Pre-Order Picks For May 2019 #3: The Rest Of The List

EDITOR’S NOTE: I’m reviving a feature I occasionally wrote for the old BC Refugees blog - - PRE-ORDER PICKS. In the past, I would page through the monthly Previews catalog and then offer a long list of books that I felt were worthy of your attention but might not be something your local comic shop was ordering for their shelves. In most cases, I was judging these books by their potential, taking a chance that they would be as good as I anticipated. I’m going to take a different approach for the new articles. I’m only going to recommend books that I know are really good, because I’ve read an advance review copy of a single issue - - or I’ve read all the individual issues that comprise a new trade paperback or hardcover being offered. With all of these PRE-ORDER PICKS keep in mind - - if you are interested, don’t take a chance on the store having a copy. Make sure by pre-ordering. Your local comic shop will thank you. Guaranteed sales help make them profitable. Please place your order before Wednesday, March 27 - - which is the cut-off date.
My original plan was to post a review of everything that I'm recommended for pre-order. I simply ran out of time. Rather than not mention the other books, I'm going to list them for you here. In the case of all five of these picks I read the original story arc in monthly issues. In case you missed any of these (especially the short notice and hard-to-find Die Die Die) they are now being offered in trade paperback. I hope to review these titles here in the coming month. Recognizing that you may not want to order all five, I've listed these in my order of preference. So, if you can only buy one or two - - then I suggest UNITED STATES VS MURDER INC and then DIE DIE DIE, etc.
UPDATE TO PREVIOUS PICKS: I just learned from CAPTAIN BLUE HEN COMICS in Newark, Delaware that they have ordered two copies of THE WRONG EARTH for the store new release shelf. I wouldn't expect those to be around very long.If you want this book, better contact the store and pre-order it before tomorrow's deadline. If Newark DE is too far from you, call your local comic shop. I'm sure stores like THE COMIC BOOK SHOP in Wilmington DE and THE MAROON HORNET in Oxford PA would be glad to order a copy for you.

UNITED STATES VS. MURDER INC. VOLUME 1 (DC/Jinxworld) Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming return to their former Marvel/Icon title with a vengeance. This is so much better than the first version. Gritty, dark and shocking. Oeming has really upped his game here. A pissed-off cartel of crime families take on the United States administration in bloody fashion.

DIE DIE DIE VOLUME 1 (Image) Robert Kirkman's latest is a hoot. Four assassin brothers, named after the four Beatles, make a lucrative living working for covert government agencies. There's violent competition and jockeying for power going on, and the brothers are seemingly innocent victims of it. Lots of blood, double crosses, and stolen identities.

BITTER ROOT VOLUME 1(Image)David Walker's take on voodoo practitioners versus zombie-fied monstrosities. The Sangerye family has roots in the Louisiana bayou and the Deep South but bring their monster-fighting magic and skills to an earlier 20th century version of Harlem.

HAWKMAN VOLUME 1: AWAKENING (DC) Writer Robert Vendetti with an assist by artist Bryan Hitch attempt to bring consistency by tying together all the various versions of Hawkman/Carter Hall (whew, that's a big job). Hawkman is determined to explore his many roots and discover the why and wherefore of his various rebirths. The story is a good one, but it's a slow burn. This is just the first part of it.

MAN OF STEEL VOLUME 1 (DC) I've never been a big fan of Superman. I don't dislike the character. I just think he's too powerful and hard to defeat to really bring any conflict or danger to his stories. Bendis tries his best to put a little spin on the legend without disrupting any of the standard Superman tropes -- and it's interesting but not that exciting. This one is on my pre-order pick for Superman and/or Bendis fans only.

Book Review: FEAR: TRUMP IN THE WHITE HOUSE by Bob Woodward

FEAR: TRUMP IN THE WHITE HOUSE by Bob Woodward.  (Simon & Schuster, September 2018)  Hardcover, 420 pages. ISBN # 1501175513 / 9781501175510. Nominated for Goodreads Choice Award For Nonfiction 2018.

 

Summary from the Goodreads website . . . . .

 

With authoritative reporting honed through eight presidencies from Nixon to Obama, author Bob Woodward reveals in unprecedented detail the harrowing life inside President Donald Trump’s White House and precisely how he makes decisions on major foreign and domestic policies. 

 

Woodward draws from hundreds of hours of interviews with firsthand sources, meeting notes, personal diaries, files and documents. The focus is on the explosive debates and the decision-making in the Oval Office, the Situation Room, Air Force One and the White House residence.

 

Fear is the most intimate portrait of a sitting president ever published during the president’s first years in office. 

