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Tuesday, July 31, 2018
Hobby Games Top $1.5 Billion in U.S./Canada in 2017
Valiant Adds New Editor For Special Projects
Valiant Entertainment Adds Lysa Hawkins as New Editor
Brings 20 Years of Experience from Working at Marvel and DC Comics, Including Developing the
Critically Acclaimed ‘Birds of Prey’
New York, NY (July 26, 2018) - Valiant Entertainment is proud to announce that veteran comics professional Lysa Hawkins has been named to the position of Editor. In her new role on the Valiant Editorial team, Hawkins will be instrumental in developing titles in the publisher's Valiant Beyond initiative and in 2019's slate, to be announced in the coming weeks.
“We’re beyond excited to have Lysa as a member of our team! Her wealth of experience, superior editing skills, and proven track record as an editor who is ahead of the curve in bringing together the right creators with the right characters make her the perfect person to galvanize Valiant’s growth,” said Executive Editor Joe Illidge.“I’ve known Lysa for years. She has the kind of positive energy and enthusiasm needed in this business. She’s worked with some of the top talents in comics, and we’re all looking forward to working with her to continue Valiant’s tradition of storytelling excellence.”
Hawkins has two decades’ worth of experience in the comic book industry, first in the Marvel Comics bullpen under Virginia Romita, then later as an editor working on titles like X-Men Unlimited, X-Men Hidden Years, Generation X, Mutant X, Spider-Man Unlimited, Domino, and Witches. She moved on to DC Comics, where she worked on Batman: Gotham Knights and Teen Titans Go, and was responsible for bringing in critically acclaimed writer Gail Simone to pen the Birds of Prey series.
"I'm super thrilled to be joining Valiant,” said Hawkins. “The company is doing such amazing work. The stories are well written, beautifully drawn, and completely engaging. It's a universe you can sink yourself into without getting lost or confused. Plus, I get to work with my old friends again and meet new ones. How blessed am I?"
Hawkins’ hire marks the latest expansion to Valiant’s editorial team, which includes Executive Editor Joe Illidge, Editorial Director Robert Meyers, Editor Karl Bollers, and Assistant Editor David Menchel.
Sneak Peek: HARBINGER WARS 2: AFTERMATH one-shot
First Look: Matt Kindt & Adam Pollina Pick Up the Pieces In HARBINGER WARS 2: AFTERMATH #1 Standalone One-Shot Coming This Fall!
Valiant is proud to offer you a glimpse into HARBINGER WARS 2: AFTERMATH #1 – the breathtaking standalone epilogue by Eisner-Award nominated writer Matt Kindt (X-O MANOWAR, Mind MGMT) and comics legend Adam Pollina (SECRET WEAPONS #0, X-Force)! OnSeptember 26th, as the dust settles on the biggest comics crossover event ever attempted by Valiant, a new future for its most beloved heroes will emerge!
The power’s back online and the fighting is over…but who are the real victors of HARBINGER WARS 2, and what was truly lost in the carnage? For those who survived the terrible onslaught – and who must now witness the devastating aftereffects of their actions – will there ever be peace again?
As the seismic summer event of 2018 comes to a close on September 26th, New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt and master artistic storyteller Adam Pollina sort through the rubble of the most brutal confrontation ever felt in the Valiant Universe in HARBINGER WARS 2: AFTERMATH #1 – featuring covers by Raúl Allén(SECRET WEAPONS), Lewis LaRosa (BLOODSHOT SALVATION), and Felipe Massafera (Green Lantern/Planet of the Apes)!
