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JUSTICE, INC. #1! WRITTEN BY MICHAEL USLAN!

A DYNAMITE home entertainment production set FOR AUGUST RELEASE!

Justice, Inc. cover by Alex Ross

April 22nd, 2014, Mt. Laurel, NJ: An event 75 years in the making!  stretched across time, The Shadow, Doc Savage, as well as The Avenger satisfy for the very first time in Justice, Inc. #1! With the stakes this high, it will take three heroes to fight together as the Justice, Inc.! In time for Dynamite’s 10th anniversary celebration, Justice, Inc. #1 will be released in August 2014 as well as is written by Michael Uslan with interiors by Giovanni Timpano.  The original Avenger has been the star of his own Justice, Inc. series as well as previously drawn by a few of the biggest artists in comics: Jack Kirby! Joe Kubert! Kyle Baker! as well as now joining those illustrious ranks of illustrators, come covers by Alex Ross, Francesco Francavilla, Stephen Segovia, Ardian Syaf as well as Gabriel Hardman!

“Doc savage influenced the development of Superman. The shadow directly influenced the development of Batman. The Avenger stimulated the development of a multitude of… Well… Avengers! What an honor to compose a story starring them all! It’s always been beyond my comprehension exactly how street & Smith pulp magazines as well as comics never ever in 75 years teamed the three of them up! Can you picture if up till now DC had never crossed over Superman, Batman as well as question Woman? might you grasp marvel never teaming up Captain America, Sub-Mariner as well as The Human Torch? I like history! as well as THIS, fellow fan-boys, IS history! I am so thrilled that this task has fallen to me. I like these characters as well as understood Walter Gibson, innovative force behind The Shadow. I feel a personal responsibility to him to do the extremely finest task I can, as well as I’m grateful to Nick Barrucci as well as the Dynamite team for making this occur at last!” – Michal Uslan, writer of Justice, Inc.

Justice, Inc. cover by Francesco Francavilla

“Michael is one of the most influenced as well as flexible writers in the market with his experience in comics, film as well as prose,” states Dynamite CEO / publisher Nick Barrucci. “Michael doesn’t compose numerous series because of his schedule, however when he does, he puts all of his energy as well as a enthusiasm that few can give a series, as well as it shows.  This IS a historic cross-over, as well as we couldn’t be much more delighted that Michael is the person spearheading the series.  as well as the very best part is that Michael will utilize his pr device to assist promote the series every problem in stores for sellers to assist them have higher offer with as much more fans will understand of the series.  And nothing is much more interesting than having a series reach as numerous visitors as possible.”

In Justice, Inc. #1, an airliner vanishes without a trace! It’s the dilemma that brings together, in a historic team-up for the very first time ever, street & Smith’s super-star trinity: The Shadow! Doc Savage! The Avenger! 75 years in the making, JUSTICE, INC. begins here, spawned by a horrific disaster of death as well as damage secretly orchestrated by a few of the most powerful as well as unforeseen villains in the history of the pulps! chapter 1 (of 6): “The Time Machine!”

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MERCY THOMPSON RETURNS TO COMICS IN AN ALL new adventure BY new YORK TIMES’ BESTSELLING author PATRICIA BRIGGS!

Patricia Briggs

May 29th, 2014, Mt. Laurel, NJ: Dynamite enjoyment is pleased to announce its most current project with new York Times Bestselling author Patricia Briggs.  This brand new, original story based on her popular Mercy Thompson character and series of novels is in the works and coming your way soon!

This all new story is called “Hopcross Jilly”.  In Hopcross Jilly, Mercy Thompson, shapeshifting coyote and member of the Tri-Cities werewolf pack, stumbles upon the buried bones of many dead children, and is soon hip deep in the mystery of a legendary fae–a mystery that could be the death of her!

Hopcross Jilly is an original story written by Patricia Briggs.  writer Rik Hoskins is on board to script the comics, and Tom Garcia is delivering the sensational artwork to this new series.  The first issue of the 6-issue series is shipping monthly from Dynamite beginning in October, and will be available both digitally and in print.  The graphic novel collection will be published in 2015.

“Rik Hoskin, Tom Garcia and I have put together a creepy little tale for readers enjoyment,” said author Patricia Briggs.  “Tom’s art is just the ideal feel for this story and Rik shares my fondness for horror and humor.  It was a project that is better than any of us could have done alone.  I am thrilled with the results.”

Dynamite CEO/Publisher Nick Barrucci added: “Patricia is a fantastic writer who has woven an extraordinary tapestry within the world of Mercy Thompson.  The brand new story she laid out is fantastic and we’re fortunate that she’s involved every step of the way.  She hand-picked Rik (Hoskins) and Tom (Garcia) to help craft this extraordinary tale.  We’re honored that Patricia is working with us to bring this new chapter in Mercy’s life to her fans around the world.”

