 by Matman Last Thursday would have been the 97th birthday of one of the most influential comic creators of all time, Jack 'The King' Kirby! For me Jack (along with Joe Kubert) was the reason I became a comic book fan! It was his big panels, larger than life characterization and his electric storytelling that made his comic work just spoke to me. No matter what he did, no matter how crazy the concept he devised... i was so in! My introduction to the King's work came in the summer of 1975 when I told my parents when they went shopping to get me some 'adventure and fighting' comics. I was trying to tell them to get war comics, but I didn't know what to call them. They came home with JUSTICE,INC # 2 and O.M.A.C. # 5. At first I was disappointed because they weren't what I wanted but after a few reads...they were exactly what I wanted. This started a lifetime of loving everything he did! His post apocalyptic KAMANDI, his epic Fourth World saga, his return to CAPTAIN AMERICA, his weird DEVIL DINOSAUR, his strange 2001... I loved it all. Next to Kamadi, it is his run on OUR FIGHTING FORCES featuring the Losers that I consider his greatest work. Listed below are my six favorite jack Kirby comics!
 The latest issue of Secret Identity is here to help you kick off the holiday weekend! Here's the rundown:
News: Action Lab DRM-Free comics The Strain renewed for 13-episode Season Two Upcoming shows Reviews: Tales From the Con #1 Moon Knight #6 Summer Watching Project: Attack on Titan Episodes 23-25 Creator Spotlight: Jerry Lawler Matt spoke to The King about his wrestling career and his artistic side at Boston Comic Con 2014. For more info on Jerry, head over to www.kingjerrylawler.com. You can listen to the episode right here in the player above, or grab us on iTunes, Stitcher or your favorite podcast app. Thanks for listening!  by Matman To some today it was just a typical 'New Comic Book Day'! But for me and a few others, it marked the end of an era... the final issue of All Star Western. I must say as sad as I am, this was something that I have been expecting since Jonah Hex relaunched. After all, Jonah Hex isn't like Superman or Spider-man, he is more like the Punisher but in the wild west, and that isn't a BIG market. But thank you to DC for giving it a chance. I (as well as Brian) know it was an amazing book and could have been more popular, but sadly it wasn't. For a while I felt they were publishing it just for me but I'm pretty sure writers Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray were hoping for more than just making me happy. But I have said goodbye to Jonah Hex before and I'm sure I'll be seeing him again in the future. But not a future where 'Hex' happens, that is not to be mentioned in my house. But he has had books cancelled before and I am OK with that. Jimmy and Justin had an incredible, no legendary run on Jonah Hex and All Star Western and to their credit DC did give the books a chance so I have no bitterness in this. After all Jonah Hex shot and killed Brian and I in a wild west saloon... just read Jonah Hex # 34 (volume two). Thanks Jimmy and Justin for writing that one and Mark Sparacio for drawing us so lifelike and cute. So tonight I will read All Star Western # 34, not as a sad goodbye but more of a 'see ya again sometime'!
The non-profit advocacy group, the Inkwell Awards, began its eighth season this summer by electing Jim Starlin, Clifford Meth and Laura Martin as its three new creator ambassadors to represent the group's mission of promoting, educating and recognizing the art form of inking and inker artists in the comic book industry. Jim Starlin is an iconic, fan-favorite creator whose career has earned a resurgence due to characters he created (Thanos, Drax the Destroyer, Gamora) appearing in Marvel Studios' recent worldwide blockbuster,Guardians of the Galaxy, with more on the way. Starlin began at Marvel Comics in 1972 and has been working on and off in comics at various publishing houses ever since, as both a writer and artist. He has created and worked on a plethora of major and minor titles and characters, many of which have become synonomous with his name in the minds of many fans, often due as much to his unique pencilling and inking styles as his writing. Clifford Meth is a writer, editor and comics historian. A founder of Aardwolf Publishing, Meth’s work has also been published by Marvel Entertainment, IDW, the L.A. Times Entertainment Newswire, and dozens of leading publications. He is also widely known for his advocacy for comics’ professionals, including Dave Cockrum, Gene Colan and Bill Messner-Loebs.