HARBINGER WARS 2: AFTERMATH #1
Written by MATT KINDT
Art by ADAM POLLINA
Cover A by RAÚL ALLÉN (JUL182261)
Cover B by LEWIS LAROSA (JUL182262)
HW2 Icon Variant by FELIPE MASSAFERA (JUL182263)
$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | On Sale SEPTEMBER 26
HARBINGER WARS 2: AFTERMATH #1 – Cover A by Raúl Allén 
HARBINGER WARS 2: AFTERMATH #1 – Cover B by Mico Suayan 
HARBINGER WARS 2: AFTERMATH #1 – Interior art by Adam Pollina
HARBINGER WARS 2: AFTERMATH #1 – Interior art by Adam Pollina
HARBINGER WARS 2: AFTERMATH #1 – Interior art by Adam Pollina
HARBINGER WARS 2: AFTERMATH #1 – Interior art by Adam Pollina
HARBINGER WARS 2: AFTERMATH #1 – HW2 Icon Variant by Felipe Massafera
MIKE COLTER of Luke Cage at Baltimore Comic Con
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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - July 25, 2018 - The 2018 Baltimore Comic-Con takes place this September 28-38, 2018 at the Baltimore Convention Center in the Inner Harbor. Tickets are available now . . . . .http://baltimorecomiccon.com The Baltimore Comic-Con is pleased to announce the addition of Mike Colter as a guest of the show both Saturday and Sunday. |
Mike Colter began playing Marvel's Luke Cage in the Netflix series Jessica Jones, starring Krysten Ritter, in 2015. Positively received in the role, the series led into a solo Luke Cage series in 2016 followed by a Marvel team-up with Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and Iron Fist as The Defenders in 2017. Season 2 of Luke Cage premiered in June, 2018.
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| Prior to his time in the Marvel television universe, Colter was a cast member of the popular FX anthology series American Horror Story in 2013, appearing in three episodes of the Coven storyline. Following his turn on the horror series, Colter appeared as Agent Locke in the Xbox One series Halo: Nightfall and Halo 5: Guardians. |
| Colter's earliest screen work was in the long-running NBC series ER, as well as The Parkers in 2002. Colter was a featured player in the Academy Award-winning Clint Eastwood production, Million Dollar Baby. He returned to television in Law & Order: Trial by Jury and Law & Order: Criminal Intent, before being cast in the film And Then Came Love. |
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Colter's work on both the small and big screens eventually led to a recurring role on the Sarah Michelle series Ringer from 2011-2012, and in 2012, he appeared in both Men In Black 3 and Kathryn Bigelow's Zero Dark Thirty. |
Born and raised in South Carolina, Colter trained to be an actor from an early age. After earning a bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina, Colter attended Rutgers University's Mason Gross School of the Arts where he received a MFA in acting. |
| TICKETS General Admission and VIP Package tickets for Weekend, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are now on sale! Visit http://baltimorecomiccon.com for more information and to purchase your advanced tickets now, and as always, kids 10 and under get into the show free with a paid adult General Admission! |
Cartoonist STEVE CONLEY'S New Project is Midieval
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| EDITOR’S NOTE: If you haven’t seen Steve Conley’s work, here’s a chance to get acquainted. And you can sample it free before committing. His whimsical style is very appealing, and storytelling skills are equal to his artistic abilities. Check it out. |
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Book Review: ENCYCLOPEDIA BLAZERTANNICA
MEN IN BLAZERS PRESENT ENCYCLOPEDIA BLAZERTANNICA by Roger Bennett and Michael Davies. (Knopf Publishing, May 2018) Hardcover, 224 pages. ISBN # 1101875984.
The summary from the Goodreads website . . . . .
From the wildly popular soccer pundits, a hilarious and informative guide to the ever-more popular game.
For more than a decade, the "Men in Blazers"—two balding transplants from Britain named Rog and Davo—have stood at the center of our growing national obsession with soccer.
Hundreds of thousands of fans tune in weekly to their podcast and television broadcast to get their analysis of the previous week's matches and soccer news. But for all their passion, many American fans are new to the sport: they weren't following it (or weren't yet born) when, for example, Maradona scored two of the most remarkable World Cup goals of all time in 1986, or when George Best was leading Manchester United to glory on the pitch and boozing and rampaging off of it.
Now, Rog and Davo fill in all the gaps with this hugely entertaining and idiosyncratic guide to the sport they—and we—love. Published on the eve of the 2018 World Cup, this will be the book every soccer fan will need to have.
My review on the Goodreads website . . . . .
You’ll learn a lot more than just football/soccer in this highly entertaining and often funny collection of short articles (from one paragraph to several pages) on various and sundry topics - - some only loosely related to football/soccer.
Just like the Men In Blazers television show, Rog and Davo go off on tangents and that's what gives this book it's unique charm. If you're looking for a comprehensive overview of soccer, including a complete history of the sport and a detailed explanation of the rules - - this is not the book for you. However, if you want to learn some interesting facts, essential topics, and some peculiarities of fandom this is the tome you want.
As they mention in the introduction, the volume was designed to be "an ill-advised attempt to journey into the inky dark, unexplored depths of the Men In Blazers universe, every detail of which we have created hand in hand with our masochistically loyal listeners over the past eight years, pod by pod, show by show, tweet by suboptimal tweet." Indeed. The book is also subtitled "A Suboptimal Guide To Soccer, America's 'Sport Of The Future' since 1972."
I learned as much about Roger Bennett and Michael Davies from reading this as I did about the reasons behind the popularity of soccer. I did not realize that both are transplants, having lived in America for a long time and did not meet until 2006, as detailed in the amusing 'Zildane', the last entry in the encyclopedia.
For as many factual entries in the book, there are even more personal essays that reveal insights about both men and their infatuation with the popular sport. Among my favorite entries are the numerous mentions of baldness: Balding Sectors, Bald Players, Best Bald Team Of All Time and Way Less Bald In Person. Don't miss the entries on Facial Hair and Mullets.
Also among the highlights are entries on why Blazers are important, Chanting, and The Worst Tattoos In Football
Bennett's entries are full of clever pop culture references just like the tv show while Davies' approach is more literal and intellectual (to a degree). Rog definitely has the most personal essays in the book. I really enjoyed Davo's memoir titled "Is That Your Analysis?"
Monday, July 30, 2018
New Book Targets GREEN ARROW History
Sequart Organization is proud to announce the publication of Moving Target: The History and Evolution of Green Arrow, by Richard Gray. For ordering information, go to this link:
http://sequart.org/books/54/moving-target-the-history-and-evolution-of-green-arrow/
For 75 years, Green Arrow has been a part of the DC Comics world, working his way up from a supporting player to the star of a flagship television series. Yet for much of his career, he was a hero without a home, separate from his contemporaries, or unfavorably compared with a certain Dark Knight.
Whether it is the “cowboys and Indians” influences of the 1940s and 1950s, the rebellious realism of the 1970s, the darker edge of the 1980s, or the melodrama of his TV personas, Green Arrow has remained the conscience of the comics world, and perhaps an even better representative than Batman of what one person can do.
This collection is the definitive analysis of the Emerald Archer, from his Golden Age origins to his small screen adventures and beyond. Exploring overlooked chapters of Green Arrow’s life, and those of alter ego Oliver Queen, this book shows that Green Arrow has never been just one thing, but rather a perpetually moving target. Includes new interviews with Green Arrow creators from across the decades, including Neal Adams, Mike Grell, Chuck Dixon, Phil Hester, Brad Meltzer, and Jeff Lemire.
The book runs 338 pages and features a foreword by Phil Hester, in addition to the high-profile interviews mentioned above.
The book is now is available in print and on Kindle. (Just a reminder: you don’t need a Kindle device to read Kindle-formatted books; you can download a free Kindle reader for most computers, phones, and tablets.) Find out more on the book’s official page or its Facebook page.
Book Reviews: Two Compelling Crime Thrillers
THE WHEELMAN by Duane Swierczynski (St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur, 2005) Trade paperback, 223 pages. ISBN #0312343787.
The summary from the Goodreads website . . . . .
Meet Lennon, a mute Irish getaway driver who has fallen in with the wrong heist team on the wrong day at the wrong bank.
Betrayed, his money stolen and his battered carcass left for dead, Lennon is on a one-way mission to find out who is responsible--and to get back his loot. But the robbery has sent a violent ripple effect through the streets of Philadelphia. And now a dirty cop, the Russian and Italian mobs, the mayor's hired gun, and a keyboard player in a college rock band maneuver for position as this adrenaline-fueled novel twists and turns its way toward its explosive conclusion.
One thing's for sure: This cast of characters wakes up in a much different world by novel's end--if they wake up at all, in Duane Swierczynski's The Wheelman.
my review on the Goodreads website . . . . .
Swierczynski’s time as editor of Philadelphia's City Paper served him well in writing this crisp, taut crime thriller. His knowledge of the geography of Philadelphia, it's ethnic neighborhoods, crime families, and police force drapes an aura of authenticity over the proceedings in The Wheelman.
Lennon, the main character, is in demand in the underworld for his skills as a getaway driver. He's a meticulous planner of escape routes and not inclined to violence, content to leave the rough details to his partners in crime. Unfortunately, he's paired up with the wrong duo on a bank robbery, and when things go wrong he's forced to become as ruthless as his associates.
The Wheelman is very dark, grim and gritty, with some humorous touches in just the right places to help take the edge off. It's a very fast-paced novel and Swierczynski has a very cinematic flair for writing action scenes and dialogue. I wouldn't be surprised to learn this has been optioned for a movie adaptation. I'd certainly purchase a ticket to see it.
The Wheelman is as close as you can come to experiencing the dark underbelly of Philadelphia without getting your hands dirty or bloodied. The gang's all here: crooked cops and politicians, Italian crime families, Russian mobs, and common everyday thugs.
Things don't necessarily end well but that seems appropriate for a cast of colorful characters, all of whom have a dark side that keeps them on the wrong side of honor and respectability. You may empathize with a few, as I did with the main protagonist, but you won't feel sorry for them.
ROUGH COUNTRY by John Sanford (Berkley, September 2010) Paperback, 417 pages. ISBN # 0425237346
The summary from the Goodreads website . . . . .
The murder of a successful advertising executive leads Detective Virgil Flowers to the unlikely scene of the crime: a peaceful and bucolic wooded resort. But one with as many suspects as it has secrets.
My review on the Goodreads website . . . . .
I can't get enough of the Sandford detection novels featuring BCA investigator Virgil Flowers, a complex, engaging, offbeat and likable character. When he's not working he prefers to be fishing (he throws his catch back in) or flirting and cavorting with women. His work usually interferes with one or both and becomes sort of a running gag. Laughed out loud at the end of this book.
However, it's not a funny book and takes its subject matter seriously. The humorous moments that run through the story help to take the edge off as the suspense mounts higher and higher.
Flowers is assigned to look into the murder of a high-powered female advertising agency executive at a woodland resort. Through his skillful investigatory work as well as leads obtained through friendly casual conversation (one of his many talents) this seemingly isolated murder is linked to several other similar but different crimes over the last two years, and ongoing.
As Flowers keeps probing, the list of suspects becomes larger and larger. All of the characters are well-rounded and developed by Sanford, many of them very likable. Every chapter seems to point the finger of guilt at a different character. By the middle of the book, I had a hunch who the killer was but continuing evidence seemed to point to others which confuses the reader as well as Flowers.
The ending packs another (but sad) surprise. A hard book to put down.
Saturday, July 28, 2018
Brews Traveler: MOONTOWN BREWING COMPANY, Whitestown, Indiana
Just off Interstate 65 (the superhighway connecting Indianapolis and Chicago), in the northern Indianapolis village of Whitestown, lies the home of Moontown Brewing Company.
We visited the brewpub inside the historic brick building, which originally housed the Whitestown School District gymnasium, built during 1939-1941. The school closed 50 years ago, and since then has served as a beauty school, auction house, warehouse, t-shirt factory and apartments until purchase by the owners of Moontown.
Moontown’s owners began as home brewers in the early 2000’s, working from a barn on the Hutton farm in Boone County. After their entry in the inaugural Whitestown Beer Fest earned first place, they decided to take their hobby to the next level, and convert the former gymnasium into a brewery and restaurant.
During the renovation and construction, they have honored the building history by incorporating elements of the gym into the design, including the gym windows, basketball court markings, and wood from the bleacher seats. They’ve also taken a giant Bur Oak tree from the Hutton farm, which fell in 2015, and used the wood to build the bar tops, tables, and wall accents in Moontown Brewing Company’s dining areas.
Officially opening to the public in January 2018, these design elements are the first thing that catches the eye when entering the building. It’s a warm, spacious gathering place. After that, it’s the friendly staff and diverse beer menu, a refreshing change of pace in an IPA-dominated craft beer culture, that will stick in the memory. There’s also a limited but appropriate pub menu of tasty salads, dogs, burgers and sandwiches.
