Ian Churchill is a comic book artist who is currently working for DC Comics. His most recent project was Supergirl. Past duties included stints with Uncanny X-Men as well as the Deadpool: Sins of the Past limited series, in addition to a lengthy stay on Cable, the latter gaining him (along with writer Jeph Loeb) fan acclaim. Loeb and Churchill were to later team up to produce Coven and Lionheart for Awesome Comics.He is also the current artist for the most recent spin-off of the Teen Titans comic series, Titans, (volume 2) which features the New Teen Titans of the Marv Wolfman/George Perez era.
He agreed to answer 5 Quick Question
1) What would you say is your greatest achievement in comics?
I would have to say my greatest achievement in comics was getting hired in the first place! My big break came at a UK Comic Con where Bob Harras ( then EIC of Marvel ) reviewed my portfolio and pretty much hired me on the spot! I was very lucky to be in the right place at the right time and now have been working professionally in comics for 17 years.
2) Who was your favorite writer or artist that you worked with & why?
The first writer I ever worked with professionally was Scott Lobdell. I enjoyed working with him and would like to do so again if the opportunity arose. My favorite writer to work with though has to be Jeph Loeb. We seem to think the same way and that translates to the comic page in a fun and exciting way. I also enjoy working with Richard Starkings who I think is an amazing writer and a sheer force of nature! Best letterer and graphic designer in the business too in my opinion. As far as writers I haven't yet worked with; I'd like to do something with Grant Morrisson and Robert Kirkman.
3) What character you have never worked .., would you like to do & why?
I would love to have had the chance to work on Miracleman/Marvelman. I used to have an old Marvelman annual when I was a kid and just loved it but with the way the rights are tangled up at present I guess that's not going to happen any time soon. Another character I used to love as a kid and still do is Captain Britain, If there was ever a chance to work on him with the old red 70's costume I'd jump at it!
4) Who are your influences?
Arthur Rackham, John Romita senior, Arthur Adams, John Byrne, Alan Davis, Michael Golden, Enrique Romero, Jim Lee, Herb Trimpe and the list goes on.....!
5) What hero or villain would you like to change if you could and why?
The villain that all comicbook creators would like to change......THE DEADLINE!
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Star Trek: The Voyage Home packaging, now arriving for you!
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Coming HomeI remember the very first time I saw Capt: Robert April and his doctor wife Sarah. I was sick in bed and watching the Animated Star Trek episode: “The Counter-Clock Incident”. I had always wondered why there was never any mention about the first captain of the U.S.S Enterprise. I mean the animated episode was ok, but for some reason, I wanted to hear and see more about this man and his wife. Now I know over the years, some people have taken these characters and tried to flesh them out, but to little or no success. Well, that is until now.
Star trek: Crew #4 opens with our female lieutenant finally coming back to the place where this story began five years before: The now famous U.S.S Enterprise NCC- 1701. As the lieutenant disembarks from the transport shuttle in the hanger bay, she remarks at how the ship feels and looks very different than when she was there for its shakedown cruise. Now part of the junior officers, and serving as helmsman and navigator, it doesn’t take long for the action to settle in before she manages to.
Now, once the action starts, this is where we get to meet the current and future Captains of the NCC-1701, along with the ships first chief medical officer. All 3 characters: Robert April, his wife Dr. Sarah April, and Christopher Pike have always been portrayed to me as very two dimensional. Yes, they were part of the Star Trek Canon, but not much was done in order to breathe life into them. And if any Star Trek fans out there have been looking forward to that same application of depth of character John Byrne has so effortlessly injected throughout this series on these three, well your prayers have just been answered.
Although I am not going to spoil the main plot in this issue for you, I will say that out of all the stories which seem to have a `` full circle`` theme to them in regards to Star Trek cannon, this ranks right up there in the Top 5. Mr Byrne manages to take a generic Star Trek plot and completely make it his own, linking his work from another recent Trek comic, to show us what happened to a beloved character from the original series. Bravo Mr.Byrne, Bravo!
If anything this comic, and this issue specifically, seems to me as if it could be used as the perfect starting point for a new TV series, featuring Capt. April, Sarah, and the early days of the Enterprise. Never have I so wanted a comic book made into something for the small screen so badly. With the current relaunch of the Star Trek franchise, I would personally love to see this happening. The setting might be old and familiar, but the characters would be fresh and accessible to a whole new generation. And right now, I think this is what Star Trek and it`s loyal fan base needs: I know I do.
9/10
Eddie R
Review Editor
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For the love of... Magic? Or how to be at the right place in the right...Time?I LOVE magic, as well as those who practice it: The Illusionists, the prestidigitators, the odd mythical hermits, and even those crafty witches. If any of these terms are remotely familiar to you then you understand me. With a wave of a hand, a few oddly mumbled syllables and flash of light, anything seems possible. And what I and others like myself get from these occult gestures feels powerful, yet somewhat addictive! That is kind of why I am here, to tell you about adventures I have read and will be reading, and perhaps interest you enough to partake of travels of your own. My latest travel into the mystical has led me to a somewhat obscure character set in the DC Vertigo Universe named Madame Xanadu.
