WARNING: Anything with Sean P. Flanery and Norman Reedus is Not Safe For Work [NSFW].  Adults only.

Enjoy!!

Emerald City Comicon: Flickr

Emerald City Comicon: YouTube

*it’s better than a man cave. ¬_¬

“Kane & Lynch are two of the most interesting videogame characters I have ever seen,” said Hank Kanalz of DC Comics. “I think this new series will show the diversity of our line of books, as our creators capture the essence of these two criminals.” The first issue of the series is set to drop this August.

Kick-Ass is a feature film coming out to theaters everywhere tomorrow, but originally it was a comic book from Marvel.com. I just bought my hardcover copy of the graphic novel, but now you can also pick up the complete Kick-Ass limited series for iPad, iPhone, iPod touch or your PSP.

“I have an ancient cell phone given to me by a relative that’s so old it can’t take pictures so this tech is so far away from me it might as well be science fiction,” said Kick-Ass writer and co-creator Mark Millar. “But I read about it on Comic Book Resources and Marvel.com– the guys seemed excited so consider me excited by osmosis. More readers and new readers is always a good thing.”

John Romita Jr, artist and co-creator of Kick-Ass, said, “I’m excited about these advances in technology that I have been hearing about for, what seems like ten years. Now it has arrived, and all I can think of is that it advances the state of ‘comic books’ in that it will direct people to the source material. I believe this will cement the tangible material, the comics themselves, into the hands and minds of future ‘young’ generations! It always comes down to the quality of writing and the sequential art. Holding a comic and turning the page for more will forever be a novelty, even with advanced technology as an option.”

What better way to enjoy the movie if you’ve already read the comic? I’ll be doing my comic review of Kick-Ass this weekend along with my movie review next week. But in the meantime, go check out Kick-Ass.

Anaheim Comic Con is next week (April 16-18, 2010) at the Anaheim Convention Center and if the lineup, or the chance of meeting GamingAngels and getting an official GamingAngels button aren’t reasons enough to go, now you can also get free stuff just for being there.

Yes, it’s true that at most comic book conventions you better beware because you may end up spending more than you wanted. But there are two things you can get for free, just for registering.

Wizards of the Coast will be distributing free half-packs of Magic: The Gathering M10 cards.

“The giveaway of the valuable Magic: The Gathering cards will be a big hit with Anaheim Comic Con attendees of all ages,” said Gareb Shamus, Wizard Entertainment CEO. “We are excited that Wizards of the Coast will have such a strong presence at the event.”

For the young ones, Gogos Crazy Bones will be free to Kids 10 and under courtesy of Irwin Toy. Gogos Crazy Bones is a collectible, mini-game.

“Having an international sensation like Gogos Crazy Bones available free to kids is a great bonus for Anaheim Comic Con attendees,” said Gareb Shamus, Wizard Entertainment CEO. “It’s particularly gratifying to be partnering with Irwin Toy, which has been a leader in the industry for more than 80 years.”

Buy your tickets for Anaheim Comic Con in advance online because it’s cheaper.

Can’t make it to Anaheim Comic Con? Here is a list of Wizard World’s Comic Cons that might be somewhere near you…
Wizard World Comic Con Tour:
March 26-28, 2010, Toronto Comic Con, Direct Energy Centre
April 16-18, 2010, Anaheim Comic Con, Anaheim Convention Center
June 11-13, 2010, Philadelphia Comic Con, Pennsylvania Convention Center
August 19-22, 2010, Chicago Comic Con, Donald E. Stephens (Rosemont) Convention Center
October 1-3, 2010, New England Comic Con, John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center
October 7-10, 2010, Big Apple Comic Con, Pier 94
October 15-17, 2010, New Jersey Comic Con, New Jersey Convention and Expo Center
November 12-14, 2010, Austin Comic Con, Austin Convention Center
December 3-5, 2010, Atlanta Comic Con, Cobb Galleria Centre
Cincinnati Comic Con, TBD
Cleveland Comic Con, TBD
Nashville Comic Con, TBD

The Xbox Live Arcade title, which will be out later this year, blends a variety of gameplay styles to create a fun story for comic lovers. Captain Smiley will travel through four comics, each with its own distinctive style, with his chest emblem, Star, smack talking the entire time. Want to know more? Try watching this 10-minute video, and see if that doesn’t make you want even more.

I’ve been an avid fan of Rob Zombie’s for years now, and his side projects have always interested me. Admittedly I have not read his first comic book series Spookshow International which introduces the character El Superbeasto, but looking over the series online it looks pretty fun. I’ve always loved the way Zombie formats his art for his albums and merch and the comic seems to have that same feel to it. “Superbeasto started as a comic book and my point of doing the comic book was to then turn it into an animated movie, because I knew that just going in and pitching it is harder. And you know, that’s why so many comic books become movies and graphic novels, because it’s so much easier to sell the concept if it’s already basically laid out completely for somebody.”

But according to Zombie, Whatever Happened To Baron Von Shock will have a less over the top feel than Spookshow International. “This comic venture is very, very different in tone for me. Instead of a crazy over-the-top monster-fest like El Superbeasto, I wanted to create something that works more on a slice of life human level . . . I really needed Baron Von Shock to be something fresh in writing and in art.” I definitely am looking forward to checking out this new series when it’s released in May!

Via The Rock Radio

...is hairy? ...has a mole? ...to school? The possibilities were endless.

POW! Entertainment and BOOM! Studios announced that Stan Lee will be behind three new superhero titles, which will premiere later this year. One will be written by BOOM! Editor-in-Chief Mark Waid, and the other two will be written by other “A-list writers.” Later announcements will give details on the teams and release roll-outs.

This revelation comes after a viral marketing campaign announcing that “Stan’s Back,” which hit the internet early last week. The campaign exploded through ads on comic book news sites and blogs, as well as print ads in the LA Times. All the banner ads linked back to www.stansback.com, a site which had only the “Stan’s Back” logo. (Oh, come on! At least give them an alternate reality game! Those are tons more fun.) Yesterday, the point of the whole campaign was revealed – Stan Lee is back, presenting a comic book series for the Direct Market comic specialty market that Lee was instrumental in fostering.

Additional information is forthcoming.

The book Marvels is perfect for people who are sort of interested in super hero comics, but do not know a lot of the history.

Writer: Kurt Busiek
Artist: Alex Ross

The story in Marvels follows Phil Sheldon, a news reporter fascinated with the cities superheroes or “Marvels” as he calls them.

Marvels gives the reader the perspective of normal people and what it’s like living in a town full of extraordinary people. The Marvels are misunderstood, feared, but also loved and cherished. As the story moved forward, so does Phil’s views on the marvels. At the beginning he too is skeptical of them, almost afraid. As years past he begins to see that the heroes just want to save human kind, and instead of getting thanks they are met with fear.

One thing I thought was interesting was how the X-men were portrayed. While other marvels were misunderstood they did also sometimes get the gratitude of the public. But, the X-men were hated and feared most of all. People felt unsafe and did not want mutants around their town. I find it interesting that the mutants were hated so much. What makes them so different than say the Human Torch or Sub Mariner? Do they all not have some power that is not human? The answer came to me at one of my graphic novel book club meetings. It’s about the origin story. Heroes like Spider-Man, The Hulk or the Fantastic Four are all some type of science gone wrong. X-men are born with their powers, meaning two normal parents could give birth to a mutant baby and that was seemingly too much to handle.

As the story goes on, Phil becomes detached from his family. This shows how big news reporting was back in that time. However, Phil realizes the importance of his family when his daughters bring home a little mutant girl. At one point Phil tells his fiancé that their wedding will have to have to wait. He feels like he cannot protect his family. I think this was him afraid and running from the future.

The book does a good job of highlighting all the major marvel heroes and events and can be understood even if a person as never picked up a comic book. I myself am not a big cape comic fan, but I found this very enjoyable. Perhaps because I see it as somewhere in-between cape and non-cape.

The thing about this book that caught my eye the most was the art. Alex Ross is one of comic’s best known and highly acclaimed artists. His use of water color and photorealism are one of a kind. Alex Ross uses real people as focal points and creates his art by posing people how the hero or person would look in the comic. He captures emotion and detail very well and puts a lot of heart and soul into his time consuming art.

