Missing Free Comic Book Day? Check Out The Virtual Version . . . . . .

Hi Mike Virtually Free Comic Book Day 2020! Online-Only Event with Captain Blue Hen Comics Saturday at 12 PM – 3 PM on Facebook Live https://www.facebook.com/CaptainBlueHen/ If it's the 1st Saturday in May, then it's Free Comic Book Day! Join us for a Virtually Free Comic Book Day 2020 We'll have tons of guests...and who is the MYSTERY GUEST? Join us through the wonderment of the internet as we celebrate the day together with creators, vendors, volunteers, cosplayers, staff and a special appearance by the Captain! How do you do it? - Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CaptainBlueHen/ - Click "Interested" or "Going" on the Event https://www.facebook.com/events/301195254200321/ - We will send a notification before the live stream begins this Saturday before noon - Sit back and watch the show between noon and 3pm (To be clear, this is a virtual event. The store will not be open to the public) As always there will be cool stuff you can get and opportunities to give to charities. Watch the broadcast to see how to give and for ways to buy cool stuff and possibly win prizes! Please share Virtually Free Comic Book Day with co-workers, friends, and family! More info on the way by email and on the FB page, VFCBD Event page, Twitter, IG, and captainbluehen.com!

Siskel & Ebert - "Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer" (1990)

Some serious commentary on the controversial film, and the horror movie industry . . . . . .

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer: 30th Anniversary Edition - Official ...

Stay-At-Home Theater: HENRY, PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER. Gripping, disturbing film that Joe Bob Briggs on Shudder TV describes as "horror noir". I can't disagree. A slice of life character study, a real portrait rather than a beginning and end with a firm resolution - which makes it all the more unsettling. I'd heard of this movie for years, and now I can cross it off the list.

Book Review: THE BOATMAN'S DAUGHTER by Andy Davidson

THE BOATMAN’S DAUGHTER by Andy Davidson (MCD X FSG Originals, February 2020)  Trade paperback, 416 pages.  ISBN # 0374538557 / 9780374538552

Summary on the Goodreads website . . . . .

 A "lush nightmare" (Paul Tremblay) of a supernatural thriller about a young woman facing down ancient forces in the depths of the bayou

Ever since her father was killed when she was just a child, Miranda Crabtree has kept her head down and her eyes up, ferrying contraband for a mad preacher and his declining band of followers to make ends meet and to protect an old witch and a secret child from harm.

But dark forces are at work in the bayou, both human and supernatural, conspiring to disrupt the rhythms of Miranda's peculiar and precarious life. And when the preacher makes an unthinkable demand, it sets Miranda on a desperate, dangerous path, forcing her to consider what she is willing to sacrifice to keep her loved ones safe.

With the heady myth-making of Neil Gaiman and the heartrending pacing of Joe Hill, Andy Davidson spins a thrilling tale of love and duty, of loss and discovery. The Boatman's Daughter is a gorgeous, horrifying novel, a journey into the dark corners of human nature, drawing our worst fears and temptations out into the light. 

My Four-Star review on the Goodreads website . . . . .

     I really enjoyed this book, especially Davidson's descriptive skills and the way he verbally paints his scenery. 

     I view this as more of a crime story with supernatural elements than a pure horror or fantasy story - - and I feel it reads better through that mindset.

     The first chapter is extremely powerful, very suspenseful and vividly described. I read it three times just to savor everything. The bayou scenes really came to life. Davidson's descriptive skills and economy of language is worth admiration. So much was packed into that opening chapter that what follows through the first third of the book seems slow in comparison, even though I could sense the building tension. 

     I'm very satisfied with how this ended. The younger characters are the most empathetic, none more so than the brave and bold Miranda Crabtree, who has to make some major decisions between morally right and wrong before everything is resolved. The adult characters all have major flaws, with few exceptions. However, as another member of the Horror Afficianados group read (Mike by name, not me) pointed out that "childhood innocence becomes flawed at some age."

Advance Comics Review: BROKEN GARGOYLES

BROKEN GARGOYLES #1  (Source Point Press, anticipated July 1 release date)  Bob Salley, writer.  Stan Yak, art.  Raymond Gay, Jeremy Clark, Juan Fernandez, cover art. Robert Nugent, Marco Pagnotta, colors.  Justin birch, letters. 

