Avengers Academy #1

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

WotC to Sponsor Gen Con

INDIANAPOLIS (May 6, 2010) - Gen Con is pleased to announce that Wizards of the Coast will be a title sponsor of the largest hobby gaming convention in North America and has grown its participation to include the TCG Hall sponsorship. Wizards will be debuting new products, showcasing classics, and hosting popular tournaments for show goers

"Wizards of the Coast is, once again, very proud to be a Co-sponsor, and TCG Hall sponsor, of Gen Con," said Greg Leeds, President of Wizards of the Coast. "Wizards is dedicated to creating great gaming experiences, and GenCon is the perfect place to connect with the gaming community."

Expecting the largest crowd ever for Magic: The Gathering events in Gen Con history, this year Wizards will be celebrating the Summer of Multiplayer. Five multiplayer events will be held each day at Gen Con, including Grand Melee, Two-Headed Giant, Planechase, and Archenemy. Additionally, Championships for Block, Legacy, and Vintage formats will occur, as well as events for electronic prizes, uncut sheets of Magic, complete sets, and more. Events will be available around the clock, starting from 9 a.m. on Thursday and going non-stop until Sunday afternoon.

Wizards will also be hosting Dungeons & Dragons gameplay with the second season of D&D Encounters and the release of the nostalgic Dark Sun Campaign Setting. A Dark Sun Arena Circuit will be held in the Sagamore Ballroom, as well as Living Forgotten Realms Campaigns, a D&D Open Championship, D&D Convention Delve, and others. A full schedule of seminars and special guests are also planned.

"Wizards of the Coast is bringing so much to Gen Con! We are very excited to have them as our Co-sponsor and TCG Hall sponsor. Our fans come from around the world to attend and Wizards of the Coast is an integral part of the Indy experience for many. We are looking forward to this being the best con yet," said Adrian Swartout, CEO of Gen Con.

Gen Con's 43^rd year is gearing up to be a great one. To date, pre-registration for badges and event ticket sales are higher than 2009. At Gen Con, attendees do all things gaming - from browsing the aisles of the packed exhibit hall to playing in many of the 7,000 gaming events happening 24 hours a day over the four days. Gaming activities range from interactive game play to video/computer gaming, and from classic board games to big money, hobby-related tournaments. There is something for everyone who likes gaming at Gen Con.

Gen Con Indy will be open to the public Thursday, August 5, through Sunday, August 8 at the Indiana Convention Center. Thursday through Saturday the exhibit hall is open 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. 24 hour gaming takes place at the convention center and at area hotels.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Secret Avengers #1

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

The $1m Dollar Comic Book Webinar

This was a really great event, actually. Even for old-hands like myself, the webinar provided some great insight. For example, I never really thought about it, but the indicia really is a boon to the field of comic books which almost no other collectible field has. I mean, I certainly use the indicia - quite often, these days - specifically to make sure the issue is not a reprint, and I have used it at least... I would say fewer than 100 times, but close (over the last 25 years, of course), I just never thought of it in this context, really.

Of course, the Is My Comic Book Worth $1m webinar from Comics Buyers Guide was more aimed at those people who heard about the recent $1m+ comics sales and dug-out the box o' comics they had when they were kids, hoping to find a comic that was published in 1930-something. On that level, this was one heck of a webinar! You really couldn't have attended and not learned something, even if that something was that you don't have a comic book worth $1m. Because you do not.

Dork. What did you really expect?

Yes, that was my Uncanny X-Men #94 featured. Unfortunately, my scanner auto-crops things. There probably is some way to stop it from doing so, but I don't know it. The top definitely has some humidity/water damage, but I do have to dispute the assessment; aside from the slight water damage and the minor creasing apparent on the top-right of the cover, as they noted, it is in exquisite condition. I've been doing this for over 20 years, and I have honestly never seen another copy in as good of condition. (I knew exactly what it was when I bought it and the scan I made for them is literally the second time it has ever been out of its Mylar in 17+/- years.) However, this - again, as they said in the webinar - is exactly what makes third-party slabbing and rating such a boon to the hobby. No matter; it isn't for sale.