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KC Carlson (right)

by KC Carlson

Amazing Spider-Man #86

Anyone who read fantastic Spider-Man #86 back in the day (it went on sale in April 1970) will have never forgotten it, as it was the first appearance of the “new” Black Widow, in her slinky new bodysuit costume — developed by John Romita, Sr. — that immediately burned itself into the brains of both male and female fans! despite minor modifications (belt, holsters) and artistic interpretations over the years, it essentially still stands today. It also looks great on the big screen, based on the Black Widow appearances (as wonderfully portrayed by Scarlett Johansson) throughout the marvel Cinematic Universe, many recently in the current blockbuster Captain America: The winter season Soldier.

This particular issue implies a lot to me personally, as well, because in April 1970, I chose to begin collecting marvel Comics. I finally had enough money, through my dual paper routes, to afford to do this while also supporting my ongoing DC Comics habit. issue #86 was the first issue of fantastic Spider-Man I purchased new (after getting some older issues in a trade and loving them), and I have purchased every issue of ASM since, through good times and otherwise. Back then, I also rapidly managed to find all of the back issues of the series (substituting alternate reprints for the issues that were too pricey!). I read the entire run multiple times in the days when I still had limitless totally free time to do such things.

ITSY-BITSY marvel UNIVERSE

Collecting marvel superheroes wasn’t all that challenging in April 1970, assuming you could afford them. The standard cover price was 15¢. marvel published only 24 titles that month — and only nine of them were superheroes (Amazing Spider-Man, Avengers, Captain America, Daredevil, fantastic Four, amazing Hulk, Iron Man, Sub-Mariner, and Thor). The rest of the books were Westerns, horror, romance and teenage (Millie the Model), a kids book or two, and superhero and western reprints. X-Men had been recently canceled with #66, but it would be relaunched in a few months as a reprint series. Silver Surfer was also soon to be canceled, but the final issue wasn’t released until September. Roy Thomas and Gil Kane were trying to save an irregularly published Captain marvel around this same time. In may 1970 (the month after the “new” Black Widow appearance), anthology titles fantastic Adventures (featuring the Black Widow and the Inhumans) and Astonishing Tales (with Ka-Zar and Dr. Doom stories) debuted, featuring new ten-page stories of these longtime supporting characters.

The Black Widow’s looks from the past. From fantastic Spider-Man #86.

Black Widow’s appearance in fantastic Spider-Man #86 was smart promotion for her new starring series in fantastic Adventures, and that was also the most likely impetus for jettisoning her previous costume, an inconsistently colored blue/gray/purple outfit that that was a pretty hideous variation of DC’s Black Canary costume (except with a short cape and a really unsightly cat’s-eye mask!). You get a peek of the old outfit in the opening pages of ASM #86, the best that it ever looked, because it’s drawn by Romita and Jim Mooney. At least that outfit was better than her earliest “costume” from when she was a Iron man femme fatale in her Tales of Suspense days. Back then, we typically saw her in a too-tight-to-fight-in cocktail dress, high heels, fur wrap, and decked out with a pillbox hat and veil!

Tales of Suspense #52, the first appearance of the Black Widow.

Black Widow’s real name (maybe — she is a spy after all) is Natalia Alianovna Romanova, but in these early days, before Marvel’s writers researched how Russian names actually worked, she was typically referred to as Natasha Romanoff. Her first appearance was in 1964 in the Iron man story in Tales of Suspense #52. By ASM #86 in 1970, she was exhausted of much of her old life and was searching for a change, which she found when she saw Spider-Man swinging across Manhattan. because she was still kinda evil at this point, her first thought was that if she discovered the secret of Spider-Man’s powers, and combined them with her own (which we really don’t find out about until decades later) — “then no one would be able to stop — the Black Widow!” Natasha (and Stan Lee) then thoughtfully recapped her already slightly twisted history from old Iron man and Avengers stories, confessing to herself that she hated being the pleasure-seeking, jet-setting Madame Natasha. She needed to become the Black Widow once again — “to satisfy my destiny — to help me forget… the haunted past!” This is mostly referring to the death of her estranged husband, the Red Guardian, from a then-recent issue of The Avengers (V.1 #44). This being comic books, years later, he eventually “got better”.

BLACK WIDOWBACK-HISTORY: fact OR FICTION?

I ought to take a short break here to discuss that although Black Widow hadn’t had all that numerous appearances, compared to some of her contemporaries, she has one of the much more convoluted backstories of a marvel character. According to her many recent marvel Handbook entry, she was born around 1928, met Wolverine at a young age, and teamed with him and Captain America in an adventure set in 1941, making these three (and Nick Fury and some of his friends) part of a very special “club” of long-lived marvel universe humans. The Widow has a connection to a variant of the Super-Soldier serum — which was, of course, instrumental to the origin of Cap — and this may be the fait accompli of her now-complicated backstory. In addition, Black Widow has been frequently captured, brainwashed, possibly mindwiped, and other unpleasant things over the years, possibly by authors attempting to take shortcuts to unwinding her convoluted (and possibly impossible) continuity over the decades.

Scarlett Johansson as the Black Widow in Captain America: The winter season Soldier

I note that Captain America: The winter season Soldier cleverly sidesteps all these potential continuity “potholes” by clearly stating that Black Widow’s birthdate is 1984. (Specifically November 22, according to the marvel Cinematic universe Wiki — interestingly, Scarlett Johansson’s actual birth date. Talk about being identified with a role…)

BACK TO THE SPIDEY-STORY

So, back in fantastic Spider-Man #86, after a bunch of catching up with Peter Parker’s complicated life (all we really need to know that he’s sick due to something that happened in the previous issue while Spidey was beating up the Kingpin), the Widow has completed her new skintight costume, stating “it may not be as fancy, but this new costume will be much more in keeping with the swingy seventies! (reader applies facepalm here) …And with the modern image of the new Black Widow!” She goes on to demonstrate the suit’s functionality, especially the web-line, Widow’s Bite, and wrist-shooters, all the while grumbling like a super-villain about Spider-Man (a bit much, Stan?). “I should show myself his equal… or learn the reason why!” she screams, while swinging out of the high-rise window.

The Black Widow tries on her new costume. From fantastic Spider-Man #86.

Black Widow eventually swings by the office window of J. Jonah Jameson, where he amusingly exclaims “Spider-Man, swinging past… NO! It isn’t the wall-crawler! It’s a girl! — copping his act! That’s all this blasted town needs! another crummy web-swinger… and a female to boot! Spider-Man probably put her up to it — to confuse everybody!” then Spider-Man turns up, sick as a dog. He’s so ill that he can barely web across town, and he unintentionally scares Aunt may by fumbling his exit from the window of her house.

He then encounters the Widow at the top of a building in Midtown, and they have a tentative aerial encounter as the Widow attacks. They knock each other around for a few beautiful Romita panels, until the Widow eventually tells him who she really is (one of the drawbacks of having a new costume). To which Spidey responds: “Look… a girl can get hurt up here! give me your hand and I’ll help you down!” (An additional thought balloon indicates that this is a trick to stop the fight because he’s too dizzy and sick to be combating up so high.)

Additional dialogue gems from the fight scene:

WIDOW: Okay, masked man! now we’re even! Don’t think I’m helpless because I’m soft and cuddly!

SPIDEY: Soft and cuddly! That kick felt like a Missouri mule!

WIDOW: …Wait’ll you see the goodies that come next!

WIDOW: Look, Spider-Man… For a so-called living-legend, you’re like a king-size disappointment to me!… I’m beginning to think Woody Allen could take you!… Not that he’d want to.*

*Note: Scarlett Johansson has acted in three Woody Allen-directed films. She might actually know this!

SPIDEY: I heard enough, lady! No curvy carbon copy is gonna swipe my style! There’s only room for one Spider-Man in this town… and you’re taking a look at him!

The Black Widow’s solo adventures begin in fantastic Adventures #1

Ultimately, Spidey clogs the Widow’s “wrist gizmos” with his web fluid and crawls off to regain his bearings. His disease continues in the next issue. Black Widow concerns realize that Spider-Man’s distinct abilities are innate, not gained through the training and weapons that she relies on, and she realizes that she has her “own unusual powers — my own style of combat — and my own unusual destiny to fulfill!” A destiny that begins the following month in fantastic Adventures #1 featuring the Widow’s first solo series — as a helpful and hype-minded caption at the bottom of this page reminds us. Although it says that the new book is called fantastic Tales, so there was some last-minute jiggery-pokery in getting this new comic book correctly titled before its launch (or Stan simply mixed up fantastic Adventures and Astonishing Tales when he typed up the Spidey script).

NOT EMMA — MARLA

Most people assume that John Romita based the popular new Black Widow’s costume on a very similar costume worn by Diana Rigg (playing the character Emma Peel) in the classic British TV show The Avengers (no relation to the marvel superhero team). The TV show was one of the rare British imports in the mid-1960s and was quite popular. I even viewed it. I loved the imagery.

John Romita finally refuted this assumption in an interview in Comic book artist #6 (Fall 1999):

I did the costume on the Black Widow. one of my favorite strips from when I was a kid was miss Fury. They had done a miss Fury book at Marvel, and when I found out they had the rights to her, I said I’d love to do a miss Fury book sometime. I had done an updated drawing of miss Fury, and Stan said, “Why don’t we redesign the Black Widow costume based on miss Fury?” So I took the mask off her face, and made the Black Widow the one in the patent leather jumpsuit. That was why the Black Widow changed.

Miss Fury #3. miss Fury’s costume was Romita’s inspiration for Black Widow’s new costume.

Miss Fury was actually rich socialite Marla Drake, and she was originally called the Black Fury. She debuted in 1941.

Although, I kinda like Jeff Parker and Colleen Coover’s smart thoughts on the inspiration, from X-Men first class #9 (April 2008):

From X-Men first class #9

One final thought. If you look at the cover of this issue closely, it may indicate that it was produced before the costume for the Black Widow was finalized. The silhouetted figure is wearing a miniskirt! Or were they trying to trick us into thinking that the silhouette belonged to Gwen Stacy or Mary Jane Watson? (or Aunt May?!?)