The art is stunning and the world-building is amazing in this comic. Movies and comics share in common an ability to take a creator’s imaginative vision and bring it to brilliant life in film and images. I received an advance digital review copy from writer Bob Salley. This is definitely one you’ll want to pre-order from your local comic shop. 

In Broken Gargoyles, World War I vets in a re-imagined “diesel punk” 1925 are isolated and neglected. They begin to stage a revolt to draw attention to their needs.  The story follows two main characters, and switches back and forth between their point of view. 

New York City looks nothing like the grainy black and white 1920’s photographs in history books. The opening panel of Issue #1 gives us a good look at NYC 1925 in Salley’s world. Art-deco like skyscrapers crowd out a small church which looks forgotten among the towering shadows.  Inside is the returned WWI soldier William Manco, his injured face stitched back together with pieces of metal, drinking and contemplating his next move. “I’m a ghost in this isolated society.” HIs wife and son have left him, and his prospects for employment are slim, due to loss of vision in one eye and his unkempt and frightening appearance. While watching a victory parade that he’s not participating in, he learns of an alleged terrorist siege of a military caravan in Arizona.

  The Arizona of Salley’s creation is a dried out, blazing hot husk of desert where prison chain gangs workers try to avoid swallowing too much of the billowing dust clouds ever present. There, Doug Prescott, a big bulk of a man in heavy cloak and gas mask coordinates the tank attack to draw attention to the forgotten men of the 117th Infantry Regiment. The caption-less large panel depicting massive tanks rolling across the land is perfectly detailed, and suitable for framing.

  William Manco and Doug Prescott have served together before, and most likely will cross paths once again, and one is about to betray the other in a neat twist of an ending. This series is one to follow for sure. 

The Place And Time (Alternate)

Moby Grape - He (1968)

Murder In My Heart For The Judge

Music Favorites 1961-1970 #7:  WOW by Moby Grape

Murder In My Heart For The Judge

Music Favorites 1961-1970 #7:  WOW by Moby Grape

New Comics Available Through Local Shops After May 20

Can't go into your shop, though  - - at least not in our PA / DE / MD area.  Here are the guidelines: 1) Pre-Order the books you want through your local comic shop. 2) Make arrangements for curbside pickup or delivery.  Simple, eh? APRIL 29, 2020

While the majority of comic shops across North America remain closed to the general public, the good news is that as of May 20th (just three short weeks from today), new comics will once again be available at your Local Comic Shop! Be it through mail order, remote ordering with curbside pickup, neighborhood drop-offs or, in some cases, fully open stores with new safety procedures and social distancing protocols in place, new comics are back – and we couldn’t be happier to finally debut the long-awaited first issue of Joe Harris and Sebastián Piriz’s DISASTER INC. (order code FEB201401). Then, on May 27th, it’s DEAD DAY #1 (order code FEB201403) from Ryan Parrottand Evgeniy Bornyakov! To make it easier on your retailer during this incredibly busy time, consider reaching out to him, her or them right now (by May 4th) to let ‘em know you want both of these titles held for you (use the order codes). In fact, why not sign up right now for both issue #2’s! Once again, we invite you and everyone who knows you to #ReadDangerously!

