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Review--Moon Knight #4

6/30/2014

 
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by Brian LeTendre

The current Moon Knight series is a perfect example of everything that’s both right and wrong in comics today. The all-star team of Ellis, Declan Shalvey and Jordie Bellaire have crafted a book that is not only the best Moon Knight series yet, but easily one of marvel’s best series right now.

Ellis has adopted the “one and done” format for Moon Knight, with each issue being a stand alone story, while slowly revealing the status quo of Marc Spector in the current Marvel universe. So far, the stories have really delved into the supernatural side of the character, and the art team of Shalvey and Bellarie have given each story its own feel. Bellaire’s colors in particular are outstanding in creating an emotional palette for each story.

Issue #4 sees Moon Knight traveling into the twisted world of a dead man’s dreams. As Moon Knight gets sucked into the dream world, he’s trying to figure out what happened to the victim before he gets trapped in the dead man’s nightmares forever. It’s as creepy and trippy as you would imagine it to be, and its wonderful.

This book is unlike anything out there right now, and I would really like to see Marvel cultivate a supernatural corner of their universe the way DC has done with Constantine, Justice League Dark and other titles. You could have Moon Knight, Doctor Strange, Daimon Hellstrom, Man-Thing, Dracula and more. What a great supernatural/horror line that could be for Marvel.

I loved this issue and I’ve loved the series so far. So what am I complaining about? I’m complaining about the fact that both Ellis and Shalvey are off of the book after issue #6--they’re being replaced by Brian Wood and Greg Smallwood (Dream Thief).

Six issues. That’s what I’m complaining about. We’ve barely gotten a taste of this new Moon Knight and the creative team is turning over. If Jordie Bellaire wasn’t staying on, I’d be dropping this book altogether.

Now, Warren Ellis is known for doing short stints on Marvel books, so I’m sure this is just another example of that. BUT, I would argue that Marvel should have just released this as a six-issue miniseries, then. Because I don’t think it’s a stretch to predict that many will drop this book after issue six, no matter how good Wood and Smallwood are on the next few issues. And then when sales go down, it looks like Moon Knight can't carry his own title, and the book goes away,

I’ve said this before when it came to some of DC’s New 52 titles and their constant creative team shake-ups--you need to give a team twelve issues to get their vision across. Twelve issues of uninterrupted storytelling. No crossover, no team-ups, no creators coming and going. Both the publisher and the creative team should have to commit to twelve issues at a time.

In any case, I started this rant by saying how great the current Moon Knight is, and issue four is no exception. It’s fantastic, and you should go out and get it. I’ll be savoring issues five and six, and wondering what could have been. Here’s hoping Wood and Smallwood can build on the excellent foundation the series has established so far.

5 out of 5 Nightmares Come True

C.O.W.L. Goes To Second Print 

6/29/2014

 
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Press Release

The second issue of Kyle Higgins (Batman, Nightwing), Alec Siegel (Captain America, Avengers), and Rod Reis’ (Justice League) all-new ongoing series C.O.W.L. has sold out and is being fast-tracked to a second printing. The tone of the superhero comic, which is frequently compared to that of Mad Men and The Wire, has been praised by critics and leading industry professionals alike. In order to meet customer demand, a second printing of the new superhero comic will be available on 7/23.

C.O.W.L. #2 picks up with more moles, murder, and mayhem. As the C.O.W.L. superhero labor union prepares to enter negotiations with the city of Chicago, scandal threatens the organization and The Grey Raven must keep C.O.W.L. from tearing itself apart. Plus, readers will learn more about what really happened between him and Sparrow.

The second printing of C.O.W.L. #2 (Diamond Code MAY148215) will release on 7/23. 

C.O.W.L. #3 (Diamond Code MAY140700) will hit stores on 7/30.

Commander Shepard And GLaDOS Will Be At ConnectiCon This Year!

6/28/2014

 
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by Brian LeTendre

Man, ConnectiCon has been compiling an all-star list of guests for this year's show, and when it comes to video game voice actors, they're bringing in the big guns.

Jennifer Hale is best known for her work as Commander Shepard in the Mass Effect series, although she has a long and illustrious career in voice acting. She's been in everything from Halo 4 (Sarah Palmer) to The Powerpuff Girls (Ms. Keane, Princess Morbucks). She's also known to children around the world as Disney's Cinderella.

Ellen McLain became a household name for her portrayal of GLaDOS in the Portal series, but she also appears in other Valve titles like Half-Life 2 and Team Fortress 2. Ellen is also an opera singer and did voice work as a Jaeger AI in Pacific Rim.

If I'm lucky, I'll get a chance to chat with these two amazing actors for the podcast, as I've been enjoying their work in the games I play for years.

ConnectiCon is happening July 10-13th at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, CT. For more info as well as tickets, you can head over to www.connecticon.org.

And tune into the Secret Identity podcast next Friday, as we'll be featuring an interview with ConnectiCon's head honcho, Matt Daigle!
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Here Are Your 2014 Inkwell Award Winners!

6/26/2014

 
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The Inkwell Awards ("The Inkwells"), a non-profit advocacy for comic-book inking and inkers, has announced the results of its seventh annual awards for excellence in the art form in 2013.

After nominees were chosen by a separate and independent Nomination Committee, voting via live ballot at their website ran from April 15-30 with almost 2,000 ballots being turned in. One winner was chosen in each of five categories targeting the exceptional work of ink artists from American-based interior comic book work cover-dated 2013. Separately, the Inkwells internally selected the two recipients of the annual Joe Sinnott Hall of Fame Award. All recipients were contacted May 1st and some invited artists attended the fourth live awards ceremony at Heroes Con in Charlotte, NC on Saturday, June 21st. The winners and categories are:
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FAVORITE INKER AWARD: Norm Rapmund (Action Comics, Ravagers, Teen Titans, Justice League of America, Nightwing, Superman). 

Rapmund took the winner's slot with 46% of the vote to runner-up Wade von Grawbadger (All-New X-men, Green Lantern, Legion Lost), who finished with 14%. Norm was a 2010 Most-Adaptable Award runner-up nominee and in 2008 he was a runner-up nominee in both the FAVORITE INKER (MODERN) and FAVORITE EMBELLISHER/FINISHER (MODERN) categories.
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MOST-ADAPTABLE AWARD
Walden Wong (Wolverine & the X-men, Batwoman, Catwoman, Scarlet Spider, Wolverine Max, X-Treme X-men).

Wong had never even been a nominee on previous Inkwell Awards ballots, but this year he took 53% of the vote, besting the 13% for three-time recipient Scott Hanna (Avengers Assemble, Green Lantern Corp, Iron Man, Team 7, Supergirl, Teen Titans, X-men, Legion Lost). 

PROPS AWARD (inker deserving of more attention)
Walden Wong
Walden Wong pulled far ahead of the competition with 49%, beating Richard Friend (Forever Evil, Justice League of America, Green Lantern, Legion Lost) who finished second with 18%.
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S.P.A.M.I. AWARD (Small Press And Mainstream Independent): Andrew Pepoy (Simpsons Comics, Simpsons Illustrated, Simpsons One-Shot Wonders, Danger Girl: Trinity). 

Pepoy emerged from an initial three-way tie with 21%, edging out Stefano Gaudiano (Walking Dead, Bloodshot, Lazarus) with 20% and Cliff Rathburn (Invincible, Super Dinosaur, Walking Dead) with 17%. Andrew was also a 2009 PROPS AWARD nominee.
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ALL-IN-ONE AWARD (artist who pencils and inks their own work)
Stan Sakai (47 Ronin, DHP, Mouse Guard).
 

Sakai was in the lead by a wide margin throughout the race, ending with 27% of the votes. Runners-up were Chris Samnee (Adventures of Superman, Batman Black & White, Daredevil) with 20% and Fiona Staples (Batman Beyond, Saga), who fell only five votes shy of second place to finish third. 
THE JOE SINNOTT HALL OF FAME AWARD:  Joe Simon and Tom Palmer (with Frank Giacoia as runner-up). 

Following last year's change in protocol, this award was again handled internally by the Hall of Fame Nomination Committee, made up of core committee members, former committee members, contributors, ambassadors and other HoF award recipients. The other nominees chosen were Dan Adkins, Violet Barclay (aka Valerie Smith), John Beatty, Tony Dezuniga, Frank Giacoia, Bob McLeod, Mike Royer, Josef Rubenstein, and Bernie Wrightson. The late Joe Simon (Captain America Comics, Adventure Comics, Boy Commandos, Black Magic, Young Romance, Boys' Ranch, Fighting American, Adventures Of The Fly, Prez, Sick magazine) was a Hall of Fame nominee for the last three years and Tom Palmer (Doctor Strange, Daredevil, Tomb Of Dracula, The Avengers, X-Men, Kick Ass, Marvel Zombies) both a runner-up nominee for the last three years and a nominee in 2009.

