Secret Identity--What's New?

Shadowline Takes A Flying Leap!

4/30/2012

Press Release

At the beginning of the new Image Comics series GRIM LEAPER, Lou Collins has died thirteen times, and he can be sure that grisly death #14 is just around the corner.

This may seem like a weird way to find romance, but that's just what Kurtis J. Wiebe (PETER PANZERFAUST, GREEN WAKE) has in store for Lou in his new series debuting in May, drawn by Aluisio Santos.

Every time he dies, Lou jumps into a stranger's body, and just as he's learning something about his new host, another gruesome accident sends him leaping to the next one. Lou wants to escape the violent cycle and find eternal rest — that is, until he meets another "leaper" named Ella.

"This is the gory love story you've been waiting for, a buckets of blood romantic comedy for the ages," said writer Wiebe.

"Grim Leaper is a story about that person you've always wanted to date but never had the chance to," added Santos. "Except now your bad luck is a killer."

GRIM LEAPER #1 (MAR120418), published under Image Comics Shadowline imprint, will be in stores on May 30. It's a full-color comic book for $3.50. It is available for pre-order now in the March issue of Previews.

Abnett and Lanning Bring Their Cosmic Coolness To BOOM!

4/29/2012

Press Release

On Saturday May 5th, fan-favorite scribes Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning bring their cosmic brand of superheroes to BOOM! Studios with an all-new, all-original 16-page story featuring their new series THE HYPERNATURALS. This original story serves as a prelude that leads directly into the first issue of THE HYPERNATURALS #1, which goes on-sale in July.

Featuring a cover by Francesco Mattina (NOVA) and interior art by Brad Walker (GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY) and Tom Derenick (JLA, NEW X-MEN), the FREE COMIC BOOK DAY EDITION of THE HYPERNATURALS includes a brand new 16-page story that will not be reprinted in the first issue of the series.

A universe trembles. It is the far future; the human race has finally colonized the galaxy, preserving an era of prosperity that's only possible because of The Hypernaturals. They're a celebrated, galaxy-wide superhero task force that keeps the peace. That is, until they all mysteriously vanish. Now, as the galaxy teeters on the brink of chaos, it's up to a group of retired and long forgotten Hypernaturals - and their novice recruits - to save the galaxy from complete destruction. Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, the superstar writing duo behind Annihilation and The Legion, launch an all-new original series that takes cosmic super-heroes to a new frontier. Experience the special preview issue of The Hypernaturals this May and pick up the #1 issue this July!

Matman Talks Goon # 39 and Eric Powell

4/28/2012

Eric Powell has certainly stirred up the nest!

This week, ‘The Goon’ # 39 hit store shelves and started an incredible battle that has about twenty different sides and within the fight, many fans don’t quite know what to think.

If you didn’t already read the book, ‘The Goon’ # 39 is a scathing attack on the world of super hero comics. You don’t have to read very far into the issue to find out what creator Eric Powell is saying. In fact if you missed it, the first page and text page (at the end of the comic) make it pretty clear why Powell is so angry. Powell feels that DC and Marvel are doing nothing but turning out mindless dribble and the people who read them are not very smart because they fall for the same stuff over and over again.

The book takes a poke at everything we know about the superhero genre. And by poke I mean insult and attack with a lot much fire and venom. I will say that most of his lampooning is spot on, but it can be an uncomfortable read simply because of the anger that went into creating it.

I agree with many of the points that Eric makes. Superhero books can be very predictable; they reinvent themselves on a monthly basis and sometimes seem to follow a blueprint. I also agree that companies load up the shelves with too many of the same comics. How many Batman and X – Men titles do we need every month? But DC and Marvel will flood the market with what they know will sell. The only reason I read superhero comics is because my original diet of war, horror and western comics have been whittled down quite a bit.

Where I think he went a bit too far is his feelings towards DC and Marvel and the creators who create comics. It seems he thinks a true creator is a sell out if they work on a superhero comic. Maybe some of them want to draw them. If I could draw I would love to work on Captain America or Batman. And I would love to work for Marvel or DC despite the fact they are a corporation. You can’t fault a creator for wanting to work on some of the coolest characters in the world.