 

My review on the Goodreads website . . . . .

 

     Sometime in the future, students of history will pick up this book in order to help understand how things went wrong. While it doesn't clearly establish the how and why of Trump's popularity and loyalty among his subordinates, FEAR does clearly shed light on how chaotic the day-to-day business of the White House under Trump is conducted. It's frightening. And it's not over. I only hope we can all get through this. 

 

     Some near-disasters and incredibly bonehead decisions have already been averted (as revealed in this book). I sincerely hope there are still some responsible people left in the West Wing to continue to provide a check against the worst instincts of a man who is clearly out of touch and living within a personal fantasy world. 

 

     To his credit, Bob Woodward does not stray from the fact-based journalism that he's built a reputation on. There is no analysis or criticism here on his part, just the words of others as they confided in him (knowing that he protects his sources, and remains steadfast in that respect). Well-researched, this covers the interior workings of the White House staff regarding several critical issues. 

 

     The way that Trump makes decisions on major foreign and domestic policies is appalling. He ignores the information and careful explanations of his staff experts, often becoming bored when meetings go on too long, and refuses to change his predetermined positions. Once he states his opinion, he ignores facts and refuses to be swayed - almost as if he's afraid of exposing himself if he admits that he was misinformed or truly didn't understand the issue. 

 

     Woodward's book confirms what I suspected and fears - - Trump is not fit to serve as President. He lacks the stuff. He never feels empathy; he's incapable of it. As Rex Tillerson is alleged to have stated (and Woodward confirms it) - - he is "a fucking moron." 

 

     It's too much to hope that Trump loyalists will read FEAR and re-consider their support of who, in my mind, is the absolute worst President in our lifetime. Hopefully, enough objective-minded voters will take note and get off the fence. 

 

 

 

Pre-Order Picks for May 2019 Part 2: THE WRONG EARTH trade paperback

EDITOR’S NOTE: I’m reviving a feature I occasionally wrote for the old BC Refugees blog - - PRE-ORDER PICKS.  In the past, I would page  through the monthly Previews catalog and then offer a long list of books that I felt were worthy of your attention but might not be something your local comic shop was ordering for their shelves.  In most cases, I was judging these books by their potential, taking a chance that they would be as good as I anticipated. I’m going to take a different approach for the new articles. I’m only going to recommend books that I know are really good, because I’ve read an advance review copy of a single issue - - or I’ve read all the individual issues that comprise a new trade paperback or hardcover being offered. With all of these PRE-ORDER PICKS keep in mind - - if you are interested, don’t take a chance on the store having a copy.  Make sure by pre-ordering. Your local comic shop will thank you.  Guaranteed sales help make them profitable.  Please place your order before Wednesday, March 27 - - which is the cut-off date. 

 

     AHOY COMICS’ first expedition took sail last year and landed on our shores during the third quarter of 2018, with four debut titles coming to port. I’m not going out on a limb by designating them the small publisher to watch in 2019.  They have already proven to be a premium quality house of ideas. 

 

     THE WRONG EARTH was their very first title, and it’s appropriate that it now becomes the first Ahoy trade paperback collection this year. The publisher’s goals were clearly stated in the editorial page of THE WRONG EARTH #1. The goal was to produce books that were “smart, good-looking, unusual and funny.”

 

     They clearly hit the target, in my opinion. In addition, Ahoy also promises to provide “more” every issue with extra content. Most 32 page Ahoy titles contain a 20-page main story, a second back-up feature, interviews with creators, and the return of short text fiction (which disappeared from comics pages in the 1960’s.) I haven’t seen the trade paperback yet (scheduled for release in May) but I’ve read the individual issues — and if they include everything then the trade paperback will be worth the asking price.  

 

  Story arcs for those four debut titles are wrapping up, and Ahoy is preparing for the launch of its second expedition in April with brand new titles.  For now, let’s take a look at what’s available to pre-order tomorrow (3/27).

 

THE WRONG EARTH #1-6  (Ahoy Comics) Tom Peyer, writer.  Jamal Igle, art. Juan Castro, inker. Andy Troy, color. Rob Steen, letters. All back-up stories written by Paul Constant, with art on Stinger stories by Frank Cammuso, Dragonflyman and Stinger art by Tom Feister, and art on Dragonfly stories by Gary Erkskine.  

 

   If you’ve been following the comics career paths of either Tom Peyer or Jamal Igle (two under-the-radar creators deserving of more recogniton) then you need to pick up THE WRONG EARTH VOL 1 trade paperback, as it showcases some of the best work of both.

