Tuesday, April 28, 2009

ITALYCOMICS GOES "BOOM!" WITH BOOM! MAGAZINE




BOOM! Studios just concluded an agreement with Italycomics (www.italycomics.it), an Italian comic book publisher whose catalog is a virtual "best of the best indy publishers" translated into Italian, to form a new publication called BOOM! MAGAZINE.

This new publication sees Italycomics dedicating a whole anthology magazine to BOOM! Studios series.

Mark Waid's new ongoing series IRREDEEMABLE will headline the venture. Other series featured in BOOM! MAGAZINE include the Keith Giffen/ J. M. DeMatteis fan favorites HERO SQUARED and PLANETARY BRIGADE. SOUTH PARK scribes Josh Lobis and Darin Moiselle join the line up with their CAPED limited series.

"These four aces will let us explore the superhero genre from different angles," says Italycomics Editor-in-Chief Paolo Accolti Gil, "irony, irreverence and downright tragedy, all from masters of the genres. We could not hope for a better way to continue working with BOOM! after the success of publishing THE STARDUST KID from J. M. DeMatteis & Mike Ploog."

"We love Italycomics," said BOOM! Editor-in-Chief Mark Waid. "and are excited to have an opportunity to extend our relationship with them. When they pitched this idea to us, we thought it was a great fit."

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5 Quick Questions with Brett Booth




Brett Booth is a comic book artist. He is best known for his work on Backlash, a character he co-created with Jim Lee at the Wildstorm Studios.

Brett has also illustrated the exploits of some of Marvel Comics' best known characters such as Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, and the X-Men. The artist then expanded his career a touch when he contributed illustrations for the Anthropomorphic How-To book: 'Freaks! How To Draw Fantastic Fantasy Creatures. He is currently active as a paleoartist drawing dinosaurs for various publications and websites as well as continuing to draw comic books at Dabel Brothers Productions studios.



He agreed to answer 5 Quick Questions

1) What would you say is your greatest achievement in comics?

Hmmm... tough question. I'd have to say adapting the first Anita Blake comic. We showed that there was an audience that would cross over from books to comics. But more importantly we managed to get more women reading comics. So basically getting the word out that comics aren't just for men.

2) Who was your favorite writer or artist that you worked with & why?

I actually haven't worked with many comic book writers for any length of time other than Sean Ruffner (who's no longer in comics.) I did 3 series with him, the Kindred, Backlash and Wildcore. Sean's one of my best friends, we were neighbors in college so I've known him for a long time.

But if I had to pick someone who wasn't a close friend, I'd say Joe Pruett, when I worked on X-men Unlimited. We basically got crapped on, being the 'other' X-men' book, but he did his best to try and make it fun, in fact we did a 30 page issue that never even saw print, with
Annihilus from the FF. It was pretty fun to draw.


3) What character you have never worked .., would you like to do & why?

The Flash, hands down. If I ever go back to superheros this would be what brought me there. He's always been my favorite DC character, I was a big fan of the Waid run with the speedforce. As I get older I have developed more of a fondness for the DC characters. The Flash is the one DC character that has always been cool to me.

4) Who are your influences?

Well, Jim Lee, obviously but Mark Silvestri, Todd McFarlane, Art Adams, Walt Simonson, Kevin Maguire, George Perez and a few others played their parts. Being a child of the 80's Art Adams is the guy who got me interested in comics. Mark had just started his run on Uncanny and Walt Simonson was drawing X-factor (I was a huge X-men fan.) George Perez kept me interested in the DC universe, but I was mainly a Marvel guy. Of course once I got into the biz I pretty much stopped buying comics so I really have NO idea who a lot of the new guys are.

5) What hero or villain would you like to change if you could and why?

OK, I don't like this character as he currently is, but I did have a great time drawing Thor in an issue of FF. I am a mythology buff so maybe taking this book back to it's basics might be really interesting. I like drawing complicated Norse type gear so it might be a lot of fun.

Brett is currently drawing a Vampire Huntress graphic novel for DabelBrothers. This is an original story from writer L.A. Banks. Brett promises that it has "lots of monsters :)"

And check out Brett's blogs:

http://demonpuppy.blogspot.com/ Which showcases his comic drawings, dinosaur reconstructions, dogs, religion and science.

And then his dinosaur blog: http://carnosauria.blogspot.com/ which just has his dinosaur art on it.
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5 Quick Questions with Phil Smith




Phil Smith is managing editor of Top Cow Productions, Inc. He self published a comic book 8 years ago with J.K. Woodward and thanks to Fiona Avery, Renae Geerlings and Matt Hawkins has a job in comics. Phil Smith also designs the trade paperbacks and art collections for Top Cow. He has a bachelors degree in illustration and design.

Phil will be making a writing debut in June - Witchblade/The Darkness/Angelus Trinity: Blood on the Sands.




He agreed to answer 5 Quick Questions

1) What would you say is your greatest achievement in comics?