There was also a dig that was pointed at artists who sell their pages. Why? It’s a great way to supplement their income and for fans they get a one of a kind peace of work. I will assume Eric doesn’t sell his artwork.

Yes we should support creator owned books. I do! At every show I will buy (or be given) at least 10 books in artist alley and write reviews or push on the show. When I look at Previews guide I look for books that look to be interesting and order them. And if they are good I will do everything I can to promote them.

The comic market would fail without Marvel and DC and if they don’t make what sells than they will not survive. A comic store isn’t going to just survive on just ordering indie books. They are barely making it with all the stuff already out there.

Selling creator owned comics is all about marketing and I’m sure this issue of ‘The Goon’ outsold every other one before it, probably combined. I wonder if this is what Eric Powell intended in the first place! I don’t like ‘The Goon’ (my choice) but I bought a copy of this one, so there is one more sold.

I share the concern of indie creators out there. I know there are some amazing books out there that I may never find out about. But that isn’t Marvel or DC’s fault, nor is it the fault of the fans who buy into the ‘pointless gimmicks’ or the creators who write, pencil, ink, and color them. We all just love our comics!

It's Time To Nominate Summer Reading And Watching Project Candidates!

4/27/2012

It's that time again!

We are getting ready to embark on our Summer Reading and Watching Projects. Every summer, we read a comic series and watch a season of a TV show together, and now's the time for you to nominate your picks for this year.

Head over to the forum and give us one Reading Project and one Watching Project nomination. We'll be putting a poll up on the site in the next week or so, and then we'll start the projects by the end of May.

Let us know what you want to read and watch!

Perhaps a little Automan? (Too bad it's not on Netflix)

Carbon Grey: Daughters In Stone Hits In June

4/26/2012

Press Release

The dieselpunk world of Hoang Nguyen's CARBON GREY first dazzled comic book readers with its beautiful painted art, intrigue-fueled action, and compelling heroines in August 2011 with the "Sisters at War" story arc. Now, Nguyen has assembled his creative team once more to continue the story of the Sisters Grey with the publication of CARBON GREY VOLUME TWO: DAUGHTERS OF STONE #1 in June.

At the close of volume one, the sisters' relationship was torn apart by the murder of the Kaiser of Mitteleuropa, the man whom they were sworn to protect. Now, with Eva and Giselle in exile and the vicious Anna on the hunt for conspirators, the fourth Grey, Mathilde, is on a quest to discover the truth about the source of her family's power.

A Kickstarter campaign to fund the production of the new volume of CARBON GREY reached its funding goal on April 14. Nguyen explained that both the intensity of the artistic process, with each page meticulously hand-painted, and the depth of research behind the creation of CARBON GREY necessitated the campaign.

"A lot of research goes into every page, whether it's a costume designs or different settings," said Nguyen. "I want to make sure that it's believable. My inspirations comes from looking at fashion, photography, architecture, industrial and set design. I like to go beyond the norm and bring something new and different to my drawings."

CARBON GREY VOLUME TWO: DAUGHTERS OF STONE is a three-issue monthly mini series, co-written by Nguyen, Paul Gardner, and Khari Evans, with art by Nguyen, Evans, and Kinsun Loh. The first issue (APR120424) is available for pre-order in the April issue of Previews (cover A by Khari Evans and Kinsun Loh, cover B by Hoang Nguyen) and will be in stores on June 6.

The three issues of CARBON GREY VOLUME ONE have sold out, but a trade paperback (ISBN 978-1-60706-448-0) is available. A two-issue mini-series CARBON GREY: ORIGINS, about the childhoods of the Sisters Grey and their family history, wrapped up in March 2012. THE ART OF CARBON GREY (ISBN 978-1-60706-474-9), an oversized hardcover book featuring an array of artwork from the series and a look at the artists' process, was released in February 2012.