 

   Peyer’s writing is sharp, crisp and subtly pokes fun at the super-hero genre, albeit respectfully and lovingly. This could easily be read as a straight-up super-hero adventure story - - but it’s more than that. 

 

   Jamal Igle’s art sparkles under the eye of inker Castro and colorist Troy. It’s both fluid and dynamic. It reminds me overall of THE WATCHMAN art, although Igle is not copying, and isn’t confined to a strict nine-panel-per-page format, allowing him creative freedom with panel placement and size. 

 

   THE WRONG EARTH is a homage to the super-hero tales from a more innocent age (mid-’60’s,early ’70’s) as well as darker-themed superhero fare from the time when things began to shade grayer (beginning in late ’60’s, slogging through the ’70’s and really hitting stride in the ’80’s and beyond). 

 

    Fortune City substitutes for Gotham, and exists on both Earth Alpha and Earth Omega — as well as a super-hero with similarities and differences.  Dragonflyman on Earth Alpha is “campy”, utilizing gadgets and a sidekick (Stinger).  Dragonfly on Earth Omega is “gritty” employing both brutality and sometimes murder to protect citizens from criminals. He works alone, as his sidekick committed suicide. 

Both heroes have similar costumes, with Dragonflyman’s being a bit more colorful and inviting while Dragonfly’s costume conceals more and is slightly intimidating. 

 

   The main villain on both worlds goes by the title of Number One. On Earth Alpha he’s a sharp dresser, makes cornball wisecracks and goes with crimes that polish his vanity (as in stealing expensive art from museums and replacing with portraits of himself).  His team uses numbers as pseudonyms, beginning with the alluring Deuce (like Joker’s Harley Quinn) and well-dressed thugs.  Number One on Earth Omega prefers traditional crime targets (banks, etc), resembles a punk rocker and employs brutality and violence to keep his crew in line.  All his henchmen dress like terrorists, with concealing masks. 

 

     One common element that plays a big part in the series is a teleport-mirror, as both Number Ones walk through these mirrors to escape from a pursuing Dragonflyman/Dragonfly. Both hero and villain find themselves in the opposite world, and therein lies the crux of the series. How do hero and villain adjust to worlds that contrast where they came from?  Do they adapt?  Do they effect change?  Do they live? 

 

  Things really come to a head in Issue #5 with an unexpected fatality and Issue #6 where we learn the universe is much bigger than the worlds of Alpha and Omega - - a real cliff-hanger, and a teaser for Volume Two coming in 2020. 

 

   There are great moments and highlights throughout the first volume, but I don’t want to make this column too long.  Take my word for it and check it out. Here’s just one example  . . . .

• Issue #4 is one of my favorites, featuring a team of super-villains on both worlds.  The Dastardly League on Earth Alpha has some amusing members, including Dr Yo-Yo, Granny Oakley, Toreador, and Chef Escargot. All funny, but my absolute favorite is the ridiculous Kactus of Earth Omega. 

Book Review: FULL DISCLOSURE by Stormy Daniels

FULL DISCLOSURE by Stormy Daniels  (St. Martin’s Press, October 2018) Hardcover, 288 pages. ISBN # 1250205565 / 9781250205568. 

 

Summary from the Goodreads website . . . . .

 

She was already well-known in some circles before March 6, 2018, but that’s probably the first time you heard the name Stormy Daniels.  That’s the day she filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump over a nondisclosure agreement negotiated before the election but never signed.

 

How did Stormy Daniels become the woman willing to take on a president? What is it like to be reviled by some, held up as a beacon of hope by others, and to be an object of fascination to all?

 

In this book, Stormy Daniels tells her whole story for the first time: about how she came to be a leading actress and director in the adult film business, the full truth about her journey from a rough childhood in Louisiana onto the national stage, and everything about the events that led to the nondisclosure agreement and the behind-the-scenes attempts to intimidate her.

 

Stormy is funny, sharp, warm, and impassioned by turns. Her story is a thoroughly American one, of a girl who loved reading and horses and who understood from a very young age what she wanted―and who also knew she'd have to get every step of the way there on her own.

 

People can't stop talking about Stormy Daniels. And they won't be able to stop talking about her fresh, surprising, completely candid, nothing-held-back book. 

 

My review on the Goodreads website . . . . .

 

     Take away the sections that include Donald Trump, and this would still be a very interesting and entertaining biography.

