Kiss of the Rose Princess: Here Comces Haruto Kisugi

I read Kiss of the Rose Princess, Vol. 2

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin, which is seeking donations.  Follow me on Twitter or at Grumble.

DC Comics' New Titles, New Creative Teams in June 2015 - A Complete List

On Friday, February 6, 2015, DC Entertainment announced a slate of new comic books from DC Comics on its  "DC Comics Blog."  The following is a list of both new and continuing comic book titles with the names of the writer(s) and artists(s) of each title:

New Titles:
Batman Beyond – written by Dan Jurgens with art by Bernard Chang

Bat-Mite (6-issue limited) – written by Dan Jurgens with art by Corin Howell

Bizarro (6-issue limited) – written by Heath Corson with art by Gustavo Duarte

Black Canary – written by Brenden Fletcher with art by Annie Wu & Irene Koh

Constantine: The Hellblazer – written by Ming Doyle with art by Riley Rossmo

Cyborg – written by David Walker with art by Ivan Reis

Dark Universe – written by James Tynion IV with art by Ming Doyle

Green Lantern: Lost Army – written by Cullen Bunn with art by Jesus Saiz & Javi Pina

Doomed – written by Scott Lobdell with art by Javier Fernandez

Earth 2: Society – written by Daniel Wilson with art by Jorge Jimenez

Dr. Fate – written by Paul Levitz with art by Sonny Liew

Harley Quinn/Power Girl (6-issue limited) – written by Jimmy Palmiotti & Amanda Conner with art by Stephane Roux

Justice League of America – written by Bryan Hitch with art by Bryan Hitch

Justice League 3001 written by Keith Giffen with art by Howard Porter

Martian Manhunter – written by Rob Williams with art by Ben Oliver

Midnighter – written by Steve Orlando with art by ACO

Mystic U – written by Alisa Kwitney

Omega Men – written by Tom King with art by Alec Morgan

Prez – written by Mark Russell with art by Ben Caldwell

Red Hood/Arsenal – written by Scott Lobdell with art by Denis Medri

Robin, Son of Batman – written by Patrick Gleason with art by Patrick Gleason

Section Eight (6-issue limited) – written by Garth Ennis with art by John McCrea

Starfire – written by Jimmy Palmiotti & Amanda Conner with art by Emanuela Lupacchino

We Are Robin – written by Lee Bermejo with art by Khary Randolph

Ongoing Titles:
Action Comics – written by Greg Pak with art by Aaron Kuder
Aquaman – written by Cullen Bunn with art by Trevor McCarthy
Batgirl – written by Cameron Stewart & Brenden Fletcher with art by Babs Tarr
Batman- written by Scott Snyder with art by Greg Capullo
Detective Comics – written by Brian Buccelato & Francis Manapul with art by Francis Manapul
Batman/Superman – written by Greg Pak with art by Ardian Syaf
Catwoman – written by Genevieve Valentine with art by David Messina
Deathstroke – written by Tony S. Daniel with art by Tony S. Daniel
The Flash – written by Robert Venditti & Van Jensen with art by Brett Booth
Gotham Academy- written by Becky Cloonan & Brenden Fletcher with art by Karl Kerschl
Gotham By Midnight – written by Ray Fawkes with art by Juan Ferreyra
Grayson – written by Tom King & Tim Seeley with art by Mikel Janin
Green Arrow- written by Ben Percy with art by Zircher
Green Lantern – written by Robert Venditti with art by Billy Tan
Harley Quinn – written by Jimmy Palmiotti & Amanda Conner with art by Chad Hardin
Justice League – written by Geoff Johns with art by Jason Fabok
Justice League United – creative team unannounced
Lobo – written by Cullen Bunn with art by Cliff Richards
Secret Six – written by Gail Simone with art by Dale Eaglesham
Sinestro – written by Cullen Bunn with art by Bradley Walker
New Suicide Squad – written by Sean Ryan with art by Carlos D’Anda
Superman – written by Gene Luen Yang with art by John Romita, Jr.
Superman/Wonder Woman – written by Peter J. Tomasi with art by Doug Mahnke
Teen Titans – written by Will Pfeifer with art by Kenneth Rocafort
Wonder Woman – written by Meredith Finch with art by David Finch

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

DC Comics Announces New Books and New Focus for June 2015

DC Entertainment Announces New Books, New Creators, Broader Focus for the DC Universe

Iconic Super Heroes & Super-Villains Universe is Diversifying To Make Room for More Types of Storytelling, More Fans

June Slate of Titles Includes Long-Awaited Return to DCU of Bryan Hitch, Garth Ennis; Gene Luen Yang & Ming Doyle Join Team of Top Talent

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This summer, DC Entertainment launches a bold new direction for the DC Universe (DCU) that is even more inclusive and accessible to a wider group of readers as the publisher continues to evolve comic storytelling for its next generation of fans. Award-winning, critically acclaimed writers are headlining the June 2015 slate of DC Comics’ new periodicals and graphic novels, including Gene Luen Yang, Bryan Hitch, Garth Ennis, and Ming Doyle.