Telltale Releases Launch Trailer For The Walking Dead Game

4/25/2012

Press Release

Telltale Games released an all-new trailer focusing in on the story of ‘A New Day,’ the first episode of The Walking Dead games series based on Robert Kirkman’s Eisner Award-winning comic book series.

Players will be able to experience the first episode of the summer-long adventure horror series, which arrived yesterday (4/24) for download on PlayStation®Network, PC and Mac, and will release very soon on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360.

Episode one, ‘A New Day’ and the following four episodes deliver an experience tailored by the decisions that each player makes, leading to multiple paths through the story. Players take on the role of Lee Everett, a man convicted of murder, now given newfound freedom and a chance at redemption in a world devastated by the undead. Intense life or death situations will force the player to explore the darker sides of human nature, and they will meet familiar characters and visit locations from the world created by Robert Kirkman, foreshadowing the story of Deputy Sheriff Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead comics. The first episode will sell for 400 Microsoft® Points on the Xbox LIVE Marketplace, $4.99 on PlayStation Network and on PC and Mac as a season pass covering all five episodes for $24.99 from the Telltale Online Store and other digital distribution outlets.

Telltale would like to remind fans that they can purchase the game for PC or Mac via their Telltale Online Store and via Valve’s Steam service, as well as other digital distribution services.

Telltale plans to release The Walking Dead for Apple’s iOS platform later this summer.

The Walking Dead is rated ‘M’ (Mature) for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence and Strong Language by the ESRB.

For more information on the game, visit the official website, Facebook and follow us on Twitter. For more information on The Walking Dead comic books, visit www.skybound.com.

Check out the launch trailer below.

KISS Forever Provide The Ultimate Kiss Experience

4/23/2012

Among the comic book creators, fans and professionals at last weekends Boston Comic Con were two figures who stood head and shoulders above the crowd! But then again, anyone in platform boots would be!

If Ara Asadoorian and John Soner entered the show they may have just blended in with the crowd, but as the Starchild and the Demon, they turned heads and posed for a ton of pictures.

“I saw the KISS Forever booth when I first walked in and was curious,” said Matman. “But when the Demon and Starchild walk by me and John Cimino (Swass Cast and Hero Envy), we became a couple of 10 year olds and chased them down.”

Since 2009, KISS Forever have been rockin’ the Worcester, MA area and giving fans the ultimate KISS experience. Yes, the make up looks great, the stage show looks like KISS, but KISS Forever have it where it counts…the sound! These guys sound like KISS!

“When I interviewed Ara (Paul) and John (Gene), I was so impressed by their enthusiasm,” Matman adds, “and I loved that no matter who wanted to stop for a picture, they posed. And everyone wanted a picture.”

Their set can last up to two hours and contains classic KISS like Deuce, Detroit Rock City, and Do You Love Me. Sadly, the set list doesn’t include Shandi, Crazy Nights or anything off the solo albums. But, we can’t have them playing a ten hour set!

“The band want to play outside the Worcester area and I can think of no place better than my 44th birthday party this summer,” said the Matman obviously hinting at something.

To find out more about KISS forever, go to their site at www.kissforeveronline.com

And get ready for an interview with Ara and John coming soon to Secret Identity.

BOOM! Launches Extermination In June For $1

4/23/2012

Press Release

This June, BOOM! Studios launches EXTERMINATION, an all-new ongoing super-hero thriller written by Simon Spurrier (X-CLUB, FEAR ITSELF: THE HOME FRONT, CROSSED, WOLVERINE: DANGEROUS GAMES) and drawn by rising star Jeffrey Edwards, with a full 22-page first issue for only $1!

WE LOST. THEY WON. In the wake of an apocalyptic alien invasion, the world’s greatest super-heroes and deadliest super-villains must form an alliance to prevent their own extermination. Two arch-enemies, Nox, a driven hero, and Red Reaper, a ruthless villain, form a volatile partnership for the greater good. The enemy of your enemy is your friend -- but will they be able to ultimately put aside their bitter past to prevent global genocide? What happens when all the battle lines are redrawn and foes become unlikely allies in a desperate war for the fate of the very planet -- and the outcome of a species?

Title ships in June with main covers by John Cassaday, Trevor Hairsine, Michael Gaydos, James Harren, and Frazer Irving, as well as James Harren and Trevor Hairsine sketch covers. There will also be a special 1:100, CGC certified 9.8 Near Mint sketch variant by legendary artist John Cassaday.

“Si Spurrier is a massive talent,” says BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. “With EXTERMINATION, he's boldly exploring the dark crevices of the entire superhero genre. Not to be missed!”

“I love the premise of this post-apocalyptic series,“ says BOOM! Studios Founder and Chief Executive Officer Ross Richie. “At $1 for the first full issue and with this exciting cover line-up and a killer creative team, this book is ready to catch on fire."

EXTERMINATION is written by Simon Spurrier (X-CLUB, FEAR ITSELF: THE HOME FRONT, CROSSED, WOLVERINE: DANGEROUS GAMES) and drawn by rising star Jeffrey Edwards.

Title ships in June with main covers by John Cassaday, Trevor Hairsine, Michael Gaydos, James Harren and Frazer Irving. As well as James Harren and Trevor Hairsine sketch covers, and a special 1:100, CGC certified 9.8 Near Mint variant by legendary artist John Cassaday. This title ships for $1 with a Diamond Order Code of APR120887.

Thank You Boston Comic Con For Another Great Show!

4/22/2012

Brian and I would like to thank Jim and the entire staff at the Boston Comic Con for once again putting on the best show possible! Over the next week we’ll be sharing some stories and interviews we did, but here is where we just wanna talk about the show itself!

First off, the show had an incredible mix of creators; veterans, current stars and up and comers. The entire guest list was made up of not only talented but friendly and kind people. I didn’t hear one person complain that a creator was rude to them.

Next were the vendors! There was something for everyone whether it was comics or toys and prices ranged from incredibly affordable to ‘need a credit card to get that’. Brian and I both walked out with a bunch of stuff AND still had some money left over. That makes our wives happy.

The venue was a great space. The Hynes Convention Center is spacious, has easy to get to bathrooms and is attached to a great and fairly affordable food court. Despite the incredibly large turnout, there was still room to move between the aisles and get whatever you needed. The space between the aisles made it easy to spend quality time with creators or just dig in comfort for that certain treasure.

And the fact that both the Bruins and Red Sox lost their games mere miles away from us made the vibe in Boston that much better.

So thanks you again for an incredible day and a great kick off to the Secret Identity Con Tour 2012! Unfortunately every upcoming show has to measure up to this.

Review--Ragemoor #1 (Dark Horse)

4/21/2012

by Brian LeTendre

After finishing the first issue of Dark Horse’s new miniseries Ragemoor, I thought of the old adage about judging a book by its cover. As it turns out, sometimes you can, because Richard Corben’s stunning cover is a perfect preview of the horror that lies within the following pages.

In Ragemoor, writer Jan Strnad tells the tale of an old castle that’s not just haunted--it’s alive. When the lord of the manor’s uncle comes to visit with designs on taking the castle for himself, the ancient keep demonstrates its displeasure.

Corben’s artwork is such a great match for this story. He does an amazing job of making you feel how ancient and evil the castle is, and you can feel the terror of the chartacters when they realize their fate is sealed.

From its amazing cover to its bloody climax, Ragemoor #1 is everything I hope for in a horror comic. I can’t wait to see where the story goes from here.

<<Previous

Shadowline Takes A Flying Leap!

Abnett and Lanning Bring Their Cosmic Coolness To BOOM!

Matman Talks Goon # 39 and Eric Powell

It's Time To Nominate Summer Reading And Watching Project Candidates!

Carbon Grey: Daughters In Stone Hits In June

Telltale Releases Launch Trailer For The Walking Dead Game

KISS Forever Provide The Ultimate Kiss Experience

BOOM! Launches Extermination In June For $1

Thank You Boston Comic Con For Another Great Show!

Review--Ragemoor #1 (Dark Horse)

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