOL 06     $19.99
JUL140101     MASSIVE #27     $3.50
JUL140095     MIND MGMT #26     $3.99
MAY140036     NIGHTMARE CARNIVAL SC NOVEL     $19.99
JUL140100     PARIAH #8     $3.99
JUL140105     POP #2     $3.99
MAY140095     ROBERT E HOWARDS SAVAGE SWORD #9     $7.99
MAY140098     SALLY HEATHCOTE SUFFRAGETTE HC     $19.99
JUL140104     SUNDOWNERS #2     $3.50
JUL140075     TOMB RAIDER #8     $3.50
MAY140079     WITCHER TP VOL 01     $17.99

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 4 2014

DARK HORSE COMICS

APR140018 ANGEL AND FAITH SEASON 10 #3 MAIN CVR $3.50
MAR130085 BETTIE PAGE GIRL OF OUR DREAMS SCULPTED METAL PIN $12.99
FEB140045 DRAGON AGE LIBRARY ED HC VOL 01 $39.99
FEB140038 FEAR AGENT TP VOL 03 LAST GOODBYE (2ND ED) $16.99
FEB140017 GHOST #4 $2.99
MAR140085 LOBSTER JOHNSON GET LOBSTER #4 $3.99
FEB140041 MASS EFFECT FOUNDATION TP VOL 02 $16.99
APR140049 MICHAEL AVON OEMINGS VICTORIES #12 (MR) $3.99
FEB140028 NEXUS OMNIBUS TP VOL 05 $24.99
FEB140085 ROBERT E HOWARDS SAVAGE SWORD #8 $7.99
FEB140081 TOSHIRO TP $19.99


Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 30 2014

DARK HORSE COMICS

DEC130135 ALABASTER GRIMMER TALES HC $19.99
DEC130068 ATOMIC LEGION HC $29.99
FEB140016 BLACKOUT #2 (NOTE PRICE) $2.99
FEB140018 CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT #10 $2.99
FEB140026 FURIOUS #4 $3.99
FEB140083 KING CONAN CONQUEROR #3 $3.50
DEC130124 KING CONAN TP VOL 03 HOUR O/T DRAGON $19.99
DEC130122 MESMO DELIVERY 2ND EDITION HC $14.99
FEB140027 PARIAH #3 $3.99
FEB140036 SERENITY LEAVES ON THE WIND #4 $3.50
DEC130083 STAR WARS DARK TIMES TP VOL 07 SPARK REMAINS $19.99
FEB140058 STAR WARS REBEL HEIST #1 MAIN CVR $3.50
FEB140039 VANDROID #3 $3.99
DEC130096 X TP VOL 02 DOGS OF WAR $14.99


Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for February 5 2014

DARK HORSE COMICS

DEC130060 1 FOR $1 MASS EFFECT FOUNDATION #1 $1.00
OCT130056 AVATAR LAST AIRBENDER SEARCH LIBRARY ED HC $39.99
OCT130054 AXE COP TP VOL 05 AXE COP GETS MARRIED $14.99
DEC130119 BAD BLOOD #2 $3.99
DEC130116 BALTIMORE CHAPEL OF BONES #2 $3.50
NOV130044 BLOODHOUND CROWBAR MEDICINE #4 $3.99
SEP130024 CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT TP VOL 01 $14.99
DEC130089 CATALYST COMIX #8 (MR) $2.99
JUN130065 CLASSIC MARVEL CHARACTERS X-MEN #4 BEAST $49.95
SEP130073 CONAN PHANTOMS O/T BLACK COAST TP $19.99
OCT130068 CREEPY ARCHIVES HC VOL 18 $49.99
SEP130078 EC ARCHIVES VAULT OF HORROR HC VOL 03 $49.99
SEP130080 FORBIDDEN WORLDS ARCHIVES HC VOL 03 $49.99
NOV130077 GRIMMS JOURNAL $12.99
DEC130118 GRINDHOUSE DOORS OPEN AT MIDNIGHT #5 $3.99
DEC130101 JUICE SQUEEZERS #2 $3.99
DEC130112 LOBSTER JOHNSON GET LOBSTER #1 $3.99
OCT130020 MASS EFFECT FOUNDATION TP VOL 01 $16.99
DEC130102 MICHAEL AVON OEMINGS VICTORIES #9 (MR) $3.99
DEC130094 OCCULTIST #5 $3.50
JUL130030 ROBERT E HOWARDS SAVAGE SWORD #7 $7.99
SEP130075 SHERLOCK HOLMES & VAMPIRES OF LONDON HC $17.99
DEC130073 STAR WARS #5 LUCAS DRAFT $3.99
OCT130016 STAR WARS LEGACY HC VOL 03 $34.99
OCT130076 STRAIN FALL TP VOL 01 $19.99
DEC130063 TERMINATOR SALVATION FINAL BATTLE #3 $3.99


Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 27 2013

DARK HORSE COMICS

SEP130047 1 FOR $1 ABE SAPIEN #1 $1.00
SEP130031 1 FOR $1 THE VICTORIES #1 (MR) $1.00
AUG130106 BEST OF COMIX BOOK WHEN MARVEL WENT UNDERGROUND HC $35.00
JUL130042 BPRD VAMPIRE TP $19.99
AUG130103 BROTHERS OF THE SPEAR ARCHIVES HC VOL 03 $49.99
SEP130023 CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT #5 $2.99
AUG130107 CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT ARCHIVES HC VOL 01 BATTLES THE NAZIS $49.99
MAY130083 CLASSIC MARVEL CHARACTERS X-MEN #3 MARVEL GIRL $49.95
SEP130072 CONAN PEOPLE O/T BLACK CIRCLE #2 $3.50
AUG130104 CRIME DOES NOT PAY ARCHIVES HC VOL 06 $49.99
SEP130057 CRIMINAL MACABRE EYES OF FRANKENSTEIN #3 $3.99
SEP120035 GOON #44 $3.50
AUG130110 GRENDEL OMNIBUS TP VOL 04 PRIME $24.99
JUL130080 HOUSE OF GOLD & BONES TP $14.99
SEP130059 ITTY BITTY HELLBOY #4 $2.99
MAR130076 MASS EFFECT 18 IN NORMANDY SR-2 SHIP REPLICA $299.99
SEP130068 MASS EFFECT FOUNDATION #5 $3.99
SEP130039 MASSIVE #17 $3.50
SEP130040 MIND MGMT #17 $3.99
JUL130070 MISTER X EVICTION TP $15.99
SEP130034 NEVER ENDING #1 (MR) $3.99
AUG130111 NEXUS OMNIBUS TP VOL 04 $24.99
AUG130071 POLAR CAME FROM THE COLD HC $17.99
SEP120049 ROBERT E HOWARDS SAVAGE SWORD #6 $7.99
AUG130109 SIGNAL TO NOISE HC $24.99
SEP130018 SLEDGEHAMMER 44 LIGHTNING WAR #1 $3.50
SEP130061 STAR WARS LEGACY II #9 $2.99


Thursday, August 1, 2013

Review: KING CONAN: The Hour of the Dragon #3

KING CONAN: THE HOUR OF THE DRAGON #3 (#11 in the series)
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics

WRITER: Timothy Truman
ART: Tomás Giorello
COLORS: José Villarrubia
LETTERS: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
COVER: Gerald Parel
EDITOR: Philip R. Simon
28pp, Colors, $3.50 U.S. (July 2013)

Adapts the novel by Robert E. Howard
The Hour of the Dragon Part 3 of 6: “Zenobia”

Originally serialized in the pulp magazine, Weird Tales, from 1935 to 1936, The Hour of the Dragon (also known as Conan the Conqueror), is the only novel Robert E. Howard wrote starring his signature character, Conan the Cimmerian.

Dark Horse Comics is adapting The Hour of the Dragon into comics as two six-issue miniseries.  The first is King Conan: The Hour of the Dragon, and the second will be entitled King Conan: The Conqueror.

