Halloween Unmasking – The Influence of Classic Horror on the Superhero

Mysteriomaximus over at the International House of Geek writes about the influence horror has on superhero comics. “Horror is likely not what immediately jumps to mind when you think of superheroes. It may when you think of spandex, but not so much when the impossibly fit featured roles are wearing it. Yet when you really ponder the topic, it’s hard not to see the outcome that classic horror film characters like the Invisible Man had on megalomaniacal madmen like Dr. Doom and super villain clichés at large. Check out the spitting image of Pumpkinhead in the Timely Captain America #2, titled so politically correctly as “Ageless Orientals That Wouldn’t Die!” Horror is more tightly wrapped up in superheroes than the Living Mummy; it just takes an archaeologist to unearth it!”

NYCC pics!

Robbi and Philippe took a bunch of photos from NYCC. There’s some great cosplay, some awesome nerdy moments, and plenty of convention goodness. Check out the album HERE!

Review: Holy Terror by Frank Miller

Having never read Hitler’s Mein Kampf, Frank Miller’s Holy Terror is probably the most ridiculous, shallow, offensive piece of propaganda I think I’ve ever read. Pretty? Sure. Any good? Absolutely not. So why did I enjoyed the hell out of it?

Oz's 2-Cent Reviews

This week, Oz reviews Flash #2, Annihilation Earth Fall #2, New Guardians #2, Justice League Dark #2 & Wolverine and The X-Men #1.

Back of the Bin Reviews

Chris is back again with more bargain bin reviews. This time I have a teamtastic stack for you, with reviews of only team title books. As usual, I'll either love it and recommend you Dig for it, hate it and suggest Bury it deep in the darkness of the bin, or straddle the fence and suggest you Sift for issues that may be good based on their cover art...
 This week: 
Justice League Europe #1, Justice League America #40, Justice League International #17, Dynamo5 #1, Ibots #1, All New Exiles #Infinity, Stormwatch #’s 1, 2, Fantastic Four #’s 339, 369 & Saved by the Bell #1.

Boondock Saints: In Nomine Patris Review

Gangsters, Mafia, avenging angels and a bucketload of violence. That’s what Troy Duffy and JB Love’s Boondock Saints: In Nomine Patris, is all about. It’s available for pre-order now at 12 Gauge Comics and will be released next month.

Troy Duffy on the Boondock Saints Comic

The release of The Boondock Saints: In Nomine Patris trade is imminent, and a review is coming shortly, but in the meantime, here’s a video of creator Troy Duffy talking about how the comic ties into the movie.

Troy Duffy on the New BOONDOCK SAINTS GRAPHIC NOVEL : "In Nomine Patris" from INNFUSION on Vimeo.

A Guide to the Jean Grey School

From the pages of Wolverine and the X-Men:

Top 5 - Maxi Series

This week, we count down the top 5 maxi series, as voted by members of the facebook group. For the purpose of the vote, we defined a maxi series as a finite series with clear narrative structure and a defined ending lasting between 13 and 75 issues.
As always, the very nature of lists means that absolutely no one will agree with it, but feel free to voice your opinions in the comments.
Click HERE.

Creator Roundup - 27/10

This week Dan Hipp goes back to ’78, Michael Alan Nelson discusses being an outcast, Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Grey get there cowboy boots on, Brandon Graham opens his sketchbook, Mike Mignola talks ghost films, Chrissie Zullo dumps, Mike Carey works with his family, Skottie Young draws Ratfish, Brian Wood lets us know what he’s doing, David Aja gives us a sneak peek, Jeff Lemire is happy and Stan Lee does Shakespeare.

Week of 26th October - Tim's Picks

Tim absolutely blew his 15 issue limit, but with no trades, it’s OK…
2000AD 1754 – Because I finally caught up with my progs and found a shop that can get them to me on time!
27 second set 2 – Because it’s a book about music and magic that’s totally different to Phonogram but equally awesome.
All Star Western 2 – Because I’m hoping beyond hope this issue improves on last.
ASM 672 – Because it’s the end of Spider Island.
Angel and Faith 3 – Because Gage is nailing the characters.
Annihilators: Earthfall 2 – Because it’s Marvel Cosmic.
Captain Swing 4 – Because it took so long to come out, and it’s a beautiful book.

Daken 16 – Because of the Runaways.
DMZ 70 – Because it’s the continuing epilogue to Brian Wood’s epic series.
Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz 2 – Because it’s Skottie Young.
Flash 2 – Because it was good enough to survive my new 52 cull.
Fly 5 – Because it’s creepy and awesome and the best thing I’ve read from Zenescope.
Game of Thrones 2 – Because the story is awesome and suits comics well.
Green wake 6 – Because the mini series was good enough to make it ongoing.
Red wing 4 – Because Hickman writes a story about a war across time.