Joe Sinnott, the award’s namesake and first recipient, made the following statement: “I couldn't have been more pleased when I learned that we had elected Joe Simon and Tom Palmer as our selections to the 2014 Inkwell Awards Hall Of Fame.

"Joe of course was a favorite of mine way back in the early 1940s when I was just about 14 and an early fan of what was something new, comic books. Joe really enhanced Kirby's pencils whether it was on the Boy Commandos, Captain America or even the great romance books that they did. I only regret that Joe, who passed away in 2011 won't be with us to accept his well-deserved award.

"As for Tom Palmer, I can't say enough about him. We all know what a great artist he is in his own right and someone I would want to ink my pencils if I was still penciling. Like all great inkers, he not only pleases the penciller but he makes their great work even better than it really is. 

"Again, what a combo to be entering our Hall of Fame together - Joe and Tom, truly two of the greats.”

Tom Palmer said in a statement, “I want to express my gratitude to the Inkwell membership and staff along with the many fans who voted for me this year. I sincerely appreciate their recognition...It is indeed an honor receiving such a prestigious award, having the name of one of my heroes attached to it only makes it much more rewarding.”

Writer/editor Steve Saffel spoke for the Joe Simon Estate and accepted Simon's posthumous award on their behalf. Writer Ron Garney spoke for Tom Palmer who could not attend and accepted his trophy for him.

Eisner-award-winning artist Bill Sienkiewicz was the awards ceremony's Guest of Honor. Inkwell Awards founder and director Bob Almond served as ceremony host, aided by spokesmodel Ms. Inkwell, portrayed this year by both Anna White and Laura Beihl, who served as co-hostesses. 2012 S.P.A.M.I. award recipient Dexter Vines acted as Presenter and Saffel and Garney were the guest speakers. Retired committee members Jim Tournas and Sarah L. Covert were each presented with a Silver Inkwell Award for their time served. Mike Hoskin received the same for five years of service on the Nomination Committee. 

More details such as other nominees and the winners’ acceptance speeches can be found at the Inkwell Awards website.

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Meet 'Boxey 'At Connecticon

6/25/2014

 
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by Matman

We are only a few weeks away from ConnectiCon; one of the most amazing shows you will ever attend! if you like anime, manga, web comics, video games, table gaming, cosplay and well.... just having fun with like minded people, then this is a show you can't miss.

One of the special guests this year is actor Noah Hathaway who made his name as Boxey on the greatest TV show of all time; the original Battlestar Galactica. A few years later he rode a BIG dog in the classic film 'The NeverEnding Story'. Since those big roles he had acted in some cult films like 'Troll', had a career as a kickboxrer, taught dance and now customizes motorcycles when he is not acting.

And at ConnectiCon, you get to meet him!
Happening July 10th to the 13th at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, CT. go to the website at www.connecticon.org and see when and where Noah will be app
earing.

And Noah has already agreed to chat with me at the show so if you can't get there to meet him, I hope I can help bring him to you.


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Put Your Hands Together For The Award-Winning G-Man!

6/24/2014

 
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by Brian LeTendre

I've said it before, and I'll say it again--Chris Giarrusso is not only one of the nicest guys working in comics today, but his G-Man series is a wonderful all-ages comic that serves to bring new readers into our beloved hobby.

This past weekend, Chris received some well-deserved recognition, as G-Man: Coming Home won the Kids Comics Revolution award for Favorite Adventure Graphic Novel.

The best part about this award? It was voted on by kids.

We could not be happier for Chris, and hopefully even more kids will discover this great series because of this year's award. We know that we'll keep spreading the word!


If you haven't discovered the awesomeness that is G-Man yet, head over to www.chrisgcomics.com and be amazed!

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Get Involved With ComiCONN

6/23/2014

 
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Press Release

Be a Super-Hero! Be a part of the 5th annual Connecticut ComiCONN!

Connecticut ComiCONN “A Show for the Fans by the Fans!” is coming to the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport Connecticut on August 15th-17th for a HUGE 3-day event. CT's BIGGEST comic book show attracts fans, families, entrepreneurs, business owners, creators, collectors, and investors from all over the Nutmeg State and beyond.

What do 99.1 PLR Connecticut's #1 Rock Station, Archie Comics, PEZ, Hasbro, The American Red Cross, Alternate Universe, Traynor Collision Centers, The Connecticut Air & Space Center, The Holiday Inn, Venganza Media, and many others have in common? They are working with, sponsoring, and advertising with Connecticut ComiCONN this summer!