Regarding inking, Meth said, "Regardless of their perceived status as the weaker sex, inkers are clearly half of the marriage required to produce a proper page of comic art. It’s only fair that they receive their due recognition." Laura Martin is an Eisner, Harvey, and Eagle Award-winning colorist. She has been coloring comics since joining Wildstorm Studios in 1995. Her fan-favorite work has since been published in major titles by Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, Valiant and others. Her current work includes Walter Simonson's Ragnarok (IDW) and the 2014 Axis crossover event from Marvel. Martin said, "I study inks very close up and for long periods of time (while coloring), so I have a deep respect for this art form. I've even tried it myself from time to time...and that's why I'm still a colorist." “I am truly honored that these stellar creators accepted our invitation,” said Inkwell Awards founder and director Bob Almond. "Jim Starlin was an idol of mine and one of my formative influences growing up. He's a living legend in our industry. Cliff has been an inspiration with his passionate support of underdogs and various artists in need, and is a force to be reckoned with. Laura is multi-talented, adept at penciling, inking and painting. In the art of coloring, she's in high demand and arguably at the top of her field." Almond added, “We at the Inkwells are thrilled and excited to have all three in our ranks.” Since the organization was formed in 2008, the roster of Inkwell Ambassadors has included Adam Hughes, Mike Marts, Ethan Van Sciver, Mark Brooks, Trevor Von Eeden, Sal Velluto, Cully Hamner, Joe Kubert, Eric Basuldua, Phil Jimenez, Jim Shooter and Brian Pulido. The more-involved Special Ambassadors include Joe Sinnott, J. David Spurlock and Mike McKone.  by Matman Just when we thought our 'Secret Identity World Tour 2014' was winding down, another show so cool and awesome arrives that makes Brian and I say..."Yup. Got room for one more!" On October 17th, 18th and 19th the city of Worcester, MA will come alive with scary stuff, incredible music and guests that represent everything we love about shows. ROCK AND SHOCK 2014 is an event so big it takes two places in Worcester to house it; the DCU Center and the Palladium. Who will be there? How about Rowdy Roddy Piper, John Ratzenberger (Cliff Claven himsef), Jeffrey Combs, Dee Wallace, Tom Savini, Brad Dourif and many many more. But once the day is over...then what? How about some incredible concerts featuring the legendary King Diamond, GWAR, and a bunch of other bands that put the shock into rock! To find out more about events and ticket info just go to www.rockandshock.com 
 The latest issue of Secret Identity is here to help you attack the work week like a rabid wolverine. Here's the rundown:
Download Location of the Week: Bridgeport, CT Feedback Reviews: Scifies #1 Superior Spider-Man #32 Captain Comic Book #1 Flash #33 Aw Yeah Comics #8 Summer Reading Project: Uncanny X-Men #136 You can listen to the episode right here in the player above, or grab us on iTunes, Stitcher or your favorite podcast app. Thanks for listening!  by Matman
NO SPOILERS!!! The Peter Capaldi era is now upon us and the first episode 'Deep Breath' is just a few minutes old. My thoughts? Wow there are a lot of them floating around my brain... most of them involve what everyone else thought of the new Doctor? My first reaction is that this is going to be an interesting ride. The episode started by showing the Doctor struggling with his regeneration very similar to Peter Davison's regeneration from Tom Baker back in 1981. He's lost, confused and not himself whoever he is. Capaldi played a convincing part; acting like a lost child, confused by his surroundings and not knowing how to deal with this particular situation. Sadly all Clara (Jenna Coleman) can do is watch helplessly. The Doctor she once knew is no longer that man and it will take some time for her to accept this man as the Doctor! There was some great dialogue (and I won't say with whom) that was about accepting this new Doctor no matter what he looked like. For a moment it felt like the BBC was speaking to any of us who queston an older man in the roll. As I peek over to Facebook and my phone texts and emails (all a zillion of them) I see that this episode was about 95% positive and that is not only refreshing but gratifying. It's nice to think that the Doctor hasn't become a 'boy band' and it's the character we love, not just the actor. A very well done episode that sets the pace for what looks like a different but very exciting direction. 
by Brian LeTendre I am super excited to be a part of the first annual Connecticut Horror Fest this Saturday August 23rd! From 10AM until 6PM, I‘ll be at the Courtyard Marriott (63 Grand Street) in Waterbury, CT along with some fantastic horror guests. IronE Singleton (Walking Dead) will be there, along with Tony Moran (Halloween), Micah Sloat (Paranormal Activity) and more than twenty additional horror guests from movies, TV books and comics. Tickets are only $20!. I will have copies of both Courting the King in Yellow and Lovecraft’s Curse available at the show, and I’ll have a limited number of “The Uguborth” prints for sale as well. Each item is $10, but I’ll be offering a bundle of both books and the print for $25. If you are in the Waterbury area, come down to the show and hang out with a bunch of fellow horror fanatics! 
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