Dig Boston and League Podcast Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. October 7, 2015

COMICS

NYT Best Selling graphic novelist Maris Wicks sets the anatomy stage with Human Body Theater from First Second Books. Check out our interview later this week and go to her signing at Hub Comics next Tuesday 10.13. … Jughead #1 is a reimagining from the mind of brimping weirdo Chip Zdarsky. It’s all about lunchtrays and revolution this week in the newly relaunched Riverdale. … John Flood #3 is what happens when the government replaces your need to sleep with perpetual awareness. You become aware of the spaces between things and become a great detective. Justin Jordan (Luthor Strode) peeks into the mind of the insomniac detective! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

FOG! Chats With IDW EIC and DIRK GENTLY Scribe CHRIS RYALL at FORCES OF GEEK

IDW’s CCO and Editor-in-Chief Chris Ryall (Zombies vs. Robots, Onyx) takes on Dirk Gently in the latest mini-series from the publisher. Dirk, for the uninitiated, was a character created by Hitchhiker’s Guide author Douglas Adams that made his debut in 1987.

Chris took some time to join us today for a deep dive into this “ghost-horror-detective- time-travel-romantic-comedy-epic”. Issue 4 (of 5) is out today wherever fine comics are sold or iPads are resting. Stay tuned also for a Dirk Gently TV show from Max Landis and BBC America. Chris gives us some insight into the television adaptation as well.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

Dig Boston and League Podcast Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. September 23, 2015

 

COMICS

After a traditional Image Comics trade break, the alien world future political triller Invisible Republic is back with issue #6 as the war starts to heat up. 1872 #3 is the latest from Gerry Duggan, putting a Deadwood spin on the Marvel Universe. A hero is reborn in this Western town of Timely — the strangest of all Secret War tales! The New Deal by Jonathan Case (Batman ‘66) and Dark Horse Comics is a comedic mystery set inside of the historic 1930’s Waldorf Astoria. See who is really behind these mysterious threats! …Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

Triple Shot: THE INFINITE ADVENTURES OF JONAS QUANTUM #1, CAPTAIN AMERICA: WHITE #1, D4VE2 #1 at FORCES OF GEEK

Who isn’t ready for the weekend, amiright? We hope your weekend is filled with many glossy pages (or screens) of comics outdoors for one last time this summer. Crack open that cold can and drink in this last weekend of the Summer because it’s all crashing to an end.

Looking for something to read as you slowly realize you wasted your summer away at the DMV and Dunkin Donuts? Maybe you were toiling away at the boat motor you never could get started?

Here’s some suggestions!

Mark Guggenheim (Arrow, The Flash, Amazing Spider-Man) teams up with Freddie E. Williams II and the tight bros at Legendary Studios (yes, that Legendary responsible for Pacific Rim, The Dark Knight Trilogy and so many more) to give us the smartest man in the world, The Infinite Adventures of Jonas Quantum #1.

Contrast that book with the most put upon robot in the world in former FOG! columnist, Ryan Ferrier’s D4VE2 #1, the sequel to his desk-jockey-robot-turned-hero book D4VE. 

Of course, 98 pound weakling Marvel nerds exhaled a collective wheezy “yay” when they heard that Captain America: White from Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale was finally going to see the light of day and the $4.99 price point is totally worth it if you can’t wait for the collected edition.

The Infinite Adventures of Jonas Quantum #1

Writer: Marc Guggenheim

Pencils and Cover: Freddie E. Williams II

Colors: Chris Sotomayor

Pub. Date: September 16, 2015

Age Rating:15+ Only

Publisher: 2015 Legendary Comics, LLC

Buy Here on ComiXology

I’m not shy when it comes to my love of the work that the CW team has done with Arrow and The Flash. I scoop up insider information on the shows like a Hoover in a hotel lobby from Twitter and have always enjoyed behind the scenes interviews with Marc Guggenheim. 

Marc was also one of the weekly writers of Spidey when I had my resurgence back into comic book fandom so I always keep an eye out for his work. 

What appears to be on the Millarworld model of writing a volume of comics custom built for an easy adaptation to the big (or small) screen is this very fun superhero story about the smartest man in the world.

A clever way of marking time in the book marks Jonas’ advanced intellect and milestones. Keep that calculator handy because you need to know that in the flashbacks on DAY 4800, Jonas is 13 years old and mastering time travel.

At 35, he cures Death.

The superheroing comes in as someone has broken into an off-world pocket universe and stolen his ‘Cure for Death’. 