    “Whether you’ve been a DC fan your whole life, or whether you are new to comics – there will be a book for you beginning in June.”

Beginning June 3rd, the DC Comics line of comic books will consist of 24 brand-new series that will begin at issue number one, as well as 25 on-going, bestselling fan favorite series that will continue without a break in the issue numbering. The total number of periodicals in the DCU will be 49, with additional new titles debuting throughout the year.

“This heralds in a new era for the DC Universe which will allow us to publish something for everyone, be more expansive and modern in our approach and tell stories that better reflect the society around us,” said DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Dan DiDio. “Whether you’ve been a DC fan your whole life, or whether you are new to comics – there will be a book for you beginning in June.”

DC Comics will be keenly focused on going back-to-basics with its legendary characters, like BATMAN, SUPERMAN and WONDER WOMAN, while also reinventing key characters, such as BLACK CANARY, BIZARRO, CYBORG and STARFIRE, with a new contemporary tonality to ensure a diverse offering of titles. Top writers and artists, as well as emerging fresh voices, are on board to help create an expansive lineup of comics that appeals to a broad audience of fans.

Depicting some of these iconic characters in a more contemporary light include National Book Award finalist Gene Luen Yang who will join artist John Romita Jr. in the ongoing adventures of SUPERMAN. Comic superstar artist Bryan Hitch will write and draw new tales of the world’s greatest heroes in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA. The pitch perfect team of Garth Ennis and John McCrea returns to DC Comics for a limited series called SECTION EIGHT featuring characters from their popular Hitman comic. VERTIGO creator Ming Doyle will be lending her talents to DC Comics, penning CONSTANTINE: THE HELLBLAZER along with newcomer artist Riley Rossmo.

“More than ever before, DC Comics fans are being exposed to our rich portfolio of characters through multiple sources, including an unprecedented number of highly successful TV shows, video games and upcoming major motion pictures,” said Co-Publisher Jim Lee. “We are looking to extend that experience within publishing to ensure there is a comic book for everyone. For example, fans of the ARROW television show may want more stories about BLACK CANARY. Now they can find modern, fresh takes on the character in the pages of her standalone series both in stores and digitally.”

Breakout star, Brenden Fletcher, co-writer behind the all new, highly successful BATGIRL book will also be writing the new BLACK CANARY series launching in June. Fan favorites Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti will be the creative team on new titles STARFIRE and HARLEY QUINN/POWER GIRL and will continue to helm the perennially bestselling HARLEY QUINN.

“Beyond character and creators, the June slate will showcase different styles and approaches to storytelling as we add offbeat, irreverently funny titles such as BIZARRO, BAT-MITE and PREZ,” said Lee. “Truly there will be something for everybody as we simultaneously celebrate our rich legacy while embracing new voices and concepts.”

A first look at upcoming storylines will be the focus of DC Entertainment’s Free Comic Book Day issue – DC COMICS: DIVERGENCE – available Saturday, May 2, featuring three 8-page previews for the June releases of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s BATMAN, as well as Geoff Johns and Jason Fabok’s launch of the Darkseid War within JUSTICE LEAGUE featuring the biggest villains in the DCU – Darkseid and the Anti-Monitor, and Gene Luen Yang's DC Comics debut with celebrated artist John Romita, Jr on SUPERMAN. More than half-a million free issues of the DC Entertainment sampler will be given away at comic book retailers globally.

“In this new era of storytelling, story will trump continuity as we continue to empower creators to tell the best stories in the industry,” said DiDio.

To learn more about the June DC Universe slate, visit www.dccomics.com.

About DC Entertainment:
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the world’s largest English-language publisher of comics.

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

Read Webcomic Grumble: Chapter One - Page 15

Page 15 is here: http://www.comicbookbin.com/grumbleone015.html

Terra Formars: The Grasshopper and the Diving Beetle

I read Terra Formars, Vol. 4

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin, which is seeking donations.  Follow me on Twitter and at Grumble.

Book Review: THE EMPTY THRONE

THE EMPTY THRONE
HARPERCOLLINS – @HarperCollins

AUTHOR: Bernard Cornwell
ISBN: 978-0-06-225071-1; hardcover (January 6, 2015)
320pp, B&W, $27.99 U.S.

The Empty Throne is a 2014 British historical novel from Bernard Cornwell, a prolific author of historical novels.  The American edition of The Empty Throne was published in early January 2015.  It is the eighth book in Cornwell’s “Saxon Tales” series and continues the story of Saxon warlord, Uhtred of Bebbanburg.

The Empty Throne follows the events depicted in 2014's The Pagan Lord: A Novel, and the new novel is largely set in Saxon Mercia, with some scenes set along the coast of Wales.  In The Empty Throne, Uhtred fights to assure the survival of Mercia during a conflict of succession that will shape the future of both Mercia and of its immediate neighbor to the south, the Saxon kingdom of Wessex.

The Empty Throne is set in Britain and opens early in the tenth century AD.  Æthelred, the ruler of Mercia, is dying, but he has no legitimate heir.  There is only his wife, Æthelflaed, who is also the sister of King Edward of Wessex, and Æelfwynn, the daughter of Æthelred and Æthelflaed.  There is turmoil among the Saxons over the future of Mercia.

