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Writer Paul Allor Talks 'Fugitoid'

8/31/2012

 
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Before the 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles', Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird created 'Fugitoid'! This was the story of a scientist who's 'essence' was transferred into a robot and hunted by everyone and anyone. That was 1986!

Fans of the 'robot on the run' can rejoice with IDW's return of 'Fugitoid'! The book (hitting shelves on September 5th (earlier than announced) is drawn by Paul McCaffrey and written by newcomer Paul Allor who spent a little time with Matman discussing this project.

Matman: I'm old enough to remember getting 'Fugitoid' brand new off the shelf. For those who don't know, tell us about Fugitoid.

Paul: Fugitoid is the single most important character in the history of Western literature. Well, except for Screech. Screech, and then Fugitoid. More seriously, Fugitoid is an early character from Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, pre-dating the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by a bit. In the original story, he was a scientist named Professor Honeycutt, whose consciousness becomes trapped in the body of a robot, and who is pursued by intergalactic factions in an action-filled sci-fi romp. 

Matman: So how much different will the IDW version be than the original Mirage?

Paul: Seventeen percent different? Maybe eighteen and a half. I think the IDW team has done a really awesome job of staying true to the characters, while also reworking parts of their back story to create a cohesive whole, and fit in with the unique story they're telling. And I think this issue fits in with that approach. I also want to note that the issue has outstanding art from artists Paul McCaffrey and John Paul Bove. Those guys abso-freaking-lutely ROCKED it.

Matman: So tell us a bit about your anthology book 'Clockwork Vol.1'. Looking over the artist roster I must say quite impressive.

Paul: 'Clockwork' is a collection of short comics, all written by me and drawn by different artists, including JM Ken Niimura, Nikki Cook, Brett Weldele, Ben Dewey, Jesse Hamm -- lots of really awesome people. The stories range from sci-fi to westerns to slice-of-life, all over the map, by design. Put them together, and I like to think of it as a celebration of comics storytelling. I'm incredibly proud of the book, and I love it when new people discover it. 

Matman:  So dig deep passed the suppressed memories and tell us a little bit about the real Paul Allor.

Paul: We're getting to the tough questions now. I'm a comics writer currently living in North-Central Indiana. I've had some self-published work, but Fugitoid is my first big work-for-hire gig, and I'm thrilled by the opportunity. I'm a big fan of genre work that combines dynamic, action-packed storytelling with a heartfelt, character-driven narrative. That's what I aimed for with this issue, and I truly hope that readers enjoy and appreciate it.

'Fugitoid Micro Series' #8 will be a full color 32-page comic from our friends at IDW...home of the best smelling comics in the business.


Francavilla's Black Beetle Returns In December

8/30/2012

 
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Press Release

Dark Horse Comics is thrilled to announce a new creator-owned series from Francesco Francavilla, the 2012 Eisner Award winner for Best Cover Artist!

Francavilla’s critically acclaimed The Black Beetle returns in December with The Black Beetle #0, which will collect the three-part story entitled Night Shiftthat originally appeared in the pages of the Eisner Award–winning Dark Horse Presents. The issue will feature a brand-new cover, twenty-four story pages, and bonus sketch material and art! 

January brings The Black Beetle: No Way Out, a four-issue story that marks the first full series for Francavilla’s Black Beetle, continuing from the self-published, limited-edition ashcan comic of the same name—the first appearance of this exciting new pulp hero!

In Night Shift, an ancient artifact known as the Hollow Lizard—a powerful totem of dark magic—shows up at the Colt City Natural History Museum. Hitler sends his fearsome Werwolf Korps to collect the piece in hopes it will help him unlock the secrets of ancient Egypt’s Black Priests. Unfortunately for the führer, Colt City’s protector, the Black Beetle, is on the case!