 

     In spite of a troubled childhood with a disturbed mother, an absentee father, and sexual abuse from a neighbor Stephanie Clifford (aka Stormy Daniels) grew up to be an intelligent, wise and savvy business person. That she decided to make her rise to the top through the learning curve of stripper, porn actress and then successful porn movie director doesn't diminish her credibility.

 

     This is an amusing biography (in spite of some of the trouble spots) that kept me reading through the revealing anecdotes on all aspects of her life and career. 

 

     Anyone picking this up hoping to get to read some new scandalous dirt on DJT will only get a smattering of additional information, as the subject of her several encounters with him have been the subject of media saturation. There are some revealing bits into his character, which only serve to confirm what a narcissistic egotist he is. He really doesn't understand how to converse with a real woman, and resorts to bragging about himself and then holding out the promise of a big reward (a spot on the Apprentice tv show) in hopes of pleasuring his you-know-what. Trump is morally bankrupt. Stormy has more principles and a proper code of conduct than he does. 

 

     Stormy sums up his character very well during her first meeting with Trump, when he was bragging about his plans for "the greatest golf course the world has ever seen" in Scotland and his difficulties in getting it started: 

 

     "He was getting agitated talking about it, but there was nothing that made him seem as petulant and prone to tantrums as he has been as president. He was just run-of-the-mill insecure, which I find happens a lot with people with money that they didn't earn themselves. They harbor this inner self-esteem problem that they try to mask by overcompensating. That's him to a tee."

 

     It's ironic that a person of Trump's character, a man who has cheated on a pregnant wife and bragged about grabbing women by the pussy and getting away with it, gets "a pass" from evangelicals who buy into his pro-life statements. He just doesn't seem sincere to me, just playing to his base and saying what they want to hear. I have a hard time believing that he cares one whit for women or children, beyond their connection to him. It's all about him. While overlooking his indiscretions, these same evangelicals most likely will condemn Stormy Daniels for her involvement in the pornography business.

 

 

 

Science Fiction Series ARMY OF ONE Debuts This Fall

from the official Lion Forge press release . . . . . . Tony Lee and Yishan Li Introduce A Mind-bending and Groundbreaking New Twist on Interdimensional Science Fiction

ST. LOUIS, MO–Lion Forge continues to ramp up its 2019 line of creator-owned comic book series with concepts every bit as original and unique as the creators behind them. Today, in conjunction with the Lion Forge panel at C2E2 in Chicago, the company unveils Army of One, an all-new series launching in October!   Created by New York Times Bestselling Writer Tony Lee (Doctor Who, Star Trek, Pride & Prejudice & Zombies, Spider-Man) and Yishan Li (Hellboy and the B.P.R.D 1956, Sugar, Buffy: The High School Years, and Blue Beetle),and colored by Bryan Valenza, Army Of One is a story of friendship, sisterhood in a fight against unsurmountable odds, with a few twists and turns along the way.    “I’ve known Yishan since 2005 - we worked for the same UK comics publisher, and over the years always joked that we should do something. After catching up at SDCC in 2016, we decided that it was now or never” says writer Tony Lee. “We wanted to do something different, that really showcased our skills. I threw out the idea of a girl facing multiple alternate world versions of herself, within a matter of minutes Yishan sent me some concept designs - and I knew right then that we had something magical here. It took some time to fine tune the story and the characters, but once Greg Tumbarello brought us to Lion Forge, we knew we’d come home. They’ve given us the freedom to truly craft a story that’s different to anything I’ve done before - and if you’ve read the scope of stories I did for Doctor Who, you’ll know that’s expansive!”   Seventeen year old Carrie Taylor always knew she was different to the other students, but when she’s saved from nightmarish creatures by doppelgängers of herself, other ‘Carries’ from alternate dimensions, worlds and timelines, she learns the horrifying truth – that she is one of a thousand shattered shards of Sister Fortune, a great Mystic from another dimension; scattered into the multiverse after an apocalyptic battle with her greatest rival, Brother Havoc.    Now, after a millennia of constant death and rebirth, the shards of Sister Fortune are locked in an endless war against each other. In the midst of this, a small band of rebels band together, attempting to unify a force of thirteen doppelgängers, all with the aim of stopping Brother Havoc from finally taking over all of the Multiverses. But is Carrie one of these shattered shards - or is she something new? And when she learns the truth about her heritage, which side will she choose?   “This is a really exciting adventure on an epic scale – multiple parallel universes colliding in an ageless battle between Good and Evil” says editor Mike Kennedy. “But what makes this series so engaging is never knowing who truly is Good or Evil… different universes have different definitions, and our parallel heroines have different agendas and backstory motivations. This is a complex and exciting new storyline that I think readers will really get sucked into!”   Army of One will be solicited in the August-dated PREVIEWS catalog for release in October, offered to retailers in a fully returnable standard comic format, priced at $3.99. Further details to be revealed in the coming months!

