Sunday, February 3, 2013

I Reads You Review: ZATANNA: Everyday Magic

ZATANNA: EVERYDAY MAGIC
DC COMICS/Vertigo - @DCComics

WRITER: Paul Dini
ARTIST: Rick Mays
COLORS: Brian Miller
LETTERS: Comicraft
COVER: Brian Bolland
48pp, Color, $5.95 U.S., $9.95 CAN

Zatanna Zatara, better known as simply, “Zatanna,” is a DC Comics character. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Murphy Anderson, Zatanna first appeared in Hawkman Vol. 1 #4 (October–November 1964). She is the daughter of the character, Zatara (Giovanni “John” Zatara), and like her father, she is both a stage magician and a real magician.

Published by Vertigo, the DC Comics’ imprint, Zatanna: Everyday Magic is a 2003 stand-alone, one-shot comic book from writer Paul Dini and artist Rick Mays. Everyday Magic finds Zatana in sort of a career and midlife crisis. For one thing, she wants more name recognition for her show; after all, she is a real magician using real magic, and not a stage magician wowing the audience with illusions and tricks.

Meanwhile, back in her home base of San Francisco, ex-lover John Constantine has run afoul of Nimue Ravensong, a Goth girl and user of some edgy, dark magic. Now suffering from one hell of a curse, Constantine is crashing on Zatanna’s couch and crashing her attempt at a new love life with Hal Cook, the regular guy who’s fallen under her spell.

At the time he probably pitched Zatanna: Everyday Magic, Paul Dini, an Emmy-winning writer of animated television programs, was a marquee writer. He perhaps could have gotten just about any comic book project that he proposed published. He was (and still is), after all, also an acclaimed comic book scribe.

Well, Zatanna: Everyday Magic is just about anything. It pretends to be a supernatural romantic comedy, or supernatural romance and comedy, or comic romance. However, it isn’t really romantic, but it is mildly amusing in the way mediocre, average, and/or harmless comedies are. As romantic leads, not one character in this trite concoction has any spark. In fact, Dini can add this nugget to his trophy shelf of achievements: he’s actually made Constantine boring, a witless fan-fiction version of a character who almost always has spark.

If you mixed some lolicon with the way Matt Wagner drew his early Grendel comic books, you’d have Rick Mays’ art for Zatanna: Everyday Magic. This chunky, cutesy style must be appropriate for something, but Mays’ art is just as clueless as Dini’s story. Brian Miller’s robotic coloring is pointless.

Even Brian Bolland’s cover is bland, which is shocking considering all the stunning cover images that Bolland has produced for American comics book over the better part of the last 30 years.

I don’t know why I bought this comic book, Zatanna: Everyday Magic, some 10 years ago. I recently found it while looking through a box of unread stuff. There are a few nice moments, so I finally extracted some of my $5.95 out of it.

D+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

Dawn of the Arcana: What Loki Did For Her

I read Dawn of the Arcana, Vol. 8

I posted a review at ComicBookBin (which has free smart phone apps and comics).

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Albert Avilla Reviews: Avengers #2

Avengers #2
Marvel Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Jerome Opena
Cover: Dustin Weaver & Justin Ponsor
Variant Covers: Esad Ribic; John Romita Jr., Klaus Janson, and Dean White

“We Were Avengers” (Spoilers)
I lamented Bendis leaving the Avengers, but do not worry. Marvel’s greatest heroes have been put in capable hands. Hickman has won me over with a simple roll call story. You know: a story that comes around every so often when the Avengers lineup is changing.

First, we have the core group, the movie Avengers. If you don’t know who they are, then, I suggest that you go watch the DVD; I think it’s out. Next, we have the super popular Wolverine and Spider-man; two characters who have that never-stop-until-you-die fighting spirit. The two characters that I’m glad they have a spot on the team are Captain Marvel and Spider-Woman, no relation to Spider-Man. The Falcon is on the team; as Cap’s partner, this should be his home. It would be cool if Tony would give him an upgrade. What ever happened to Redwing?