Spaceman 1 – Because it’s Azzarelo and Risso.
SI: Cloak and Dagger 3 – Because I love me some Ty and Tandy.
Star Trek 2 – Because it reimagines original series Star Trek episodes in JJ Abrams’ universe.
Walking Dead 90 – Because it’s the Walking Dead.
Wolverine and the X-Men 1 – Because I’m really curious to see where it goes.

AMC Renews Walking Dead

Just two episodes into season two, AMC announced that the Walking Dead will be renewed for a Third season. The announcement comes of the back of a record breaking first episode this season - the most watched episode of a television drama. The episode attracted over 7 million viewers.

Criminal to be Adapted to Film by Brubaker

The first arc of Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips’ crime noir series ‘Criminal’ is set to be adapted to film by Brubaker himself for Hunting Lane Films. Variety reports that David Slade is set to direct. "'Coward' was just a great modern story," Slade said. "It harkens back to an era of crime stories where there's really a gritty reality to it, but there's a kind of underworld haze of noir. It's not like we have to reinvent the material, to figure it out, because it already works."

Vampire Recognition Guide

Found this on io9, by way of society 6 and thought I’d share. Classic.

Free Digital Comic of the Week - Atomic Robo #1

Oz's 2-Cent Reviews - 23/10/11

Oz reviews Animal Man #2, Suicide Squad #2, Justice League International #2, Swamp Thing #2, Demon Knights #2, Green Lantern #2, Batman & Robin #2, Batwoman #2, Frankenstein Agent of SHADE #2 and Stormwatch #2.

Is Matt Smith Stepping out of the TARDIS?

Not strictly comics related, but Matt Smith hints he may only be doing one more season of Doctor Who:

Get More: Music Videos, Free Music Videos

Will Watchmen 2 Happen?

There’s been a heap of buzz about DC doing a prequel to Watchmen, with mixed reactions. Bleeding Cool thinks it’s happening. Dave Gibbons has been attached to the project, which surprises me, because even though he hasn’t been quite as outspoken as Alan Moore, he certainly has expressed a desire for the original 12 issue series to remain untarnished. The trouble is DC smells money, and a bit of extra cash never goes astray in the struggling industry. Is nothing sacred?

Comic Art of the Week - 22/10/11

This week’s art comes from the amazing Ryan Kelly:

New Episode of The Graphic Word!

I review: Star Trek 1, The Strange Talent of Luther Strode 1, Casanova Avaritia 2, The Cape 2, The Unexpected 1, Spontaneous 5, Northlanders 45 and trades Local and I Kill Giants.

Creator Roundup

This week Dan Hipp is on the same bat (adventure) time, Joe Hill passes the blame, Eric Canete channels the power cosmic, Phil Hestor goes bionic, Brian Wood previews barbarity, Georges Jeanty answers a bunch of questions, Bryan Lee O’Malley tells a tale about a fly, Jeff Lemire is not as vain as Grant Morrison, Fabio Moon gives a nod to Chris Claremont and Brandon Graham decides to collaborate. As always, if you want me to follow a specific creator, let me know in the comments.

Top 5

This week, we count down the top 5 comic book villains. The very nature of lists means that absolutely no one will agree with it, but feel free to voice your opinions in the comments. Then head over to our facebook page and vote in next week’s countdown.
View the full list HERE.

Week of 19th October - Oz & Tim's Picks

This week Oz picked up:
Blue Beetle #2
Green Lantern Corps #2
Justice League #2
Legion of Superheroes #2
Red Hood and the Outlaws #2
Wonder Woman #2
X-Factor #226

Tim was able to cut back to 12 issues and 3 trades this week, after dropping a few marvel and DC books:
All-Nighter 5 – Because David Hahn writes drama very well.
BPRD Hell on Earth: Russia 2 – Because Mike Mignola is my homey.
Bonnie Lass 2 – Because it has pirates in it.
Dark Horse presents 5 - Because it’s an anthology and includes an Eric Powell story.
Fables 110 – Because it’s Fables and Fables is awesome.
Helblazer 284 – Because it’s a story about a trench coat with residual magical powers.
Justice League 2 – Because I’m kind and give second chances.