DON'T MISS OUT! Thousands will be in attendance this year, including creators from Marvel & DC Comics, TV & Movie stars, Star Cars, and more!

ComiCONN is on the radio, in the news, and has commercials running on TV.

If you are a local business, company, store, franchise, etc., Connecticut ComiCONN has Sponsorship & Advertising opportunities available. CONTACT US NOW for ad space in our 2014 convention program (Color 1/4 page $125 - 1/2 page $250 - full page $500), lighted scoreboard ads, website promotions, sponsor staff T-Shirts, and more!

CUT OFF DATE IS 7/17...ACT NOW!

Contact: ComiCONN’s Marketing Director Mitch Hallock at comiconnmitch@live.com.


Con Report--Special Edition: NYC

6/22/2014

 
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by Brian LeTendre

A week ago today as I write this, Matt and I were driving through Connecticut with a carload of people on the way to New York for the first Special Edition: NYC. Knowing it was going to be a comic-focused show by the folks who run New York Comic Con, we had a pretty good idea of what to expect. I’m happy to say, Special Edition: NYC ended up being exactly what we wanted it to be--an Artist Alley filled with a Who’s Who of comic creators.

For those that have to been to NYCC the past few years, Special Edition: NYC took place in the same location that Artist Alley has been in. In addition to all of the creator tables, there was also a healthy mix of vendors selling comics, games, toys and more.

NYCC can be a bit overwhelming, as the entire Javits Center is packed wall to wall with so much to see you don’t know where to start. The vibe at Special Edition: NYC was much less frantic. Everyone was very laid back, and since the show was in one area of the building, people really took their time to walk the aisles, as there wasn’t somewhere else to run off to (unless you were going to a panel, of course).


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As with NY Comic Fest, I came into Special Edition: NYC with a handful of “must-have” interviews, and I pretty much got all of them.

I spent some time with Joe Kelly (I Kill Giants, Man of Action, Deadpool) talking about his heartbreaking Rhino story from Amazing Spider-Man (issues #617 and #625 if you want to read it). I sat down with James Tynion IV to talk about The Eighth Seal and his new series The Woods. Marguerite Bennett and I talked about her recent Lois Lane one-shot and how great a Lois ongoing would be. And I actually got to watch artist Will Sliney (Fearless Defenders) sketch one of my favorite characters of all time as I interviewed him about the upcoming Spider-Man 2099 series.

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So from a wish list standpoint, I had a pretty great day of interviews. But one of the best things about Special Edition: NYC was that it was wall to wall creators. Everywhere I turned, there was someone I wanted to interview. We were there less than five minutes when I saw and sat down with Enrica Jang, who adapted Poe’s The Cask of Amontillado and is writing the upcoming House of Montressor. I had just reviewed The Cask of Amontillado in episode #593 of Secret Identity, and it was great to talk with a fellow Poe fan about what makes that story so memorable.

A little while later, I saw the first issue of Madame Frankenstein at a table and walked over to meet series writer Jamie S. Rich (It Girl and the Atomics, Archer Coe). He was sharing a booth with Mike Allred, and during our interview, we were treated to a demonstration by an escape artist (you will literally hear the chains jingling while I’m talking to Jamie). I also ended up picking up Archer Coe and The Thousand Natural Shocks, which I cannot wait to dive into.
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In addition to getting a slew of great interviews, I also spent some money. There was a vendor who had a tone of Minecraft stuff (my kids’ current obsession), and I was able to grab a couple of the strategy guides that have been sold out here at home. I got some extra dad points from my kids, which was well worth spending most of my allowance. I also picked up the Archer Coe trade from Jamie and a great Poe anthology from Enrica Jang.

I also ran into plenty of friends at the show. It’s always a pleasure to see Mike Norton (Battlepug, Revival), and we spent some time catching up. Our good friend and fellow podcaster Darrell Taylor was there, and recorded a great Valiant panel for his Valiant podcast. And for the third time in three weeks, I ran into longtime listener of the show Mike S. (known as Six Shooter on the SI boards). Our friend Lacey Gilleran from G33king Out was there working for ReedPOP, and we got some cool swag to bring home from her. And we were accompanied by a trio of Matt’s friends who were all attending their first comic show. They had an amazing time, and it was great to see their reactions to the sights and sounds we sometimes take for granted.

All in all, Special Edition: NYC was a blast. We got some great interviews (Matt even chatted with legend Kurt Busiek), caught up with some friends and came home with some great comics. You really can’t ask for any more than that.

No Trees Were Harmed Making This

6/21/2014

 
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Press Release

In anticipation of the frenzied mob of fans likely to storm comic book stores everywhere for issue #2 of the hit new series, Image Comics is pleased to announce that the digital edition of Warren Ellis (SUPREME: BLUE ROSE, Planetary) and Jason Howard’s TREES #1 will be available for free, across all platforms, starting today, Friday, June 20 through Tuesday, June 24.

“It’s not every day that a writer as important and influential as Warren Ellis launches a major new series, so making sure Trees reaches as many readers as possible is an ongoing priority for us here at Image,” said Eric Stephenson, Publisher at Image Comics. “We started off by doing a massive overprint to make sure the book would remain in print over the course of the first few issues—we overprinted by one third of total orders—and now, based on not just incredible post-release sales, but near-unanimous praise, we are sharing the first issue with straggling non-believers for free. 

“Modern comics would not be what they are today without Warren Ellis, it’s as simple as that. Transmetropolitan. Planetary. The Authority. There are a fair number of writers working at Image today who could rightly be described as heirs to his creative legacy, but Warren is still at the peak of his powers and Trees is a glowing testament as to why.

“Best of all, Warren continues his long-time tradition of working with some of comics’ absolute best artists, and in Jason Howard, he may have found his canniest collaborator yet. Warren and Jason have completed up through issue five at this point, and as someone lucky enough to have read that far, I’m happy to report the world they’re building together is nothing short of phenomenal.”

Readers who haven’t yet had a chance to jump on with the new science fiction suspense series everyone has been raving about will find the perfect opportunity to do so in this free TREES #1 promotion, available just before the second issue’s release.

The free digital edition of TREES #1 will be available on the Image Comics website (imagecomics.com) and the official Image Comics iOS app, as well as on Comixology on the web (comixology.com), iOS, Android, and Google Play.

TREES #2 can be pre-ordered using Diamond Code APR140611.

Con Report--New York Comic Fest

6/20/2014

 
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by Brian LeTendre

Last weekend Matt and I headed down to Westchester County Center in White Plains, NY for the first annual New York Comic Fest. The show as put together by the folks behind Asbury Park Comicon, a show that has grown exponentially since its inception in 2012. If our experience at NY Comic Fest was any indication, this show will be growing in the coming years as well.

The first thing you notice about the Westchester County Center is the old school vibe. The venue has been around for more than 80 years, and next year will host the Westchester Knicks of the NBA’s Developmental League. The seating in the Center is balcony-style, forming a ring around the entire venue. It’s really a unique setup, and I couldn’t help but head upstairs to snap a birds-eye view picture of the show floor.


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On the floor itself, there was a great mix of vendors, creators and fan exhibits. The big draw for this show was the all-star list of creators, as NY Comic Fest delivered one heck of a lineup. Mark Waid, Scott Snyder, Justin Gray, Larry Hama, Jim Steranko, Herb Trimpe, Fred Van Lente and more than a dozen other great guests lined the rows of the show, and Matt and I got to sit down with a few people we’d been waiting a long time to interview.

We both spent a while talking to Justin Gray (Jonah Hex, Forager, Wool), and Matt did a great interview with him you will hear in the near future. If you dig Justin’s comics, you should check out his sci-fi short story The Relic Raiders, which you can grab on Amazon for $0.99.

I also had the amazing fortune to sit down with the legendary Mark Waid and talk about Thrillbent and Empire, and he is one of the nicest guys I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing. Matt also talked with him about some of the great projects he’s been a part of over the years. Mark was hanging out and talking to fans all day, and this show offered a great chance to spend some time with him.
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Speaking of nice guys, I spent about an hour and a half at the table of longtime Marvel Editor and current Papercutz EIC Jim Salicrup. Not only is Jim a fantastic guy, a great artist and an industry historian, he was one of the first guests Matt and I ever interviewed for Secret Identity. You’ll hear my interview with him in the coming weeks as well, but the conversations we had outside of that interview are just one of the great memories I’ll take away from this show.

We even ran into our buddy and Archie Comics President Mike Pellerito, who enjoying the con with his kids and checking in on the Archie booth. 

We had an absolute blast overall, and we want to thank Cliff Galbraith for letting us come and sit down with some of the amazing creators at NY Comic Fest. This is a show we will absolutely be coming back for next year.
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