2011 February
Telltale developing Fables, Walking Dead video games [Updated]
Fables: The Deluxe Edition, Vol. 1
Telltale Games is set to announce an agreement with Warner Bros. Interactive to develop video games based on Fables, the acclaimed Vertigo series created by Bill Willingham, All Things Digital reports.
That’s in addition to the earlier rumored games based on AMC’s wildly popular Walking Dead, itself an adaptation of the Image Comics series by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore and Charlie Adlard.
The San Rafael, Calif.-based Telltale has created episodic games based on CSI, Wallace & Gromit and Jeff Smith’s Bone. It’s now working on series for the Jurassic Park and Back to the Future franchises. Details of the Fables and Walking Dead games are slim — what you’ve read is all that’s been revealed — but more information should be announced after Telltale’s presentation wraps up later today in San Francisco.
Debuting in 2002, Fables centers on characters characters from folklore and fairy tales who live in exile in modern New York City and elsewhere in the “mundane” world. It’s a premise that certainly lends itself to Telltale’s brand of episodic games.
Update: IGN talks briefly with Kirkman, who says The Walking Dead game will fall “within the comic book world.” Telltale also has released promotional art by Adlard, which you can see after the break.
Update 2: Telltale has made the official announcements about both games. Read the press releases below.
- February 17, 2011 @ 04:10 PM by Kevin Melrose
Grumpy Old Fan | Budgeting made easy: DC Comics Solicitations for May 2011
Booster Gold #44
Learning that DC was cancelling five superhero titles reminded me immediately of the “Saturday Night Massacre,” when President Nixon’s firing of special prosecutor Archibald Cox led directly to the resignations of Attorney General Elliot Richardson and Deputy Attorney General William Ruckleshaus. But, you know, that’s just me. I may be one of the few superhero-comics bloggers who went through a Watergate phase in college. Got two term papers out of it, at any rate.
But I digress. As we all know, the May solicitations are out, and DC will still be publishing a significant number of superhero comics — so let’s get to ‘em, shall we?
* * *
YOU MIGHT HAVE HEARD THERE IS A GREEN LANTERN MOVIE
Seems like the last time DC did a multiple-issue “prequel series” to one of its big movies was 2006, with four lead-ins to Superman Returns. I liked Superman Returns, but those related comics weren’t too memorable. However, I do like the creative teams on these one-shots — Geoff Johns (a no-brainer for GL), Marc Guggenheim, Jerry Ordway, Joe Bennett, Karl Kerschl, Fernando Dagnino, and Cliff Richards, plus the screenwriters — so they may be more worthwhile.
- February 17, 2011 @ 03:00 PM by Tom Bondurant
DeMatteis shows off Ploog’s artwork from third Abadazad book
from Abadazad: The Puppet, The Professor and the Prophet
With CrossGen titles and Disney/Pixar comics now on Marvel’s slate, isn’t it time we saw the return of J.M. DeMatteis and Mike Ploog’s Abadazad?
Sorry, just had to get that out of the way. After starting as a comic from the now defunct CrossGen, Abadazad found another life as a short-lived series of books when Disney bought CrossGen’s assets. Only two books were released in the United States, while a third found it’s way to England … and over on his blog, DeMatteis has posted some of Ploog and colorist Nick Bell’s artwork that appeared in it.
Really great stuff, and it’s a shame it didn’t have a wider audience. But maybe one day DeMatteis and Ploog will have a chance to return to the world they created.
- February 17, 2011 @ 01:26 PM by JK Parkin
Rich Tommaso on re-coloring the Carl Barks comics
When I heard that Rich Tommaso was re-coloring the complete Carl Barks comics for Fantagraphics’ archive editions, I was curious about how that would work and how it would affect Tommaso’s own work: He shared an Eisner award with Jim Sturm for Satchel Paige: Striking Out Jim Crow, and he has a rich selection of other comics on his website. Although he was just back from Angouleme, Rich was kind enough to answer some questions about his process and how it is changing his own art style.
Brigid: How did you get this gig?
Rich: For years I had been doing some freelance work in the way of lettering (for foreign books translated into English) and spot illustration for Fantagraphics Books and then, last summer, totally out-of-the-blue, Gary emails me asking if I’d like to try-out for a “secret” coloring gig. About a few weeks later, they sent me about ten pages of Donald Duck comics for me to test out coloring—finally breaking the surprise of what the secret was. Based on my ability to capture—as closely as possible—the look of the original, hand-separated colors on the computer, I got the job.