Amazing Spider-Man #86 has been reprinted in marvel Masterworks: Spider-Man volume 9, The essential Spider-Man volume 4, The women of marvel TPB, Black Widow: The Sting of the Widow HC, and marvel Tales #67.

___________________________________

KC CARLSON: already used up my allotment of Scarlett Johansson references for the week. Darn. Did you know that lots of people didn’t really notice that Natasha had black hair in her previous costumes and appearances, and went redhead in fantastic Spider-Man #86 (which was similar to the early Scarlet Witch, who also initially had black hair)?

WESTFIELD COMICS is not responsible for the dumb things that KC says. especially that thing that really irritated you.

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Wayne Markley

by Wayne Markley

This is part two of my general evaluation of the different trick war miniseries. just like last time, these are short synopsis as well as not extensive reviews. The high quality varies greatly as some are amazing as well as some I might not get through. all of these are being collected into trades over the coming months so if something catches your fancy, you can find the single problems or wait on the collection. Now, away we go.

Hail Hydra

Hail Hydra is a four problems series by Rick Remender as well as Roland Boschi, Ed Tadeo as well as Scott Hanna. It is the tale of Ian Rogers, the biological child of Arnim Zola as well as his battles with Hydra. compared to many of Remender’s composing this is a extremely great book, however that stated it did refrain from doing a great deal for me. It is a great spy story with great deals of people changing sides however just not my cup of tea.

Howard the Human

Howard the Human was a one-shot title by Scottie young as well as Jim Mahfood. like the title suggests, this is a tale of Howard if he was a human. It reads a great deal like a 70s exploitation film with a difficult PI as well as not the brightest crooks, as well as Mahfood’s art, which is not my favorite, is ideal here. There are a number of laughs as well as as a one shot is a great deal of fun.

House of M

House of M is a four problems series written by Dennis Hopeless as well as Cullen Bunn with art by Ario Anindito. This is influenced by the traditional home of M story where the Scarlet Witch wiped out many of the mutants. This series is essentially similar in the name only. this time around Magneto is in fee as well as is ruling with an iron fist as well as his grandsons, Wiccin as well as speed ,work to oppose him, together with practically everybody else conspiring against him. It is a common mutant story with good art. The story did not leave me wanting much more however it is definitely satisfying of what it is.

Future Imperfect

Future Imperfect is five problems series by Pater David, Greg Land as well as Jay Leisten. This was great. The story speeds along as well as the art is fantastic. This is Peter David reviewing a few of his finest creations, led by Maestro aided by Lyla Miller as well as others, as they deal with off as well as try to de-throne Doom. This is a excellent series as well as the end is nothing that I would have foreseen, yet it made it completely great sense. This was one of the very best of the trick Wars tie series as well as it shows why Peter David is such a great, although underrated, writer.

Planet Hulk

Planet Hulk is by Sam Humphries as well as mark Laming. This might quickly be my second preferred book of all of these series. This was five problems telling the story of gladiator Steve Rogers in the Greenland to take down their leader, the Red Hulk. In fact, all of the inhabitants of the Greenland are Hulks of one shape or another. Rogers is gone along with by Bucky Barnes as well as his faithful beast, Devil Dinosaur. This was a fun romp full of experience as well as action. general a extremely great book.

Inhumans: Attilan Rising

Inhumans: Attilan Rising (Battleworld) is a five problem series by Charles Soule as well as art by John Timms as well as Roberto Poggi. very first off, the art is extremely good in this book. The story is a battle between Queen Medusa as well as the leader of the rebels she is purchased to stop, Black Bolt. It is a extremely great story that is heavy on politics as well as is likewise full of unforeseen guest stars such as Ghost Rider as well as Dr. unusual as well as of course, Thors, who are in practically every book. Not as great as the Hulk titles, however a great read.

Infinity Gauntlet

Infinity Gauntlet is a five problem series by Dustin Weaver as well as Gerry Duggan. very first off, the art is this book is beautiful. This is finished with the spirit of the original series however in a different way. The fundamental story is there is an invasion of bugs that has to be stopped by the Nova corps (well, a household of Novas), as well as as the fight develops others are drawn into the battle, such as Drax, Thanos, Adam Warlock, the Guardians, as well as numerous others. This series is full of action as well as the story is complex where extremely bit is what it seems. I would when once again suggest this one.

M.O.D.O.K. Assassin

M.O.D.O.K. Assassin is a four problem series by Chris Yost as well as David Lafuente. This is not what I would think about a excellent book by the requirements I have rated the other titles in this column, however it is so much fun as M.O.D.O.K. spends the whole series in dispute as to whether or not to kill the women he is in like with. It is not the best, however I discovered the story to be extremely funny as well as entertaining.

Red Skull

Red Skull (Battleworld) is a three problem series that features a bit of whatever as there are Zombies, bounty hunters, Sentinals, bugs (again), Thors, as well as much more. The story is the Red Skull tries to overthrow lord Doom as well as is exiled outside of the shield (the barriers that safeguard the cities from the zombies, bugs, etc.). In exile, the Red Skull becomes a martyr as well as hero to the resistance movement. This was much better than I would have believed however it is not great. I will state though that the end was rather a surprise.

Runaways

Runaways (Battleworld) is by Noelle Stevenson with art by Sanford eco-friendly as well as Noelle Stevenson. I am not sure why, however this book did not work for me. It is a great book in terms of high quality however the story left me chilly as well as I had no rate of interest in the characters or reading much more about them. I am not stating this is a poor book; it just was not the book for me.

Secret Wars Journal

Secret Wars Journal (Battleworld) was a five problem series where each problem featured two stories set in a different parts of Battleworld. None of these truly stood out to me except for the M.O.D.O.K. story in problem one (which I though was one of the very best M.O.D.O.K. stories of all time.) The gist was a number of M.O.D.O.K.s from different dimension are all gathered together because of the new world purchase as well as the integrating of Universes, as well as all of the M.O.D.O.Ks sit around arguing who is the much better M.O.D.O.K. I would suggest the collection just for this M.O.D.O.K story. It was hysterical. nothing else in the five problems stood out to me even though all the stories added to the general trick Wars story.

Secret Wars: trick Love

Secret Wars: trick like was one more one-shot anthology with four all new stories. This was a fun book with a especially great story where Squirrel woman wins a date with Thor. nothing in this book is earth-shattering good, however of what it was it was fun as well as harmless. It was good to see fun short stories set in the Battleworld where practically all of the other stories are battles, death as well as violence.

Secret Wars: Battleworld

Secret Wars: Battleworld is one more anthology title that ran four problems as well as each problem had two stories by different creators. None of these stood out to me, however none of these were poor ether. problem four had a fun story with the Maestro as well as the Silver Surfer. essentially this book told stories of the trick Wars that were not part of the primary book. nothing you can’t online without however nor is anything should reading.

Secret Wars 2099

Secret Wars 2099 takes location in the future as well as is a five part series by the always excellent Peter David as well as will Sliney. This is a extremely great story where the Avengers work for a significant company as well as the Defenders are trying to get justice. This was traditional Peter David as well as is a should for fans of his Spider-Man 2099 work. The story ends with the guarantee there is much more to find which suggests this will continue in the present Spider-Man 2099 book. We will see. A extremely great book, though.

Siege

Siege (Battleworld) is a four problem series by Kieron Gillen as well as Filipe Andrade. sadly I discovered this book to be a muddled. It includes SHIELD, a lot of Scott Summers from different worlds, Kang as well as Thanos. There is lots of action as well as it ends with apparent implications for the end of trick Wars, however I just discovered myself lost. I am sure the trade would checked out much better.

Squadron Sinister

Squadron Sinister is a four part series written by mark Guggenheim as well as drawn by Carlos Pacheco as well as Mariano Taibo. The story is the Squadron Sinister is in fee of the world called Utopius, however they want much more than that as well as are broadening their territory. In the process a Thor is killed as well as that will not be tolerated. A group of Starbrands, together with the Thors, are identified to discover the killer as well as stop the Squadron Sinister’s expansion. This book amazed me in exactly how great it was. It was a excellent story as well as a good tribute to the late mark Grunwald who is many carefully connected with the characters. Well worth reading.

Spider-Island

Spider-Island is a five part story about an island ruled by a huge spider queen as well as the battle to dethrone her. It is by Christos Gage as well as Paco Diaz. I cannot state this book did anything for me. I was not a fan of the original Spider-Island story as well as this is no better. There is a short back-up story in each problem with may Parker, Spider-Woman by Tom DeFalco as well as Ron Frenz. This is a good homage to their prominent Spider-Girl series from years back.

Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows

Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows is a five problem series by Dan Slott, Adam Kubert as well as Scott Hanna. This book was likewise very, extremely good. It is all about the Parker Family, Peter, Mary Jane as well as their daughter, Annie May. When you throw in the trick six as well as the idea that Peter has provided up being Spider-Man as Spider-Man is a desired man, this makes for a excellent read. one of the very best of these miniseries.

Spider-Verse

Spider-Verse was a five problem series by Mike Costa as well as Andre Araujo. This series was not poor however it struck me as an reason to continue the Spider-Verse story by from last year. The cast of characters include Spider-Gwen. Spider-Ham, Spider-Noir as well as numerous others. The general story is fine however it left me cold. I am sure it would charm to Spider fans however to me it was not as much as the high quality of the conventional Spider-Man title.

Star-Lord as well as Kitty Pryde

Star-Lord as well as Kitty Pryde (Battleworld) is a four problem series by Sam Humphries as well as Alto Firmansyah. This book amazed me as it was much more of a romance book with the backdrop of a caper. By the time I got to the end of this book I truly delighted in it. This to me ranks up there as one of the very best trick war books. There is likewise extremely good art as well as I suspect this book would charm to a wider audience than the conventional marvel fan.