The Scourge 5 – Because Scott Lobdell is writing the hell out of this series.
Spontaneous 5 – Because Spontaneous has been the best thing Oni has produced since Rucka’s Stumptown, and this is the final issue 2!
Uncanny X-Men 544 – Because my subscription hasn’t run out yet.
Wonder Woman 2 – Because we were all taken by surprise by the Awesomeness of issue 1.
X-Factor 226 – Because it’s PAD. Seriously.

15 Love TP – Because it was a surprisingly good teen drama mini series.
Freak Angels Vol. 6 – Because It’s a totally fascinating story that I want to re-read.
Unwritten Vol. 4 – Because it’s about magic and literature, and I’m and English Teacher/wizard.

CBNAH Podcast Episode 4

The latest episode of the CBNAH Podcast is here! Listen here or go to iTunes and subscribe!

Free Digital Comic of the Week - Mouse Guard: Fall 1152 #1

Oz's 2-Cent Reviews - 14/10/11

Oz reviews Animal Man #2, Suicide Squad #2, Justice League International #2, Swamp Thing #2, Demon Knights #2, Green Lantern #2, Batman & Robin #2, Batwoman #2, Frankenstein Agent of SHADE #2 and Stormwatch #2.

Back of the Bin Reviews - 15/10/11

In this week’s Back of the Bin Reviews Chris looks at Black Lightning #1, Captain Marvel #1, Cloak & Dagger #4, Wild C.A.T.S. Compendium and #0, Firestar #3, 4 and Teen Comics #5.

Comic Art of the Week - 15/10/11

This week’s comic art comes by way of Chrissie Zullo - a few of the X-Girls for you to enjoy.

NYCC: New Series Announcements

- Paul Cornell and Ryan Kelly are writing ‘Saucer Country’ for Vertigo. Cornell describes it as West Wing meets The X-Files. Blastr has some previews.
- Jim McCan and Rodin Esquejo launch ‘Mind the Gap’ at Image in the coming spring. McCan offers another X-Files comparison, saying it’s across between the X-Files and ‘Twin Peaks’.
- Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips once again collaborate on a new Image series called ‘Fatale’. Fatale sees Brubaker returning to the crime genre, featuring a femme fatale lead, and also incorporating supernatural elements. It seems like the supernatural twist is the flavour of the month.
- Brian Wood and Becky Cloonan are the new team on ‘Conan’ from Dark Horse. This one’s been brewing for a while, and It’s good Dark Horse are showing Wood some love after DC kinda gave him the cold shoulder.
- Greg Pak and Tony Parker bring their new series ‘Dead Man’s Run’ to Aspen Comics. The series is reportedly about a prison break from Hell.
- It’s not exactly a NYCC announcement, but it’s an awesome one - IDW announced Father and Son duo Stephen King and Joe Hill are teaming up with artist Nelson Daniel to bring their Richard Mattheson inspired Road Rage to comics!
- Ben McCool and Mario Guevara are adapting the 1938 film Alexander Nevsky to comics for IDW.

DC Superheros Weigh In on DCnU

This rather amusing comic strip comes from the creative mind of Richard Pace by way of Robot 6.

Creator Roundup

This week Dan Hipp would like to know more, Jeff Smith, Jeff Lemire, Brian Wood and Jamie McKelvie tells us where they’ll be this weekend, Sara Pichelli draws Siryn for charity, Mike Mignola draws Jesus for his greyhound, Warren Ellis discusses all things digital, Jeremy Bastion draws just as good as Rafael Grampa, Dan Clowes had a rough childhood, Joe Hill talks endings and beginnings, Rafael Grampa draws as good as Jeremy Bastion, Michael Alan Nelson is outcast and Alan Moore is good old crazy Alan Moore.

New Tintin Clip

DC Show Amazon Some Love, B&N Get Jealous

Publisher Weekly reported that DC comics are selling 100 graphic novels, including Watchmen, The Dark Night Returns and the Sandman series, exclusively on the Amazon Fire for a rumoured four months. Barnes and Noble were none to happy about this, so the ordered their stores to pull the physical copies of the trades of their store shelves. Basically B&N have taken the 10-year-old petulant child approach, and may possible ignite a content war.
UPDATE: United States bookstore chain Books-A-Million have followed Barnes and Noble’s lead, pulling the 100 DC graphic novels off their shelves as well.

Week of 12th October 2011 - Oz & Tim's Picks

Oz’s Picks:
Batman and Robin 2

• Batwoman 2
• Demon Knights 2
• Frankenstein Agent of SHADE 2
• Green Lantern 2
• Suicide Squad 2

Resurrection Man 2

Tim’s trying to narrow his weekly picks to 15:
ASM #671 – Because Spider Island continues.
Baltimore: The Search Bells #3 – Because it’s Mike Mignola’s take on Van Helsing.
Batwoman #2 – Because JH Williams III.
Buffy season 9 #2 – Because issue 1 was just the setup.
Demon nights #2 – Because Oz convinced me to get the first issue and it was awesome.
The cape #2 – Because it’ll be the best comic I’ll read this week.