Webcomic WITCHY Finds A Print Home At LION FORGE

from the official Lion Forge press release . . . . .

ST. LOUIS, MO—In conjunction with the Lion Forge panel at C2E2, the publisher of “comics for everyone” announces the collection and publication of Ariel Ries’s beloved webcomic, Witchy! Praised around the internet since its first appearance five years ago, Witchy was nominated for the 2015 Ignatz for Outstanding Online Comic, the 2016 DINKy for Outstanding Web Comic, and the Danish “Pingprisen” for Best Online Series in 2017 and 2018.   Now, Lion Forge announces the first long awaited print collection for release just in time for back to school reading!   “For the past 5 years, I’ve poured everything into making Witchy and aside from the support of my fans it’s sometimes felt like a lonely road— until Steenz contacted me about working with Lion Forge to publish Witchy” says creator Ariel Slamet Ries. “Since then we’ve all been hard at work together to make the book worth the read, for both old and new readers. Having Witchy published has always seemed like a far off dream, and I have Lion Forge to thank for taking this leap with me. With the help of my editors Hazel Newlevant and Steenz, the Witchy book has become something truly special!”   In the witch kingdom Hyalin, the strength of your magic is determined by the length of your hair. Those that are strong enough are conscripted by the Witch Guard, who enforce the law in peacetime and protect the land during war. However, those with hair judged too long are pronounced enemies of the kingdom, and annihilated. This is called a witch burning   Witchy is an ongoing webcomic about the young witch Nyneve, who is haunted by the death of her father and the threat the Witch Guard poses to her own life. When conscription rolls around, Nyneve has a choice to make; join the institution complicit in her father’s death, or stand up for her ideals?   “When I started at Lion Forge two years ago, I was thrilled to be able to bring in new titles (specifically webcomics) to our acquisitions process. So when I had the opportunity to bring my first pitch in, I knew it had to be the vibrant, magical, and compelling webcomic, Witchy” says editor Christina “Steenz” Stewart. “Two years and two editors later, I’m excited to finally see it in print. I know fans of the series will be thrilled to see it packaged so beautifully, and readers new to the world of Hyalin are going to love it as much as I did when I read it all those years ago.”   Witchy is updated online every Tuesday and Friday, with the print edition to be solicited in the July-dated PREVIEWS catalog for release in September.    About the Author:  Ariel Slamet Ries is an eggplant fanatic and longtime lover of dogs in snoods from Melbourne, Australia. She studied animation for 4 years before throwing away the prestige and money to pursue comics. She's still waiting to see how that will turn out.

Pre-Order Picks For May 2019: THE WAILING BLADE #1

EDITOR’S NOTE: I’m going to revive a feature I occasionally wrote for the old BC Refugees blog - - PRE-ORDER PICKS.  In the past, I would page  through the monthly Previews catalog and then offer a long list of books that I felt were worthy of your attention but might not be something your local comic shop was ordering for their shelves.  In most cases, I was judging these books by their potential, taking a chance that they would be as good as I anticipated. I’m going to take a different approach for the new articles. I’m only going to recommend books that I know are really good, because I’ve read an advance review copy of a single issue - - or I’ve read all the individual issues that comprise a new trade paperback or hardcover being offered.  In the case of this first review, I was a Kickstarter supporter and  now excited to see this come to print. With all of these PRE-ORDER PICKS keep in mind - - if you are interested, don’t take a chance on the store having a copy.  Make sure by pre-ordering. Your local comic shop will thank you.  Guaranteed sales help make them profitable.  Please place your order before Wednesday, March 27 - - which is the cut-off date. 

 

WAILING BLADE #1  (ComixTribe, May 2019 release date).  Writer: Rick Douek.  Artist: Joe Mulvey.  Colorists: Chris Sotomayor & Jules Rivera.  Letterer:  Taylor Esposito. 

 

The best market approach for launching new comics that traverse the fringe areas of comics popularity is to begin with a Kickstarter or IndieGoGo campaign to gauge interest.  The best projects will attract an audience upfront, thereby guaranteeing future sales and at minimum help cover the costs of printing and production. It’s an approach that smaller publishers like Devils’ Due (Squarriors) and ComixTribe (Sink) have massaged to success. The latest project that ComixTribe is introducing is WAILING BLADE. 