FAST APPROACHING! Coming Soon to Your Local Comic Shop. Reserve Now! Click Covers for Previews! DISASTER INC. #1 IN SHOPS MAY 20th Writer: Joe Harris Artist: Sebastián Piriz This tour is killer. Order Code: FEB201401 DEAD DAY #1 IN SHOPS MAY 27th Writer: Ryan Parrott Artist: Evgeniy Bornyakov What’s buried should stay buried. Order Code: FEB201403 A WALK THROUGH HELL: THE COMPLETE SERIES Garth Ennis’ Complete Masterpiece of Terror in One Unrelenting 256-Page Hardcover! So these two FBI agents walk into a warehouse... Special Agents Shaw and McGregor handle the routine cases nowadays, which is just the way Shaw likes it. She’s pushing 40, a borderline burnout, the ghastly memories of her last investigation still clinging like shadows. McGregor is younger, more dedicated, hanging onto some measure of idealism whatever the world might throw at him. When two fellow agents go missing inside a Long Beach warehouse, Shaw and McGregor are sent to investigate. But what they find waiting is far from routine, as the local police have already discovered to their cost. Before the night is out, our heroes will encounter terror beyond their most appalling nightmares – in a place where the night may never end at all. A new kind of horror story for modern America, written by Garth Ennis (Preacher, The Boys, Crossed) and drawn by Goran Sudžuka (Y: The Last Man, Hellblazer) “The dread builds with every page...” – Patrick Hayes, SciFiPulse IN SHOPS: June 3rd Order Deadline: May 11th Order Code: MAR201512 CLICK COVER FOR SELECT PREVIEW PAGES JUST ANNOUNCED It's the most dangerous heist ever attempted. Four desperate criminals are going all in on a once-in-a-lifetime chance to steal millions in art and turn their miserable lives around. The catch? They have to pull it off under the nose of a one thousand-ton kaiju. And a giant monster might just be the least of their problems. Coming in November from James Patrick (Grimm Fairy Tales, Death Comes to Dillinger, The Monsters of Jimmy Crumb) and Rem Broo (The End Times of Bram and Ben, Terminal Protocol) THE KAIJU SCORE is what happens when a Quentin Tarantino film takes place smack in the middle of a Godzilla movie. The Hollywood Reporter has this first look.

ZOMBIE MASSACRE 2: Reich of the Dead - Official Trailer (2015) HD

STAY-AT-HOME THEATER: Zombie Massacre 2 - Reich of the Dead is a short 90-minute film that for it's first 30 minutes is a suspenseful WWII drama of a small group of U.S. Soldiers attempting to elude their Nazi pursuers and get extracted from the battleground. For the rest of the movie it becomes a gripping Zombie tale that maintains the suspense and minimizes the gore, making it even more effective. I anticipated late-at-night, can't-sleep escapist entertainment and was pleasantly surprised at how well done this movie is.

Comics Review: SUPER SONS, Volume One

SUPER SONS, VOLUME 1: WHEN I GROW UP by Peter J. Tomasi, writer and Jorge Jimenez, artist.  (DC Comics, October 2017) Trade paperback, 132 pages.  ISBN # 1401274013 / 9781401274016  

Summary on the Goodreads website. . . . .

A part of DC Universe Rebirth!

Superboy (aka Jonathan Kent) and Robin (aka Damian Wayne) make their super hero duo debut in this all-new series SUPER SONS, part of DC Rebirth.

This debut series looks at the lives of Robin and Superboy and their destiny to follow in their fathers’ footsteps, while we meet a new villain whose ascension parallels the boys’ own understanding of their powers-except that he believes it’s his right to rule over every being on the planet!

Collects SUPER SONS #1-5 

My review on the Goodreads website . . . . .

     Devilish troublemaker Damien Wayne (Robin) lures sheltered Jon Kent (Superboy) out of his bedroom for late night adventures and fun, until they run into Kid Amazo. I liked the stand-alone story in Issue #5 the best. THREE & ONE-HALF STARS.

     It's an amusing four-part tale, and the won't-admit-it-but-we're-really-friends duo is kind of cute. The art is perfectly balanced between cartoonish in appearance and more mature in style. It suits the story well. 

     The best part of this is the rivalry between the two, and watching the different reactions from their respective parents/guardians. Contrast self-assured acrobatic Damien (already skilled with an array of weaponry) with self-conscious awkward Jon (still finding his way, can't figure out how to fly just yet but jumps and leaps like The Hulk). 

     I'm not sure I would appreciate the continuing series, but this opening story arc was fun.