King Conan: The Hour of the Dragon is written by Timothy Truman and drawn by Tomás Giorello, already acclaimed for the Conan comics they have produced together over the last several years.  They are joined by their stellar collaborators, José Villarrubia on colors and Richard Starkings & Comicraft on letters.

In The Hour of the Dragon, an aged King Conan recounts to the young scribe, Pramis, the tale of how he met his wife, the late Queen Zenobia.  At that time, Conan was King of Aquilonia, but a small band of conspirators against him revive Xaltotun, an ancient sorcerer.  The wizard uses his magic to help the army of Nemedia nearly destroy the army of Aquilonia.  But the king is not dead.

King Conan: The Hour of the Dragon #3 opens in the bowels of the dungeons of King Tarascus’ castle.  There, Conan faces a man-eating gray ape; once again Zenobia, who freed him from his cell, comes to the rescue.  Meanwhile, Tarascus plots against the very creature that brought him victory over Conan – the wizard Xaltotun.  Little does he know that a free Conan is probably as dangerous as Zaltotun’s sorcery.

There is nothing new to say about King Conan: The Hour of the Dragon.  It was damn good to begin with, and this third issue is also... damn good

Writer Timothy Truman and artist Tomás Giorello are telling a story in bold masculine strokes with relentlessly muscular scenes, delivered in an unapologetically bloody visual language.  Yet with José Villarrubia’s colors, it all looks like a fantastic jeweled tapestry.  King Conan: The Hour of the Dragon is the best Conan comic book from the best Conan comic book publisher.

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Review: RED SONJA Volume 2 #1

RED SONJA, VOL. 2 #1
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT – @dynamitecomics

WRITER: Gail Simone – @GailSimone
ARTIST: Walter Geovani
COLORS: Adriano Lucas
LETTERS: Simon Bowland
COVER: Nicola Scott
VARIANT COVERS: Amanda Conner, Fiona Staples, Jenny Frison, Colleen Doran; Stephanie Buscema (subscription cover)
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.

Rated T+

Based on the character created Robert E. Howard and Roy Thomas and Barry Windsor-Smith

For Conan the Barbarian #23 (cover dated February 1973), writer Roy Thomas and artist Barry Windsor-Smith created a high fantasy sword and sorcery heroine.  She was named Red Sonja and was loosely based on “Red Sonya of Rogatino,” a female character that appeared in the short story, “The Shadow of the Vulture,” written by Robert E. Howard, creator of Conan the Cimmerian.

Red Sonja has appeared in comic books for forty years, with the character spending the last decade at Dynamite Entertainment.  Dynamite Entertainment is re-launching their ongoing Red Sonja comic book series with Gail Simone as writer and Walter Geovani as artist on a new title, Red Sonja, Volume 2.

Red Sonja, Volume 2 #1 opens with a brief look into Red Sonja’s past.  Three years later, she is sleeping off a drunk, which is interrupted by thieves and by Nias and Ayla – her self-appointed bodyguards.  Now, a former benefactor (so to speak), King Dimath needs Sonja’s help.  Sonja agrees, and her reward is a ghost from her past.

In interviews she has given for Red Sonja, Volume 2, writer Gail Simone has spoken of taking the character in a direction that is different from past interpretations.  Simone is one of the few female writers who have broken into the white boys’ club that is comic book writing for Marvel and DC Comics in a way that has allowed her to be prolific and influential.  And she is not really like her male colleagues.

Simone’s Red Sonja is fiery and aggressive, not icy and reserved – as the character has been in the past.  She is not really an alpha female.  It’s like this: because it is a penis or royal penis does not mean Sonja has to submit or bow to it.  Simone’s Red Sonja is truly liberated from having her life defined by men being in control.  Simone’s presentation of the character makes this book worth a look, because the plot is merely standard sword and sorcery material.

Fans of Red Sonja and of Gail Simone will want to try Red Sonja, Volume 2.

B

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux