Spiga

Tweewoo Music

Today, it is both easier and harder for musicians and bands to make it than ever before. With the Web, they can upload their videos and music free to any number of websites, but they rarely know much about how to get listeners and viewers, and even less about how to help those would-be fans find their music. Just posting videos and MP3s to every Website for free music listening and band promotion is not enough.

Some say modern musicians need to be part talent, part promotional and managerial, and all Web savvy. But getting representation is still important, especially when it comes to band and product promotion. Tweewoo is a website featuring the best new music, as well as help with finding promotion and management.

Tweewoo allows visitors to search by genre, tag, and artist. They can watch videos, listen to and download music files, or hear radio stations sorted by genre. There is also a "Sounds Like" feature that helps visitors find new music and artists they have never before heard. Tweewoo is looking to become the best new music Website for free music listening and band promotion.

Whether you just want to find new music or have music to promote, sign-up and login today to get started.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Saturday Morning Cartoons - Sinbad the Sailor



© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Daredevil Season One

Daredevil: Season One
© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Are You Addicted to Aliens?

Xenoholics #1For all your addictions of the extraterrestrial variety, from wild conspiracy theories to late night encounters with probes, the XENOHOLICS are here to help! In October, writer Joshua Williamson (DEAR DRACULA) and artist Seth Damoose (I HATE GALLANT GIRL) will offer their tongue-in-cheek support group to the masses by way of a new series from Image Comics and Shadowline.

Dan Duncan is contributing painted covers that make even little green men look good, and Damoose provides quirky, charismatic interior art with lots of personality and animation. Williamson promises that XENOHOLICS, as USAToday put it, "won't be a book that skimps on the out-of-towners."

XENOHOLICS is about aliens and I didn’t want it to be one of those books where the aliens are only hinted at,” Williamson commented. “But aliens aren’t the only stars! There are also the crazy people who believe in them. I’ve always been fascinated with people who claim to have been abducted or believe with all their hearts that aliens are out there... watching us. This is their story as they get thrown into a larger conspiracy, and we get to see how they react to it. Our main goal was to take the alien genre and spin the clichés on their heads, creating without a doubt the weirdest book I've ever written.”

"XENOHOLICS will do for aliens what CHEW did for cannibals," said Shadowline Publisher Jim Valentino. "It's smart, funny, and surprising. A perfect addition to Shadowline's commitment to excellence in diversity and, I believe, our next hit."

Believe it or not, aliens are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to conspiracies in this laugh-out-loud comic! While the XENOHOLICS may be there to help each other, it appears that not everyone in the group is being entirely honest about their encounters. Once readers have been introduced to XENOHOLIC's motley crew of alien addicts, they'll wonder: Will any of these nuts ever be able to prove that aliens do in fact exist?

XENOHOLICS #1, a 32-page, full-color, mature comedy comic book that will appeal to fans of CHEW and BOMB QUEEN, will be available for order in the August issue of Previews Catalog and goes on sale October 19th, 2011 for $3.50.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

You Could be on the Next Spider-Man Cover!

You Could Be on the Next Cover of Amazing Spider-Man!
© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Dark Conspiracy Edits

I am editing the Dark Conspiracy pages this weekend, because I know some of them don't show up correctly and they all need tightening-up, technically speaking. Ah, who am I kidding? They're a mess. But I did post most of them in a rush, either to beat a deadline or for some other reason. I just never got back around to finishing them properly -- polishing them up, as it were. Plus, they looked fine on the old computer(s) and I didn't have any others from which to check them, so I didn't realize just how wonky they were until recently.

At any rate, that's what I'm doing.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

It's in You or It Isn't

Defenders Teaser
© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Reviews The Myth Adventures of the Muses #1

The Myth Adventures of the Muses #1Bluewater's The Myth Adventures of the Muses is directly aimed at children -- little girls, if I had to take a guess -- but Nacho Arranz Estevez' art is what made me eager to review the first issue. Sure enough, while CW Cooke's story and dialogue serve their purpose, it's Estevez' pristine, iconographic art that keeps readers' eyes glued to the page.

The Myth Adventures of the Muses tells the story of the nine Muses
, at the rate of one Muse per issue, as they leave Mt. Olympus and enter the mortal world. The Myth Adventures of the Muses #1 focuses on Terpischore, the Muse of Dance. Terpischore enters the mortal world of 1940 Chicago and inspires a clumsy boy to become a dancer.

Cooke's intention is to create modern myths akin to those in, and employing characters from, Greek mythology, and he arguably manages, but Terp's (as she's called in the book) story is disjointed, at best. Given the anime-style artwork and the target audience, it should read fine to children but, as an adult, it took me over an hour to wade through The Myth Adventures of the Muses #1 because it never chooses a story to tell. There are about 10 disparate storylines going on by the end of the book and absolutely none of them take shape -- they begin from nowhere, go nowhere, and conclude suddenly and without denouement.

Again, this is fine for children, but the actual story -- that of Terp going to the mortal world to inspire a clumsy boy into becoming a great dancer -- is drowned-out by all the unnecessary diversions. There is an overarching storyline involving Hera and her daughters trying to wrest the amulets Zeus has given the Muses from them, which gets more attention than the story itself. I suppose this makes sense for the series as a whole, but writer CW Cooke misses literally every opportunity to do anything else with the characters or the concept.

Cooke presents the theme of the series too strongly, leaving no room for more interesting storylines -- such as Terp's crossing the Underworld -- which start and finish on the same page (literally within 3-4 panels). Cooke also makes no attempt whatsoever at providing any sort of character depth or development. Terpischore begins the book dancing aimlessly with that stupid grin plastered across her face, and ends it the same. A full 10-12 panels of her dancing -- sans any purpose -- could have been cut, and devoted to any one of the five or so more interesting sideline stories, to present a more replete tale.

She's the Muse of Dance. She loves to dance. We get it! I'm fairly confident even very young readers get it, but Cooke has her dancing through at least 1-3 panels on every page -- there's literally no room for anything else!

Estevez' art is equally confusing, though certain to please children of all ages as well as adults -- and especially illustrators and animators. There are a handful of exchanges in which the characters' expressions match what is happening but, by and large, all the characters march around with comically wide grins for no reason, whatsoever. The backgrounds are well-rendered and omnipresent, proving Nacho Arranz Estevez' artistic command, though his storytelling lacks. However, despite the inconsistencies, The Myth Adventures of the Muses #1 is a gorgeous, lushly illustrated, book.

Almost at the end of the comic book is an ad from PETA which will scar your children for life if they see it. PETA is a kind of terrorist organization which simply doesn't get The Point. The ad "educates" children on how chicken nuggets are made in the worst way imaginable. Granted, it's a horrible process which I agree should be stopped, but PETA is obviously targeting young kids with this twisted presentation and I feel it's inappropriate on every level. Once you're done writing McDonald's to ask them not to let their chicken suppliers use these methods, make sure to write PETA and tell them not to take out anymore disturbing ads in kids' comics.

The Myth Adventures of the Muses #1 is a really good all-ages book for young children (sans PETA ad), but disjointed and largely pointless. Writer, CW Cooke, misses the boat with Terpischore's story as well as the overarching series' link involving Hera and the amulets, resulting in page after page of padding. Nacho Estevez' work is a solid homerun that's sure to please everyone, though his storytelling needs time to develop.

The Myth Adventures of the Muses is probably the first comic book I've reviewed to-date that is actually all-ages appropriate and should appeal to the demographic -- especially very young kids.

But be sure to remove that PETA ad!

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

The All-New Ultimate Spider-Man Debuts Next Week!

Fallout Teaser 4
© C Harris Lynn, 2011

The Myth Adventures of the Muses

The Myth Adventures of the MusesThe Muses of Greek Mythology have brought tales and wonder to the world for centuries. Follow this brand new and exciting series that details each Muse and the story of how they came to be.

In the first issue, marvel at the story of Terpsichore, the muse of Dance, as she travels to the mortal world and meets with one of the most famous and well-respected dancers in modern history. Wonder at her travails in the modern world. Explore the universe with the muses and start here with Book One, the story of Terpsichore.

"Working on the Myth Adventures of the Muses has been a dream come true. It plays to my love of Greek mythology and allowed me to delve deep into that history. Hopefully my love of the mythology will come out in my writing and you'll love it too." Writer CW Cooke said.

This all-ages, ongoing quarterly series, written by C.W. Cooke and illustrated by Nacho Estevez, will undoubtedly be a smash among fans of Greek mythology and comic books alike.

"I am obsessed with bring the muses to the masses," said creator, Darren G. Davis. "It all started 10 years ago with the 10th Muse at Image comics. I have always wanted to do a book that inspired kids and this is finally it."

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Comics: Lucille Ball

Comics: Lucille Ball
© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Marvel's Comics for Comics Variant

Fear Itself #6 McGuinness VariantMarvel is up to its old tricks -- well, the trick it pulled a year or so back -- asking retailers to send in stripped DC issues to receive a limited-edition Fear Itself variant. I've included select portions of the press release and the list of comics they are asking retailers to strip and send in:

Retailers – for every 50 stripped covers of the following comics from the below group sent to Marvel, you will qualify to receive one FREE Fear Itself #6 McGuinness Variant. The 50 stripped covers can be any combination of the comics listed in that group and all submissions need to be received at the Marvel office at the address below by Friday 8/12/2011. Also included with the stripped covers must be your store contact information including Diamond Account # and email address. With boxes of covers arriving every day, Marvel urges retailers to get theirs in by the due date to guarantee themselves copies of this stunning variant.

FLASHPOINT ABIN SUR THE GREEN LANTERN #1
FLASHPOINT BATMAN KNIGHT OF VENGEANCE #1
FLASHPOINT CITIZEN COLD #1
FLASHPOINT DEADMAN AND THE FLYING GRAYSONS #1
FLASHPOINT DEATHSTROKE THE CURSE OF RAVAGER #1
FLASHPOINT EMPEROR AQUAMAN #1
FLASHPOINT FRANKENSTEIN CREATURES OF UNKNOWN #1
FLASHPOINT GREEN ARROW INDUSTRIES #1
FLASHPOINT GRODD OF WAR #1
FLASHPOINT HAL JORDAN #1
FLASHPOINT KID FLASH LOST #1
FLASHPOINT LEGION OF DOOM #1
FLASHPOINT LOIS LANE AND THE RESISTANCE #1
FLASHPOINT PROJECT SUPERMAN #1
FLASHPOINT SECRET SEVEN #1
FLASHPOINT THE OUTSIDER #1
FLASHPOINT THE REVERSE FLASH #1
FLASHPOINT THE WORLD OF FLASHPOINT #1
FLASHPOINT WONDER WOMAN AND THE FURIES #1

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

The Punisher #1 - Variant

Punisher #1
© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Reviews Moriarty #3

Moriarty #3I have not read the preceding issues, so naturally I don't know exactly what's going on in Moriarty: The Dark Chamber #3, but writer Daniel Corey is good enough that I can guess. Moriarty is about James Moriarty -- Sherlock Holmes' foil -- and a female ninja named Jade, who are on some kind of quest involving the Black Hand and a diving suit. That's about all I can gather, but it's enough for me to tell that regular readers should enjoy the series.

Corey has a handle on the characters and portrays them faithfully, while simultaneously adding a new spin on both them and the world of Sherlock Holmes. I don't know that Moriarty will ever become canon for serious Holmes readers, but Corey's imaginative twists do not sully the mythology -- in fact, it would be interesting to reread some of the old stories just to see where and how Moriarty fits-in.