Gary Scott Beatty On Some Particularly Nasty VIDEO NASTIES

Like the coven in the Gods of Aazurn webcomic, we're all reassessing our priorities. To catch up on the free story you can go here. If you're interested in the inks and coloring process, I break it down for Backers here on Patreon. +++ Once again proving it's acceptable to be grim, here's a handy quote. “The man who smiles when things go wrong has thought of someone to blame it on.” -- Robert Bloch (Psycho, Weird Tales) +++ I'm working my way through the Video Nasties, the UK's list of banned VHS movies. Watching some of these is like passing a car wreck. You have to look and sometimes wish you hadn't.   There were MANY movies that jumped on the Halloween bandwagon after the film's success in 1978. Few came close to its mood, tension and cringe-worthy kills. A good example is Final Exam (1981). It is OK, not the worse horror movie I've seen, but, compared to Halloween, Giallo films of the same time, or even the best campy B-movies of the '60s and '70s, Final Exam falls short. When the plot is empty and the characters are without depth, a slasher movie needs the practical effect kills of someone like Tom Savini (Friday the 13th) just to keep it interesting. He's not in this movie. Lack of mood, tension and uninteresting kills means I cannot recommend Final Exam. Your mileage may vary. Free with ads here on TubiTV. +++   At least Final Exam is watchable. Nightbeast (1982) features everything you'd expect from a Troma release: poor timing, ridiculous dialogue, laughable performances, goofy effects. Even the violence is not entertaining. I understand cheap sets, but if you're going to be in the woods, why not throw a light on some of it so night scenes aren't black holes? Cringe after cringe. There isn't anything clever about this movie. I'm not even going to give you the link for it on TubiTV. +++ I know there are some commendable Video Nasties films, because I've seen (and even own) them. Watchable recommendations to come, I promise.   You might ask "Where are the comic reviews?" and your question would be valid. I am constantly reading and promise some exceptional graphic novel recommendations very soon. +++ Spring is kicking ass right now, don't hide from it. Not all of the current change is meant to beat you down. Suck up sunshine, wave to the neighbors, smile. You've got this! Stay safe and be happy. In glorious service to our Aazurn overlords, Gary Scott Beatty For Gods of Aazurn ink and color details, join us on Patreon

Copyright © 2020 Aazurn Publishing, All rights reserved. If you're new here and forgot why you subscribed, I'm Gary Scott Beatty, author and/or illustrator of several fine genre fantasy books, including Wounds, Jazz: Midnight, Worlds, and, Bleeding Cool claims, one of the best indie comics of 2014, Number One. Add gary@indiecomicsmagazine.com to your address book and these won't be branded as sp7m-robot generated evil. If you enjoy these ramblings, feel free to send friends to http://strangehorror.com so they can become indoctrinated into the temple of Aazurn. Our mailing address is: Aazurn Publishing 1509 Princeton Rd. Muskegon, MI  49441 Add us to your address book