Without giving too much away about the previous issues in this series, I’d like to showcase a bit of what I love about these comics. We start as most myths do in Camelot, where the usual tale is unfolding. From there we begin to see the legacy and perhaps a bit of what the future holds for our tempestuous little nymph. If you are like me, and you love hints at things to come, then you will be pleasantly surprised as Madam Xanadu is chock full of them! From the reign of Kublai Khan in Ancient Cathay, we see her crafting the first tarot deck from syllables of her long dead ancient tongue.
Also, in what I think is a tip of the cap to the Golden Age Green Lantern mythology, we observe young Marco Polo being given a jade colored oil lamp containing vast amounts of mystical energy. As we continue to travel down through the ages, we see Madame Xanadu living through the volatile French Revolution, where she encounters an Aspect of Death, who grants her a gift and a warning. Later on, during the dreadful era of London’s Industrial Revolution, we bear witness to the lurking horror of Jack the Ripper, who is being used as a tool for the good of humanity. Finally, the wanton decadence of the previous century’s Roaring Twenties, where our heroine is finding her place amongst the agents of Order and Chaos.
Madame Xanadu #11 opens to find our protagonist has set up shop in New York during the 1940’s, as an occult private eye. She seems in her rightful place. After so much tragedy in her own life, she now seems able to finally and openly be able to help others in her own unique way. Without the cries of moral uproar over her occult proclivities, she is free to help a client whose father was burned, and I mean burned, in a bad way! Although this issue isn’t as magically intense as the others of the series, nor are there any revelations of great import, I find it that it starts us off in a new direction. As if the rest of the series was an introduction which was leading us to this issue, it does a superb job of setting us in the Noir genre and leaves the reader wanting more.
8.5/10
John H
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There haven't been a ton of toys based on the classic children's book Where The Wild Things Are sold in the USA, but there have been even fewer in Japan. Medicom has decided to fix this with the blind-boxed Where The Wild Things Are Kubricks Display Case. In it, you'll get 24 figures. Which figures? Well, of that we aren't sure, but there are at least 8 unique characters being crafted for this assortment with newly sculpted body parts based on the upcoming and oft-delayed Spike Jonez movie.
Where The Wild Things Are Kubricks Display Case
Description:
Imported from Japan! Based on designs from director Spike Jonze's live-action adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic children's book - Where The Wild Things Are - these Kubrick figures bring the story's memorable characters, from the young boy Max to the Wild Things he meets in the forest of his imagination to life. Each figure stands approximately 2-inches tall and features the stylization and articulation collectors expect from Medicom's acclaimed Kubrick figures.
This case of 24 blind-packaged figures may include (subject to change):
Carol
Max
Douglas
Bull
K.W.
Ira
Alexander
Judith
Collect them all!
Japan Makes Small, Detailed Wild Things
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I was a late-comer to the Farscape series, but I mourned its loss none the less. The show really appealed to me with its humour and general sense of the bizarre. The final scene of Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars left me asking "But what happens NEXT???"Thanks to the kind folks at Boom! Studios, I now know. Rockne S. O'Bannon, the creator of the Farscape series, continued the story in comics. The first 4 book arc has been released in a hardcover edition by Boom! with bonus materials including a story outline by O'Bannon. So now I could continue my travels with Moya's crew in a whole new format.
Being new to the world of comics, it took me a few pages to get comfortable with the layouts and what order to read each character. But this was easily learned by the familiar tone of O'Bannon's writing and the excellent artwork of Tommy Patterson (his debut in comic book illustration). The script was written by Keith DeCandido who wrote Farscape: House of Cards (Joy! More Farscape to read!)
The story picks up at the final scene of the miniseries with Crichton and Aeryn introducing their son to the universe. What wasn't seen in the mini-series was a somewhat sinister character watching them from afar. We return to Moya where Rygel is contacted by one of his wives and encouraged to stage a reverse coup against the cousin that landed him on Moya over 130 cycles before. Meanwhile, in the aftermath of the Peacekeeper Wars, each crew member is trying to cope with the loss of Ka D'Argo. Crichton and Aeryn decide they are better with the nickname Deke for their son than using his given name, and Chiana engages Jothee in her horizontal coping methods several dozen times.
On the trip to Hyneria, Aeryn has a difficult time bonding with Deke making her question her abilities as a mother, while Pilot and Crichton begin searching for a peacful planet to call home. Once Moya and her crew arrive in Hynerian territory, Crichton decides to let Rygel, Chiana and Jothee handle the coup on their own so he and his new family can have some bonding time, much to Aeryn's displeasure as she feels she'd be more comfortable back in a conflict situation than with her unhappy child.