In No Way Out, Black Beetle’s investigation of two local mob bosses is interrupted when a mysterious explosion murders them and a pub full of gangsters—taking out most of Colt City’s organized crime in one fell swoop. Who could pull off such a coup, and what damage might that murderous bomber inflict upon Colt City and Black Beetle? 

Francavilla’s The Black Beetle series will also showcase a letter page so fans have the chance to have their thoughts, comments, and compliments answered by the creator himself! E-mail blackbeetle[at]darkhorse[dot]com for a chance to see your letter in The Black Beetle: No Way Out! 


A Late Happy Birthday To The King

8/29/2012

 
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by Matman

Yesterday would have been the 95th Birthday of Jack 'The King' Kirby! For me and many other comic fans, Kirby was the man!


Everything he did was magic and comics, especially the Marvel Universe wouldn't be what it was without his touch. So to celebrate dive into a big pile of Kirby classics; Captain America, Kamandi, Mister Miracle, Our Fighting Forces... so many to choose from. and all...awesome!

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DC Announces JLA At Fan Expo 

8/28/2012

 
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Press Release

DC Comics announced at the DC Entertainment-All Access Sunday panel at Fan Expo Toronto that a new League will be forming.

Launching in 2013, DC Comics will publish a new ongoing comic book series, JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA, written by Geoff Johns and drawn by David Finch.
 
"This is a very different kind of team book,” says Geoff Johns. “On first glance, people might think the heroes of the JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA stand in the shadows of Superman, Wonder Woman and the rest of the JUSTICE LEAGUE, but Green Arrow, Katana, Martian Manhunter, the new Green Lantern, Stargirl, Vibe, Hawkman and Catwoman thrive in the shadows. They're underdogs who have everything to prove and something to lose. They're a team of unlikely heroes who will help one another discover they're as A-List as anybody -- yes, even Vibe. Though getting there won't be easy. Why they're formed, why each member joins, what they're after and who the society of villains is they're trying to take apart will all be clear in the first issue when it hits early 2013. David and I are really focused on delving deep into what it's like to not be a member of the big seven and why, sometimes, the grass isn't always greener on the other side.” 

Judge This Book By This Cover!

8/27/2012

 
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by Matman

To be honest, I couldn't have been any LESS interested than I was about the return of 'Youngblood'! I didn't read the original series when it first came out (I did get some copies over the years) and didn't have any reason to pick up the other volumes.
But a few weeks back, I was given a variant cover of 'Youngblood' # 71 done by Chris Giarrusso and since I had to read it, I found it quite enjoyable.

Youngblood is the creation of Rob Liefeld that tells the story about a team of heroes that is judged by the media, sanctioned by the government and completely dysfunctional. Cliche now, but back in the 1990's it was pretty original.

In this current version, the team is back together with a new leader and new media contact but still retains the magic of the first series. Written by John McLaughlin with art by Jon Malin and Rob Liefeld, the book doesn't make you over think anything, you just enjoy it. In a time when we seem to be bogged down by continuity and ultra real stories, it's nice to see some light hearted fun.

Interesting that in the subsequent issues (# 72 and last weeks # 73) Malin is doing the art with a Liefeld flair. Even more interesting is that this makes the book that much better. No matter where you stand on the Liefeld art debate, if anyone else draws the book...it's not as good. Check the second volume of the book. Great art by Derec Donovan but it doesn't have the same feel. 

Take a look at some of the old 'Youngblood' books and see what you think now. If you want to find a place to get some cheap 'Youngblood' comics, just go to www.curiousgoodsandcomics.com and relive the magic!

And also, check the new series out from Image.


Check Out The Covers For Amazing Spider-Man #700

8/26/2012

 
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The 700th issue of Amazing Spider-Man might not be coming out until December, but editor Steve Wacker posted some issue #700 awesomeness on his Twitter account this evening. Above is the official cover to ASM #700 by MR Garcin, and below is a special variant by Marcos Martin. Both are amazing (no pun intended).