- February 17, 2011 @ 12:00 PM by Brigid Alverson
Nice art: The last days of Marco Pantani
To his fans, the Italian cyclist Marco Pantani was “Il Pirata” (the pirate), because of his aggressive racing moves and his personal style, which included a bandanna, shaved head, and earrings. He won both the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia in 1998, but his career was dogged by controversy, and he died of a cocaine overdose in 2004, at the age of 34.
But was it an accident? The cycling site Road.cc reports that an Italian publisher has put out a graphic novel, titled Gli Ultimi Giorni di Marco Pantani [The Last Days of Marco Pantani], that explores the possibility that Pantani was murdered, a theory that advocated by his friend, the French journalist Philippe Brunel. Regardless of the truth of the matter (and conventional wisdom doesn’t seem to go Brunel’s way), the graphic novel looks like it would be worth having just for the art; the script, Marco Rizzo, is in Italian, but Lelio Bonaccorso’s ink-and-wash art, which you can see in this 18-page preview, is very nice indeed.
- February 17, 2011 @ 11:00 AM by Brigid Alverson
Brandon Graham draws the 2011 Stumptown Comics Festival poster
Stumptown Comics Festival 2011 Poster
The folks from the Stumptown Comics Festival sent out their official poster this week, which features art by King City creator Brandon Graham. Prints and T-shirts with the art will be available for purchase at the show, which runs April 16-17 at the Oregon Convention Center. Any remaining items will be sold online after the show.
Press release after the jump.
- February 17, 2011 @ 10:11 AM by JK Parkin
How it works: Michael Murphey on iVerse and Diamond Digital
Last week’s announcement that Diamond and iVerse would team up to form Diamond Digital, and sell digital comics in comics stores, left a lot of questions unanswered. So I went straight to the source: Michael Murphey, CEO of iVerse, which is Diamond’s digital partner in this deal.
iVerse is the company behind the Comics Plus app, as well as a number of branded apps, including IDW and Archie. Unlike comiXology and Graphicly, their apps run only on the iPad and the iPhone/iPod Touch, but that is about to change: As Michael explains below, they are expanding onto other platforms, which should make the program more attractive.
Brigid: I’m still trying to get a handle on how this works. I understand that customers who buy the digital copies will be handed a printed code, which they then redeem. How? Through iVerse’s digital storefront?
Michael: That is one way a retailer can sell a digital comic to a customer, yes. The retailer can also sell digital comics on their website. Codes can be redeemed on the retailer’s website or inside the Comics Plus application from iVerse.
Brigid: Will the sale go through the iTunes store?
- February 17, 2011 @ 09:00 AM by Brigid Alverson
Comics A.M. | Borders lists closing stores, assures ‘normal’ business
Borders
Retailing | Struggling bookseller Borders Group, which filed for bankruptcy protection on Wednesday, told shaken publishers it’s developing a long-term plan to “reposition itself,” even as it released a list of some 200 stores set to close by the end of April. The closings include 35 locations in California and 15 in metropolitan Chicago. On a website dedicated to the reorganization, the retailer — the second-largest book chain in the United States — assures customers that “Borders’ Business Operations Continue As Normal.”
In its bankruptcy filing, the company listed $1.29 billion in debt and $1.27 billion in assets. It owes $272 million to its 30 largest unsecured creditors, including $41.1 million to Penguin Group. Diamond Book Publishers, which stopped shipping to Borders last month, is on the hook for $3.9 million. [The New York Times]
Retailing | Meanwhile, REDgroup Retail, which owns the Australian booksellers Borders (owned independently of the U.S. chain) and Angus & Robertson, has entered into administration. Angus & Robertson is the country’s largest book chain, with more than 180 stores nationwide. [The Australian, Guardian]
- February 17, 2011 @ 07:30 AM by Kevin Melrose
BOOM! to launch DuckTales in May
Duck Tales #1
As BOOM! Studios says goodbye to their Disney/Pixar license, they say hello to another Disney book. In May, the same month that Marvel’s new Disney/Pixar Presents magazine hits stands, BOOM! will publish the first issue of a new DuckTales series.
The ongoing series will be written by Warren Spector, creator of the Epic Mickey video game, with art by Miquel Pujol. It’ll be set in the same continuity as BOOM!’s Darkwing Duck series.