Pilot picks up a reading of an unfamiliar ship just outside sensor range and reports this finding to Crichton, who decides to keep it quiet for fear of worrying Aeryn. Family time is short-lived, however, as Rygel's return lands them in a trap and Crichton and Aeryn have to rescue their friends, and bring Deke along for the ride. While on the planet, Crichton and Aeryn continue to be shadowed by the sinister red-eyed stranger who is spotted by the parents as they work their way through the city.
Crichton slips up and mentions the ship that had been tailing Moya which irritates Aeryn. As is the usual case, Crichton and Aeryn land themselves in trouble with an old adversary (you get 3 guesses, and the first 2 don't count) whom has no issues with using their infant son as a means to get information from Crichton. He is convinced Crichton is there to foil his plans of using the Hynerian military to wage war on the Scarrans (guessed who he is yet?) and doesn't believe Crichton had no clue of his presence. While hiding in an oort cloud near the planet, Moya is surrounded by the Hynerian navy and starbursts to safety.
While Crichton and Aeryn are incarcerated with Chiana and Jothee, Rygel finds himself on a Peacekeeper ship locked up with the very Hynerians who set the trap to put him there. Turns out Rygel's cousin likes to dispose of his people after he has no need of them. This leads Rygel to inspire an escape plan, and he impresses his former subjects with his strength and courage earned from his adventures on Moya. Rygel and the other Hynerians seize the ship and return to free his friends.
Back on the planet, Crichton and Aeryn make an escape of their own and free Deke from his captors and release Jothee and Chiana as well. They leave the planet in the transport pod where they are picked up by Rygel in the Peacekeeper ship who heads off to rendezvous with Moya and a legendary army loyal to Rygel. They head to Hyneria Prime, and Aeryn leaves Deke with Noranti to pilot a Prowler in the attack. After the Prowlers leave, the red-eyed stranger boards Moya. Pilot alerts Jothee to the intruder and he going to the cargo bay to investigate. Jothee is overtaken by the intruder, so Chiana grabs Deke and Noranti and hides. After successfuly defeating the air guard arounf the palnet, Crichton and Aeryn return to Moya and the ship starbursts.
As they return, the intruder knocks out Noranti and continues to pursue Chiana and Deke. Chiana contacts Crichton and Aeryn and updates them on the danger in the ship. Aeryn finds Chiana just before the red-eyed stranger does. Chiana comments on how fortuate it is that the baby is quiet and happy and Aeryn notices as well. Crichton catches up and a firefight ensues, with the intruder fleeing to his ship and escaping. Back on Hyneria Prime, Rygel overtakes his cousin and addresses his people who are elated to have their long-exiled ruler back in power, especially with his enlightened views of how his people should live. Rygel banishes the old adversary from Hynerian territory and returns to his throne as the rightful regent. Back on Moya, the rest of the crew return to the task of finding a peaceful new home and Aeryn realizes that all Deke needed to be happy was for her to be happy and confident in herself.
Throughout the story, Crichton and Aeryn experience bizarre time-lags that they realize are being caused by Deke. Could this be what caused the red-eyed stranger to pursue the infant?
I have to say this was an excellent introduction to comics. The artwork captured the characters I had become attached to and moved the story along so well it felt like I was watching a regular episode. O'Bannon's story was classic Farscape and DeCandido excelled at capturing the wit of the characters. The addition of O'Bannon's story outline was a great peek into how it all comes together. I'll definitely continue to read about the adventures of Moya and her crew!
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Four-issue miniseries starting in August
Coming this August, IDW offers Angel fans yet another hair-raising adventure. Spinning out of IDW’s main Angel storyline, Angel: Only Human follows Illyria and Gunn on a bizarre road trip as they try to reconcile their “inner” demons with their newfound humanity. Written by Scott Lobdell with art by David Messina, Angel: Only Human is a funny and frightening five-part story with two of the Angelverse’s most complex and beloved characters.
“Angel: Only Human is a fun and creepy detour from the main storyline,” said Chris Ryall, IDW’s Publisher/Editor-in-Chief. “This miniseries shows fans more about what’s happened to Illyria Gunn now that they’re both dealing with the consequences of After the Fall and how they tried to end, well, every thing.”
Available monthly beginning in August, Angel: Only Human takes Illyria and Gunn on a journey that involves funerals, fire, and family obligations. Not to mention the return of one of the most terrifying demon gangs from the original TV series, The Scourge. Artist David Messina beautifully illustrates every entrail-laden battle and heartfelt emotional moment as Gunn and Illyria realize they have far more in common than a desire for destruction. With striking covers by Messina, fans should also look out for variant covers by David Dorman.
Angel: Only Human #1 will be available in stores in August. Diamond order code JUN09 0935
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