 

   WAILING BLADE blends swordplay, science-fiction, and fantasy elements in a post-apocalyptic world. The action takes place in a feudal-type setting with common folk oppressed and depressed by a ruling body that utilizes bloody henchmen with advanced technology weapons to keep them downtrodden and subservient. 

 

     As described by the publicity, WAILING BLADE is “all about bone-crunching action, weird science, and an Earth that’s barely recognizable as our own.” 

 

  I appreciate that last piece of information, as I wasn’t sure after reading the first issue that this wasn’t an imaginary world. Writer Douek has done a ton of background plotting and fleshing out of his fantastic world. The detailed map included of this land certainly doesn’t resemble the profile of any of the seven continents of Earth that I recognize. 

 

The debut issue (the first story arc is planned for four issues), does a great job of immersing the reader in this strange world and the pacing is frantic. However, it raised a lot of questions about the how and why of the setting that hopefully will be answered in future issues. 

 

  Again, thanks to the publicity information I’ve learned a bit more about the background/history that wasn’t apparent from first reading. It’s worth sharing here: 

 

 “ . . . In our future, mankind will found a star-faring empire stretching across a thousand worlds.  We’ll uncovers the secrets of technology so advanced, it seems like magic. We’ll bring alien species home, and move entire planets through space to suit our needs.

     And one day, it will all go to hell.

     Fast forward a few thousand years, and what few remnants of mankind’s golden age that still exist are under the control of the Tyrant Of Minturn, a despotic ruler who uses said technology to wage war on whoever defies him, and keep the population of his empire in line.”

 

That he does, and in cruel despotic fashion, enforcing his rule through executioners who utilize high-tech weaponry from before the fall. The lead executioner and apparently main character of the series is The Headtaker, who wields the Wailing Blade - - a huge electronic sword that earned its’ name as it screams when used.  He’s an immense hulking figure, and perhaps the only one who could carry the Wailing Blade as it’s as big as he is and almost blots out his form when it’s slung across his back.  He wears the skull of a fearsome creature as a helmet.  His gray skin tone and huge size indicate that he may not be human, perhaps some being from another world. 

 

  The opening scenes depict the Headtaker doing his job, traveling to various towns within the Tyrant’s kingdom and dispatching lawbreakers in bloody, decapitating fashion.  A father is separated from his head by the Walling Blade for a simple crime of theft while trying to feed his family, in an execution that is on public display. 

 

  We get a better glimpse of this imaginative land with strange landscapes and unusual plant life when the action switches to The Windcleaver Clan, a group of bandits who dare to defy the supreme ruler. They use the winged carcasses of flying creatures to swoop down on caravans in an effort to steal technology artifacts (a windmaker intended to be sold to farmers). But the caravan is well protected by other flying warriors, and leader Tychon’s father (Auros) is captured. 

 

  The call goes out to The Headtaker to travel to the town where Auros is being held to perform the execution. This ends in a gruesome battle as the bandits attempt to stop The Headtaker before he can reach the town.

 

  I’m not spoiling it by sharing this much of the story.  You have to see it to believe it and appreciate the high-quality work that went into the production of Wailing Blade.  The art team is spot-on, with bursting colors and some of the best art work that I’ve seen from illustrator Joe Mulvey.  Not only can he depict garish action scenes with loads of blood and incredible landscapes, but the emotions displayed by the characters is equally brilliant - - despair, fear and shock in very telling close-ups. 

 

  In spite of The Headmaster appearing to be the main character, I’m inclined to root for the bandit clan.  It’s hard for me to empathize with such a merciless henchman.  Perhaps some of his character will be further developed in future issues, and I’ll find something to relate to.  Douek wisely stuck to immersing the reader in his world and action scenes rather than dumping too much background information on readers in the first issue. The first issue need to hook readers, and I took the bait. I think you will as well. 

 

  In an interview at comicburst.com, Richard Douek professes his “love of classic sword & sorcery and weird,pulply science-fiction.” There’s a little bit of all of that in WAILING BLADE. Douek cites as inspirations for his fantastic world some impressive works: Michael Moorcock’s Elric, Fritz Leiber’s Lankmar/Fafhred & The Grey Mouser, Jack Vance’s Dying Earth books, and a smattering of Masters Of The Universe and Thundarr The Barbarian.