Jonas has powers, or has invented suits and gear to make him superpowered, can travel through time and there is plenty of action. Interacting with real humans, Jonas has some social problems but he seems to get by.

Great fights and action for the first issue, and as usual Freddie Williams is a master. Quite a great looking book with Chris Sotomayer on colors. 

Five stars for me on this first issue for fans of über-smart heroes (Reed, Tony, Bruce) and the cliffhangers and high drama of Guggenheim’s TV work.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

FOG! Chats With CHRIS HUNT About CARVER: A PARIS STORY From Z2 Comics

Paul Pope’s protege Chris Hunt has a new comic from Z2, Carver: A Paris Story hitting shelves November 11. 

Chris joins us today to tease the red wine and whiskey soaked black and white noir mystery comic and the short film that serves as a prequel to the story.

FOG!: Chris, thanks so much for joining us today. What brought the Carver story to life for you? 

Chris Hunt: Carver started as something of an experiment for me about 5 years ago, when I was applying for Paul Pope’s residency at The Atlantic Center For The Arts. I did a short story about this old school, mustachioed adventurer having to fight off a man-eating lion. 

It was very straightforward, and the main character didn’t have any back story. I kind of just started playing around with what his background would be, how he may have become this old school bad ass. 

I found that I really enjoyed the idea of building a world around this pseudo-Hemingway archetype and I just started playing around with different concepts. I had actually been in Paris with an ex-girlfriend when I came up with the idea for the original story and concept for the character. 

I thought it would be an interesting place to start the saga, so to speak. The backbone of the story is my personal experience when I was there, but it spiraled out into something much bigger as the story was developed.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

Dig Boston and League Podcast Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. September 16, 2015

COMICS

Chances are the world will end up like The Isles of Los Angeles 2089 in Tokyo Ghost #1 by Rick Remender (Avengers) and Sean Murphy (Chrononauts). In the technology addicted future, people are looking for that next digital fix and will beg, borrow or steal to get it! …Ryan Ferrier and Valentin Ramon’s robot D4VE returns in D4VE2 #1. It will be future soon, who are your robot friends? … After years of being frozen metaphorically, Captain America: White #1 hits the stands joining the Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale Marvel Comics color-based original graphic novels. This includes issue #0. … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

Dig Boston and League Podcast Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. September 9, 2015

COMICS

The Bitches enter into a bloodsport arena - which non-compliant will be victorious? If you ain’t reading Bitch Planet, there is no help for you, check out issue #5 by Kelly Sue DeConnick (Captain Marvel) and Valentine De Landro. …Force Friday sucked our wallets clean but if you can, sell off an old Tessek figure to buy Journey to Star Wars The Force Awakens Shattered Empire #1 from former Punisher team of Greg Rucka and Marco Checchetto! … That’s right, we’re recommending Star Trek / Green Lantern #3 again. Maybe you should get all three issues this time. … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

$75 Fandango Customizable Gift Card

Dig Boston and League Podcast Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. September 2, 2015

COMICS

Mark Millar’s (Kick Ass, Kingsmen: Secret Service) wraps up volume one of his family superhero prequel Jupiter’s Circle #6. Imagine this is what the Minutemen was to The Watchmen as a love triangle threatens to break up the team! … Daredevil #18 is the final chapter in the Autobiography of Matt Murdock, written by someone who may surprise you! … We can’t stop picking Star Trek/Green Lantern as pick of the week. Issue #3 (of 6) has Captain Kirk teaming up with Hal Jordan and a ring bearing Enterprise crew. … The crossover event is not to be missed for fans of space cops and space explorers! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

ARMY OF DARKNESS: ASH IN SPACE TPB (review) at FORCES OF GEEK

Writer: Cullen Bunn

Artist: Larry Watts

Cover: Gabriel Hardman
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Pub. Date: August 26, 2015
UPC: 978160690691051999
$19.99

Buy it HERE

The recent Ashley Williams hack has exposed information that has global and interstellar consequences.  

Ash in Space has revealed that Sheila (his bride from Army of Darkness) is long dead and there may have had some hanky-panky between The Chosen One, the real Ash Williams, and a female astronaut on the International Space Station.

What are we talking about, here?


Come on, baby! We’re just using the latest click bait headlines to get you into the world of the Deadites once again as we review Dynamite’s Army of Darkness: Ash in Space! 

Cullen Bunn (The Sixth Gun, Harrow County, Magneto) brings Ash, his new hand and a chainsaw all the way past the stratosphere to fight Deadites and an evil satellite. Larry Watts (Robyn Hood, Grimm Fairy Tales) slays it on the art.

I wonder if Ash’s boss at S-Mart ever wondered where he went. He’s been gone awhile in the time stream, thanks to the spells in the Necronomicon.

If he times his return right, maybe he’ll be able to cash in some sick days.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

Dig Boston and League Podcast Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. August 26, 2015

COMICS

Jack Kirby and Jim Steranko celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Strategic Hazard Intervention Espionage Logistics Directorate in S.H.I.E.L.D. issue #9 written by Mark Waid. This includes Previously unpublished panels from Jack ‘King’ Kirby inked by S.H.I.E.L.D. master artist Jim Steranko. …On the other side of the fence are our friends at HYDRA! Ever wonder what the workaday life of a HYDRA agent is life? Look no further than Hank Johnson Agent of Hydra #1! Written by Curb Your Enthusiasm executive producer David Mandel, this looks pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty good. All Marvel Picks of the week wrap up with Nick Spencer’s Ant-Man Last Days (One-Shot). Is it the end of the world? It is still to late to change the name. … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com!

FOG! Chats With IAN McGINTY, Creator of WELCOME TO SHOWSIDE at FORCES OF GEEK

Ian McGinty is familiar name to Bravest Warriors, Hello Kitty and Adventure Time comics fans, drawing countless issues for the weirdo all ages bubble pop space adventures contained therein.

Z2 Comics (formerly Zip Comics) recently tapped Ian for a new creator owned title that even caught the attention of spoken word artist and punk rock singer Henry Rollins.

Today Ian talks to us about his new book for Z2, Welcome to Showside, Hank’s roll in voicing the pilot for Showside and introduces the heart attack-inducing Mallo-Butter-Waffles. 

Who said bubble-gum pop with a hint of punk edge should be relegated to the turntable?

Looks like we have a sticky cotton candy comic book in the world of Welcome to Showside hitting shelves in October.


FOG!: Ian, thanks for joining us today! We know you are probably super busy! Are you working on a ton of books at the moment or just concentrating on Welcome to Showside?

Ian McGinty: Absolutely, my pleasure. At the moment I’m working on six different licensed properties that include comics, animation, card games and video games.

Some I can’t talk about right now, but the ones I can include Steven Universe, Munchkin, FLUXX and, of course, Bravest Warriors. 

Added on to that is my own book, Welcome to Showside, so it’s been quite a month, to say the least, but wow, what a rad month.

Thankfully, I’m someone who thrives on being busy and I love juggling all the different characters/storylines.

It’s weirdly invigorating to switch from having to be strictly on-model for some projects and then getting to go crazy with my own stuff, so I’m having a blast, and I’m definitely most excited about Welcome to Showside coming out soon.

I just love drawing and creating, so it’s been extremely fun overall.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

Dig Boston and League Podcast Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. August 12, 2015

COMICS

Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.:1952 from superstar team of Mike Mignola, John Arcudi and Alex Maleev follows Red into his first mission with the team and his first swig of booze (allegedly). … Agent Carter played by Hayley Atwell captivated our TV this past season and also was a big hit at Boston Comic Con. Check out her comic adventures in Agent Carter: Operation S.I.N. this week for more 50s spy action stuff! … The Beauty #1 takes on social diseases and vanity all at once from Jeremy Haun (Darkness, Constantine). …Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com!

Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: 1952 TPB (review) at FORCES OF GEEK

Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: 1952 TPB

Written by Mike Mignola, John Arcudi

Art by Alex Maleev

Colored by Dave Stewart

Cover by Mike Mignola

Published by Dark Horse Comics

Cover Price: $19.99

Diamond ID:APR150064

ISBN: 978-1-61655-660-0

Published: August 12, 2015

Buy it HERE

Hellboy embarks on his first mission with the B.P.R.D. Team and wouldn’t you know it, there are demon monkeys, drunken priests and someone out to get the Big Red One.

Returning to Hellboy for the first time since 2003 is frequent Bendis collaborator Alex Maleev for art duties on this Mike Mignola & John Arcudi penned tale set in 1952.

Of course, regular Hellboy colorist Dave Stewart joins the fun on this fantastic adventure.

Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: 1952 is part mystery, part adventure story and explores some growth and development to how Hellboy came up in our world.

The 5 issue series is collected in one volume to hit shelves next week. This is a highly recommended addition to your Hellboy collection and also a great introduction this world as it focuses on a younger Hellboy and Maleev’s art fits the world of the B.P.R.D. so well.

Hellboy fanatics have likely grabbed these issues in floppy form, or perhaps are waiting until this trade drops to line up the spines perfectly with their other Hellboy volumes. However you end up consuming this (Dark Horse is finally onComiXology, FYI), be prepared for some familiar faces as well as some creepy introductions.

Mignola admits to being a bit of a control freak when it comes to other artists drawing his stories. What evolved from tweaking camera angles on Alex’s initial sketches eventually became Mike sending his own thumbnails to the artist. I’m sure the two got along fine, however. The pages and storytelling have the patina of classic Mignola Hellboy tales or old vampiric horror movies. You know how you feel when you read Hellboy Vol. 1: Seed of Destruction? You feel the same here.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

Dig Boston and League Podcast Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. Aug 5, 2015

COMICS

Adam.3 #1 from Scott Kollins (Larfleeze, The Flash) gives us a widescreen wild-man born into a futuristic island utopia! The Tarzan of Tomorrow! … Paul Cornell (Wolverine) drops This Damned Band #1, a Spinal Tap style comic that promises to go to 11 — the 11th level of Hell that is, when worshipping the devil becomes a none-more-black situation. … The Shadow #1 from Cullen Bunn pits The Shadow in the deadliest game against a cabal of magicians searching for the secret of The Last Illusion! Only The Shadow Knows! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com!

Dig Boston and League Podcast Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. July 29, 2015

COMICS

A leader emerges in Invisible Republic #5. Gabriel Hardman and Corinna Bechko’s off-world future tale concludes it’s first arc, in this summer’s breakout sci-fi political thriller. …Mulder investigates a missing child to honor the memory of his sister’s abduction in X-Files Annual 2015. …Last week we gave you Gods & Monsters: Batman, this week it’s JLA Gods And Monsters Superman! This Superman was raised by immigrant farmers as he rails against injustice! See you at Boston Comic Con 2015 featuring Stan Lee, natch! Excelsior! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com!

‘NUFF SAID: THE LEGENDARY STAN LEE ON ANT-MAN, BOSTON, AND CAMEOS AT DIGBOSTON (EARTH PRIME TIME)

‘NUFF SAID: THE LEGENDARY STAN LEE ON ANT-MAN, BOSTON, AND CAMEOS

July 26, 2015 By CLAY FERNALD

92 years young, Stanley Martin Lieber never did quite get to write that Great American Novel.

He did something far more impactful to generations of people: After changing his name to Stan Lee, he created the Marvel Universe. All praise its name.

Before I could make out the letters, I could understand fantastic cars whizzing through the sky in the comic books he’s been behind since the Marvel Universe big-banged its way into my life and the lives of countless other fans.

The Generalissimo himself continues to reign supreme in Hollywood thanks to the blockbusters emerging from his canon of work, and he still teaches online courses, writes and creates brand new comic characters, maintains his role as chairman and chief creative officer of POW! Entertainment, Inc, and of course remains chairman emeritus of Marvel Comics. On top of that, he is a certified movie star (just don’t call them cameos anymore).

Since the man behind Spider-Man and Thor and all the rest is coming to Boston Comic Con 2015, I had roughly 10 minutes to keep a tidal wave of geek freak out in check and chat with him over the phone.

So, how are you doing?

I guess that depends on how you treat me! I’m feeling fine and looking forward to coming to Boston and meeting my friend Ken. [Ed note: Ken Bold is Guinness World Records title holder of the world’s oldest comic artist, born Aug 1, 1920, and is celebrating a birthday at Comic Con].

What, if any, are some of your memories of Boston?

When were we in Boston last? Two years ago. I have great memories of it; we went to a convention and had a wonderful time. People were terrific.

How did you feel Ant-Man went? Was it great to see it come alive on the screen?

Ant-Man was terrific: The critics loved it, the fans loved it.

THIS IS AN EXCERPT!
Read the rest at the Dig Site, please.

Share with this link:

‘NUFF SAID http://bit.ly/stanleebostoncon

NOTE: Thanks for all of your support & kind words!

[READ MORE at DIGBOSTON.COM]

JUSTICE LEAGUE: GODS AND MONSTERS (review) at FORCES OF GEEK

Doomed planet. 

Desperate scientists. 

Last hope. 

Kindly couple. 

Superman.

— Grant Morrison, All-Star Superman

Grant Morrison is most certainly capable of distilling Superman down into a few words, especially when introducing what has since become considered one of the greatest stories of all time of the iconic character.

Another master of the DC Universe  is Bruce Timm, the mastermind behind Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series, Justice League and Batman Beyond (to name a few).

Timm is back in with his latest project,  an alternate reality version of Justice League with Justice League: Gods and Monsters, which debuted on Machinima last month with three shorts and has been released this week as a feature length animated movie.

These new interpretations include Superman / Hernan Guerra (Benjamin Bratt, 24, Modern Family), the spawn of General Zod and Lara Lor Van’s DNA (in vitro, you pervs) raised by a Mexican farming family.

Batman is the creature of the night we know in our world as Man-Bat, Kurt Langstrom (Michael C. Hall, Dexter).

Rounding out the un-holy trinity is Bekka, granddaughter of Highfather from New Genesis aka Wonder Woman (Tamara Taylor, Bones, Lost).

With a reimagined DC Universe including dozens of Easter Eggs and a President Amanda Waller calling the shots, Alan Burnett (Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, Batman Beyond) and Timm’s PG-13 alternate reality gets a little racier thanThe Animated Series ever could. A member of the new guard for DCAU Sam Liu (Batman: Year One, All-Star Superman) directs.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

Dig Boston and League Podcast Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. July 22, 2015

COMICS

Let the punishment end!The Activity team of Nathan Edmondson and Mitch Gerads took over The Punisher for an extended run so hopefully we’ll see some of this Frank Castle in Netflix’ Daredevil Season 2. Punisher #20 promises to go out with a BANG! … We’re going dark with this week’s picks. JLA Gods And Monsters Batman (One Shot) puts alternate reality Man-Bat Kirk Langstrom in the Bat Suit! Be sure to check out the latest from Bruce Timm and DC Animation on iTunes or wherever you get your movies. … Titan brings us Blacklist #1 based on the James Spader TV series of the same name. Will the Concierge of Crime Raymond Red Reddington help the FBI? Tune in to your Local Comic Shop to find out! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com!

FOG! Speaks With DEAN HASPIEL About THE FOX! at FORCES OF GEEK

Distilling comics to their ultimate essence and having fun, Silver Age superhero stories is happening regularly today at one of the most unlikely publishers.

Writer and artist Dean Haspiel joins us this week to talk The Fox from Dark Circle Comics. Last summer we reviewed The Fox: Freak Magnet and the exploits of Paul Patton Jr. and family, so it was a pleasure to get with Dean about the new direction he is taking this classic Archie Comics owned superhero under the Dark Circle imprint.

Dean, who writes and draws the book, collaborates with Mark Waid on the writing and that relationship is explained here as well as some of the new heroes popping up in The Fox world.

The most recent chapter of the latest story arc, Fox Hunt, can be found in The Fox #4, out today wherever comics are sold, and that most certainly includes the device you are reading this freaky interview on!


FOG!: Thanks for joining us, Dean! After the success of Freak Magnet were you eager to get working on your next arc for The Fox?

Dean Haspiel: Thanks, Clay! I originally proposed a different idea for the Freak Magnet sequel that involved an ex-girlfriend who was a therapist for disturbed superheroes, the power of fossil fuel and the resurrection of a Tyrannosaurus Rex dinosaur buried underneath the center of Impact City, and a zombie-version of The Jaguar.

But, my then editor, Paul Kaminski suggested we do something called Fox Hunt, and I wrote a different idea.

Things are a little more violent and bloody this time around, while maintaining true to The Fox as we saw in the last volume. How is it for you to get to write and draw some of the more visceral scenes?

My favorite genre is horror. So, turning up the gross factor in Fox Hunt wasn’t hard for me to do. I just wanted to keep some of the zany, Silver-Age superhero tone I established in Freak Magnet, while decorating some of the scenes with terrifying tentacles, exploding heads, and puddles of viscera.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

Dig Boston and League Podcast Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. July 15, 2015

COMICS

Hawkeye #22 hits stands today after a long delay. Find out the conclusion of the Tracksuit Mafia vs. Hawkeyes Barton and Bishop in this much lauded tale of Pizza Dogs and trick arrows. Mark Waid and Peter Krause continue Insufferable #3 over at IDW. This father and son superhero tale begins to reveal secrets about Galahad’s dead mother and more about Nocturnus’ past. The latest Valiant Universe crossover Book of Death #1 reveals prophecy in the Book of the Geomancer starring X-O Manowar. Bloodshot. Ninjak. The Harbinger Renegades. Unity. … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com!