“You want ducks? Oh, do we have ducks!” says BOOM! Studios Marketing Director Chip Mosher in a press release. “We’re taking you back to one of the most celebrated Disney Afternoon series ever aired! And with a creative powerhouse like Warren Spector and fantastic art from Miquel Pujol, this series is sure to be jam-packed with duck adventures no DUCKTALES fans will want to miss!”
DuckTales is based on the animated series of the same name that ran for 100 episodes from 1987 until 1990. It actually started its run before Disney created the “Disney Afternoon” block, predating Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers, TaleSpin and Darkwing Duck, which was a spinoff of the show. Set in Duckberg, it starred Uncle Scrooge Launchpad McQuack, and Huey, Dewey, and Louie, with occasional appearances by Donald Duck, Gyro Gearloose and many other Disney characters.
You can find BOOM!’s press release, as well as a second cover for the first issue, after the jump.
- February 17, 2011 @ 06:03 AM by JK Parkin
Gorillas Riding Dinosaurs | What Looks Good for April
Planet of the Apes #1
Catching up on our monthly trips through Previews looking for good, new, adventure comics.
Archie
The Man from RIVERDALE – I enjoyed that issue of Betty and Veronica Spectacular where they were catsuit-wearing super-spies. In fact, I’ve been wanting more like it ever since. And here we are.
Veronica #206 – And here we are again, with promises of still more super-spy action in next month’s Betty. Anyone who says that Archie comics are the same story over and over again clearly isn’t paying attention.
Blank Slate
The Girl and the Gorilla – Talking gorillas are always cool, but the preview for this looks absolutely charming.
Boom!
Planet of the Apes #1 – I’d forgotten how much I love and miss these movies until I saw the cover for this issue. I’m not only getting it; it’s sending me to Amazon for a little DVD shopping too.
Mickey Mouse #307 – I don’t know if Boom’s changed something about their Mickey Mouse books or if I’m just now paying attention, but four of them caught my eye this month. In this one, Mickey and Goofy go on jungle safari. I love nothing if not a good jungle story and it’s been a long time since I’ve read any kind of Mickey comic.
- February 16, 2011 @ 08:39 PM by Michael May
Where are May’s X-titles?
Cover to April 2011's NEW MUTANTS #24
Yesterday CBR posted Marvel’s advance solicitations for comics shipping in the month of May. There’s a lot to anticipate in May, from Fear Itself picking up steam, Chris Bachalo joining The Avengers, new #1s, several titles double-shipping and even some themed variant covers under the moniker of “X-Men Evolutions.” But there’s a couple things missing.
Uncanny X-Men, Uncanny X-Force, New Mutants and X-Men: Legacy are all missing from the May solicitations. In the previous month’s solicitations, Uncanny X-Men has three issues planned — a Point One issue as well as a #535 & #536. Uncanny X-Force also posts two issues in the month of April. The latter two are involved in the “Age of X” event which ends in April, but their absence in May could mean something. The last solicited New Mutants, April’s #24, is heralded as the end of the “Age of X” storyline.
A cursory search reveals a possible answer on Uncanny X-Force writer Rick Rememder’s twitter, where he states “Solicits for May issues of Uncanny X-Force held off for huge announcement of upcoming awesome power. Really is big. Really.”
This “announcement” Remender refers to could potentially relate to the other three books mentioned earlier.
So is Marvel holding back part of their solicits for May books? Will they show up in comic shops’ order catalog Previews, or will it be emailed as an addendum to buyers? Lots of questions here, so expect some answers from Marvel in the coming days.
- February 16, 2011 @ 02:31 PM by Chris Arrant
Dialing in to David Aja
I have something to admit.
Marvel’s The Immortal Iron Fist series was one of my favorite books in recent memory. Although the title has long since fallen by the wayside, those original issues — especially the first twelve — show an amazing dynamic. From seeing the first major Marvel work for Matt Fraction (co-writing with Ed Brubaker), it also hoisted the work of artist David Aja to the mainstream. But after his run ended with the series’ 16th issue in August 2008, we’ve only seen glimpses of Aja’s work across the Marvel line — most notably the recent tour de force in Secret Avengers #5.