By the by, I happen to own a few of the comics they featured. Were I not so fearful of thieves, I'd be willing to share more (scans, you vultures, scans!), but I have mentioned that I have one bang-up X-collection. I've mentioned that, haven't I? I've mentioned that.

I also have a dog, a gun, and a safety deposit box. And a scorching case of the herpes.

Well? That's why you call first.

Not to be snide - because a lot of experts and fellow collectors like to say, "I buy comic books to read," and we all know I do, too - but I most certainly do buy comics as an investment, and I've done fairly well, thank you. (Um, as far as collecting them; I have only ever sold a handful.) I can't think of a better way to get a kid to learn the value of a buck - or save his money!

Hell, I'm a 35-year old geek who sometimes gets down to crackers and cheese and tap-water - but I still have a "savings account" which I could sell, for even a fraction of their book value, that would let me fill that cupboard (if things really got tough). So, there's no better way I can think of for a 35-year old man to save his money, either.

I'd like to thank our hosts, Brent Frankenhoff and Maggie Thompson, and commend them on giving a fun, yet truly informative, webinar I could not recommend more highly. You should try to attend the next one, because this one was really worth the price time (it was free)!

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Busy - Dark Conspiracy

I told y'all I would get these Dark Conspiracy pages up by this weekend (well, I said that two weekends ago, and then again last weekend - but last weekend, my Internet connection got drowned!), and I will.

We are working hard, right this very moment, to update the Dark Conspiracy section. Although we are specifically working on Metrodome, there are some other pages along the way which we were able to adjust throughout the process, so... bonus!

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

X-Factor #204 - Second-Printing Variant

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Todd Martinez is Image's New Sales & Licensing Coordinator

Berkeley, CA - 5 May 2010 - Image Comics is proud to announce the addition of Todd Martinez as Sales & LICENSING Coordinator!

Martinez was manager of Comic Relief -- winner of one of the first three Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Awards -- in Berkeley, California, for the last 14 years. As manager, he worked extensively with other retailers, book market representatives and libraries. His vast retail experience and knowledge of comic books make him an ideal Sales & Licensing Coordinator.

"I've spent the better part of my life with Comic Relief," says Martinez. "I'm both happy and sad to leave Comic Relief, and I wish everyone at the store the best. I'm pleased to be part of Image Comics, and I plan to help the company continue the strong growth it has shown over the years."

"Todd was Rory Root's right-hand man for many years and helped accomplish a lot of great things for Comic Relief," states Image Publisher Eric Stephenson. "We couldn't be more excited to have him at Image. His wealth of experience and his passion for comics are sure to make him an invaluable part of our operation."

Image Partner Erik Larsen (SAVAGE DRAGON) adds, "We're all about raiding Comic Relief for their most talented employees. I've seen the great work Todd has done at the store. It was only a matter of time before we snapped him up. He's a perfect addition to Team Image, and I expect to see great things from him."

As Sales & Licensing Coordinator, Martinez will coordinate with comic book retailers, Diamond Distribution, the book market and various sales outlets to ensure that Image books are readily available for their fans. Martinez will also handle foreign licensing. He replaces former Sales & Licensing Coordinator, Joe Keatinge.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Shadowland

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Quick Update

As I told you before, I am smack-dab in the middle of all the flooding in Tennessee, and though I managed to escape the actual flooding, I did not escape all the fallout. The Internet is still acting-up - I lost access for some time just yesterday, in fact - and the water is... well, it spurts and loses all pressure, then works fine, then drops-off again, and I think they are turning it off from the source overnight, because it hasn't been working after midnight for the last couple nights. Whatever is going on with it, it stinks; yes, the water stinks. Needless to say, I've been drinking much less coffee these last few days.

Anyway, I have several contacts and friends who didn't realize I am - quite literally - exactly in the midst of all this mess, and once they did, they were all concerned, but there was no need. Again, though I am in the middle of all the flooding, I live on a cliff, so I made it through fine, I'm just still suffering the after-effects. Because not everyone else lives on a cliff, as well.