Lion Forge Debuts Coming-Of-Age '90's Noir Series

#ECCC: LION FORGE ANNOUNCES AT THE END OF YOUR TETHER, AN ALL-NEW SERIES LAUNCHING IN JUNE

ST. LOUIS—Convention season is officially underway for 2019, as the doors open to the exhibit hall at Emerald City Comic Con! Lion Forge kicks off day two of the show with the announcement of At the End of Your Tether, an all-new original series from Adam Smith, V.V. Glass, and Hilary Jenkins, set to debut this June! It’s 1997 and Ludo is heartbroken. Arlo was the only real bond he had made in a stiff military upbringing. But since a move to a different air base led to their breakup, Ludo has been acting out—fights in school, skipping classes... He feels directionless now, and it's beginning to weigh on him. News of a trip back to their former home means that he will have to face Arlo at some point, so to ease his nerves, he gives her a quick phone call. Big laughs and a familiar sort of cadence in her voice don't just instantly calm him down -- they make him excited to see her. But when his family shows up at the base the next day, they find out Arlo has been missing…for a week.  Ludo can't figure it all out. He had only spoken to her the night before. Why didn't she say anything about being in danger? Where the hell is she? Ludo sees an opportunity to redeem himself and takes it upon himself to find her. It's the first time since leaving that he feels he has a purpose; something he can fix.   But as Ludo gets further into the investigation, and details of her disappearance begin to surface, he starts to question how well everyone on base, in town, and even he really knew her. Gone without a trace, the girl he once knew everything about has now become a mystery. Where is Arlo Quinones?    “I am a really big fan of a particular sort of coming of age stories. I mean particular in that my favorites have always funneled that experience and feeling into genre in some form or fashion” says writer Adam Smith. “Strange, weird, magical little things that take the experience of growing up and magnify that feeling with classic tropes. That's how At the End of Your Tether began; the idea of a coming of age noir, a crime story that could only be solved by growing up.”   “When Adam brought us At the End of Your Tether, it felt like an opportunity to experiment with the comics medium. How do we bring that feeling you get when you’re reading a book like Blankets to the single-issue format?” says Lion Forge editor Jasmine Amiri. “We thought it’d be appropriate to give this story time to simmer with an oversized single-issue format. But it’s the team that really delivers the magic in this series with Adam’s unparalleled writing-style, beautifully eloquent artwork from V.V. Glass, and insanely gorgeous watercolors from Hilary Jenkins. This one feels special and I couldn’t be prouder of this noir-mystery-incredibly-earnest-love-story and the team that made it possible.”   "What I've found especially exciting in making this is being able to mess with expectation - it's basically a noir story, but in the 90's of all things” says artist V.V. Glass. “The protagonist's a troubled teen who has a fantastic emotionally-supportive relationship with his parents. There's a love interest who'd solely be that in a different story, but not here. It's been great to be able to make the kinds of characters who very rarely pop up in media."   "My love for painting has helped create the unconventional process which i use to color comics” says painter Hilary Jenkins. “Gouache (a matte opaque acrylic) was used to paint this series. Each page is individually painted, scanned and then digitally finished."   At the End of Your Tether will be solicited in Diamond’s April-dated PREVIEWS catalog for release in June 2019. This three-issue limited series features a brand-new expanded 48-page reading experience at a value price of $5.99 and is being offered to retailers as fully returnable. This is the second series in Lion Forge’s new double issue format, which debuts with Palle Schmidt’s Stiletto next month!

WHITE DENIM Music Video of "Fine Slime"

I’ve been enjoying PERFORMANCE, the new album from WHITE DENIM.

Check out the crazy video and fine music.

VALIANT Announces New BLOODSHOT Series

from the official Valiant Entertainment press release . . . . . . .

Prepare for Vin Diesel’s Bloodshot movie with a new series from Tim Seeley and Brett Booth

 
Artwork by Declan Shalvey

New York, NY (March 15, 2019) – Before Vin Diesel breaks the box office as Bloodshot in Sony Pictures’ upcoming feature film, Valiant Entertainment is thrilled to announce an explosive new BLOODSHOT ongoing series from an all-star creative team, debuting in September!
 
Bloodshot, the unstoppable super-soldier trapped in a never-ending war, has arrived! Written by the electrifying Tim Seeley (Revival) and featuring artwork by industry icon Brett Booth (Teen Titans), this tremendous team is crafting a Bloodshot adventure full of badass action, surprising stories...and then some more badass action! Declan Shalvey (Return of Wolverine) will illustrate covers for the series.
 
Once, he was the perfect living weapon, created to follow orders. Now, Bloodshot works alone, using his lethal skills to protect those who cannot protect themselves. But a mysterious and powerful organization is watching, and they're not about to let something as dangerous as Bloodshot remain free...
 

Artwork from BLOODSHOT (2019) #1 by Brett Booth.
Inking by Adelso Corona, coloring by Andrew Dalhouse.

