New Book Explores BLADE RUNNER History

Sequart is proud to announce the publication of The Cyberpunk Nexus: Exploring the Blade Runner Universe, edited by Lou Tambone and Joe Bongiorno:  http://sequart.org/books/53/the-cyberpunk-nexus-exploring-the-blade-runner-universe/ In 1982, a new benchmark was set for science-fiction film with the release of Blade Runner. Based on the book Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by the acclaimed novelist Philip K. Dick and directed by Ridley Scott, Blade Runner was a visual and philosophical tour-de-force, set in a dystopian future in which artificially intelligent replicants, nearly indistinguishable from humans, are hunted down by police-operatives known as Blade Runners. Featuring the talents of Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, Joanna Cassidy, Edward James Olmos, and Darryl Hannah, the film tackled numerous themes and birthed controversies that have been poured over by fans and critics ever since. Blade Runner has also inspired literary and comic-book spin-offs, and a cinematic sequel released in 2017. The Cyberpunk Nexus: Exploring the Blade Runner Universe examines the entire Blade Runner saga, from the original novel to its numerous film iterations. The book features a foreword by Paul M. Sammon (Future Noir: The Making of Blade Runner). Essayists include Bryce Carlson (of BOOM! Comics’ Sheep adaptation), Paul J. Salamoff, Robert Meyer Burnett, Rich Handley, Zaki Hasan, Julian Darius, and many others, with a cover by popular artist Matt Busch. The book runs a massive 416 pages, covering every aspect of Blade Runner history. The Cyberpunk Nexus: Exploring the Blade Runner Universe 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.

Martian Lit releases THE SYNTHETICS robotic tales

Martian Lit is proud to release The Synthetics #1, featuring three exciting stories of the Robot Revolution on Mars! The 46-page issue, also featuring a bunch of extras, is priced at $3.99. The comic is written by Julian Darius, with art by Steven Legge and Andre Siregar, with colors by Donovan Yaciuk, Fahriza Kamaputra, and Legge. It’s lettered by Darius and Steven Legge. The issue is available on ComiXology now: https://www.comixology.com/The-Synthetics-1/digital-comic/662034  If you prefer a DRM-free PDF of the comic, it's available here: http://www.drivethrucomics.com/product/236789/The-Synthetics-1 You can learn more about the entire series on its webpage at http://martianlit.com/books/15/the-synthetics/ and on Facebook. This is Martian Lit’s 17th comic, overall. You can see all of their comics on ComiXology.

Shand And Blaylock To Write Return Of MERCY SPARX

from the official Devil’s Due press release . . . . Ongoing Series Returns with Issue #13 in Oversized Forty-Page Special from Devil's Due Comics CHICAGO, IL July 20, 2018: This Winter will see the release of Mercy Sparx issue #13, the long awaited return of the ongoing series, and follow-up to the companion miniseries Mercy Sparx: Year One. Joining creator Josh Blaylock is new co-writer Pat Shand, co-creator of the latest Devil’s Due Comics hit horror title, Little Girl. Blaylock and Shand will bring to a close the epic story of Mercy’s final showdown with her mother, Faustia. A plot that was carefully teased and unveiled by Blaylock over the last several years. “I’ve never let anyone else touch Mercy when it comes to our cannon stories,” said Blaylock, “But as picky as I can be about how we portray her personality and character, Pat totally ‘gets’ Mercy Sparx.” “Mercy Sparx is everything I look for in a comic as a reader, so I’m thrilled to join Josh as co-writer. From Mercy’s cast of unique characters to the unique mythology, we’ve got a lot to explore, and a lot of fun comics to create” Stay tuned for an announcement on the series artists and specifics on the schedule in weeks to come. The series will return through a combination of limited, internationally released exclusive retailer editions, Kickstarters, and standard Diamond release throughout North America. About Devil’s Due Comics: Devil’s Due is an indie comic publisher based in Chicago, IL, with a global network of comic book talent. Focusing on diversity in both its story genres and creators, Devil’s Due embraces comics created by and for all walks of life. Known for embracing the cutting edge of publishing technology, the company blends traditional distribution and manufacturing with crowdfunding, multimedia collaborations, and an aggressive touring schedule featuring live appearances by its creators.

Art by Karl Moline

New Book on PLANET OF THE APES Mythos

Read to bottom of page for links to order . . . . . .