Corey's use of proper period English and artist Anthony Diecidue's chunky inks evoke a dark and somber mood that is reinforced by colorist Perry Freeze's drab, almost monochromatic, hues. Diecidue's clever use of toner drives the imagery home, though I found his sketching too much for a colored product. The entire comic book is a fair representation of Victorian England in all its squalor and poverty, and the design is perfect for a gaslight mystery.

I can't tell if Anthony Diecidue sketched the entire thing in pencil or ink, but there are no finished panels in this issue. It's obvious that Diecidue chose this style for the book, and it was a great choice, but the entirety of Moriarty: The Dark Chamber #3 looks more like breakdowns than finished work. (Note that I would have said the artist adopted this style, but I'm not familiar with his work, so I don't know this to be the case; Diecidue may have been chosen to render Moriarty specifically because his style is such a good fit.)

Anthony Diecidue's work is reminiscent of the art of Jorge Zaffino, though not as skilled. The thick lines and clunky, too-large hands also remind me of Frank Miller though, again, not as solid. But don't let the negative criticisms dissuade you; Anthony Diecidue is amply gifted and Moriarty: The Dark Chamber #3 has some great panels. He particularly excels in the splashes (entire page and double-page spreads) of which, in true Image fashion, there are plenty. He knows his anatomy, and I was also taken by the expressive close-ups.

Moriarty: The Dark Chamber #3 is not a good jumping-on point for new readers, but I was not entirely lost. The Dark Chamber is a graphic "adventure" of which (given industry trends and the Kickstarter synopsis) I assume the first four issues comprise the first chapter, so new readers might want to wait for issue #5 to get on-board, or until the series finishes its run and is collected into a TPB.

Moriarty: The Dark Chamber is a good read that regular comic book fans will enjoy, and fans of Sherlock Holmes should definitely give an eyeballin'!

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

The Infinite #1 - Yu Variant

The Infinite #1 - Leinil Yu Variant
© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Carbon Grey Origins

Carbon Grey OriginsHoang Nguyen, Khari Evans, and Paul Gardner, the creative team behind CARBON GREY present CARBON GREY ORIGINS, a two-issue anthology of short stories set in the larger world of the epic CARBON GREY series from Image Comics. In the six tales of legends and secret histories that make up the first issue, a boy becomes a god, two fictional characters come to life, a refugee becomes a queen, and two sisters become killers.

Created in collaboration with both new and well-established artists and writers, these tales provide insight into the history and motivations of the series' key characters, while also introducing a number of new characters destined to play an important role in the forthcoming second arc of CARBON GREY. Series regulars Khari Evans, Hoang Nguyen, and Kinsun Loh are joined by artists such as Pop Mhan (SpyBoy, Flash).

"In the series to date we've been able to show just a small part of the world of CARBON GREY," said creator and artist Nguyen. "I'm so happy that Image has given us the opportunity to explore it more fully. We hope that these two standalone issues will give readers of the first arc a new perspective on the story of CARBON GREY, and at the same time provide new readers with an ideal introduction to the series."

CARBON GREY ORIGINS #1, a 32-page full color comic, will go on sale October 26th, 2011 for $3.99 and will be available for order in the October edition of Previews. CARBON GREY, VOL. 1: SISTERS AT WAR TP (JUL110459), a 96-page trade paperback collecting the first three issues of the sold-out first story arc and more, goes on sale September 14th, 2011 for only $9.99.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Spider-Island: Avengers #1

Spider-Island: Avengers #1
© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Futurama Renewed for Two More Seasons

Futurama executive producer David X. Cohen announced Saturday that the animated sci-fi series has been renewed for two more seasons. Comedy Central picked-up Futurama in 2005 after FOX had canceled it some time before. Its June 10th premiere garnered Comedy Central its highest-rated Thursday night airing ever. Futurama also received an Emmy nomination for the episode "The Late Philip J. Fry."

The graphic novel The Simpsons/Futurama Crossover Crisis by series creator and executive producer, Matt Groening, was recently released as well.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Deliver Us...

Teaser - Deliver Us from Evil
© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Pierce Brosnan to Star in Stephen King's Bag of Bones

A&E has announced Stephen King's Bag of Bones, a mini-series about a novelist who receives ghostly visits following his wife's sudden death that will air later this year. Bag of Bones will star Pierce Brosnan and Annabeth Gish and will be directed by Mick Garris. Some are reporting that this marks Brosnan's return to TV, but he has another TV project in the works with writer, Jack Orman. Bag of Bones starts filming soon, so I suppose it all depends on which project rolls-out first.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Orbit: Stephen King - 2nd-Printing Variant

Orbit: Stephen King #1 - Second-Printing
© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Amy Winehouse was No Victim, Amy Winehouse was No Hero

Amy Winehouse's death evoked a chorus from two sides of the simmering debate as to whether or not addiction is a "disease" which addicts cannot control. Now, before anything else is said (because most of you are not going to like what I say, but then few ever do), let me offer Winehouse's friends and family my sincerest condolences. I'm not familiar with her body of work, but "Rehab" is a fantastic song which proves her talent. The music world lost a great artist, and many people lost a great friend and family member.

Like Kurt Cobain -- the easiest and most direct comparison -- Amy Winehouse was a talented junkie. Like Cobain, Winehouse was poised on superstardom and, just like Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse died at 27. There have been so many who shared this fate (Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and others) that it has given rise to the pop-cultural legend of "The 27 Club." This concept has become almost as legendary as its members - so much so, it has even spawned a best-selling comic book series.