Honestly I feel I have not achieved much. Of what I have had the pleasure of working on was designing and editing The Art of Marc Silvestri. Bridget Silvestri complimented me on it, and Steve Firchow told me it was the best thing Top Cow had ever done. It was easy, make Marc's art as big as possible and 'surprise" people like love it. It was easy, the stuff was great, I just had to stay out of the way. Of course my first writing work is coming out in June. Witchblade/The Darkenss/Angelus-TRINTY: Blood on the Sands, a one-shot featuring all three of the Top Cow Universe trinity. really looking forward to it. It is a period piece (13th Century Arabia) lots of blood, treachery and high adventure.

2) Who was your favorite writer or artist that you worked with & why?

Writers I would love to work with in any capacity (even getting their coffee or tea) That is a toss up. I have to limit it to comics writers so with that said I have to give it to three: Alan Moore, Grant Morrison and Joss Whedon. All for different reasons. Moore for the depth. Morrison for the mind expansion and Whedon for the humanity.
Artists. If it were me writing and who would I like to see illustrate my stuff? Got to give it to Marc Silvestri, Whilce Portacio, James Jean (for a cover), Gary Frank and Rags Morales. Frank and Morales have an amazing ability to capture emotion and dep th in their work which is something I try to get across through story. Of course my old buddy J.K. Woodward with whom I self published 8 years ago is someone I would like to work with again. Jim is terribly underrated and is ready to break out big.

3) What character you have never worked .., would you like to do & why?

I am a relative newcomer (8 years in so far). At the day job as editor at Top Cow of course I am very attached to our own stable. There is one character from Paul Jenkins Universe crossover named Tilly Grimes. I have been pitching for her to get a series for 6 years. She is a clairvoyant. I am a mythology buff and I wanted to create a series for her that parallels the curse of the Greek seer Cassandra. Blessed to know the future but cursed for no one to believe her. Sounds like good conflict to me. From outside Top Cow, hmmmmm. Longshot from Marvel. The Ann Nocenti and Arthur Adams story made a big impression on my adolescent mind. I would love to write that as a new limited series.

4) Who are your influences?

For comics writing, the three writers above certainly. From prose, Frank Herbert, J.R.R. Tolkien, Kurt Vonnegut and Charles Bukowski. I could go on with Larry Niven, Joan D. Vinge and the whole pantheon of Science Fiction greats. For design I have to go with Alphonse Mucha. The backcover to The Art of Marc Sil vestri is an homage to an illustration of his. For art, with power I have to go with Frank Frazetta, hands down. From the grotesque to sublime H.R. Giger. Often times when working with an artist as an editor I go online and send Giger and Frazetta reference and suddenly the artist gets it. John Howe is also in my consciousness when considering an approach to art or design.


5) What hero or villain would you like to change if you could and why?

Longshot. Take him back to his roots and focus on what makes his character so novel. His power only works when his intentions are true. It is simple but the way Nocenti and Adams played with it, magic. That is how I remember it. For villains...Galactus. I had an Exiles story featuring Galactus I submitted years ago. He is the last of his kind forced to destroy to survive. I could do a lot with that.


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Free Comic Book Day Signings




Comics fans and kids of all ages! It’s that time again . . . Free Comic Book Day!

May 2nd, all day and every year, is Free Comic Book Day! So mark your calendar, save the date, and set a reminder on your cell phone, because you don’t want to miss all the action at comics shops across the nation.

As a special treat, Dark Horse has two, 2009 FCBD comics!

The first is an all-ages, Star Wars issue. But don’t worry, we wouldn’t be Dark Horse without a dash of horror for all the parents and adults, which is why we also have an Alien/Predator issue!

Make the trip to your local comics shop and meet fellow fans!

Here’s a list of some Dark Horse creators who will be signing in honor of FCBD:
(Please contact participating stores for times and details.)

Evan Dorkin (Beasts of Burden)
Comic Book Jones
2220 Forest Ave.
Staten Island, NY

Arvid Nelson (Rex Mundi, Kull)
Fantom Comics
4500 Wisconsin Ave.
Washington D.C.

Tim Truman (Conan the Cimmerian)
The Comic Store
28 McGovern Ave., Station Square
Lancaster, PA

Jo Chen (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
Collector’s Corner
8108 Harford Rd. Building A
Baltimore, MD

Mohammed Haque and Ananth Panagariya (Applegeeks)
J&M Comics and Games
1213 Liberty Road Suite D
Eldersburg, MD

Matt and Shawn Fillbach (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Roadkill, Maxwell Strangewell)
Laughing Ogre
10647 Braddock Rd.
Fairfax, VA

Karl Moline (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, B.P.R.D.)
Famous Faces & Funnies
3000 W New Haven Ave.
West Melbourne, FL

Ramón Pérez (Star Wars)
The Beguiling
601 Markham St.
Toronto, Canada

Guy Davis (B.P.R.D.)
Green Brain Comics
13210 Michigan Ave.
Dearborn, MI

John Jackson Miller (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic)
Galaxy Comics Games & More
925 Clark Street
Stevens Point, WI

Kurt Busiek (Conan)
Things From Another World
4133 NE Sandy Blvd.
Portland, OR

Camilla d’Errico (MySpace Dark Horse Presents)
Elfsar Collection LTD
1007 Hamilton St.
Vancouver BC, Canada

Henry Gilroy (Star Wars: The Clone Wars)
House of Secrets
1930 W Olive Ave
Burbank, CA

For more information, please visit www.freecomicbookday.com.
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Latest images for Matty product




Matty has released their latest images on upcoming products.