The only down fall of this story is how it ends; I feel like it ends too abruptly. In the story Phil decides to publish a book of photos of the Marvels. As the story winds down he talks about losing his optical eye, but in some ways I don’t think he ever had it. Phil mentions in the book wanting to write a novel and write about how humankind should see the Marvels. As a reader I was excited about seeing him do this, but it just sort of tapers off and is merely something said in passing.

All in all I really enjoyed this book. Alex Ross is my favorite comic book artist and his work in this is truly breathtaking.

The visit back to my childhood is now complete. The Jim Henson Company and Archaia have announced that the first Fraggle Rock comic book will be out in comic book shops this April. Issue 1 (of 3) will be available for pre-order in Previews which is why Archaia wants us to know about it now.

What’s also cool is the news of Archaia’s contribution to Free Comic Book day which is a flip book that will include Fraggle Rock and Mouse Guard for free on May 1, 2010.

“All of us at Archaia are so proud of how Fraggle Rock is turning out,” said Stephen Christy, Director of Development for Archaia. “We’re taking a lot of unique approaches with this series, from launching it in our popular 8” x 8” Mouse Guard format to bringing in incredibly talented indie creators such as Jeffrey Brown, creator of Incredible Change-Bots, and Jeremy Love, creator of Bayou, to share their visions of this classic Jim Henson Company creation. We’re working very hard to make sure this book is a fresh take for fans of the show and will also appeal to new audiences, and I’m excited that readers will be able to fully dive into the world of Fraggle Rock with issue #1 in April and our Free Comic Book Day special in May!”

“‘Fraggle Rock’ has devoted fans who have told us they want more adventures from Gobo and the gang and we know Archaia is the perfect partner to tell these new stories,” said Melissa Segal, The Jim Henson Company’s Sr. Vice President, Global Consumer Products. “With exceptional attention to detail and excellent storytelling, Archaia is especially suited to introduce Fraggles to young readers who may be meeting these characters and their fantastical world for the first time.”

Fraggle Rock started in 1983 by Jim Henson. I remember watching alot of it because I was in Europe at the time and we had one English channel. The series followed Fraggles: Gobo, Mokey, Red, Wembley and Boober. It’s been 25 years (I feel old!) and there is some new life in Fraggle Rock. There was a recent series DVD release and new Fraggle Rock Forever line of designer apparel and jewelry.

I love Oni Press because as a publisher, they take the most chances on stories that evoke an emotion. In Lola: A Ghost Story, the story follows a little boy, Jesse, who travels with his family to the Philippines to attend his grandma’s funeral. He hasn’t been back to the Philippines since the last death in the family.

Title: Lola: A Ghost Story
Publisher: Oni Press
Writer: J. Torres
Artist: Elbert Or
Price: $14.95

I love Oni Press because as a publisher, they take the most chances on stories that evoke an emotion. In Lola: A Ghost Story, the story follows a little boy, Jesse, who travels with his family to the Philippines to attend his grandma’s funeral. He hasn’t been back to the Philippines since the last death in the family.

Lola, Jesse’s grandmother was much loved by her family but also was very special. She had visions and she used those visions to help others that lived in her small town. Jesse’s cousin tells Jesse about the stories of how Lola discovered her talent and used her visions.

We learn that Jesse also sees dead people, but that he’s never told anyone. In learning about his family history he learns how to face his own talents and to stop looking at them as a negative.

I really enjoyed Lola: A Ghost Story because of the way the story was told. I read it as a pdf, but I saw the book recently at a comic book store and the hardback is beautiful. I enjoyed the look into Philippine culture. Throughout the story we are given translations and explanations of cultural aspects. I love the artwork and the way J. Torres chose the less is more approach to dialogue. Each panel had meaning and the story didn’t feel rushed. Lola: A Ghost Story is yet another Oni Press title that delivers alot of emotion in a little package. I hope that this isn’t the last story about Jesse that we see.

Review product was provided by Oni Press, and does not affect the outcome of this review.