There is an undeniable Romantic quality to The 27 Club, but (with few exceptions) these artists' lives were tragic -- their deaths were not. The members of The 27 Club were, like Amy Winehouse, out-of-control addicts whose substance abuse finally caught-up with them, yet they have been lionized as geniuses in their passing. Some of them were brilliant, while others were merely popular musicians -- but whichever camp they fall into, none of them died from disease.

Addiction is not a disease and it's extremely offensive to people suffering from actual diseases to argue that it is. If you ever tell someone with ALS, AIDS, or cancer, "You know, addiction is a disease just like yours," I hope they beat the ever-living shit out of you. I hope they beat you so badly that they cripple you, then they visit you in the hospital and say, "You know, addicts are crippled just like you." Addiction, for the most part, can be cured -- at the very least, it can be treated, regardless of the substance or its hold on the person.

Addiction is something that can be controlled and even avoided entirely, unlike many real diseases. Make no mistake about it: Addiction is powerful and substances like heroin, nicotine, alcohol, and Prozac are physically addictive, as well as mentally and emotionally habit-forming. These kinds of substances are never easy to quit and can actually be deadly to stop taking without treatment. However, addiction is a lifestyle and -- until it spirals out of control -- a choice.

Many opponents of addiction as a disease will say flippant things like, "Just don't do drugs" or "[Drug addicts] shouldn't have started in the first place," but that's a gross oversimplification. Still, no substance known to man is truly addictive right out of the gates. It may affect some people that way, but only a very few, and those people are psychologically affected; there is no drug that makes a user physically dependent upon it after a single use. This means that, in order to become addicted, the user must consciously choose to consume the drug numerous times before addiction sets in. Users who claim to be addicted after "the first hit/dose" can only claim a psychological urge to use again, not an actual need to do so.

Addiction can easily creep-up on a person -- that's where the classic line, "I can stop whenever I want to stop" line comes from -- and long-time users can suddenly discover that no, they cannot just quit whenever they want, but short-time users do not face this problem despite what some insist (both drug-users and "professionals" who deal with them). Some say that methamphetamine can be addictive on the first try, but that has never been proven and is basically a scare tactic and/or "victim" rhetoric. Hard drugs like meth, crack cocaine, and heroin can be physically addictive after relatively few uses, though. 'Relatively few uses' still requires more than one or two uses, and every time someone decides to use, s/he is making a choice.

Don't forget that I'm a smoker. I've smoked cigarettes for 20 years and, despite the occasional chest pains and cough, I've no desire to quit. I know it would be good for me, I know cigarettes are detrimental to my health, and I know that I could at least smoke less were I to honestly try harder, but the truth is that I don't try as hard as I should because I enjoy smoking.

I've never tried to hide the fact that I'm addicted to nicotine, because I am and I know it. And while I can't just "choose" to stop smoking, I'm sure as hell not suffering from some crippling disease! In fact, I'm offended that anyone would even suggest that; I know people who have real diseases -- and you probably do too -- and not being able to quit smoking is nothing compared to what they face.

I would quit, or at least cut-back, if I could afford nicotine patches, which cost more than an entire month's worth of cigarettes. I've tried them before (on a very short-term basis) and they really did kill the cravings, so the only thing preventing me from quitting is the cost. However, I would stop smoking only because I know it's bad for me and not because I want to -- because I don't want to quit smoking! I enjoy smoking and it's one of my few real vices. Regardless, I'd be more than willing to try if I could afford to.

Amy Winehouse was worth something like $13 million -- she could have afforded the best medical care and support available, around the clock -- but she didn't even try. Hell, her only hit single was explicitly about how she refused to go to rehab! Our circumstances are worlds apart, and she looked like she might have had a disease or three, but addiction wasn't one of them; neither of us are/were so diseased.

Winehouse was considered a jazz singer, and jazz and junk go hand-in-hand. Her song "Rehab" was a semi-satirical, largely autobiographical, rock n roll rebel anthem. But Amy Winehouse was a real human being, not the caricature both she and the media portrayed her as. Maybe she lost sight of that somewhere along the way, and the drugs definitely played a big role in that (as did the constant public scrutiny engendered and fueled by the media), but she wasn't so far gone that she didn't realize she was circling the drain, she simply did not stop -- she didn't even try.

She canceled her European tour just a few weeks prior to her death after botching a performance in Serbia, yet she checked-out of a rehab clinic after only seven days. It's clear that Winehouse was troubled and this probably lead to her problems with drugs and alcohol, but she may well just have been a "party girl" who enjoyed insobriety until it became a way of life. She may not have tried because she she truly wanted to die, or she simply didn't care if she did. Whatever the case may be, she wasn't enthralled by some disease. Because addiction is not a disease!

Addiction is a mindset, a lifestyle, and largely a choice (or series of choices, if you prefer).

Do not idolize Amy Winehouse; she was no martyr and she sure as hell wasn't a role model. Neither was Kurt Cobain or Janis Joplin or Jim Morrison; those people were selfish junkies, and Amy Winehouse may well have been, too. Some of them, like Winehouse, were wildly talented and their passing left the world a poorer place, but none of them had a disease called addiction that robbed them of their lives; they all had some very bad habits and none of them sought help to control those habits.

Amy Winehouse was no hero and Amy Winehouse was no victim; she was a talented, troubled artist who lost her life to continually making bad choices -- the worst of which was not trying to stop.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Frank Miller's Holy Terror



© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Beavis & Butthead - Sneak Peek at 2011 Season


© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Amy Winehouse Dead at 27

Singer Amy Winehouse was found dead by police in her London apartment today. Details are still emerging.

Winehouse's breakout hit, and biggest to-date, was Rehab, in which she admitted to a problem with heroin and substance abuse, but insisted she would not seek treatment. The tongue-in-cheek song made her a kind of rock and roll rebel, but her behavior - well documented because it was often in public - indicated the singer was more troubled than she let on.