Thors

Thors is a five problem series by Jason Aaron as well as art by Chris Sprouse, Goran Sudzuka, Karl story as well as Dexter Vines. This may be the very best of all of the trick Wars books (along with Future Imperfect). It includes much more Thors than you can shake a stick at as well as it is a authorities procedural about a murder. I liked this book however my one grievance is, as well as this is big, it is late. It ought to have wrapped up by now yet we are still waiting on the conclusion. So I would suggest waiting on the collection then run out as well as purchase it as it is well worth reading. having to wait several months for it is unforgivable.

Ultimate End

Ultimate end was one more five problem story this time around by Brian Bendis as well as mark Bagley. This was very, extremely great as well as it is different from the other books in it is extremely remove that a few of these characters understand that this whole Battleworld circumstance is not real. plus there are much more heroes per page than practically any type of of the other titles. A extremely great read.

Weirdworld

Weirdworld is one more trick Wars book that takes the name from a traditional marvel series (recently collected into one lovely trade) that has nothing to finish with the original. It is written by Jason Aaron as well as has art by Mike Del Mundo. This is the tale of Arkon, as well as his quest to get home. Along the method he crosses paths with Man-Thing as well as a number of other strange creatures. outside of the violence this was rather different from the other miniseries. since it is different, as well as since of the extremely good painted art, this stands out. It is a five problem series.

Where Monsters Dwell

Where Monsters Dwell is like Weirdworld in that it is unlike anything else. It is a five part book written by Garth Ennis who is at his finest here. The art is by Russ Braun as well as it is likewise great. The fundamental story is the Phantom Eagle is stranded on an island of Amazons together with Clemmie Franklin-Cox who is rapidly accepted by the warrior women. The Phantom Eagle believes this is a excellent chance as he is the only guy on an island full of women. Alas, that is not so. There is a great deal of cheesecake as well as rather a few laughs. It is mature visitors because of story material as well as nudity. A fun book is you are old enough.

Old guy Logan

Old guy Logan is a five problem series that is set in the future long after the heroes are all gone. It is written by brain Bendis as well as drawn by Andrea Sorrentino. The story is a bit sluggish however this is one of the few trick Wars miniseries that has already been revealed as an continuous book. The art is extremely stylized as well as different than anything else which assists it stand out. I did not delight in this book as much as the original miniseries by mark Millar as I felt this whole story was laying the groundwork for a larger story which I suspect is coming in the continuous series.

E is for Extinction

The next five books I am going to review as a group as all five are X-Men associated titles. None of these truly thrilled me as well as a couple of them I truly did not like. If you are an X fan, you will likely delight in these books, however to me, as stand alone stories they were not that entertaining. All are named after traditional X-Men events. E is for Extinction is four problem series by Chris Burnham, Dennis Culver as well as Ramon Villalobos. The story revolves around Magneto running a institution for gifted children however he is hiding an egg withan immense secret. Inferno was a five problem series by Dennis Hopeless Javier Garron. this tells the story of Colossus’ yearly attempt to rescue his sibling from the Inferno that is Manhattan, as well as the catastrophe it turns out to be. Years of the Future past was one more five problem series this time around written by

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Tales of the Batman: Archie Goodwin

by Robert Greenberger

Archie Goodwin (September 8, 1937 – March 1, 1998) is thought about one of the finest writers as well as editors to have worked in comics, as well as he is missed on a routine basis by everybody he worked with. He’s finest understood today for his work on the early Warren magazines as well as his work at legendary Comics as well as final days at DC. In between all that, his very first stint on DC’s editorial personnel is typically overlooked. He joined in early1973, handling the war titles Joe Kubert had to abandon to focus on the Edgar Rice Burroughs material. before the year was out, he replaced Julius Schwartz on Detective Comics, after his heralded nine year run.

He began with ‘Tec #437 as well as headlined the series for a year or so, with problem #443, before returning to Warren in the autumn of 1974. I keep in mind that problem well since it was a tight story as well as featured art from Jim Aparo, who previously only drew the Darknight Detective in partnership with somebody in The take on as well as the Bold. I was thrilled about the prospects, however alas, an problem later it converted to a100-page super-spectacular style as well as while I admired the reprints Archie chose, missed Aparo’s work on the lead story.

While much has been made from his Manhunter backup feature, with spectacular art by Walter Simonson, the lead stories are worth a look as well as fortunately, they are now being collected in Tales of the Batman: Archie Goodwin, a 480-page hardcover. After two Aparo stories, we get one from Sal Amendola as well as Dick Giordano, Howard Chaykin, as well as Alex Toth. The last one was a fantastic tale, deserving of inclusion in The biggest Batman stories ever Told, while Chaykin stated of his effort, “One of the worst pieces of sh*t I’ve ever done. I’m embarrassed by it. I’m much much more of a journeyman skill now than I was then.”