RINGO AWARDS Announces 2020 Jury

Introducing the 2020 Ringo Awards Jury BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - April 28, 2020 - The Mike Wieringo Comic Book Industry Awards is an annual celebration of the creativity, skill, and fun of comics. The awards will be presented on Saturday, October 24, 2020 as part of the fan- and pro-favorite convention, The Baltimore Comic-Con. The Ringo Awards is currently in the midst of the 2020 nomination process, which is inclusive of fans and comic book professionals alike. FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: The Jury An esteemed jury of comics professionals will participate in the nomination process, selecting favorite works in over 20 categories. The 2020 jury was chosen as a representative cross-section of the comic book industry, with members representing seasoned and venerated educators, publishers, press, and creators across numerous genres. Joan Hilty directs comics and graphic novel licensed publishing at Nickelodeon, and is a founder and consulting editor-in-chief of the book producer Pageturner. She has been a senior editor at DC Comics/Vertigo and a syndicated cartoonist. She serves on programming committees for the Brooklyn Book Festival and Miami Book Fair, and teaches at the School of Visual Arts in New York City.  James Kuhoric is a multi-award-winning author, editor, and publisher of comics. He has worked with many studios writing high profile licensed comic books, including Stargate SG-1, Battlestar Galactica, The Six Million Dollar Man, and the fan-favorite mash-up, Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash. He created the western horror series Dead Irons with Jae Lee and Jason Shawn Alexander, as well as the whimsical Legendary Talespinners with Grand Bond. His love of horror comics and movies has led to successful scripting runs on Army of Darkness, Adam Green's Hatchet, and Beware the Witch's Shadow comics. He has been a Managing Editor at Avatar Press, a Director of Purchasing at Diamond, and is currently a Vice President at Dynamite Entertainment. Kuhoric is also the President of American Mythology Comics which can be found at www.americanmythology.net, on Twitter @AmericanMytho, and on Facebook @AmericanMythologyComics.  Jill Thompson  is a ten-time Eisner Award-winning comic book creator. She is best known for her creations The Scary Godmother and Magic Trixie, her award-winning graphic novel Wonder Woman: The True Amazon, as well as her collaborations with Neil Gaiman on The Sandman, Grant Morrison on The Invisibles, Will Pfeifer on Finals, Evan Dorkin on Beasts of Burden, Mick Foley on Tales From Wrescal Lane, and many more. Jill's comic work has been translated into many languages and she loves to travel around the world to appear at comic conventions and festivals to meet her wonderful fans! The Scary Godmother has been adapted to the stage as a play, and then to television for Cartoon Network! Jill is actively working to create more Scary Godmother in every form for everyone to enjoy! You can follow her on Instagram @thejillthompson or Twitter @thejillthompson. You can buy beautiful Scary Godmother dolls and other cool stuff at www.thescarygodmother.com  Comics historian Carol Tilley is an associate professor in the School of Information Sciences at University of Illinois. Her 2012 research on anti-comics advocate Fredric Wertham was featured in the New York Timesand other media outlets. Currently she is working on a cultural history of how young readers read, used, and subverted comics in the mid-20th century US to create a vibrant popular print culture. Tilley is a past president of the Comics Studies Society and was a 2016 Will Eisner Comics Industry Awards judge.   Gene Luen Yang writes, and sometimes draws, comic books and graphic novels. As the Library of Congress' fifth National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, he advocates for the importance of reading, especially reading diversely. American Born Chinese, his first graphic novel from First Second Books, was a National Book Award finalist, as well as the winner of the Printz Award and an Eisner Award. His two-volume graphic novel Boxers & Saints won the L.A. Times Book Prize and was a National Book Award Finalist. His other works include Secret Coders (with Mike Holmes), The Shadow Hero (with Sonny Liew), Superman from DC Comics (with various artists), and the Avatar: The Last Airbender series from Dark Horse Comics (with Gurihiru). In 2016, he was named a MacArthur Foundation Fellow. His most recent books are Dragon Hoops from First Second Books and Superman Smashes the Klan from DC Comics. Fan and Pro Nomination Categories * Best Cartoonist (Writer/Artist) * Best Writer * Best Artist or Penciller * Best Inker * Best Letterer * Best Colorist * Best Cover Artist * Best Series * Best Single Issue or Story * Best Original Graphic Novel * Best Anthology * Best Humor Comic * Best Comic Strip or Panel * Best Webcomic * Best Non-fiction Comic Work * Best Kids Comic or Graphic Novel * Best Presentation in Design Perennial Jury Nomination * The Mike Wieringo Spirit Award Fan-Only Favorite Categories * Favorite Hero * Favorite Villain * Favorite New Series * Favorite New Talent * Favorite Publisher Hero Initiative Award (selected by the Hero Initiative) * The Hero Initiative Lifetime Achievement Award * The Dick Giordano Humanitarian Award "We amassed a really strong jury for this year's Ringo Awards," said Marc Nathan, Baltimore Comic-Con promoter. "It is an amazing cross-section of the industry, with multiple award-winning creators, educators, and comics veterans bringing their experience and expertise to the table. We're looking forward to another fantastic final ballot this year." About Mike Wieringo Michael Lance "Mike" Wieringo was known to fans and friends as "Ringo", which is how he signed his artwork. His comics artist graced the pages of DC Comics' The Flash, Adventures of Superman, Batman, and Robin, Marvel Comics' Fantastic Four, Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Sensational Spider-Man, and Rogue, and his co-creation Tellos. He passed away on August 12, 2007 at the young age of 44 from an apparent heart attack. About the Ringo Awards The Mike Wieringo Comic Book Industry Awards is an annual celebration of the creativity, skill and fun of comics. The Ringo Awards recognize outstanding achievements in over 20 categories, and are the only industry awards nominated by fans and pros alike, with final voting by the comic professional community. Launched in 2017, the awards ceremony is held annually at the Baltimore Comic-Con. Further details are available at www.ringoawards.com. About the Baltimore Comic-Con The Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating its 21st year of bringing the comic book industry to the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area. For more information, please visit www.baltimorecomiccon.com