Sequart Releases Book on Planet of the Apes Movies, TV, and Novels Sequart Organization is proud to announce the publication of Bright Eyes, Ape City: Examining the Planet of the Apes Mythos, edited by Rich Handley and Joseph F. Berenato. “A planet where apes evolved from men?” With those horrified words, Charlton Heston’s Colonel George Taylor summed up exactly what viewers were thinking in 1968 the first time they saw Planet of the Apes in theaters. Loincloth-clad humans reduced to mute savages, living in cages or in the wild? Xenophobic orangutans, militaristic gorillas, and curious chimpanzees with a rigid class structure, Greco-Roman names, religious dogma, and the ability to speak and reason? What goes on here? It’s a madhouse! Audiences were hooked — and they remain hooked almost five decades later. Planet of the Apes (based on Pierre Boulle’s French novel Monkey Planet) has spawned eight films, with a ninth currently in the works, as well as two television series and several novels. It’s one of the most respected franchises in pop-culture history, thanks to the talents of writers Rod Serling, Michael Wilson, Paul Dehn, John and Joyce Corrington, William Broyles Jr., Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, and Mark Bomback; directors Franklin J. Schaffner, Ted Post, Don Taylor, J. Lee Thompson, Tim Burton, Rupert Wyatt, and Matt Reeves; makeup artists John Chambers and Rick Baker; and a long list of beloved actors who have breathed life into some of the most memorable science-fiction characters ever to grace the large or small screen. Bright Eyes, Ape City: Examining the Planet of the Apes Mythos, edited by the same team behind Sequart’s Sacred Scrolls: Comics on the Planet of the Apes, examines every Apes film, TV show, and novel, from 1968 to present. This anthology features insightful, analytical essays about the franchise’s long history, from popular film historians, novelists, bloggers, and subject-matter experts. If you’re eager to learn more about Apes lore, then you’ll need to get your stinkin’ paws on this book. The book runs 308 pages and features a foreword by David Gerrold. Bright Eyes, Ape City: Examining the Planet of the Apes Mythos is available in print at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1940589150?ie=UTF8&tag=comicbooks0d-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1940589150 and on Kindle at  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XJV5DZ4?ie=UTF8&tag=comicbooks0d-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B06XJV5DZ4(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. Sequart Organization is devoted to the study of popular culture and the promotion of comic books as a legitimate art form. Sequart has released dozens of books, 7 documentaries, and thousands of online articles. ALSO FROM SEQUART The Sacred Scrolls: Comics on the Planet of the Apes, also edited by Rich Handley and Joseph F. Berenato, looks at Planet of the Apescomic books. A Long Time Ago: Exploring the Star Wars Cinematic Universe, also edited by Rich Handley and Joseph F. Berenato, studies the Star Wars movies and TV shows. New Life and New Civilizations: Exploring Star Trek Comics, edited by Joseph F. Berenato, looks at the long history of Star Trekcomic books.

LOST HIGHWAYS: dark fiction anthology of highway horror

EDITOR’S NOTE:  Crystal Lake Publishing puts out some of the best horror and supernatural titles each year, and at very affordable prices (digital and print).  I’m particularly excited about this one and pre-ordered my copy before the official release date of July 20.  Details are below.  If you like what you learn about this, come back to this note and click the link:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FM7MS98?tag=geolinker-20&ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

Lost Highways:

It’s dangerous out there…on the road.   The highways, byways and backroads of America are teeming day and night with regular folks. Moms and dads making long commutes. Teenagers headed to the beach. Bands on their way to the next gig. Truckers pulling long hauls. Families driving cross country to visit their kin. But there are others, too. The desperate and the lost. The cruel and the criminal.   Theirs is a world of roadside honky-tonks, truck stops, motels, and the empty miles between destinations. The unseen spaces.   And there are even stranger things. Places that aren’t on any map. Wayfaring terrors and haunted legends about which seasoned and road-weary travelers only whisper.   But those are just stories. Aren’t they?   Find out for yourself as you get behind the wheel with some of today’s finest authors of the dark and horrific as they bring you these harrowing tales from the road.   Tales that could only be spawned by the endless miles of America’s lost highways.   So go ahead and hop in. Let's take a ride. Introduction by Brian Keene doungjai gam & Ed Kurtz — “Crossroads of Opportunity” Matt Hayward — “Where the Wild Winds Blow” Joe R. Lansdale — “Not from Detroit” Kristi DeMeester — “A Life That is Not Mine” Robert Ford — “Mr. Hugsy” Lisa Kröger — “Swamp Dog” Orrin Grey — “No Exit” Michael Bailey — “The Long White Line” Kelli Owen — “Jim’s Meats” Bracken MacLeod — “Back Seat” Jess Landry — “The Heart Stops at the End of Laurel Lane” Jonathan Janz — “Titan, Tyger” Nick Kolakowski — “Your Pound of Flesh” Richard Thomas — “Requital” Damien Angelica Walters — “That Pilgrims’ Hands Do Touch” Cullen Bunn — “Outrunning the End” Christopher Buehlman — “Motel Nine” Rachel Autumn Deering — “Dew Upon the Wing” Josh Malerman — “Room 4 at the Haymaker” Rio Youers — “The Widow”