I'm also aware that I missed a few things - the Red Baron update, Star Wars Day, and some more - but things have been sketchy on this end, due to the situation, as well as personal affairs which have cropped-up and to which must be attended first.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Most Likely to Go All Emo

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Forget What You Thought You Knew About '68

After February 13^th, 1968, everything changed. The Beatles did not soar to Billboard's #1 spot with "HEY JUDE." Steve McQueen would not lay claim to the greatest car chase in cinema history with BULLITT. McDonald's would never offer a Big Mac, and hundreds of thousands of children who dreamt of reaching the stars would never get any closer to a space capsule than a glass of Tang. And amid the deadly steaming jungles of Vietnam, the violent clash of democracy against the creeping threat of communism stalls as the war-torn People's Republic gives up its hungry dead.

The zombies are back in the razor wire...

Mark Kidwell, Nat Jones, and Jay Fotos, creators of the cult hit one-shot comic '68, announce the continuation of their horrific Vietnam/Zombie epic. The '68 miniseries picks up right where the original tale left off and broadens its scope, encompassing not only the gore-soaked horrors of the war in the east, but fixing a bloodshot eye on the politically torn USA as the dead rise, heralding the apocalypse, and devouring anything with a pulse.

"Nat, Jay and I have wanted to expand on the story in '68 for years," Kidwell shares, "but other commitments and projects just kept getting in the way. All the roadblocks are down now, and we're revving full-tilt boogie back into the jungle."

"This is what we do," Jones explains. "We are Horror guys, and jumping back into the world of '68 really gets our creative juices going! We have a lot more story to tell and more importantly, we are having a lot of grisly fun with it!"

On top of all of the '68 zombie action, the new series will also feature a bloody backup story! These 4-5 page side stories tie directly into the main plot line, fleshing out the violent world of '68. Illustrated by Tim Vigil (FAUST, BUMP), expect some dark business in these bonus pages.

"How cool is that!" Fotos exclaims. "Having Vigil come in to draw zombie filled stories for every issue! I'm so amped to get these books out!"

'68 #1 (of 4), a full-color, 32-page comic book, will be available from Image Comics in Fall/Winter 2010.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Shield's Laurie Holden Joins Walking Dead

Actress, Laurie Holden, who was last seen on The Shield and worked with director, Frank Darabont, on The Mist, has been signed to play Andrea in AMC's upcoming Walking Dead, based on the Image comic book by Robert Kirkman. Steven Yeun, a newcomer, has also been signed to the cast.

Adam Fierro has also joined the project as consulting producer. Fierro's past credits include 24, The Shield, and Dexter. Filming on Walking Dead begins this August, and the comic series reaches its 75^th issue in July.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Female Force to Cover Thatcher, Bruni-Sarkozy

Bluewater Productions' Female Force line of comic books has racked-up a lot of attention in the United States. Now, Bluewater is heading overseas to cover the lives of former British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, and current First Lady of France, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy.

Female Force: Margaret Thatcher hits stores this July, and Female Force: Carla Bruni-Sarkozy will hit comic stores in August.

Written by Thatcher's longtime friend, John Blundell, the Margaret Thatcher comic traces her rise to prominence in British politics, and her historic decade-plus as the United Kingdom's prime minister.

Blundell has much experience writing about Thatcher. He is the author of the book Margaret Thatcher: A Portrait of the Iron Lady. Blundell explored not only Thatcher's rise in his book, but also her deep respect and admiration of the United States, something that he included in the Female Force version of Thatcher's story. Robert Bruner draws the story.

“It was often noted that every time she set foot on U.S. soil, there was an extra spring in her step and she lost several years,” Blundell said. The feeling was mutual, Blundell added, with U.S. residents and politicians also becoming admirers of Thatcher during her years as prime minister.

“There is a tremendous amount of interest in Lady Thatcher in the United States and, dare I say it, even love,” Blundell said. “As Pres. Reagan once said, 'I could always rely on her wise counsel, her firm support, and her loyal friendship.'”

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy has also made an international impact. She has become arguably the most famous first lady in France since Josephine de Beauharnais, the first wife of Napoleon. She's certainly the most photographed. And now Bruni-Sarkozy will be immortalized in comic-book form as the subject of Bluewater Production's biographical comic Female Force: Carla Bruni-Sarkozy.

The comic, written by Dr. Who novelist, David McIntee, highlights Bruni-Sarkozy's rise from one of the most famous supermodels of the 1990s to a pop music superstar, to the First Lady of France. Heath Foley draws the comic book.

For McIntee, the task of writing a comic on Bruni-Sarkozy posed an interesting challenge. “It was interesting to try to find an angle from which to cover a real person's story rather than to make one up,” McIntee said. “It's a nice little variation on the usual way of writing a comic.”

Female Force: Margaret Thatcher and Female Force: Carla Bruni-Sarkozy are the latest installments in Bluewater's popular line of biography comics. Female Force offers a broad examination of strong and influential women who are shaping modern history and culture. Past issues have featured Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Stephenie Meyer, JK Rowling, Barbara Walters, and others.

“I'm thrilled to see Bluewater go across the pond to feature such prominent subjects,” said Darren Davis, president of Bluewater Productions. “Both Carla Bruni-Sarkozy and Margaret Thatcher have made an impact that stretches beyond the borders of their respective countries.”

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Real World Date Sues for $5m

Golzar Amirmotazedi is suing MTV/Viacom for $5 million, alleging that she was portrayed in a negative light on the reality TV show, Real World. Amirmotazedi's case hinges on the fact that she was inebriated when she appeared on the show, thus lacking the capacity to sign a standard waiver (technically speaking, you cannot enter a contract when inebriated, though the US "justice" system regularly overlooks such niggling "laws").

Amirmotazedi claims she was served "8-10 alcoholic beverages" before being taken back to the Real World house, where she was chided when she refused to have sex with one or both of the male castmembers who then forcibly ejected her from the premises. The occasion was edited to show her in a "false light," and she was referred to as a "crack-whore" and "stalker" by fans commenting online.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

X-Men Legacy #235 - Second-Printing Variant

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Power of the Dark Crystal

The team behind the original cult puppet classic, The Dark Crystal, say a sequel is on the way, from the directors of Daybreakers. The sequel, entitled Power of the Dark Crystal, will be in 3D and will be set "hundreds of years after... the first movie" when the world has once again fallen into darkness."

Brian Froud returns as conceptual artist, and the creative team is hopeful about bringing puppetry into the 21^st-Century with new methods, such as motion capture CGI, used in conjunction with "traditional" methods of puppetry and animatronics. In fact, CGI is already underway for Power of the Dark Crystal.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Corey Haim Died of Natural Causes

Corey Haim died of pneumonia; while trace amounts of prescription drugs were found in his system, they were not at a level high enough to have caused death, according to the cornoer's report. While the District Attorney found that Haim had been "doctor-shopping" to obtain prescription drugs, including the powerful painkiller, Oxycontin, no Oxycontin was found in his system. The coroner could not say whether or not earlier treatment for pneumonia would have saved the doomed actor, who had battled drug abuse for most of his adult life.

Corey Haim died in March, aged 38.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Age of Heroes #1

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Stan Lee's Superhumans

The History Channel has greenlighted a new series hosted by Stan "The Man" Lee. Stan Lee's Superhumans will seek-out people who are genetically different from the majority, and therefore exhibit some kind of "superhuman" ability. "The World's Most Flexible Man," Daniel Browning Smith, will co-host.

The series is one of five new shows that will hit the station in the third quarter, along with many specials. History has managed to increase its viewership while simultaneously lowering its average viewer age, making 2009 a record year for the basic cable network.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

X-Completely Lost

I've already gone-off on Siege, but I'm not done there - not by a longshot (ha! - cuz... of... nothing) - but I need to remind you that I also have all the series and tie-in issues for the last three X-events, and I've yet to read a single one because I don't know where the hell to begin!

As I said about Utopia, I opened my Uncanny X-Men subscription issue to find I was reading the second or third chapter in a larger "event" about which I knew nothing until I got the issue. I mean, I'd heard about it, even posted about it here (which is the main reason I'm holding some of the PRs until closer to the actual release of the book), but I didn't know how it was going to go down or anything until the issue was in my hot, little hands. And I was pissed-off!

You don't do that to a subscriber; that is so fucking unprofessional! If you're going to do a crossover event with another title, you still bear the responsibility of giving the subscriber a full story every issue - whether that means a stand-alone story or the continuation of a larger arc within the title - you don't send out half of a book!

But, dirty pool aside, I honestly don't know where to begin with anything. I read New Mutants #9 and 10 so I would be caught-up on their story when I read #11 (Siege tie-in), only to open #11 to find out that an entirely other story had taken place sometime between issues #10 and 11! That is, I think... I have almost the entire run of the original New Mutants, but where do you draw the line, you know? I need to go back 20 years and read from there to know WTF is going on now!?

So over it. So completely over it.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Bluewater Releases Spate of Political Bio Comics in May

They span the spectrum of red and blue states. They are arguably some of the most fascinating and polarizing figures on the modern political stage today. And this week, supporters and detractors can get their hands on Bluewater's biography comics on Rush Limbaugh, Nancy Pelosi, Sonia Sotomayor, and Al Gore.

Female Force: Sonia Sotomayor, Female Force: Nancy Pelosi, Political Power: Rush Limbaugh, and Political Power: Al Gore, are sold separately and are in comic book stores on May 5^th. They are the latest additions to the successful line of Bluewater's biography titles.

“These four individuals represent some of the most influential and historic figures of the 21^st century,” said Bluewater president Darren Davis. “Each has a uniquely compelling story that defines who they are today and how they got there.”

Davis emphasizes that each of the titles strive to tell an even-handed story; that they are not “puff pieces or hatchet jobs” written from a skewed point of view.

“We understand that there are many that hold strong and passionate opinions, but Bluewater believes we have a responsibility to transcend the political rancor and give readers and honest accounting of these people's lives and accomplishments,” Davis said.

According to Davis, the Sotomayor title has been requested for inclusion for the Supreme Court's library archive.

The books feature several Bluewater creative talents including: Robert Schnakenberg and artist Cesar Feliciano (Sotomayor), Scott Davis and artist Giordanelli Corbellini (Gore), Dan Rafter and artist Oski Yanez (Pelosi), and Don Smith and artist JB Fernandes (Limbaugh).

Both the Female Force and Political Power biography comic book series strive to present biographies prominent individuals responsible for shaping the political and cultural landscape. Both series launched in 2009.

Female Force offers a broad examination of strong and influential women who are shaping modern history and culture. In past issues, the monthly series has featured Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Stephenie Meyer, JK Rowling, Barbara Walters, and others. Female Force individual issues are also available on Amazon.com, where they have been ranked among the site's top 300 books.

The suggested retail price (SRP) for each issue is $3.99.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Joe Casey and Chris Burnham Get Downe

Berkeley, CA - 23 April 2010 - Writer JOE CASEY (Godland) and artist CHRIS BURNHAM -- the team responsible for the cult hit, NIXON'S PALS -- bring a whole new kind of crime comic with OFFICER DOWNE, a one-shot available from Image Comics this July. OFFICER DOWNE features a police officer who won't let anything -- including death -- stop him from taking down the worst criminals in town.

"This book is the antidote for the event comic that takes waaaaaayyy too long to tell too little story -- the "talky" alterna-comic that lacks the proper amount of mayhem -- and any of the company-owned pabulum that they try to pass off as entertainment," exclaims Casey. "You have the right to remain silent... and experience a *true* hero for our times.”

OFFICER DOWNE walks the eternal beat and delivers the eternal beat-down! Much more than man... he is policeman! It's hyper-violence on the mean city streets, from JOE CASEY and CHRIS BURNHAM -- an all-new one-shot in which a lone Badass With A Badge takes on the scourges of the criminal underworld! Not even death itself can stop this powerhouse of justice! Officer Downe is one cop that'll keep coming back for more... even from beyond the grave!

OFFICER DOWNE, a full-color, 48-page one-shot for $4.99, will be in stores July 14^th, 2010.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Shadowland

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Micha Hershman New Dark Horse VP of Marketing

MILWAUKIE, OR, MAY 3—Dark Horse Comics announced today that its senior director of marketing, Micha Hershman, has been promoted to vice president of marketing. Hershman joined the company in November 2009 from his position as category director for the pop-culture section at Borders Group, and has quickly made his mark in his short time with Dark Horse.

“We have been amazed at the tremendous growth Micha has shown here at Dark Horse and we are extremely excited by the energy and creativity he has brought to our marketing team,” said Dark Horse’s president and publisher, Mike Richardson.

“Dark Horse is a dynamic organization made up of the most inspired, creative professionals I’ve ever worked with,” said Hershman. “I’m thrilled to be a part of the team and am looking forward to doing more to showcase our content on the world’s stage.”

Current vice president of sales, marketing, and licensing, Anita Nelson, will take the new mantle of vice president of business affairs. She will continue to oversee the sales and licensing divisions, and will also be responsible for new business opportunities for the company. In her 12-year tenure, she has brought to Dark Horse visionary programs with Tim Burton, Yoshitaka Amano, and, most recently, Janet Evanovich.

“We have been looking to make this move for some time,” said Nelson. “With Dark Horse’s rapidly expanding licensing and new business developments, I’m excited to see Micha taking the lead of our marketing efforts.”

Please join us in congratulating both Micha Hershman and Anita Nelson, as they move on to new challenges within the company.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

X-Force #26 - Second-Printing Variant

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Marvel Comics Hitting Shelves 05-05-10

Here we are, guys and gals, your weekly Rundown of Marvel Comics hitting shelves this Wednesday, May 5^th, 2010:

Comics On-Sale:
ALIAS MGC #1
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #630
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #630 QUINONES VARIANT
ASTONISHING SPIDER-MAN & WOLVERINE #1
ASTONISHING SPIDER-MAN & WOLVERINE #1 FOILOGRAM VARIANT
AVENGERS, THOR & CAPTAIN AMERICA: OFFICIAL INDEX TO THE MARVEL UNIVERSE #1 (HA)
AVENGERS: THE ORIGIN #2
AVENGERS: THE ORIGIN #2 HEROIC AGE VARIANT
BLACK WIDOW #1 2ND PRINTING VARIANT (HA)
CAPTAIN AMERICA/BLACK PANTHER: FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS #2
DEADPOOL CORPS #2
ELECTRIC ANT #2
HALO: BLOOD LINE #5
IRON MAN 2: PUBLIC IDENTITY #2
IRON MAN LEGACY #1 2ND PRINTING VARIANT
REALM OF KINGS SON OF HULK #4
S.H.I.E.L.D. #1 2ND PRINTING VARIANT
SPECTACULAR SPIDER-GIRL #1 (MDCU)
SPIDER-MAN MAGAZINE #11
SPIDER-MAN: FEVER #2
STEPHEN KING'S N. #3
THE MANY LOVES OF THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1
THOR AND THE WARRIORS FOUR #2
ULTIMATE COMICS NEW ULTIMATES #2
UNCANNY X-MEN #524 (XSC)
UNCANNY X-MEN #524 FINCH VARIANT (XSC)
UNCANNY X-MEN #524 HEROIC AGE VARIANT (XSC)
VENGEANCE OF THE MOON KNIGHT #8
VENGEANCE OF THE MOON KNIGHT #8 HEROIC AGE VARIANT
X-MEN: HELLBOUND #1
X-MEN: SECOND COMING #1 FINCH 2ND PRINTING VARIANT

Collections On-Sale:
AVENGERS: I AM AN AVENGER TPB
CABLE VOL. 3: STRANDED TPB
DARK TOWER: THE GUNSLINGER BORN TPB
DARK X-MEN PREMIERE HC
DEADPOOL VOL. 3: X MARKS THE SPOT TPB
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN VOL. 3: WORLD'S MOST WANTED BOOK 2 TPB
IRON MAN: ARMOR WARS II TPB
IRON MAN: THE ART OF IRON MAN 2 HC

*HA = Heroic Age tie-in
*S = SIEGE tie-in
*XSC = X-Men: Second Coming tie-in

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Hellcity - The Whole Damn Thing

Berkeley, CA - 25 April 2010 - Crime noir, grotesque horror, and pitch-black comedy collide in HELLCITY (THE WHOLE DAMN THING), which collects all three volumes of the HELLCITY trilogy, including never-before-published volumes 2 and 3. Hell has never been so fun!