The best hand-to hand-fighter in the Marvel Universe is on the team, The Master of Kung Fu, Shang Chi. Bringing youth to the team are Sunspot and Cannonball, the team supreme within the team. Manifold will make anywhere possible; I want to go on vacation with the dude. I want to see the pyramids when they where being built. Smasher puts the Avengers on a level with the Imperial Guard; I can’t wait for an Avengers-in-space story. Captain Universe brings awesome power to the team. The final player in the game is Superman, Oh, sorry! I mean Hyperion. Come on, we know that Hyperion is Marvel’s Superman. Think about it, Superman in the Avengers; get ready for some big time throwing down.

I enjoyed the humor. It is a good idea to keep the past lives of Smasher, Captain Marvel, and Hyperion under wraps for now; I’m expecting some good future stories. The Avengers have definitely gotten bigger. The villainous forces of Marveldom better step up their plotting and scheming.

The rest of the story gives the origin of Ex Nihilo and Abyss. They begin their transformation of Earth, and Cap marshals the new team for their attack on Ex Nihilo. It’s going to be on.

The art is unique in the good way; Opena’s style is beautiful. The coloring is detailed without giving the art that puzzle piece look. The character’s expressions are appropriate and related to the character’s emotions.

I rate Avengers #2 Buy Your Own Copy. #2 (of 5) on the Al-O-Meter Ranking.


Friday, February 1, 2013

SuBLime Celebrates First Birthday with New Titles

GLOBAL YAOI MANGA PUBLISHER SuBLime CELEBRATES 1-YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Global English-Language Yaoi Publisher Celebrates Milestone With New Acquisitions Announcements And A Special Manga Discount From Retailer Right Stuf

San Francisco, CA, January 31, 2013 – SuBLime, the global yaoi manga (graphic novel) publishing initiative between VIZ Media and Japan’s Animate, Ltd., is proud to mark its 1-year anniversary and emergence as North America’s premier yaoi/boys’ love imprint.

SuBLime is celebrating this important milestone with the announcement of six new title acquisitions. TABLEAU NUMÉRO 20, by celebrated creator est em, and MAN OF TANGO, by Tetuzoh Okadaya, will both be available Fall 2013 in print and digital editions. Digital-only titles available Summer 2013 include PERFECT TRAINING by Yuiji Aniya, SWEET MONSTER by Tsubaki Mikage, PRETTY MEN FIGHTING DIRTY by Sakira, and LOST LETTERS by Sakae Kusama.

A couple of special discounts and promotional offers will also be available to fans for a limited time. Leading manga and anime retailer Right Stuf is offering 40% off on all SuBLime print manga orders of 2 volumes or more starting today through February 13th. A special Valentine’s Day freebie will also be available directly from the SuBLime website starting February 14th at: www.SuBLimeManga.com.

“VIZ Media’s SuBLime imprint achieved an important milestone with our first year anniversary, and over the past 12 months we’ve developed a substantial collection of celebrated yaoi titles from a cadre of the genre’s top creators,” says Jennifer LeBlanc, Editor, SuBLime. “From AWKWARD SILENCE to YEBISU CELEBRITIES, SuBLime offers an expanding catalog of manga titles to impress even the most discriminating reader. 2013 will be an even more exciting year for SuBLime as we continue to nurture the expansion of the yaoi/boys’ love genre globally and prepare a potent roster of new title debuts.”

Since launching in January 2012, SuBLime has released 20 different titles available as print and/or digital releases. SuBLime digital editions are available with an MSRP of $5.99 (U.S.), and print editions are offered with an MSRP of $12.99 U.S. / $14.99 CAN. Digital versions are available worldwide from SuBLimeManga.com and are viewable as a download-to-own PDF on any enabled eReader device or computer, or may be directly accessed via the online manga viewer found on the web site.

New 2013 SuBLime Print+Digital Titles

Man of Tango, by Tetuzoh Okadaya
Rated ‘M’ for Mature Readers • Available September 2013

Tableau NUMÉRO 20, by est em
Rated ‘M’ for Mature Readers • Available October 2013

New 2013 SuBLime Digital Titles

PERFECT TRAINING, by Yuiji Aniya
Rated ‘M’ for Mature Readers • Available June 2013

SWEET MONSTER, by Tsubaki Mikage
Rated ‘M’ for Mature Readers • Available June 2013

PRETTY MEN FIGHTING DIRTY, by Sakira
Rated ‘M’ for Mature Readers • Available July 2013

