The Die Hard: Year One, Vol 1 hardcover is a fine example of how to make a trade. The cover from the first issue makes up the jacket, the hardcover and page quality are almost the same as what you might find in say Marvel Zombies(by way of example).  The color quality is the same as the books, that sepia muted color, and the cover gallery is a thing to behold. The icing on the cake?  I didn’t even notice this, sister site editor Simon did, a little string bookmark that hangs down the center spine of the book.  This...

If you’ve been paying attention to the hubub sorrounding this year’s Comic-Con, you might be aware of the contract for San Diego coming to a close in 2012.  This has launched what I have dubbed the con wars, with Vegas, Anaheim and LA each questing for that coveted piece of geekdom.  SlashFilm put out a neat little article talking about the tensions facing the possible move. Vegas, Anaheim and LA all seem to think that opening facebook pages and making fervant comic fans wage nerd rage wars on one another from...

In my quest to bring you a bunch of books that you have probably seen but never bought, I’m recommending  to you. Queen & Country. Greg Rucka built a world of espionage that is not quite 24, not quite James Bond with a bit of romance and tons of action thrown in.  If you really want to get hooked on characters, and espionage gets you off, this is a book you will need to add to your collection. Tara Chace is a secret agent for the SIS, one of 6 known as Minders.  The Minders are like the super secret Jack Bauer badasses...

The  “Iron Man” limited edition Prop and Costume Catalog is now available! Showcasing the designs that went into all 219 props, costumes and set pieceseatured in the upcoming Iron Man Auction. This 192-page book details a lot-by-lot presentation of every item featured at the C2E2 event, so try not to wet yourselves when you get it: www.propworx.com/IronMan From Marvel.com: To celebrate the May 7 release of “Iron Man 2,” fans of the first Iron Man movie will be able to own props and costumes seen in “Iron...

Underground, By Jeff Parker and Steve Lieber, is a prime example of how much value color can add to a book. Underground is a lot like the Cliffhanger or Broken Arrow of comics. Not just in the sense that they all take place in national parks and travel deep inside caves, but in the progression of the story. The way the action unfolds, the kinds of tension used and the dialogue. If you were a fan of either of those two movies, I would call this series just as fun and remind you that a comic is all in how you look at it. Parker’s...

Simply Fantastic. That’s what I would be saying if Howard Chaykin would put just a little bit more action into this book.  I really feel like this is a hardboiled detective series and I’m starting to like it.  It’s so slow that it may turn people off, but the captions fit so nicely in parallel.  It’s a strong narrative voice.  If you aren’t reading this series, this may be a good place to jump on from. John McClane recently ascended to NYPD detective status, a Sergeant to be exact.  Together...

Recently, Galaxy of Comics held a signing featuring Len Wein, creator of Wolverine and current writer for DC’s Human Target.  I started perousing the racks (while I was thinking about how bummed I was that I missed him) and came across a few Vertigo trades for Human Target.  The first thing I noticed was the difference between the VERTIGO, and DC Human Target.  This Human Target is very different from the current run, it’s darker, more of a mind bender, a great piece of fiction that will keep you wanting more. It’s...

According to Boom Studios, Incorruptible #2 (Mark Waid, Jean Diaz) has completely sold out sending the superhero series into its 2nd printing.  Incorruptible is the story of a supervillain named Max Damage and depicts his struggle to break free of the forces of evil holding onto him. Fans should keep in mind, while Diamond Comic Distributors is completely sold out, first printings of Incorruptible #2 may still be found at your local comic shop.  Comic Impact would like to remind you not to kill each other over them. Diamond...

In 1994 Brian Michael  Bendis, a guy most people had never heard of, sat down to write a book that would later be published in a hardcover about the thickness of a Sin City paperback.  If you look on Bendis’ twitter account, you will see very clearly “Successful writer, not successful artist.” I think that for a fan of Bendis, this book is a sentimental look back at what the writer would become. The web goes deep, but not too deep.  This isn’t Kaiser Sose, but it’s on that level.  We follow a...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

The things that you will see on the pages of a Brandon Graham comic are unusual and daring.  The panels are jaggedly laid out across the page, there is writing everywhere, but the world feels so alive.  Brandon’s characters feel alive, emotionally and artistically. I wanted to find out what kind of person it takes to make these pages happen.  No run of the mill artist puts that much work into a panel, especially not for a monthly run issue series (see: Walking Dead #68, and Captain America Reborn #5).  Why do Brandon’s...

It’s 7:16 AM on America’s birthday. A young John McClane, fresh out of ‘Nam strolls down his beat in a pressed blue uniform. The year is 1976, and John McClane is about to have his first very bad day. When you see the title, “Die Hard,” most of you think yippie ki yay mother fucker, some remember Sam Jackson, some of you younger ones may even remember McClane launch a car into a helicopter (I feel sorry for the young ones). Whatever memories the title may invoke, Die Hard stands out as one of the finest action film...

Dylan Dog is kind of like a cross between movie Constantine and Hellblazer Constantine, with a little bit of Marx Brothers thrown in to spice things up. It’s quirky, at times horrifying and the artwork will confuse and amaze you. The Cover for Dylan Dog Case Files The first thing that stood out to me about the book was the size of it. A mammoth 680 pages of comics! Mike Mignola’s cover art (and inserts!!!!) drew me in, and the quick witted dialogue sold me on the whole idea. To be honest, it didn’t hurt that...

Simon said he was getting an interview, and Matt said he was just shooting footage for the site, but I knew better. No doubt, Lady Deadpool was foxy, but make sure you check out the other costumed crusaders from Long Beach. When our impromptu shoot was over, we gathered our thoughts over pizza and planned our moves for the next day.  Deciding that no time should be wasted, I grabbed the awesome Michael Alan Nelson for my very first video interview evar! (09, a year of firsts for me I guess). Michael was so interesting.  Here...

“Halt!” We complied with the command and the Stormtrooper centered his blaster on us. My friend got a bit jittery and the Stormtrooper put him in cuffs. This is how we ended up at the booth for the 501st Legion, and that’s where I met their leader, Scott Allen. He gave me his card, which featured him in full costume as the Dark Father himself. I learned a lot about the 501st, mostly that they weren’t out to destroy the galaxy. Turns out they have a ton of divisions, all geared toward charity. Their upcoming...

The Lowdown: If you’re looking for a continuing narrative, this is not the book for you, however if you are a history buff that likes a good twist you may want to run to the store for this one. Max Brooks is famous for many things, almost all of them zombie related. This book continues in that same vein, helping to add to the world he has created in an intriguing way. When you pick up Recorded Attacks, it doesn’t feel the way a comic ought to. There is no real narrative, no real dialogue even. Most of the book is...

Hello loyal Comic Impact fans! Here it is, the big #100 Podcast. Or for those of you who want more specifics, The Long Beach Comic Con footage. After reviewing the hours and  hours and hours of Long Beach goodies, we have put together a fantastic video podcast. So join Simon, Dana, and Rich as they share their adventure with all of you. Dana and J.T Krul discuss, Soulfire vol. 2, Titans #19 and physical education. Simon and comic great, Richard Starkings, talk about Elephantmen, Phillip K Dick, his time at Marvel UK, Comic Lettering...

When we left off, I was wrapping up my first meeting with Jason Gonzalez, a colorist for Todd McFarlane’s Spawn. Livesay stepped up to the booth and I finally got to speak with him.  He seemed a bit more interested in taking commissions than talking to yours truly, but I got a chance to get his top 3 reading recommendations!  He plugged his own book, Doom Patrol, but also suggested Punisher and Dark Avengers. I bothered him about his inking work, mainly looking for insight to his process.  He explained that an inker...

I would later be told that this was what a con should be. I was sitting outside and waiting to hear from Simon, my contact within. It was Saturday morning and I was full of spunk, the purity that comes with the excitement of the unknown. Somewhere inside the Long Beach Convention Center were artists and writers that I’d have to interview, minds I’d have to get inside of, and I had no idea what to say to any of them. When I was done skulking around the outskirts I decided to join the party. Coming down the escalator...

It was with a vigorous evil laugh that the that the mayhem fueled second day of the long beach comic con came to a close.  It was a regular Comic Impact reunion when Rich, Dana, Simon, and Matt (poor Sheldon was missed) all came together to cover all the ins and outs of the First Annual Long Beach Comic Con.  Check out our podcast to hear about out crazy amazing day, get a preview of our super awesome video extravaganza, teases on some of upcoming interviews, and experience what the Comic Impact crew is really like after a...

Comicimpact will be attending the Long Beach Comic Con this weekend (October 2 – 4.) We will be working hard on getting the big news stories that you need to know out of the Con when it hits! We will also be setting up some interviews with your favorite people in the world of comics. So if your heading to Long Beach make sure to look for Dana,Rich,John,Matt J,Sebastian and Simon as they will be around impacting the con the only way they know how…We just wish we knew how that is. Also let us know you are a fan and take a picture...

Umbrella Academy I’m a big fan of the small series. Things that have an established beginning, middle, and end. I like stories like this because they free me of investing in arbitrary volumes dedicated to super heroes fighting struggles I sometimes don’t care about.  I either like it or I don’t. Gerard Way and Gabriel Ba’s Umbrella Academy is one of those comics that sits on the shelf, in my store’s case it’s the bottom shelf, and waits for you to notice it. Once you do, I think we can both agree that it’s...

Rather than approach this with a PR friendly attitude, I’m just going to come right out and say it. This weeks Cup o’ Crap Joe was a deliberate homage to Disney. It was an attempt to put a happy smile on an otherwise dark day. Faithful readers, I’m going to be picking on Joe Quesada. This is a huge deal and higher ups stand to make tons of money off of it, Quesada is no exception. It was completely in character for him to say what he said during that interview. What you have to remember is that above all,...

The twitter gags have been going all morning: @JoshGorfain: Xavier’s School for Gifted Students Musical 5: The Messiah Complex @J2Metal: NEW PUNISHER LOGO! Could this be the new look for Frank Castle? #disneybuysmarvel http://tumblr.com/xrn2wzqu5 @warrenellis: so I got this phone call from Joe Quesada and it was just the sound of him rubbing himself with money and now I am confused Believe me, the #disneybuysmarvel tag is full of poignant commentary on the whole situation. Even some of my followers are up in arms. Citing...

Last  week I got to Watch Kick- Ass the film base on the Mark Millar and John Romita Jr comic book.The story of Kick-Ass goes something like this  comic book fanboy  Dave Lizewski who decides to become a hero to save New York city from real bad guys.There some actual injuries and some serious amounts of violence in this book This film stars Nicolas Cage (Big Daddy), Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Red Mist), Aaron Johnson (Dave Lizewski a.k.a Kick-Ass), and Chloe Moretz (Hit-Girl). The film is due out sometime in 2010. This is my...

After wrapping up the conflict with the Governor and the abandoning of their safe spot, we were all asking the same question.  What’s next?  Walking Dead isn’t about in your face sadistic violence.  It’s not over the top or realistic.  It’s an exploration into human depravity, that which makes us tick at the basest levels.  In a lot of ways, what’s implied behind the violence is worse than the violence itself. How many times have you asked yourself what you would have done in that hopeless situation?...

So, now that AMC (The channel, not the theater)  has picked up the rights to one of the hottest Image titles around, It’s time for “teh inter-tubes” to collectively speculate on the whole situation, so here are my two cents… First of all, Frank Darabont is going to write, direct and produce the series.  This is the man that adapted the epic Shawshank Redemption and emotional Green Mile for the screen.  Why are these significant?  Both films deal heavily with themes of being trapped against one’s...