This is one of the reasons we love comics.
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UPDATE: And Steve Wacker just posted another ASM #700 variant, this one a wraparound by Humberto Ramos and Edgar Delgado!
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The New 52... 52 Weeks Later!

8/25/2012

 
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by Matman

So here we are now.. a year past the DC reboot we know as 'The New 52'! What do you think? Are you happy with what DC has presented? Most important.. are you buying and reading more DC?

As I look back at the last 52 weeks I think one word comes to mind and that is inconsistency! That doesn't mean the books have been bad but for every 'Batman', 'Green Lantern' and 'All Star Western' there has been a 'Static Shock', 'OMAC' and 'Blackhawks'. Sure you're gonna have some clunkers but it seems there were more now then there was back in the pre 52 world.

It also seems that titles themselves have been inconsistent. 'Superman' and 'Action Comics' are the two that jump to my mind. One is the early years the other tells of today but both seem to have no clear direction. Sure creator changes don't help, but it seemed like there was no defined plan in place.

Sure the entire Batman line, 'Green Lantern' and 'Flash' have been entertaining from issues #1 to 12, but is that because those characters didn't change much? Those books could have been written and produced in the post New 52 world.

Books that I was nuts over at the beginning; 'Resurrection Man', 'Swamp Thing' and 'Animal Man' have gotten away from me for one reason or another. And 'Justice League Dark' which still is amazing has seemed to get away from its original premise as the team that handles the stuff the 'Justice League' can't take on.

But it hasn't all been bad. In fact, I'm reading more DC than I ever have and that means something for a lifelong DC guy. I think for the most part DC is as strong as it ever has been, in fact stronger. 'Wonder Woman', 'Nightwing' and 'Aquaman' have been as perfect as can be. Not to mention the Earth 2 line and 'Before Watchmen' have been incredible reads.

So a year in where does DC go?

Stay the course and solidify the creative teams. There are some incredible creators out there (Joe Kelly and Jamal Igle to name just two) that could bring a nice touch to the DCU.

Have a clear plan and direction! Take books like 'Teen Titans', 'Supergirl' and 'Superboy' who all seem to be lacking guidance and give them a purpose. Look to the past to make them ready for the future? What is the Titans lacking? Why do we not care about this Supergirl?


You took a chance last year DC and it paid off! But now it's time to get the best creators to tell the best stories featuring the best characters ever created!

So which creators do you think could make bad books good or great books incredible?

How The Dark Knight Rises Should Have Ended

8/24/2012

 
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The folks at How it Should Have Ended have made some amazing animated videos parodying our favorite supehero movies. Until now, my favorite was probably Spider-Man 3, but their most recent video may have topped it. 

Without further ado, check out How the Dark Knight Rises Should Have Ended int he player below. Then go see the rest of the videos at the HISHE website.

--Brian

The Doctor Returns In A Few Weeks!

8/23/2012

 
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In case you didn't already see (or hear) the awesome news...here it is!

The Doctor is making his return in the UK, Canada and the States on September 1st. The season premiere is entitles '
Asylum of the Daleks'!

UK – 7.20pm on BBC One
US – 9.00pm ET on BBC America
Canada – 9.00pm ET on Space


Time Is Running Out To Sign Up For SI Fantasy Football

8/22/2012

 
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If you've been thinking about getting into the Secret Identity All-Pros fantasy football legue, now's the time to do it. We currently have 7 teams in, and we need at least one more in order to go ahead with the draft. There's room for up to 12 teams in the league.

To sign up, head over to Yahoo Fantasy Football. Here's our league info:

Name: Secret Identity All-Pros
League ID#: 441555
Password: podcast

The league is a weekly head-to-head matchup league, so you'll play another team each week for a win or a loss. Our playoffs are held the last few weeks of the season, and the top four teams in the league vie for the championship.

The draft was originally planned for August 25th, but we won't go ahead until we have an even number of temas. So again, if you've been waiting, register! and, if you're already in, rank you players so that you're ready to go when the draft happens.


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