LOST LETTERS, by Sakae Kusama
Rated ‘M’ for Mature Readers • Available August 2013

In addition to the new acquisitions, fans can look forward to the debut of 11 additional new titles this year, including:

• BLUE MORNING Vol. 1, by Shoko Hidaka

• BOYS, BE AMBITIOUS!, by Saburo Nagai

• EGOISTIC BLUE, by Mio Tennohji

• EMBRACING LOVE Vol. 1: 2-in-1 Edition, by Youka Nitta

• FALSE MEMORIES Vol. 1, by Isaku Natsume • Creator of DEVIL’S HONEY, also published by SuBLime

• Hide And seek, by Yaya Sakuragi • Sequel to BOND OF DREAMS, BOND OF LOVE, also available from SuBLime

• THE MATCH SELLER, by Sakae Kusama

• THE RAVISHING OF THE CROWN PRINCE, by Wang Yi & Feng Nong

• SLEEPING MOON Vol. 1, by Miyamoto Kano

• SPIRITUAL POLICE Vol. 1, by Youka Nitta

• SWORD AND MIST, by Hayate Kuku

For up-to-date news and release information, please visit the SuBLime website at SuBLimeManga.com, or follow SuBLime on Twitter at @SuBLimeManga, Facebook at facebook.com/SuBLimeManga, or Tumblr at sublimemanga.tumblr.com.


About SuBLime
SuBLime is a global yaoi/boys’ love manga publisher, and is a partnership between VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, and Japan’s Animate, Ltd. (Animate). This bold, global publishing initiative will present English-speaking fans everywhere with a broad selection of high quality titles. SuBLime will offer titles digitally worldwide available at www.SuBLimeManga.com, with many available in download-to-own format, and selections in print also available in English-language editions worldwide.

Valiant Comics for February 2013

VALIANT Solicitations for FEBRUARY 2013
(subject to change, of course)

HARBINGER #0
Written by JOSHUA DYSART
Art & Cover by MICO SUAYAN
Pullbox Exclusive Variant by CLAYTON HENRY & CLAYTON CRAIN
Wraparound Gatefold Variant by LEWIS LAROSA

Rise to power!

Toyo Harada, CEO of Harada Global Conglomerates and the most potent known psionic in the world, has a vision for the perfect future. A vision he will realize with or without the consent of the rest of humanity. In order to achieve it, he’s built a private army of super-powered hyper-telekinetics within the Harbinger Foundation. But who was Harada before he became the world’s most powerful man? And what are the origins of his vast ambitions? Don’t miss those answers and more in this special standalone issue that will define the future of the Valiant Universe.

$3.99/Rated T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE FEBRUARY 6th
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X-O MANOWAR #10
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art & Cover by TREVOR HAIRSINE
Variant Cover by CARY NORD

Planet Death looms! A new X-O Manowar rises! And nothing can stop what's coming.

With the Vine invasion fleet waiting in orbit, Aric of Dacia is forced into the one battle he never wanted, against the strongest, most horrifying opponent he’s ever faced. This adversary doesn’t want the X-O Manowar armor. It doesn’t want Earth. It only wants Aric — dead. The winner will hold the fate of everyone – human and Vine – in the palm of his hand. Because before this fight is over, the armor will reveal that it wields far more destructive potential than anyone could have possibly imagined. Robert Venditti and Trevor Hairsine conclude the two-part prelude that sets the stage for the epic war everything has been building up to. X-O Manowar is going home!

$3.99/Rated T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE FEBRUARY 20th
--

BLOODSHOT #8
Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI
Art by MANUEL GARCIA
Cover by ARTURO LOZZI
Variant Cover by TREVOR HAIRSINE & CLAYTON CRAIN

CHAINSAW EAT BLOODSHOT!

Bloodshot may be the best, but he wasn't the first. Bloodshot is taking his revenge on Project Rising Spirit—the secret quasi-government experimental division that created him — one body at a time. But nothing could have prepared him for what's waiting for him inside the Nursery. Deep underground, get ready to go to war with the band of misfit killers that Bloodshot used to call brothers-in-arms. Cleaner. Recon. Point. Gunner. Team: CHAINSAW is reporting for duty, sir!

$3.99/Rated T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE FEBRAURY 13th
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ARCHER & ARMSTRONG #7
Written by FRED VAN LENTE
Art & Cover by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO
Variant Cover by CLAYTON HENRY

Who shoots The Shootist?!

What would an Eternal Warrior be without an immortal enemy? For centuries, The Shootist – the Sect's most feared assassin – has been a pivotal player in world events. Now he has Archer & Armstrong in his sights! With Gilad and the new Geomancer's help, can they stop the man who only fires shots heard 'round the world?

$3.99/Rated T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE FEBRUARY 13th
--

HARBINGER #9
Written by JOSHUA DYSART
Art by MATTHEW CLARK
Cover by MICO SUAYAN
Variant Cover by KHARI EVANS

Nothing can bring her down.

She's the light in the dark. The soul of a rising resistance movement. Here now, for the first time, is the story of Zephyr (aka Faith Herbert… but shhh don't tell anyone)! As danger closes in on all sides, Faith must begin the trials and tribulations of being the Valiant Universe's first real-life superhero. Learn the secret potential of her powers and the truth about her time at the Harbinger Foundation, then follow her into battle to save the other Renegades. Look, up in the air! It's a bird, it's a plane... it's freakin' Zephyr!

$3.99/Rated T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE FEBRUARY 20th
--

SHADOWMAN #4
Written by JUSTIN JORDAN & PATRICK ZIRCHER
Art & Cover by PATRICK ZIRCHER
Variant Cover by DAVE JOHNSON

All hell breaks loose.

Shadowman and the monstrous Mr. Twist battle to the death! Everything is at stake for Jack, Dox, and Alyssa – and for the world as they know it – because if Twist succeeds, then Master Darque will walk the earth once more.

$3.99/Rated T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE FEBRUARY 6th
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BLOODSHOT VOL. 1: SETTING THE WORLD ON FIRE TPB
Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI
Art by MANUEL GARCIA & ARTURO LOZZI
Cover by ARTURO LOZZI

Every mission is a suicide mission.

Your name is Angelo Mortalli. Your brother is trapped behind enemy lines and on the verge of — no. That’s not right. Your name is Raymond Garrison. You’ve retired from the dangers of the field, but a desperate plea from your oldest friend plunges you into a vicious firefight that — no. That’s not right, either. You are Bloodshot. You are the shade of gray that freedom requires. The perfect confluence of military necessity and cutting-edge technology. A walking WikiLeaks. A reservoir of dirty secrets that could set the world on fire. And you’ve just been captured.

Collecting BLOODSHOT #1-4 (2012) by best-selling writer Duane Swierczynski and acclaimed artists Manuel Garcia & Arturo Lozzi, find out why this is the series that has IGN proclaiming “Valiant is quickly becoming the publisher to beat.”

$14.99/Rated T+/128 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-9796409-6-4
ON SALE FEBRUARY 6th
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VALIANT MASTERS: NINJAK VOL. 1 – BLACK WATER HC
Written by MARK MORETTI
Art by JOE QUESADA & MARK MORETTI
Cover by JOE QUESADA

Collected for the very first time – Ninjak’s solo debut in the original Valiant Universe by Mark Moretti (Bloodshot) & comics icon Joe Quesada (Daredevil, Amazing Spider-Man)!

Colin King – sophisticated British playboy by day, elite super-spy by night! Codenamed Ninjak, King is gifted with a brilliant mind and lethal training in the world’s most dangerous fighting techniques. Both will be put to the ultimate test as he is drawn into globe-spanning mission to apprehend Dr. Silk, mastermind of the WEBNET terror network, before the mysterious weapon known as “Black Water” goes online. From the British Isles to the land of the Rising Sun, Ninjak will leave an indelible imprint on the Valiant Universe – or die trying. Collecting NINJAK (1994) #1-6, #0, and #00 and featuring special, rarely seen sketches and process art from the Valiant vault!

$24.99/Rated T+/184pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-9796409-7-1
ON SALE FEBRUARY 27th

I Reads Feb. 2013 and Black History Month

It's February and Black History Month 2013. Welcome to I Reads You, a ComicBookBin blog (www.comicbookbin.com). We blog about the things we read: mostly comic books, comics, and related books. Sometimes, we’ll write about or link to other topics: typically books, politics, and entertainment.

All images and text appearing on this blog are copyright © and/or trademark their respective owners.