But with the release of this month’s solicits, a single image hints to more from the artist — and it’s not a Marvel book. Buried in DC’s May solicits is a cover Aja has done as a variant for Green Arrow #12. This could be important because for the last six years Aja’s only done work for Marvel, and this stray arrow could be a sign that Aja is branching out. In the comments to a post on his blog asking if the artist was working for DC, Aja replied back saying “Well, at least for that cover I did.”
Over on Marvel Senior Vice President of Publishing Tom Brevoort’s Formspring, Brevoort stated that Aja is working on “a Wolverine one-shot he’s been working on for some time” and just finished the covers for 5 Ronin.
Whether he’s DC-bound, staying at Marvel or, who knows, signing an exclusive with Archie, the only thing I’m hoping for is more work by this dynamic storyteller.
- February 16, 2011 @ 01:30 PM by Chris Arrant
Wonder what Jill Thompson would do with Wonder Woman?
Cartoonist Jill Thompson has been tweeting it up in recent months, talking everything from comics to wrestling, Halloween and more. And last night she posted a unique piece of art guaranteed to get fanboys and fangirls wagging.
On the right is a watercolor Thompson posted of her own wild and delectable take on DC’s Wonder Woman. Although you might not remember it, she drew the title for a brief stint in 1990 and was even asked to do a story with the character for the original Wednesday Comics. Can I see a show of hands for who wants to see Jill go to Themiscyra?
In a response to a question on Twitter about ideas she might have for a story to go with this image, Thompson said “I DO have an OGN I’d love to do. 
”
Last year I interviewed Thompson for Newsarama.com about her work on Beasts of Burden, where she talked about this very subject, saying:
- February 16, 2011 @ 12:30 PM by Chris Arrant
Hudnall, Lash under fire for political cartoon
from Obama Nation
Comic creators James Hudnall and Batton Lash have come under fire for a recent comic strip posted on the conservative website BigGovernment.com.
The duo regularly contributes a comic strip called “Obama Nation” — a play off of “abomination”– to the site, part of Andrew Breitbart’s online network. The Feb. 12th strip featured President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama eating dinner, with the president eating very small portions and the first lady eating a plate filled with hamburgers as they discuss her now one-year-old anti-obesity campaign. You can see the full strip for yourself after the jump.
MSNBC commentator Lawrence O’Donnell called it “a racist obscenity” on his program yesterday, while Mediamatters.org said, “It’s been a long time since I’ve expected anything approaching comity from the conservative media, but this is the sort of stuff most of us left at the grade school playground.” And on Technorati, Bill Schmalfeldt wrote, “… Brietbart’s hack comic drawers don’t understand satire. Instead, they show the First Lady as fat and scarfing down cheeseburgers, which she doesn’t do, they show Obama’s ears as impossibly large, the cartoon isn’t funny in the first place, and there’s no grain of truth on which to hang the satire.”
Hudnall, a former writer of Alpha Flight and Strikeforce Morituri, as well as creator of the ESPers and Harsh Realm, responded to the criticism: “There is nothing racist about the cartoon. The artist (Batton Lash) merely drew the first couple in caricature, which is what political cartoonists do. All we’ve done was to take a mild poke at the hypocrisy of the first lady. The press has already detailed the kind of foods served at white house dinners. It’s rarely diet friendly. Such as the menu at their super bowl party.”
Lash, the creator of Supernatural Law, said: “What’s racist about it? Cartooning — specifically political cartooning– has always been about exaggeration, whether it was Nixon’s prominent jowls, Carter’s toothy smile, or Bush ll’s beady eyes. If our current president is exempt because of the color of his skin, I think that would be racist. By the way, I didn’t depict the First Lady as fat — just a hearty eater!”
- February 16, 2011 @ 11:30 AM by JK Parkin
2011 Glyph Comics Awards nominees announced
Glyph Comics Awards
Rich Watson sent over this year’s nominees for the Glyph Comics Awards, which will be presented in May at the East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention in Philadelphia. The awards recognize “the best in comics made by, for, and about people of color from the preceding calendar year.”
Vertigo’s canceled Unknown Soldier series received nominations in five categories, including story of the year and best writer for Joshua Dysart. Other comics receiving nominations in multiple categories include Jim Rugg’s Afrodisiac, Top Shelf’s BB Wolf and the 3 LPs, the Vertigo graphic novel Dark Rain, Fist Stick Knife Gun and BOOM!’s Pale Horse.
Check out the complete list of nominees after the jump.
- February 16, 2011 @ 11:04 AM by JK Parkin