 
“I don’t feel like I need to reinvent the wheel with Bloodshot,” said Seeley. “What I need to do is tell a BIG, CRAZY story that can only be done in comics, and I need it to be powerful and emotional and relevant in a way only comics can do.”
 
Seeley plans to take a fun and fast-paced approach with Bloodshot. “I want to go back to basics and tell a story about a guy who was made to be a weapon but isn’t allowing anyone to use him ever again. He’s an outcast, an outsider, and he can’t help but use his indestructible body to help people, even though all it ever does is get him in trouble. With great power comes a great big pile of shell casings!”
 
Superstar artist Brett Booth spoke about how he’s having a blast with Seeley’s exciting script. “I’ve been looking for a project I could really cut loose on,” Booth expressed. “The first issue is pretty nuts. It gets right to the action, which I love, and then sets up the rest of the story. It’s a great jumping-on point.”
 

Artwork by BLOODSHOT (2019) #1 by Brett Booth.
Inking by Adelso Corona, coloring by Andrew Dalhouse.

 

Seeley also explained why Booth’s art is the perfect fit for the book. “His style synthesizes what ’90s comic book artists figured out—how to do big, cool action comics that look visceral and powerful. That melds perfectly with my approach to this book.”

Valiant is set to distribute free copies of a brand-new BLOODSHOT short story by Seeley with artwork by Tomás Giorello and Diego Rodriguez on Free Comic Book Day (May 4, 2019) through participating retailers. The story leads into the new series.

 

VALIANT: BLOODSHOT FCBD 2019 SPECIAL Cover Artwork by Dan Brereton.
 

BLOODSHOT is the latest release from Valiant Entertainment, a wholly owned subsidiary of DMG Entertainment, founded by Dan Mintz. Since acquiring the publisher in early 2018, DMG Entertainment has placed a premium on developing and expanding upon Valiant’s publishing arm, continuing to build out its vast universe of characters. DMG Entertainment will also play an integral role in producing Valiant’s features in conjunction with the studios.

Book Review: WHOSE BOAT IS THIS BOAT?

WHOSE BOAT IS THIS BOAT? COMMENTS THAT DON’T HELP IN THE AFTERMATH OF A HURRICANE by The Staff of the Late Show with Stephen Colbert. (Simon & Schuster, November 2018)  Hardcover, 24 pages. ISBN # 1982121084 / 9781982121082

 

Summary from the Goodreads website . . . . .

 

100% of The Late Show’s proceeds from this book go to hurricane relief.

 

Whose Boat Is This Boat? Comments That Don’t Help in the Aftermath of a Hurricane is a picture book made entirely of quotations from President Donald Trump in the wake of Hurricane Florence. It is the first children’s book that demonstrates what not to say after a natural disaster.

 

On September 19, 2018, Donald Trump paid a visit to New Bern, North Carolina, one of the towns ravaged by Hurricane Florence. It was there he showed deep concern for a boat that washed ashore. “At least you got a nice boat out of the deal,” said President Trump to hurricane victims. “Have a good time!” he told them. The only way his comments would be appropriate is in the context of a children’s book—and now you can experience them that way, thanks to the staff of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

 

Whose Boat Is This Boat? is an excellent teaching tool for readers of all ages who enjoy learning about empathy by process of elimination. Have a good time! 

 

My review on the Goodreads website . . . . .  

 

     The best thing about this book is that 100% of the proceeds will go to hurricane relief. I can recommend it strictly on that basis. Also, kudos to Stephen Colbert, seven other writers including some of the Late Show staff, and publisher Simon and Schuster for their efforts here. 

 

     This follows the template of standard children's books: wider versus taller, simple illustrations with minimal text, and short (18 pages). The art by Andro Buneta and John Henry help to emphasize the ridiculousness of Trump's insensitive comments in the aftermath of a disaster, and the bewildered and forlorn reactions of displaced residents and newspeople who witnessed them. 

 

     It's a single message tale that drives home one of the many flaws in our current President: his total lack of empathy and inability to think and consider what he says before it comes out of his mouth. 

 

     Despite that, it's a clever book with several amusing images. However, it did not elicit a single laugh, smile, or smirk from this reader. Perhaps if I had it read to me, as all good children's books should be presented, I might have at least chuckled or appreciated this more. I could see some young innocent children laughing at the absurdity of the story - - although I wouldn't recommend that anyone share this with children. It's better as a children's book for adults, who can better separate the humor from the reality. 

 

     I'm going to borrow a word that the President likes to use frequently to summarize this book: SAD.