Posted by John Mueller, on January 31st, 2010
Shitty jobs: almost all of us have had to put up with them at one point in our lives. Much more often than not working for an awful boss and/or company becomes a test of one’s endurance, where you ask yourself on a daily basis, “How much of a beating can my pride withstand before I just can’t take it anymore?” If this is the kind of situation you find yourself presently in, it may be of some comfort to know that you are not alone in your frustration and you’ll certainly realize this in reading Carol...
Posted by Richard Bashara, on January 28th, 2010
In a world where indie publishers are tightening their belts and delivering even less great small press content, Boom Studios goes out on a limb with a new Imprint. Boom! Town will be a new line of comics focused on more literary endeavors, so this is definitely exciting to those who coast the independent label racks.
According to Comics Alliance, among Boom! Town’s first projects will be a re-release of R. Crumb trading cards care of literary agent Dennis Kitchen, and Shannon Wheeler’s collection of rejected New...
Posted by Rob Andrews, on January 28th, 2010
DC have been going crazy these past few months in making sure that their readers are all blinged out with Blackest Night rings. I know I sure gave into it all and got myself most 0f the rings! But DC are now annoucing that there are in fact 2 more rings on the way for us in April.
Both rings are being released to mark the start of a new series, and a special issue that are both going to bare a ‘Brightest Day’ banner, and are released on Feburary 14th. The Flash #1 (a new on-going we’re excited about)...
Posted by Rob Andrews, on January 27th, 2010
This week there are a lot of theories thrown around and debated with regards to certain comics, so check this out for those. The Pick of the Week this week involves Simon, Sheldon & Rob keeping the tempo up and giving you your weekly comic reviews! Sadly Dana is unable to join us as she is preparing for something HUGE! But let the guys be your guide through what was hot and was not this week. Sheldon has the PICK this week and choses a book that Simon and Rob didn’t see coming!
Not to mention the guys also talk about...
Posted by Sheldon Lee, on January 26th, 2010
Hey comic guys and girls!! It’s a new year and with that comes a brand new feature!! So I give you our newest kid on the block C.I. Store Spotlight
Every month we will turn our magnifying glass on a local store (local can mean local for you the listener as well!). We then contact the owner and ask a few questions and even throw some pictures up on the site!! Sweet! Right? Well wait it gets better. We also decided that every POW for that month that we record that we will mention the store of that month.. for the entire...
Posted by Richard Bashara, on January 25th, 2010
Goon’s been running strong since 1999, but it may have gone under your radar. This bi monthly series has everything a growing boy needs, zombies, crime syndicates, foxy dames, noir language and cartoony violence. If you’ve never bothered to pick this series up in its ten year run, the Chinatown Hardcover is a great place to start.
Chinatown tells the story of Goon’s lackluster love life and how he came to be the tragic hero we see in the current pulp run. The story is divided, half taking place in the...
Posted by John Mueller, on January 24th, 2010
There is something enticing about tales of addiction, shame, and degradation that easily draws the reader into the skeleton-filled closets of the author. What exactly that attraction stems from is something I’ve been considering a lot since reading the sensational graphic novel The Alcoholic by Jonathan Ames and Dean Haspiel, now available in trade paperback from Vertigo.
Is the attraction to this material due to having the chance to peek into the life of one who suffers from a problem that seems utterly foreign to those...
Posted by Rob Andrews, on January 23rd, 2010
It’s a saturday morning, I’m preparing for my day. I’m chilling out listening to some John Mayer on the radio and surfing the ‘net. Next thing I know, my keyboard is soaked in drool because I’ve just stumbled across a preview image for the cover to Guardians Of The Galaxy #23 by Alex Garner.
Realm Of Kings was seen in for Guardians Of The Galaxy with the death of half of the team, including Adam Warlock (The Magus). This was a huge step to have taken a few months back when it happened, and if...
Posted by Simon Daoudi, on January 22nd, 2010
Do you remember last week when we posted about the Deadpool variant Siege #3. That Retailers can get if they send back some stripped covers of some Blackest Night tie ins.
Well guess what? That’s right, we now know what the cover looks like. My guess is that J. Scott Campbell or Deadpool him self is a fan of Ali G because this cover makes me think a lot of the character invented by Sacha Baron Cohen.
Now what do you think it will go for on ebay? How much would you pay for it? That is the true question. Myself,...
Posted by Simon Daoudi, on January 22nd, 2010
Figure Friday is back and this time around we are going to look at Marvel Universe 3 3/4 Vision.This figure is part of the new Second Series. The numbering on the series has restarted at 001 and this figure is number 006 .There’s no difference between series one and this series when it comes to the figure. The packaging will have art work by .Mike Degado. The theme for 2010 is Dark Reign and H.A.M.M.E.R, and the content will be driven by Norman and his impact on the Marvel Universe. We told you all this at Comic Con last...
Posted by Richard Bashara, on January 22nd, 2010
In a move that shocked absolutely no one, AMC greenlit production of at least one episode of the show based off of Kirkman’s comic. Frank Darabont (Of Shawshank Redemption and Green Mile fame) is basically going to be a one man army, writing, directing and possibly producing the show.
TV skeptics, like these losers over here, think this show won’t be able to sustain itself. They argue shows like Lost are losing the public’s interest. Maybe they are right, but I feel it underestimates the intriguing story...
Posted by Richard Bashara, on January 21st, 2010
King City has a long and sordid history. August marked the first run on King City in what Brandon Graham calls the “burly” 32 page over size book form. This gives Brandon more space to play with, and that leads to some interesting inserts. If you aren’t reading this book, you should be. Amazon has the manga, but your local store might be carrying the Image stuff. If the story is already written in the manga, which book should you fork over your hard earned internet dollars for?
Following our protaganist,...
Posted by John Mueller, on January 21st, 2010
By now I would imagine that everyone reading this is familiar with the visual mind-melt that is James Cameron’s Avatar. Now you can meet several of the hugely talented folks who helped realize Cameron’s vision and brought it to life at The Art of Avatar group book signing at Gallery Nucleus in Alhambra, CA this Saturday evening, January 23rd. Eight (!) of the contributing artists will be on hand for a Q & A session starting at 6:00 p.m. followed by a signing of The Art of Avatar book.
Needless to say this volume...
Posted by Dana Shukartsi, on January 20th, 2010
Welcome to the Comic Impact Pick of the Week podcast. Join Simon, Sheldon and Dana as they discuss the best comics that January 13th had to offer. This weeks pick managed the impossible as the Vertigo Guy and Aspenite, Simon and Dana, were in agreement about the best comic of the week!
Dana had the pick this week and after hours of debating chose Daytripper 2 by Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba. She also shares her concern that the contents of Batgirl 6 are pointing to the inevitable death of Dick Grayson.
Simon has an emotional moment...
Posted by Simon Daoudi, on January 18th, 2010
So this is kind of sad news for me as my favorite Marvel book (New Avengers) will end after Siege will be done. Sure it makes a lot of sense. After Dark Reign is coming “The Heroic Age” will be here.
Since the goal of Siege is to have the Avengers back as one team, the fall of Norman Osborn and all the Dark Reign stuff to come to an end, there is no longer a need for a book call Dark Avengers. Personally, I enjoy Dark Avengers a lot since it debuted in early 2009 and New Avengers made me fall in love with Bendis....
Posted by Richard Bashara, on January 18th, 2010
No Hero asks an intriguing question, how badly do you want to be a Super Hero?
From this simple premise comes Warren Ellis’ tale of Joshua Carver, a young man that just wanted to find the bad guys and punch their lights out. No Hero is intense, visceral and intriguing. The story pulls you in with horrific violence and an extra ordinary psychedelic trip.
In 1966 a group of super-humans began showing up to do good all over the world. Carrick Masterson, their voice, assured the public this was in the name of justice and...
Posted by Rob Andrews, on January 18th, 2010
You know what’s worse than getting kicked in the nuts? Seeing a series you really like getting the hack! Yes, I am reporting the unfortunate news that Kieron Gillen’s new series at Marvel Comics; S.W.O.R.D, is set to end at its 5th issue. Just as the covers were getting more awesome as well, typical!
With the release of #3 of S.W.O.R.D a week or so back, we’ve only got 2 more months before fellow fans of the series, including myself have to says our farewells to what was a good series (I thought). Gillen said...
Posted by John Mueller, on January 17th, 2010
Here at Sequential Sunday, the work discussed can sometimes be, well… a little dour. This realization came to me when I was deciding what book to discuss this week and noticed that they either revolved around alcoholism, an insane asylum, or The Holocaust. In light of this, I decided to make this week’s article a little more fun and breezy, while still showcasing a lot of great work and drawing upon sophisticated source material. With that I give you: Watchmen-themed cutesy crafts. You see, there is very little in...
Posted by Rob Andrews, on January 15th, 2010
Fred Van Lente has just been announced over at Marvel, as the writer to take on the challenge of Marvel Zombies 5, along with artist Kano. This comes as no surprise, as Van Lente was put on the task of dealing with the Marvel Zombies back when he wrote Marvel Zombies 3.
The series will run for 5 issues, as is expected (and the usual) for a Marvel Zombies limited series, and it will kick off in April. It seems that April is really the month to watch over at Marvel.
Van Lente has said this about what he intends to do with this...
Posted by Simon Daoudi, on January 15th, 2010
The Cartoon Art Museum and the Hero Initiative proudly present Ed Hannigan: Covered, a retrospective exhibition celebrating the art of Ed Hannigan. This retrospective features a selection of covers and original artwork created by Hannigan for Marvel Comics and DC Comics in the 1970s and 1980s, including such popular characters as Batman, Superman, Spider-Man and The Defenders.
Today, Hannigan is 58 years old and has multiple sclerosis. The Hero Initiative, a charitable organization that provides financial assistance to comic...
Posted by Simon Daoudi, on January 14th, 2010
Press Release
Just in time for the ninth annual Free Comic Book Day, Image Comics is releasing Image Firsts: a line of titles re-presenting ten key first issues as an introduction to Image’s most acclaimed titles. Priced at only a dollar, each first issue serves as the perfect primer to their ongoing series and collected editions, including THE WALKING DEAD, SPAWN, CHEW, INVINCIBLE, AGE OF BRONZE and many more.
“As discussions for Free Comic Book Day began, many of our retail partners brought up how helpful it would be to...
Posted by Simon Daoudi, on January 14th, 2010
Do you enjoy Variant covers? And Deadpool. Then you may want to be come best friends with your comic book shop owner. Since Marvel sent out a press release in regard to a special offer to retailers.
In an “effort to provide assistance to comic retailers,” retailers will have the chance to dump extra copies of certain titles to get an ultra rare Siege #3 Deadpool Variant.
For every 50-stripped covers of select issues that retailers send, retailers will qualify to receive one FREE Siege #3 Deadpool Variant. The 50...
Posted by Rob Andrews, on January 14th, 2010
I’m back this week, after last weeks unusual absence, which came around through no fault of my own I assure you. The snow here has been horrific, and it stopped me from getting into the city to pick up my comics, so I had nothing to work with for 2 weeks. Sucks right? Yeah, well you know how things go, but finally, these past few days the snow has been clearing, and I was able to catch up on all my comics and whatnot. As well as managing to get a cool new comic to cover for today’s Tea Time Thursday blog.
This week...
Posted by Simon Daoudi, on January 13th, 2010
If you listen to the new podcast I was talking about someone coming back to the X-Men well now we have a official video showing who is coming back That’s right is my first love and the first girl. I had a crush on it is the one and only Katherine Anne “Kitty” Pryde.
Last time we saw Kitty was Giant Size Astonishing X-Men # 1 by Joss Whedon and John Cassaday. In the Breakworld saga has it was coming to an end. Kitty was trapped deep within a gigantic bullet hurtling straight towards Earth at millions of miles...
Posted by Simon Daoudi, on January 13th, 2010
It’s a new year and we’ve got a lot to talk about. The BIG MARVEL event that has been in the works for the past 8 years, does it live up to the hype? What did we think of Marvel Siege? Simon falls back in love with Tim Drake after reading Red Robin. Sheldon is not sure how he feels about New Mutants but he knows that he likes Illyana Rasputin
Dana, well we all know she does not enjoy fun, this time she tells us what she thinks of “Thor Speak.” We also talk about someone coming back in a future issue of Uncanny...
Posted by Dana Shukartsi, on January 11th, 2010
Here at Comic Impact we try to keep you up to date with breaking news in the comic book world. That includes comic book movies and this past week has had quite a few shakeups in big comic productions.
Yesterday there was news of a recast in the Thor movie slated for release in 2011. Fandral, a member of the Warriors Three who was originally set to be portrayed by Stuart Townsend, who you may recall from his portrayal as Dorian Gray in the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen film, has been recast. The role will now be played by...
Posted by Rob Andrews, on January 11th, 2010
The hawk-eyed readers of our site amongst you, will probably realise that the Comic Impact podcasters have not done a usual ‘Trade Tuesday‘ podcast for about a month. Now, asone of the podcasters on the site, I am here to let you know that this fault was not an accident or without reason. We have come up with a new idea, for a new monthly podcast, that we hope will grab your attention in new and more variant ways.
As of this month, we will be starting a new podcast entitled the ’Book Of The Month‘...
Posted by Simon Daoudi, on January 11th, 2010
What a way to start off the week with DC announcing a new and biweekly / spin- off of BLACKEST NIGHT call BRIGHTEST DAY. Brightest Day will take place after BLACKEST NIGHT in will start in April with a Brightest Day # 0 that will have artwork by Fernando Pasarin.
Geoff Johns and Peter Tomasi will write the biweekly book.
Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps will both have a brightest day banner on their books. Which will let readers know these books are key to the entire Brightest Day story.Same for the new FLASH ongoing...
Posted by John Mueller, on January 10th, 2010
Now that 2010 is in full swing I’d like to wish all of our Comic Impact readers all the best in the new year and charge right back into my Best of 2009 list. Up, up and away we go….
Criminal The Deluxe Edition by Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips and Val Staples (Marvel/Icon)
It comes as no surprise that Ed Brubaker can write a great crime comic. What does come as a surprise is that any wirier, even one as talented as Brubaker, can take the crime/noir genre and make it feel so fresh and invigorating that it’s almost...
Posted by Quint Jenkins, on January 9th, 2010
Boy….2009 sucked for alot of us…but no one had more to lose last year than Green Arrows former sidekick, Roy Harper, aka Red Arrow, aka Arsenal. But if we can believe anything Dan Didio has to say about him in 2010, he(along with Ollie) will be a character to watch in 2010.
Here are 10 reasons why:
10) He will become very zen-like, such as if a tree falls in the woods and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound? Much like the sound of one hand clapping….
9) Lots of crying when watching the...
Posted by Rob Andrews, on January 8th, 2010
Iron Man fans might be pleased, shocked, surprised or overjoyed to hear that their favourite character is going to be getting a new look this April, according to an announcement at Marvel.com.
Comic Impact’s own Dana and Simon will be pleased to know that Eisner-Award winner, writer Matt Fraction, has been working alongside Ryan Meinerding (the designer on the ‘Iron Man’ and ‘Thor’ films) to create a new look for Mr Stark’s new armor.
The armor is set to debut in ‘Invincible Iron...
Posted by Rob Andrews, on January 8th, 2010
Here at ComicImpact, we were lucky enough to get a sneak peak look at a hot new graphic novel that is set to be released next week on the 13th of Janurary through Oni Press publishings. I’m Rob, and I’m going to run you through what I thought of this brand spanking new book, and tell you why this is something to check out when new releases hit the stores next week.
‘Lola: A Ghost Story’ is a chunky 112 page, hardcover graphic novel, written by J. Torres, and with artwork given to us by Elbert Or....
Posted by Rob Andrews, on January 8th, 2010
One of the comics that didn’t make it onto last week’s Pick of the Week podcast, was Halo: Blood Line #1. It sadly didnt make it onto the podcast because I forget to pick it up when I collected my weekly stack of comics, but let’s put my mental stoops aside for one minute or so, as I tell you about this comic, and why it could well have been a favoured contestor for my pick of the week.
Blood Line is written by Fred Van Lente, and with art by Francis Portela. It is set before the battle for the planet Reach...
Posted by Simon Daoudi, on January 6th, 2010
One of the features we do here at Comic Impact is the cosplay girl (NO anime, manga, role-playing games just comics) of the month, that’s right hot girls dressing up like your favorite super- hero characters. This month we’re privileged to have Meagan aka VirtualGirl. Found out how her love of video games got her into Cosplay.
What is your name? Meagan VanBurkleo, but I go by VirtualGirl on the interwebs.
How old are you? 25 years old!
Do you read comics and if so, what are your favorite titles? Yes, I love to read comics!...
Posted by John Mueller, on January 3rd, 2010
I initially thought the task of compiling a list of the best in comics and related art books released in 2009 would be relatively easy. Boy was I wrong. We saw a wealth of amazing output from the indie press, mainstream publishers and collected works of illustrative artists of the past and present. 2009 has been a fantastic year overall for sequential art, the best of the last several, with my only real problem being finding the time (and money) to take them all in.
So without further ado here is Part I in my two-part series...