PABLO TUNICA Wins Manning Newcomer Award

 

from the IDW Publishing press release . . . . .

SAN DIEGO, CA (July 21, 2018) – Sharing the good news from the 30^th annual Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards ceremony, IDW Publishing is proud to recognize Pablo Tunica, artist of TMNT Universe, as co-winner of the Russ Manning Most Promising Newcomer Award.
 
“Congratulations to Pablo for his well-deserved win!” says John Barber, Editor-in-Chief at IDW Publishing. “His art style – frenetic, organic, and whimsical – has been a perfect fit here at IDW, bringing life and vibrancy to the world of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and every single project graced by his pencil, pen, and brush.”
 
Hailing from Argentina, artist Pablo Tunica has built a reputation at IDW Publishing for his illustrative and coloring contributions to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise (TMNT Universe, plus his work on TMNT: Dimension X#1, Bebop & Rocksteady Destroy Everything #4, and TMNT / Ghostbusters 2), plus titles including Godzilla: Rage Across Time and Judge Dredd Annual.
 
Tunica tied for the award with Hamish Steele, writer/artist of Pantheon: The True Story of the Egyptian Deities.
 
The Manning Award, given out annually at San Diego Comic-Con International since 1982, is presented to a comics artist who, early in his or her career, shows a superior knowledge and ability in the art of creating comics. It is named for Russ Manning, the artist best known for his work on the Tarzan and Star Wars newspaper strips and the Magnus, Robot Fighter comic book.
 
Congratulations also to fellow Manning Award nominee, Campbell Whyte, graphic novelist of the debut title Home Time: Under the River, alongside all of this year’s Eisner Award nominees and winners, and hearty gratitude to the judges for honoring the work of Pablo Tunica, a true rising star.
 

LODGER by David & Maria Lapham to debut at IDW Black Crown

A Serial Killer, a Girl, and a Gun  (Named Gold-Digger)

from the official IDW Publishing press release . . . . . .

SAN DIEGO, CA (July 21, 2018) – David and Maria Lapham, the creative legends behind the long-running, Eisner Award-winning comic book series Stray Bullets, bring Lodger, a brutal psychological thriller, to Black Crown, IDW’s creator-owned imprint for fiercely independent voices. Debuting in October, Lodger is a pulse-pounding game of cat-and-mouse through roadside America between a vengeful young woman and the serial killer who ruined her life.
 
“When it comes to crime fiction in any medium, one name remains unparalleled,” says editor Shelly Bond. “The Laphams bring over twenty years of blood, guts, and glory to Black Crown with this lurid tale of lust, secret identities, and sweet revenge."
 
Lodger follows a handsome drifter who murders his way through the Midwest while hiding in plain sight as a travel blogger using the alias “Lodger.” With an almost supernatural ability to change appearance, he leaves families in shreds and body bags in his wake. He’s pursued across the country by Ricky Toledo, a teenager who fell hard for the mysterious stranger years ago when he rented a small room in her home – right before he killed her mother and framed her father.
 
Co-writer Maria Lapham adds, "David and I rarely have time to work on stories that don’t fit into Stray Bullets continuity, but Shelly Bond and Ricky Toledo had other ideas. Lodger is a twisted love story – dark and grimy — like all the best crime noir. We can’t wait for readers to see it."
 
Cutting right into the broken soul of America, Lodger joins Black Crown’s expanding library of celebrated, creator-owned titles including: Kid Lobotomy by Peter Milligan and Tess Fowler, Assassinistas by Tini Howard and Gilbert Hernandez, Punks Not Dead by David Barnett and Martin Simmonds, Euthanauts by Tini Howard and Nick Robles, House Amok by Christopher Sebela and Shawn McManus, and the anthology series Black Crown Quarterly.