Morning Glories #13 – Because I was starting to lose interest in Morning Glories until the awesomeness of last issue.
Northlanders #45 – Because it’s Northlanders. How is this series being cancelled?!
Pigs #2 – Because it’s about a KGB sleeper cell in Cuba.
PunisherMAX #18 – Just because.
Shield #3 – Because I love me some Da Vinci.
Unexpected #1 – Because I’m a sucker for anthologies.
Unwritten #30 – Because it feels like we’re starting to get some pay-off.
X-Men Legacy #257 – Because of my two great x-men loves - Rogue and Gambit.

X-Men: Regenesis #1 – Because I think it’s an anthology.

The Avengers Trailer is Here!

It’s a great trailer, too!

Misfits Season 3 Teaser Debuts

it’s only a tiny morsel, but it’s the Misfits. We’ll take anything we can get!

Phoenix Jones Releases Assault Footage

Real life superhero Phoenix Jones, who was arrested with assault using pepper spray yesterday morning, has released video footage of the incident, backing up his claims that he was stopping a fight. here’s the video in it’s entirety - it’s quite long, and gets a little intense.

Judge Dredd: Trouble in Post-Production

The LA times reported that Judge Dredd director Pete Travis was given the flick during Post-production. Writer-Producer Alex Garland was going to take his place in the editing room. It seems, however, some kind of collaboration between Travis and Garland has been going on since the outset. Here’s the statement released by the pair:
"During all stages of the filmmaking, 'Dredd' has been a collaboration between a number of dedicated creative parties.  From the outset we decided on an unorthodox collaboration to make the film.  This situation has been misinterpreted.  To set the record straight, Pete was not fired and remains a central part of the collaboration, and Alex is not seeking a co-director credit.  We are all extremely proud of the film we have made, and respectfully suggest that it is judged on viewing when its released next year."

Free Digital Comic of the Week 11/10/11

This week we bring you, by way of Graphicly, issue one of The Killer by French superstars Luc Jacamon and Matz. Enjoy!

Back of the Bin Reviews

I absolutely love bargain/dollar bin comic shopping and since my town has three comic book stores but not a single copy of any of the DCNU, I've decided to review some older comics. I'll either love it and recommend you look for it (dig for it), hate it and warn you away from it (bury it), or like it only enough to buy it if you run across a good issue of it (sift for it)...
 
This week: 
Captain Atom #1, Christmas with the Super-heroes #2, Team Titans #1 (two editions), New Titans #100 and Booster Gold #2, 6

New Scene from Batman: Year One

Spinoff Online has a new scene from the Batman: Year One animated movie:

Marvel Teases New Winter Soldier?

The latest teaser to come out of Marvel - a red star on a black background with the words “What if there wasn’t only one?” could indicate a new winter soldier. It also may tease a return of Bucky Barnes, which would add another hero on there ever-growing list of characters being brought back too soon.

Stan Lee Cameos in The Guild!

for those of you who haven’t been watching Felicia Day’s web show The Guild, You’re missing out on one of the best shows on the interwebs. This week’s episode guest stars Stan ‘The Man’ Lee!

Fuzzy Elves EVERYWHERE!

I have a theory concerning all these mini Nightcrawlers we've been seeing on future cover solicitations of WOLVERINE & THE X-MEN (specifically the covers of issues 1 and 3).

Firstly, I'm well aware of Chris Bachalo's tendency to draw little amphibian creatures and vegetation all over his pages, but I think something more is going on with these little guys then first meets the eye.

My guess is Beast (and maybe whatever other scientific mind that joins him in the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning) clones the elf's DNA but reproduces him (and probably not perfectly) in mini forms to create a genetically engineered transportation system for the team! Think teleporting mascots! 

So if this does indeed go down, you know where you heard it first!

Kindle Fire an Affordable Device for Digital Comics

I came across this add for the new Kindle Fire Android tablet today, and at $199, it’s quite the affordable device. It seem’s like Amazon are advertising it’s use for digital comics as well. my only concern is the 7-inch screen might be a tad too small...