Amy Winehouse was 27.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Saturday Morning Cartoons - Tom & Jerry / Dick & Larry



© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Watch the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con Streaming Live

UStream has live streaming coverage of the San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) with interviews, features, and just general broadcasting content. I only started watching, so I can't say much about what you should expect nor if it's worth watching, but for those of us who weren't able to attend, it's something to check out. It appears to be focused on video games and gaming, so I've no idea if this gaming coverage includes tabletop RPG, CCG, or anything else.

There is also a live cam touring the alleys and SDCC in general, and you can suggest ideas (what you would like to see, or to whom you'd like him/her to speak, and so forth). You don't have to sign-up or sign-in to watch, and it appears they are separating video content by "shows," so if you miss anything, you can tune-in later to catch a replay.

UStream does have commercials, but they are targeted to the subject, infrequent enough, and short.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

New Avengers #16 - Co-Starring Daredevil

New Avengers #16
© C Harris Lynn, 2011

A New Chapter for Witchblade

Witchblade #151Sara Pezzini has been through a lot in the past six years. She's had a child, maintained her police career while juggling her duties as Witchblade, lost and regained the mystical gauntlet, hunted down those who kidnapped her daughter, and even discovered the inner-workings of the universe. Her life has been eventful. However, nothing has prepared her for what's coming next!

Hot off the Top Cow universe-altering events of ARTIFACTS #13 and WITCHBLADE #150, WITCHBLADE #151 begins a new chapter in the story of Pezzini. The passionate new creative team will provide an ideal jumping on point for new readers.

These changes all start with Tim Seeley (HACK/SLASH) and Diego Bernard (The Man With No Name). Seeley and Bernard mark the first completely new creative team in over six years following the landmark run by Ron Marz and his co-collaborator Stjepan Sejic. Seeley will be using the Marz-era as a springboard from which to tell stories of Sara's new life and build on the rich Top Cow history and continuity while bringing a new voice and putting her through new challenges.

"Over the years, I've developed a rep as a guy who likes to write women who kick ass, and look great doing it," said Seeley. "I'm over-the-moon at getting the opportunity to follow one of the most beloved creative teams in comic history, on one of the most enduring heroines ever!"

To celebrate this new chapter, Top Cow is lowering the regular cover price of Witchblade to $2.99 and offering two covers by John Tyler Christopher (ARTIFACTS) and Dennis Calero (X-Men: Noir), as well as a special retailer incentive cover by the legendary J. Scott Campbell.

WITCHBLADE #151 (AUG110425), a 32-page full color comic book, is available for order in the August issue of Previews.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

The Worthy

Fear Itself
© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Ron Howard Dark Tower TV/Movie Project Nixed

Spokespersons related to the Dark Tower movie "three-quel" and TV series to be helmed by Ron Howard say the project has been scrapped due to too tight a deadline. Apparently, the studios had set a July 15th deadline for committal, but said they "could not make the financials work." There was no further word on whether or not Howard or the studios will continue pursuing the project.

This is the second time a Dark Tower film adaptation has been scrapped. JJ Abrams tried to shepherd the project to the screen previously. Stephen King's genre-spanning gunslinger epic has found success in graphic format through a series of mini-series from Marvel Comics, however.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Xenoholics: Paige's Story

Paige's Story
© C Harris Lynn, 2011

John Carter: World of Mars

John Carter: World of Mars #1Marvel Entertainment and Disney Publishing Worldwide are proud to announce John Carter: World of Mars, an all-new comic prequel to the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures feature film, John Carter, which hits theaters on March 9th, 2012. This October, John Carter: World of Mars #1 reveals the shocking events that transpire before the motion-picture story begins by showing fans just how John Carter, Princess Dejah Thoris, and Tars Tarkas are set on the path that would bring them all together. Amidst this brutal thousand-year war, find out what decisions were made that let events escalate this far—and why.

This blockbuster, four-issue, limited series comes straight from New York Times best-sellers Peter David (Dark Tower, X-Factor) and Luke Ross (Dark Tower, Captain America: First Vengeance), two of the most acclaimed talents in comics.

"We're thrilled to bring fans their first look at the world of John Carter before the blockbuster film wows audiences next year," said Axel Alonso, Marvel Editor In Chief. "It's been a pleasure working with Disney, Peter, and Luke to craft a powerful story that will appeal to both the legions of John Carter fans and those who are new to this exciting world."

Director Andrew Stanton adds, “I am really thrilled to be collaborating with Disney & Marvel on this project and look forward to audiences exploring the world of John Carter via this exciting comic offering. I have wanted to see this property on the big screen since I was a young boy and hope that John Carter: World of Mars will excite and inspire fans of the series much like I was inspired many years ago.”

Before John Carter's arrival on Mars, what events shaped the conflict that would change his destiny—and that of the universe—irrevocably? Find out this October as war, love, and inescapable destiny collide in John Carter: World of Mars #1!

About the Movie:

From Academy Award®–winning filmmaker Andrew Stanton and a screenplay by Stanton & Mark Andrews and Michael Chabon comes John Carter—a sweeping action-adventure set on the mysterious and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars). John Carter is based on a classic novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, whose highly imaginative adventures served as inspiration for many filmmakers, both past and present. The film tells the story of war-weary, former military captain John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), who is inexplicably transported to Mars where he becomes reluctantly embroiled in a conflict of epic proportions amongst the inhabitants of the planet, including Tars Tarkas (Willem Dafoe) and the captivating Princess Dejah Thoris (Lynn Collins). In a world on the brink of collapse, Carter rediscovers his humanity when he realizes that the survival of Barsoom and its people rests in his hands.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

It's in You

Teaser
© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Blair Butler's Heart

HeartG4tv's Blair Butler announced yesterday that she's making her professional comic book writing debut at Image Comics this November, with a four-issue miniseries called HEART. Featuring art by LOVESTRUCK artist Kevin Mellon with lettering and design by Crank!, HEART combines Butler's love of both comics and mixed martial arts for a story that's both full of action and emotionally gripping.

"I think it's safe to say that writing this book was hugely intimidating. It's scary to think that you might fail horribly at something you love!" exclaimed Butler. "But this is a story I've been dying to tell. I know it's set in a world that may seem esoteric or overwhelmingly brutal to a lot of people, but I hope both comics and MMA fans will find a lot to relate to inside. HEART is about the initial rush of joy that comes with discovering something you love, finding a purpose, and what happens when you reach your threshold and have to question your own heart and dedication."

HEART chronicles the struggles and victories of a spirited young fighter named Oren as he forges ahead through a difficult and painful career path. Even though Mellon is illustrating pages chock-full of fight scenes, he has described the story of HEART as like nothing else in comics right now.

"Before I had even read the script, I wondered how one could do a comic book taking place in the mixed martial arts world," explained Mellon. "But I have to admit, I was intrigued by Blair's notion of going deeper and doing a more emotive story about a person's inner journey that happens to be set in that world."

Mellon continued: "I was immediately taken aback by how much I related to the voice and the character of Oren. There are a lot of cool (and complicated!) fight scenes in this book, but I was amazed at Blair's ability to choreograph a wealth of character, as well as punches, into them."

"I've been incredibly lucky to work with artist Kevin on this," Butler added. "The first page he sent in just looked incredible -- and he's been consistently kicking-ass ever since. So if you're down for dudes punching each other in the face -- please give us a shot!"

"Blair and I first started talking about HEART at Comic-Con last year, and I'm thrilled that readers will finally be able to read the wonderful story that's been percolating in her mind over the last year," said Image Comics Publisher Eric Stephenson. "Her passion for the material is undeniable, and in Kevin, she's found the perfect artist to bring that passion to life on the page. Get ready for a really special series!"

HEART #1, a 32-page, black and white comic book, will be available to order in the September issue of Previews, and goes on sale in stores in November for $2.99.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

The Misadventures of Adam West #1

The Misadventures of Adam West #1
© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Ride the Ducks!

Have you ever considered Philadelphia as a vacation spot? Did you even think about it? While once the most important city in our nation, Philadelphia has fallen out of the spotlight these last few years thanks to other tourist destinations. Most people think of Philly's historical significance without considering all of the other attractions - not that Philadelphia's historical attractions aren't great, just that they may not be for everyone.

So why not combine the educational with the entertaining and Ride the Ducks Philadelphia style!? Every DUKW tour is 70 minutes long and combines historical attractions and educational material with music for a fun ride aimed at couples, field trips, families, and even company outings. You and your group will ride through Historical Old Philadelphia and down the "hippest street in Philly" to learn more about the city and its cultural and historical significance. There are also great discounts, coupons, and package deals that combine fishing and "Ducking" and focus on the Constitution.

The DUKWs are designed after the WWII amphibious vehicles and that is where they got their name. They are so well designed that they were used in rescue missions during Hurricane Katrina! They are incredibly safe and fun for everyone. You haven't experienced Philadelphia until you have ridden the Ducks, so don't miss out!

Reviews: The Vault #1

The Vault is yet another in Image's growing stable of horror-themed titles. Not that I'm complaining; if there's one thing that Image Comics does right, it's horror-themed comics. (If there's one thing it's done wrong in this department, it's canceling the wonderfully hysterical Golly!, but that has nothing to do with this review.)

The very first thing that captured my attention with The Vault is the artwork, which is more than just reminiscent of Rick Veitch's - some might call it "copycat." But that's not fair to artist Garry Gastonny, whose opening sequence is absolutely beautiful, and shows clear signs of Barry Windsor-Smith's influence. Pretty good influences for a comic book of this nature... or any nature, for that matter. Still, I was tempted to get out some of my old Epic Magazines and compare panels.

The writing is equally stellar, and everyone in the game should take a look at pages 7-9 (digital copy may be differently numbered than the print version) to see how storytelling should work in this medium. Even without the short word introduction, Sam Sarkar establishes a classic B-movie feel early-on, but the introduction lets educated readers know that he's done his homework. Sarkar's walking a tightrope between cheese and a deeper story, but he manages - excepting the names of literally everything, which beat the readers about the head and face and cheapen the story.

What really makes The Vault #1 work is the attention to background, in the story as a whole. Gastonny's background work is awesome, and his close-ups are also well-rendered - though he struggles with basic figure drawing. Another weakness is balloon placement. There is an awful lot of dialogue in The Vault - some of which is unnecessary, most of which is exposition - and some of it gets muddled along the way. There is a total of two panels in the entire first issue that do not have any dialogue, and they are the only ones with less than one balloon (or maybe it just seemed that way).

This is where Sarkar drops the ball; while an interesting read, I have to reiterate: Comic books are not movies. There is some excellent characterization and handling of relationships between characters, but the most telling - and most convincing - of it could have been handled without any dialogue whatsoever.

Comic books are not movies. The Vault would make an excellent retro-B movie, but only Gastonny's artwork makes it a decent comic book. That takes about 12 hours to read.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

X-Men: Schism #2

X-Men: Schism #2
© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Reviews: Avengelyne #1

Avengelyne is a weak concept very similar to the one behind Spawn that was launched back in the 1990s around the same time. Creator Rob Liefeld steps aside for the relaunch, proffering only a cover (sans feet), but the creative team of Mark Poulton and Owen Gieni do more than just pick-up where the series left-off.

Avengelyne #1 is one of those comics I admit I cringed to review, but I was more than pleasantly surprised! It is actually a good read with truly stunning artwork. There are flaws, to be sure, but Poulton does an outstanding job given the flimsy premise. I was most impressed with the characterization of the lead (Heaven Starr) who actually doesn't appear in the comic, except in physical form. The name and concept is pure cheese, but Poulton manages to scrape together a believable character - doubly so, for my money (I got it free for review) because, again, she doesn't actually appear in the comic.

I've never heard of Owen Gieni, but I imagine I'll be hearing a lot more about, and from, him in the future. Gieni's work is firmly rooted in the Image style, but he veers from the established cross-hatchery to give clean lines, empty spaces, and solid backgrounds. Gieni colored his own work, which may have made all the difference, but it's plain to see that he is a talent to watch.

All said, Avengelyne #1 is definitely worth picking-up and ends with a great cliffhanger. Were it not for the inflated price of comic books today, this is actually a title I'd follow for at least the first few issues.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

The Punisher Returns!

Punisher #1
© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Reviews Mysterious Ways #1

Mysterious Ways from Image Comics is one of those comic books I really wanted to enjoy. Unfortunately, the first issue falls below the mark.

Mysterious Ways definitely has a story to tell, and I do believe it's a story worth reading, but it did not capture me as a reader, reviewer, or creator for several reasons. While the implied backstory is easy enough to discern, writer Jason Rubin spends far too much time on it. Then there is the obligatory fight scene (no infringement meant) about midway through the book that is very forced, even for comics. While Rubin's talent is obvious, so is his video game background.

The art does not go with the story at all. While the character is obviously superheroic in nature and a perfect fit with Image's other horror-themed superhero titles (Haunt, Spawn, et. al.), the first issue focuses very little on that. The whole approach takes everything away from the horror angle and looks more like artist Tyler Kirkham is applying for a job on one of those other titles.

Mysterious Ways #1 shows promise, but little more. However, readers who enjoy the aforementioned titles, or enjoy "story" videogames, will probably enjoy it.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Saturday Morning Cartoons - Max Fleischer's Superman



© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Black Bolt Returns!

FF #6
© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Xenoholics: Bob's Story

Xenoholics
© C Harris Lynn, 2011

The Strange Talent of Luther Strode

The Strange Talent of Luther StrodeTHE STRANGE TALENT OF LUTHER STRODE from Image Comics already has fans asking: superhero or slasher? Writer Justin Jordan and artist Tradd Moore aren't ready to say, but in October, their debut six-part series will begin to tell the tale of a young antihero who gets exactly what he wished for... and then some!

"The obvious inspiration for THE STRANGE TALENT OF LUTHER STRODE is the old Charles Atlas type courses that used to be advertised, along with Sea Monkeys and X-Ray specs, in the back of comics," explained Jordan. "I was thinking about that and started wondering what would happen if it really worked. What if you found this program that suddenly allowed you to start kicking ass after having sand kicked in your face for most of your life? How would you handle that? What do you do when you have the power to turn the tables on the people who’ve been hurting you?"

"I love drawing ridiculous fight scenes, stupid amounts of gore, and people getting punched extremely hard," Moore added, "so if you enjoy looking at any of those things, then you're in for a good time."

Added Image Comics Publisher Eric Stephenson, "Justin pitched Luther Strode to me back in November, and I was immediately impressed by how fully realized his and Tradd's vision for this series was. I'd put Justin and Tradd in the same class as first-timers like Jonathan Hickman and The Luna Brothers - guys we literally pulled out of the submissions pile who went on to produce some truly amazing work. Everyone who's seen and read this stuff has been blown away."

THE STRANGE TALENT OF LUTHER STRODE begins with a scrawny kid who's fed up with his lack of physical prowess. Luther Strode plans to make some improvements by way of a mail order book that promises to help him bulk up and buff out! Amazingly, the program works far better than young Luther expected. In fact, he begins to liken his new-found physique and abilities to those of a superhero! But can he continue to think of himself as a superhero when the effects of his mysterious abilities look more like a slasher film?

THE STRANGE TALENT OF LUTHER STRODE #1, a 32-page full-color comic book that will appeal to fans of Kick-Ass and INVINCIBLE, will be available for order in the August issue of Previews Catalog and goes on sale October 5th, 2011 for $2.99.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

The New Mutants Go to Hell

New Mutants #29
© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Compression Stockings

There are two jobs in which compression stockings seem necessary after a certain point. Those jobs involve either sitting for long periods of time or standing/walking for long periods. I tend to sit cross-legged or with one foot tucked beneath me. I know it is bad for my circulation, but it is a habit I am trying to break (and have been for some time now). Sometimes, I get a stabbing pain in my heel because of it.

If you sit a lot, you are supposed to take breaks every 10-15 minutes and walk around. But those of us with these jobs know that simply is not feasible. It is all too easy to get caught-up in what you are doing and forget to take breaks for hours at a time. Medical support hose might truly be the best answer. Of course, you still need to take frequent breaks.

Like anything, there are different brands and some are better than others. The jobst support hose are said to be among the best, and they look nice. For the most part, no one will be able to tell you are wearing them. So save yourself the doctors' visits and money and check them out!

Is It in You?

Is It in You?
© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Jonathan Hickman's Feel Better Now

Feel Better NowIf you picked up the first issue of Jonathan Hickman's new Image miniseries THE RED WING at your local comic shop and you're already hungry for more, you're in luck: Hickman has announced that the first installment of his multipart PLUS! project, FEEL BETTER NOW, will be released this October.

The PLUS! titles will each be published as stand-alone novellas, all of which highlight Hickman's return to the page as an artist, but each with a distinct style of their own. A creator who is always challenging himself and the medium, Hickman has said the dark comedy FEEL BETTER NOW is already the most interesting visual work he has ever created.

"It feels like it's time, right? This past year, while I've produced a lot of work, my fingers have certainly been itching to draw again,” explained Hickman. “So, here we go! A new book, FEEL BETTER NOW, a new format, and in both execution and design, a new style. I can't wait for people to see it!"

Hickman began his comics career at Image Comics in 2006 with THE NIGHTLY NEWS, a visionary six-issue miniseries that upped comics' game through its inventive design and smart, subversive storytelling. After such an astounding debut, Hickman only picked up the pace, turning out one quality title after another, including PAX ROMANA, TRANSHUMAN (with artist J.M. Ringuet), and THE RED MASS FOR MARS (with artist Ryan Bodenheim). Hickman is also the writer behind several popular Marvel titles, including Fantastic Four and S.H.I.E.L.D.

"This is going to sound like unabashed hyperbole, but Jonathan Hickman is one of the most creative people I've come in contact with since working in comics," said Image Comics Publisher Eric Stephenson. "He has one of the most active and adventurous imaginations in the business – he's constantly pushing himself and that's never more apparent than in the work he does for himself. If you've been a fan of what he's done so far, I'm in no way exaggerating when I say the best is yet to come."

FEEL BETTER NOW is the story of a group of psychiatrists who, out of boredom, decide to recreationally tinker with the lives of their patients. It becomes a game, and, as one might guess, it spirals out of control pretty quickly.

FEEL BETTER NOW, a 40-page original graphic novella, will be available to order in the August issue of Previews, and goes on sale in stores on October 19th for $3.99.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Female Force: Mother Teresa

Female Force: Mother Teresa
© C Harris Lynn, 2011

The Artifacts Finale Arrives This September

Artifacts #13This September, the final issue of Image Comics and Top Cow Productions' ARTIFACTS series will not only feature interior art by comic icon Dale Keown (BERSERKER, PITT), but will set the stage for the entire Top Cow Universe for the foreseeable future. ARTIFACTS, orchestrated by prolific writer Ron Marz (SHINKU, WITCHBLADE) and various artists, including Jeremy Haun, has definitely proven to be a world-changing event in the Top Cow Universe.

Marz commented on his work on the upcoming finale: "Honestly, the hardest thing to do with any event series is make sure the ending is worthy of what's come before. That's where the real pressure comes in. So having an immense talent like Dale Keown joining me for issue #13 makes it a lot easier to stick the landing, so to speak. With Dale on board, ARTIFACTS #13 will be epic in every sense of the word. I've been lucky to work with Michael Broussard, Whilce Portacio, and Jeremy Haun on the series, and Dale is the icing on the cake."

Keown added, "Top-Cow has created some great characters and storylines for the ARTIFACTS series and I'm thrilled to be working on the finale issue!"

The epic story of ARTIFACTS has been organically threading the lives and fates of the many beloved Top Cow characters together, so that however events in this last issue unfold, all will be impacted. Beginning in October, Top Cow Productions will be scheduling an ARTIFACTS-related title a week, so readers can follow their favorite characters within WITCHBLADE, THE DARKNESS, and THE MAGDALENA, as well as a yet-to-be-announced fourth mystery title after the fallout of ARTIFACTS.

"I am so incredibly excited for September and beyond in the Top Cow Universe. Ron Marz and I first discussed ARTIFACTS over two years ago and it's thrilling to see readers experience the story I've known about all along. It's even more exciting to see Dale Keown return to interior work. No reboots, no relaunches, just an epic event and a manageable comic universe done right!"

ARTIFACTS #13 (JUL110439), a 32-page, full-color comic book, is available for order in the July issue of Previews Catalog for $3.99 and ARTIFACTS VOL. 2 TP (OCT108036) goes on sale August 3rd, 2011 for $15.99.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

The Infinite

The Infinite
© C Harris Lynn, 2011

The Wasp's Sting

A wasp stung me on my index finger the other day and my hand swelled like a rubber glove filled with water. It seriously looked like I had Mickey frigging Mouse's left hand (it's approximately as white). Anyway, I took a Benadryl and passed out but the swelling didn't abate until sometime yesterday afternoon and then only slightly.

Wasps have infiltrated the entire front portion of my house surrounding my door and have persisted despite spraying. The only logical thing to do is set the house on fire and move... well, not in that order, I suppose. I really haven't thought this through. But I have to do something, and I'm sure y'all aren't that interested, but I thought I should explain.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Fear Itself #5 - Variant

Fear Itself #5
© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Bruce Campbell Confirms Evil Dead 4

A day after horror websites began reporting a possible fourth installment to the Evil Dead franchise, actor Bruce Campbell took to his Twitter account to confirm it. There is no confirmation as to whether or not Sam Raimi (Spider-Man) will be returning to the series, but it would not be a stretch to assume so.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

The Infinite

The Infinite
© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Neal Adams Pencils New Avengers 16.1

New Avengers #16.1Marvel is pleased to announce that legendary Avengers artist Neal Adams joins Marvel Architect Brian Michael Bendis for a historic collaboration in New Avengers #16.1, a great starting point for new and old readers alike! Norman Osborn, the man who nearly destroyed the Avengers, is back! With the remnants of H.A.M.M.E.R back in action, led by the former Green Goblin, the New Avengers ready themselves for an explosive clash they won’t soon forget.

"Every single panel is so filled with life and vitality. The most diehard Neal Adams fans will be blown away because you are seeing things you have not seen from him before," said Bendis in an interview with Marvel.com. "You will be begging for a Neal Adams Iron Fist book when you see this issue."

Osborn has had plenty of time plotting his revenge on the New Avengers, and finally he’ll be able to unleash the full fury of his followers on the team! When the dust settles, Norman’s dark hand (and Dark Avengers?!) will be revealed! The next great New Avengers epic begins in a way only Bendis and Adams can deliver this September in New Avengers #16.1!

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

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