Written by MACON BLAIR and illustrated by JOE FLOOD, HELLCITY takes all the tropes of hard-boiled detective fiction -- from tough guy narration to shadowy, rain slicked streets to mysterious femme fatales -- and puts them in a blender with Monty Python, Dante's Inferno, and old school Peter Jackson movies. HELLCITY is full of action, gore, and dark, dark humor.

"Joe and I are beyond excited that Image is putting out HELLCITY, our baby," emphasizes Blair. "They literally brought it back from the dead."

HELLCITY is a nightmarish slice of urban sprawl, where demons and humans co-exist, albeit miserably. When a human detective is hired to secretly investigate the out-of-character antics of the Boss of Hellcity -- the Devil himself -- he discovers a conspiracy that upends everything he thought he knew and sets off an apocalyptic human/demon race war.

HELLCITY (THE WHOLE DAMN THING), a black-and-white, 328-page trade paperback for $24.99, will be available July 21^st, 2010.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Thor - The Movie

Here is the first, official photo from the set of Marvel's Thor, starring Chris Hemsworth as the God of Thunder. Directed by Kenneth Branagh, the film also co-stars Natalie Portman and Anthony Hopkins, among others.

Marvel has high hopes for this movie, given the big names involved, while fans - though excited - remain skeptical. Thor is notoriously difficult for creators to get a true handle on, given the whole Norse Mythology which comes with him. Walt Simonson shepherded the title into a golden age as both writer and artist, making Thor a must-read title in the late 1980s, but sales flagged sharply following his leave. The title was eventually canceled and only recently restarted. After 12 consecutive issues, Thor resumed its original numbering.

SPOILERS

Most recently, events catalogued in Siege and the many titles and issues which (poorly) tie into the event, saw Asgard destroyed and Norman Osborn unmasked as the Green Goblin. According to everything that has been told up to now, Thor is set to die - and come back, just like Steve Rogers (Captain America) did. Siege is the preamble to Marvel's Heroic Age many critics say was ushered in by parent company, Disney. It is also the relaunch of The Avengers title.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Max Headroom Heads to DVD August 10

The TV show, Max Headroom, starring Matt Frewer (some time Eureka co-star), is finally scheduled for a DVD release this August 10^th (2010). Distributor, Shout! Factory (MST3K), notes the DVD will be loaded with extras, but does not specify what those extras will be.

Though yet to be released, customers can pre-order Max Headroom: The Complete Series (Lenticular Cover) from Amazon at a significant discount, where it is already #9 in Movies & TV - Science-Fiction!

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Waterlogged

Sorry guys. The Internet connection was drowned-out Saturday and is just - literally as of maybe 10 minutes ago - getting back online. I had 372+ spam e-mails on one account, alone! And because I recently switched e-mail programs, I had to manually set many of them to "Junk," so it's going to be a few while I get things together, but then we'll be back up and running.

For any concerned, no I didn't get flooded-out, but then, I live on a cliff. I don't know about the peasants beneath me, but most of the schools in the surrounding counties and areas are closed today, several are closed today and tomorrow, and at least one school is closed for the entire week!

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

The Battle for the Soul of New York

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Free Comic Book Day

Yes, today is Free Comic Book Day, and I sincerely hope you all are enjoying yourselves wherever you happen to be, doing whatever it is you happen to be doing. Sadly, this is the umpteenth FCBD I have missed, because I live so far out... There is good news, though: Many of the publishers have provided sneak-peeks of their FCBD offerings! So I decided to collect a bunch of them for us all to enjoy!

According to some, FCBD is supposed to help retailers by bringing potential customers into their shops. I can see this, but I thought FCBD was supposed to be for the fans? I mean, I thought they were supposed to entice fans into buying more comics, whether from retailers, online, subscription, et.al. To these ends, I do wonder why more comics publishers don't offer online versions of their FCBD titles, or simply offer free webcomics.

Plus, I've heard story after story about retailers limiting the free comics one can get according to how many comics they purchase. And I guarantee you I'll end-up paying something for the FCBD issues I pick-up, because I advance order online.

Either way, despite the fact that I've yet to enjoy it, Free Comic Book Day is just as cool as all get-out.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010