Years later, Goodwin returned to DC as well as among his very first composing efforts was the hardcover graphic book night Cries, with amazing painted work from Scott Hampton. The story focused mostly on Commissioner Gordon as well as kid abuse which has split fans over its effectiveness. A kid abuser winds up dead as well as Batman is suspected of the criminal offense while Gordon confronts the specter of the abuse he experienced decades earlier. It’s a solid story, however certainly preachy as well as not reflective of either character as we understood them at the time.

This collection likewise includes the Eisner Award-winning story from Batman: Black as well as White #4, with efficient artwork by Gary Gianni together with a tale from Archie as well as gene Ha (with fantastic color from Ted as well as Debbie McKeever) that very first saw print in Showcase’95 #11. then there’s Detective Comics annual #3, drawn by Dan Jurgens as well as Giordano, a much more pedestrian story with the advantage of being set in Japan. far much better is the jazz-based tale from Batman: Black as well as White #1 with art by the fantastic Jose Muñoz.

In sick health, Goodwin composed the five-part ”Siege” story for Legends of the Dark Knight, however was not able to total it. James Robinson stepped in to total work, with fine artwork from Marshall Rogers, Bob Wiacek as well as John Cebollero.

While this is an unequal set of stories, you ought to never fail to remember that one of Goodwin’s personal strengths was that everybody adored as well as respected him, wanting to provide him their extremely best, as well as visually this volume admirably demonstrates just that.

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Tales of the Batman: Archie Goodwin HC

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Jennifer Blood: born again #1 cover by Stephen Segovia

May 17th, 2014, Mt. Laurel, NJ: Famous for writing one of the defining series of The Punisher with Mike Zeck, Steven grant takes on Jennifer Blood with Jennifer Blood: born Again! Dynamite is privileged to be working with Mr. two guns himself for the very first time on such a special project. joining Steven on the comic will be interior artist Kewber Baal, with covers by Stephen Segovia!

Jennifer Blood: born again #1 preview page 1. Art by Kewber Baal.

In Jennifer Blood: born again #1, the streets of Lalaland run red when Jennifer Blood returns to declare a new war on the mobs. Or does she? As a low level hood plots to leverage her in a bid to take over the Los Angeles underworld, her war attracts some very hazardous attention and unexpectedly sets a lethal international chain of events in motion. A deadly new direction from writer Steven Grant, the well-known writer of classic The Punisher stories as well as the designer and writer of Boom!’s 2 Guns!

Jennifer Blood: born again #1 preview page 2. Art by Kewber Baal.

“I don’t play with other people’s toys much anymore, but Jennifer Blood was too juicy a prospect to pass up. As one of Garth’s greatest creations, she was pure psychopulp, that’s what I love about her, and the psychopulp is what we’re going for as we bring her back from the precipice after she has lost everything, and give her a new focus, a new home and a new direction. She used to be crazy, with a thick veneer of sane hiding it. now she’s chillingly sane, but it’s crazy-sane. She has been a lot of fun.” – Steven Grant

“Steven is well versed in the world of all things hard-boiled and he’s bringing all those skills to this new series of Jennifer Blood.” – Joseph Rybandt, Dynamite senior Editor

Jennifer Blood: born again #1 preview page 3. Art by Kewber Baal.

“I’ve known Steven for 20 years, and considering that Dynamite began publishing 10 years ago I’ve wanted to work with Steve,” states Dynamite CEO/Publisher Nick Barrucci. “His extraordinary body of work ranges from The Hulk to the Avengers, and was the first writer to turn the Punisher in to one of Marvel’s leading characters, and of course now 2 Guns. It’s satisfying that a writer of Steven’s caliber is finally working with us, and on an very crucial character to Dynamite – Jennifer Blood.”

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Splinter Cell echoes #1

Mt. Laurel, NJ, April 18th, 2014 – Today, Dynamite home entertainment revealed it is teaming up with Ubisoft to release Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Echoes, a thrilling comic book series based on the award-winning Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell video game franchise that has offered much more than 27 million copies around the world because its introduction in 2002.

Splinter Cell echoes takes location between the events of Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction® as well as Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Blacklist™. The comic book series bridges the space between the two games with a realistic, original story that sets the tone for the opening events in Splinter Cell Blacklist.

Splinter Cell Echo preview page 1

Sam Fisher, when a Splinter Cell–a clandestine elite operative operating in the shadows of the NSA–is now retired. His enemies, however, are not. Haunted by dreams as well as memories of his past, he struggles to put his life back together. however when a mysterious terrorist organization called KROWE begins pursuing targets around the globe, Sam’s know-how is needed to discover their endgame as well as stop them before the deadly plot unfolds.

The job is written by Nathan Edmondson, the critically-acclaimed writer of BLACK WIDOW as well as THE PUNISHER, who is working with Dynamite for the extremely very first time.  Marc Laming, the artist behind EXILE ON THE world OF THE APES, THE RINSE, THE activity as well as Dynamite’s own KINGS WATCH, will be joining him.