King Edward would love to merge his Wessex with Mercia, but the proud Mercians want their own leader.  The soon-to-be widow, Æthelflaed, has all the makings of a leader, especially as she is widely loved and respected by the people of Mercia.  But can Saxon warriors ever accept a woman as their ruler, especially when some of those Saxons want to control Mercia for themselves?

Lord Uhtred has long supported Æthelflaed, but he was grievously wounded at the Battle of Teotanheale (fought in The Pagan Lord).  Although he is still recovering, Uhtred has many goals:  recover Ice-Spite, the sword that wounded him; fight the Vikings that are encroaching on Wales and northern Mercia; and uncover the conspiracy against Æthelflaed.  In the battle for power in Mercia, Uhtred is forced to play a game of thrones because there can be only one ruler.

The previous two novels by Bernard Cornwell that I have read, 1356 and The Pagan Lord, were battle-heavy tomes of historical fiction.  The clash of swords, axes, shields, etc. resulted in spurts of blood, severed heads and limbs, and a pile of dead bodies that would scare even vultures.  For all the masculine bump-and-grind of war, both novels also offered adventure as the characters traveled far and wide, chasing enemies and rivals and their own goals.

The Empty Throne is also filled with bloody dismemberment and pitched battle, but it is also about courtly intrigue and the larger ambitious of kings, lords, and nobles, and the men who serve them (whose ambitions are often larger than their lords and masters).  The Empty Throne is smart and sarcastic when dealing with intrigues and plots and those darned Christians, revealing the often amusing vanity of the chief plotters and of the faithful.

The Empty Throne is also a bit sentimental.  Lord Uhtred is in the twilight of his life, and his injuries have slowed him.  His vulnerability makes him funnier and forced to be even more crafty and devious.  That's the difference in The Empty Throne, it finds the quiet humanity in a turbulent time of political struggle, of sectarian strife, and of an uncertain future.  So Bernard Cornwell, who writes the best battle scenes (as George R.R. Martin says), makes the best of his characters.  They are not simply warriors; they are also fallible and even frail in a most human way.  A thinking Uhtred is every bit as interesting as a killing Uhtred.  Fans of Bernard Cornwell and of historical fiction will want to sit near The Empty Throne.

A

www.bernardcornwell.net

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

Review: HONEY BLOOD: Tale 0

HONEY BLOOD TALE 0
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

CARTOONIST: Miko Mitsuki
TRANSLATION: pinkie-chan
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane
LETTERS: Joanna Estep
ISBN: 978-1-4215-7339-7; paperback (February 2015); Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Honey Blood is a vampire shojo manga created by Miko Mitsuki.  The series debuted in Japan's Sho-Comi magazine in 2009.  However, there was an earlier version of the Honey Blood that began in 2008 as a series of manga short stories.

Honey Blood focuses on Hinata Sorazono, a high school girl.  All her classmates at Sunshine Flower Girls' Academy are in love with the vampire romance novel, Until the Ends of the Earth, and the series of novels it spawned.  Hinata is surprised to discover that her new neighbor is Junya Tokinaga, the author of Until the End of the Earth.  Then, she also learns that Junya is actually a vampire and that with one simple kiss, he puts his fate and his life in Hinata's hands.

Honey Blood: Tale 0 is a stand-alone manga that collects the three Honey Blood one-shot manga stories that predate the Honey Blood ongoing manga.  The stories:  “My Boyfriend is a...?!,” “Until Dawn Comes,” and “Until the End of Time,” which were first published in 2008 and 2009, comprise the original version of the story that is Honey Blood.

“My Boyfriend is a...?!” finds 15-year-old Hinata Sorazono becoming curious about her new neighbor, Junya Tokinaga.  Hinata is shocked when she walks in on Junya biting the neck of Hanazuka, his book editor.  In “Until Dawn Comes,” Hinata wants to have a normal relationship with her vampire boyfriend, Junya, but can vampires be normal?  In “Until the End of Time,” a movie is being made from Junya's novel, “Night Love,” and Hinata finds herself caught in a rivalry between Junya and the movie's star, Mariya Satomi, a spoiled male model.

[This volume contains two bonus stories, “A Bouquet of Love for the Princess” and “First Love, Melting in the Night.”]

I read the first volume the Honey Blood manga.  I was intrigued by its central conceit:  when a vampire kisses his true love on the mouth, he can drink only her blood from that point forward.  I prefer edgy shojo vampire romance manga like Vampire Knight and Black Rose Alice.  Thus, I found Honey Blood a bit cutesy, although enjoyable to read.

For some reason, I enjoyed Honey Blood Tale 0 a little more than I did Honey Blood Volume 1.  These semi-primordial Honey Blood stories, however, are extra cutesy.  In fact, Miko Mitsuki's work here is immature compared to the later Honey Blood manga.  So I can't explain why I find this early manga endearing.  Perhaps, I wanted Vol. 1 to be more cutesy and frilly?  Fans of Honey Blood will also want Honey Blood Tale 0.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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