Some of these have been posted before, but enjoy.







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Captain America Hits Landmark Issue #50!




Who’s trying to kill Captain America? Acclaimed writer Ed Brubaker and artist Luke Ross team up in a special, extra-sized Captain America #50!

Bucky Barnes is the new Captain America – and it’s his birthday. Barnes is trapped in the past while reliving his favorite and least favorite birthday moments. What will be revealed about his past? In addition to the main story, we’re proud to present a 14-page story featuring artwork from Marcos Martin (Amazing Spider-Man) that recaps Captain America’s life! And don’t miss the extra story by legendary Fred Hembeck spotlighting the forgotten Captain America! This is a landmark issue of Captain America that you won’t want to miss!

Critics and fans are raving about Captain America:

“I've said it before and I'll say it again – Captain America is the rock of my pull list. Ed Brubaker consistently delivers the goods on this title, and somehow, Bucky Barnes continues to become more and more interesting with each passing issue.” Dan Phillips, Comics.IGN.com

“…great art, lots of action, and solid character work.” Chad Nevett, ComicBookResources.com

“…a must read.” Geoff Jolliff, GamersCircle.net

“…the best comic book on the shelves.” Kevin Powers, ComicsBulletin.com

Marvel urges retailers to check their orders on Captain America #50 as the series hits a milestone and continues to draw rave reviews! Who is trying to kill Captain America and why? What will Barnes’ past reveal about the new Captain America? The answers arrive in the extra-sized edition of Captain America #50! And don’t miss two more extra-sized Star-Spangled epics: Captain America #600 and Captain America #601!

CAPTAIN AMERICA #50 (MAR092559)
Written by ED BRUBAKER
Pencils by LUKE ROSS
Cover by STEVE EPTING
Rated T+ …$3.99
FOC—4/30/09, On-Sale—5/20/09

CAPTAIN AMERICA #600 (APR090492)
Written by ED BRUBAKER with MARK WAID, ROGER STERN & OTHERS
Pencils by BUTCH GUICE, LUKE ROSS,
DALE EAGLESHAM & OTHERS
Cover by STEVE EPTING
50/50 Cover by ALEX ROSS
Rated T+ …$4.99
FOC—5/28/09, On-Sale—6/17/09

CAPTAIN AMERICA #601
CAPTAIN AMERICA #601 70TH ANNIVERSARY VARIANT
Written by ED BRUBAKER
Pencils and Cover by GENE COLAN
70th Anniversary Variant by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
Rated A …$3.99
FOC—6/25/09, On-Sale—7/15/09



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Updates on MattyCollector.com release dates




With a few dates coming up soon, here is the latest release dates for Matty product:

Mer Man - back on sale April 29th at 12:00 noon. (this is the same run, just the second shipment)
LOSH JLU 4 pack - May 15
Zodac - May 15
Hordak - June 15
Alex Luthor/Ultraman - June 15

Additionally, the Adam Strange/Starfire pack will go back on sale soon.
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Wolverine Battles Strikeforce X in Wolverine: Weapon X #2!




An all new team of adamantium-clawed super soldiers are tasked with taking down the ferocious Wolverine in the explosive Wolverine: Weapon X #2! Who better to deliver one of the most action packed Wolverine stories than the red hot creative team of Jason Aaron and Ron Garney?

Logan has tracked down Blackguard, the private military contractor that took hold of the Weapon X files, but he may regret this success when he encounters the deadly Strikeforce X!

Critics and fans agree that Wolverine: Weapon X is a hit:

“Aaron can write a great Logan, and Garney can draw the hell out of a Wolverine story... [Aaron] and [Garney] sync right back into rhythm and remind us why they make such a great team.” – Dan Phillips, IGN.com

“Aaron has a talent for strong, terse dialogue and vivid characterization…[Garney’s] work in Wolverine Weapon X may be the best stuff he's ever done.” – Timothy Callahan, ComicBookResources.com

“Plenty of kick-ass action…Aaron writes Logan the way he is supposed to be written. Action junkies should be drooling over what Aaron should have in store for us with the next issue.” – Rokk Krinn, Comicbookrevolution.net

Marvel urges retailers to check their orders on Wolverine: Weapon X, as the series continues to garner significant praise from all corners! Why was Strikeforce X created? Can Wolverine handle a team of killers created in his image? Don’t miss the heart pounding thrills of the berserker barrage in Wolverine: Weapon X #2!

WOLVERINE: WEAPON X #2 (MAR092606)
Written by JASON AARON
Pencils & Cover by RON GARNEY
50/50 Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
Parental Advisory …$3.99
FOC – 4/30/09, On-Sale – 5/20/09

WOLVERINE: WEAPON X #1 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (FEB098608)
Written by JASON AARON
Pencils by RON GARNEY
Cover by RON GARNEY
Parental Advisory …$3.99
On-Sale-- 4/29/09




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