There were eight of Moonstone’s brews on tab, so we opted to try the flight and sample all of them. Everything tasted super-fresh, which wasn’t surprising since the journey from tank to tap was a short one, but still not something that can always be taken for granted. The majority of the brews are above average (on the 5 point scale), including two exceptional selections. Here are our rankings in order from best to least favorite . . . . . . . .
1) CHOCO-DEECE (rated 4 of 5), a great double chocolate milk stout with great balance (5.7%, IBU 33).
2) BIG TRIP (rated 3.75), a strong tripel golden ale with notes of stone fruit (9.9%, IBU 27).
3) Four beers tied for third place. They were:
KING OF TROY, a light lager with German malt and noble hops (6.0%, IBU 28).
HEF-CZKOWSKI, a hefeweizen with malted wheat and notes of banana and clove (5.7%, IBU 12).
SUMMER SUNSHINE, an American pale ale with Maris Otter and pilsner malts and a bit of local honey (5.6%, IBU 45).
CECIL, the flagship IPA, juicy and the only hazy beer on the menu. (6.8%, IBU 61).
4) Two beers tied for fourth place:
MOONLITE, a cream ale, subtly sweet, good and mild (5.5%, IBU 18).
INTO THE VOID, a porter with chocolate and a bit of caramel (5.8%, IBU 32).
Visit MOONTOWN BREWING COMPANY at 345 Bowers Street, Whitestown, Indiana 46075 (317-769-3880) https://www.moontownbeer.com
Tuesday, July 24, 2018
SNEAK PEEK: "Fallout" Begins in NINJA-K #11 In September
from the official Valiant Entertainment press release . . . . .
Valiant is proud to present your first look at NINJA-K #11, the FIRST ISSUE in a BRAND-NEW STORY ARC and a striking new jumping-on point for the EXPLOSIVE ONGOING SERIES from renowned writer Christos Gage (Netflix’s Daredevil) and dynamic artist Roberto de la Torre (THE DEATH-DEFYING DOCTOR MIRAGE)! On September 12th, “FALLOUT” begins as NINJA-K accepts a new mission: tracking down the Eternal Warrior’s body!
The Coalition may have been defeated…but the mission’s not over yet! Now, Ninjak must use all the super-spy skills at his disposal to save Gilad from the clutches of his friend’s erstwhile nemesis, the Dying One. But stopping an immortal genius – especially one armed with the full might of the Eternal Warrior – is a fight that not even MI6’s best and brightest secret agent can prepare for!
On September 12th, acclaimed writer Christos Gage and spectacular artist Roberto de la Torre unleash Colin King’s espionage expertise on an unsuspecting populace in NINJA-K #11, the first issue of “FALLOUT!” Featuring covers by Kano (QUANTUM AND WOODY!), Leo Colapietro (Van Helsing Vs. Frankenstein), and Roberto de la Torre (Captain America)!
NINJA-K #11
Written by CHRISTOS GAGE
Art by ROBERTO DE LA TORRE
Colors by JOSÉ VILLARRUBIA
Cover A by KANO (JUL182270)
Cover B by LEO COLAPIETRO (JUL182271)
Ninja Programme Variant by ROBERTO DE LA TORRE (JUL182272)
$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | On Sale SEPTEMBER 12th (FOC – 8/20/18)
NINJA-K #11 – Cover A by Kano
NINJA-K #11 – Cover B by Leo Colapietro
NINJA-K #11 – Interior art by Roberto de la Torre with José Villarrubia
NINJA-K #11 – Interior art by Roberto de la Torre with José Villarrubia
NINJA-K #11 – Interior art by Roberto de la Torre with José Villarrubia
NINJA-K #11 – Interior art by Roberto de la Torre with José Villarrubia
NINJA-K #11 – Interior art by Roberto de la Torre with José Villarrubia
NINJA-K #11 – Ninja Programme Variant by Roberto de la Torre
Monday, July 23, 2018
Update on PAPERCUTZ titles for summer 2018
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