Splinter Cell Echo preview page 2

“With Ubisoft, Marc Laming as well as I had the distinct chance to handle one of the most successful as well as recognizable franchises in video games,” states writer Nathan Edmonson. “I’m telling a full as well as original story that stands on its own as an action-espionage tale that we’re both happy of, bringing a narrative aspect to the excitement of the game in a method that only a comic can do.”

Splinter Cell Echo preview page 3

“I’ve had a fantastic time working with Dynamite on Kings view & Flash Gordon so it’s truly great news that the publisher is going to be the house for Splinter Cell Echoes. It’s a rattling great spy-fi yarn full of the kind of story aspects that Nathan does best. It’s a tale that provides great fan service while similarly available to people who don’t understand the Splinter Cell world – this is a kick ass, globe-trotting trick operative without restraints,” stated Marc Laming.

“We are extremely delighted to be working with Ubisoft on this project, as well as understand that it is just the begin of a fantastic connection between the companies,” stated CEO/Publisher Nick Barrucci. “This book looks as well as reads fantastic, as well as we truly believed it deserved getting out to a broad audience through Dynamite. When you checked out the series, you’ll see why Ubisoft delegated Nathan as well as Marc to be able to tell a story in continuity with the games, certainly a high honor.  Nathan Edmonson took a video game, as well as made it one of the very best comics today. It doesn’t shock me whatsoever that marvel delegated him with such essential properties with The Punisher as well as Black Widow. as well as with those books, he’s knocking them out of the park! integrated with the art of the extremely skilled Marc Laming, it’s just a ideal in shape all around.”

Splinter Cell Echo preview page 4

Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell echoes was previously only offered in a restricted print run as part of the Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Blacklist Collector’s Edition. Dynamite will release the job as a four problem mini-series shipping July to October, with a collection to be published soon thereafter. The job will function new covers by Marc Laming as well as include bonus offer behind-the-scenes material in each problem from Ubisoft.

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Gutter Magic #1

According to his Twitter account, rich Douek is a copywriter by day, comic creator by night. In this case, that comic is Gutter Magic, a new miniseries from IDW. Westfield’s Roger Ash contacted Douek to learn more about the comic.

Westfield: What is the genesis of Gutter Magic?

Rich Douek: Gutter Magic is a fantasy story I’ve been working on for a long time, first as a novel, then as a series of short comics that I self-published, and finally in the miniseries we are putting out with IDW and Comics Experience this January.

Gutter Magic preview page 1

Westfield: What can readers look forward to in the story?

Douek: Well, we’ve got an immensely detailed setting that mixes the modern world and magic in weird and wonderful ways – no secret societies here, it’s wizards, goblins, elves and dragons all running around on the streets of midtown Manhattan!

Story-wise, we’re talking about a fast-paced, high action heist that blends pulp adventure, high fantasy, and gritty crime. and man, do we have some killer art bringing it all to life.

Gutter Magic preview page 2

Westfield: who are the main characters in the book?

Douek: The main character is Cinder Byrnes – a young man born into a family of powerful mages – the only problem is, he can’t cast a spell to save his life! To fix his connection to the power of magic, he enlists a partner in crime – the goblin, Blacktooth. together they’ve been stealing the pieces of a powerful spell that should do the trick.

The only problem is, one of the pieces they’ve stolen belongs to The Morgue, a feared necromancer and crime lord, who sends a gang of thugs led by her daughter, Shiver, to collect Cinder’s head before he can figure out how to cast the spell.

Gutter Magic preview page 3

Westfield: The art by Brett Barkley is really stunning. What can you say about your collaboration with him?

Douek: Brett has been fantastic to work with, as have Jules Rivera and Nic Shaw, the other members of our creative team. all of them pay an fantastic attention to detail, and have really professional attitudes.

With Brett in particular, my favorite part of working with him is that he puts so much thought into the designs he creates, both for environments and character. We’ve spent hours talking and emailing about how things should look and feel, and he knocks it out of the park every time.

Westfield: I really enjoy the mix of magic and the real world in the story. how much world building did you do for the series?

Douek: In short, a lot! I’ve filled up a few notebooks of details, everything from how magic works, to the politics of the city, to the reason why wizards prefer real wine over the conjured stuff (and there is one!). Not all of it makes it into the story, obviously, but knowing all those details really helps make the world feel alive, especially when they’re rendered as beautifully as they are in the book.

Westfield: Do you hope to do more Gutter Magic stories when this series is done?

Douek: Yes. I feel like I could tell stories in this world for years to come. I have arcs plotted out for all the main characters, and I hope I’ll be able to get to do them, if not right away after this miniseries ends, then somewhere down the road.

Gutter Magic #1 subscription Cover by Gabriel Iumazark

Westfield: any closing comments?

Douek: I just want to take a minute to highlight Comics Experience, one of our publishing partners along with IDW. It’s an online school and workshop for comic creation. When I took my first intro to comics writing course there, I developed part of the story that eventually became this miniseries. I can honestly say the book wouldn’t exist without CE. I’m really proud to be part of the publishing program there, along with quality books like Tet, Drones, and creature Cops, not to mention the second wave of titles coming out next year.

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Gutter Magic #1