Creator Roundup

This week Dan Hipp channels his inner Willy Wonka, Mike Carey plays video games, Terry Moore shares his trash, Dave Gibbons talks about...erm...Watchmen, Gabriel Ba draws some houses, Kate Beaton puts some cartoons together and calls it a book, Jamie McKelvie offers an Icelandic nymph, Georges Jeanty doesn’t watch Buffy, Jonathan Luna makes Steve rogers a girl, Joe Hill makes a list, Brian Wood makes a sign, Bryan Lee O’Malley makes a Mario level and Chrissie Zullo makes pretty pictures.

Paramount/Columbia releases New Tintin Trailer

Because We Love You, BKV

iFanboy discuss Brian K Vaughan’s career, and I owe him an apology. Buy everything he's ever written.

Waldo's Wife Mega-Collage!

With Waldo’s wife appearing in all 52 DCnU issue #1s, we’ve been giving you collages of all her weekly appearences. Now the first month is over and the initial 52 issues released, here’s a collage featuring every single appearence of the Mysterious Hooded Girl in the DCnU. see if you can spot all 52!

Graphic Novel Review - Habibi by Craig Thompson

Craig Thompson, Author of Goodbye, Chunky Rice, Carnet de Voyage and the critically acclaimed Blankets is back with his latest offering – the 670 page proverbial monster called Habibi.

Week of 5th October 2011 - Tim and Oz's Picks

Only 4 picks for Oz this week:
Animal Man #2
Justice League International #2
Stormwatch #2
Swamp Thing #2

Tim, as always, has slightly more:
Action Comics #2 – First issue was good, but not great. It’s Grant Morrison, so I’ll give him another chance.

Animal Man #2 – Heck Yes.
Batwing #2 – The surprise package of the new 52.
Casanova: Avaritia #2 – What a mindwarp this series is. Love it.
Chew #21 – New arc of one of the best ongoings on the shelves.
House of Mystery #42 – The new status quo on this series is interesting and feels like the ‘good ol’ days’ of the book.
Invincible #83 – One of the best superhero comics on the shelves.
Mystic #3 – Wait, what? How did I miss issue 2?
The Rinse #2 – A surprise book from BOOM!. Great crime noir that feels like Brubaker and Phillip’s Criminal.

Severed #3 – an interesting story so far – I’m hooked.
Stormwatch #2 – First issue was good enough for a second go around.
Strange Talent of Luthor Strode #1 – The solicit seemed interesting – Young kid buys muscle gain product from the back of a comic book, and works way better than he expected…
Swamp Thing #2 – Love me some Swamp Thing.
Sweet Tooth #26 – If your not reading sweet Tooth, you’re missing out on one of the best series in comics.
Walking Dead #89 – It’s been a while between issues…
X-23 #15 – love this series.

X-Men Schism #5 – The end.

Trades:
Axe Cop: Bad Guy Earth – Genius. Pure 6-year-old genius.
Hark, A Vagrant – Kate Beaton’s amazing satirical web comic is collected for the first time by Drawn and Quarterly.

Little Red Glowing Hood Wave 4

The mysterious hooded girl is back once again! Here’s the final where’s Waldo collage of all her DCnU wave 4 appearances. check it out after the jump and see if you can spot all 13!

Eric Powell Illustrates Huck Finn

CBR spoke to Eric Powell about his upcoming work illustrating Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. Here’s an excerpt:

I see. You're adding illustrations to the novel, rather than adapting it as a comic. Why take this approach?
Well, that's what was suggested to me by Chris. If he had said a comic, I would have just said no. Too much work. My schedule is pretty busy with "The Goon."
How many illustrations are included? Is it every other page, only select scenes, etc.? And are there spot illustrations or are they all full-page?
Around 20. These are full page drawings.
How do you choose which scenes to illustrate, and how do you determine how much story to pack into each single image?
I just picked out scenes that really resonated to me. You really can't put too much into a book illustration. You have to pick a moment in time to freeze frame. If you try to put in every little nuance, you lose the power of the image in minutia.
From a character design standpoint, how do you go about working through what Huck and Jim look like, how they move, etc.?
Being a young southern kid in the late '70s, I'm familiar with the look of poor, dirty children. I think I can do a decent representation of Huck. But I'm going more for establishing atmosphere than to painstakingly point out how the characters should look. I want to evoke the feeling of a riverbank rather than draw a historically accurate riverboat that shows off how good I use photo reference.

Digital Comic of the Week - Days Missing #1

This great sci-fi series about time travel and influencing the past has a different creative team for each issue, the first being Phil Hestor and Frazer Irving. If your into intellectual science fiction like Phillip K Dick, you’ll love Days Missing!

Comic Art of the week - 4/10/11

This week’s art is brought to you by Eric Powell, as the Goon makes a statement about a certain new breed of teenage vampire: