Batman Confidential #50: Jerry Bingham Returns

Posted by Tom Mason Categories: Editorials, DC Comics,

If there’s one comic book I’m really looking forward to in November, it’s Batman Confidential #50. For starters, it’s the first of a 5-part story by writer Marc Guggenheim, the executive producer of the upcoming super-hero TV series No Ordinary Family. That would have me at the comic store anyway.

But what’s going to get me there on November 3 is that the art (and cover) is by my pal Jerry Bingham (artist on Batman: Son Of The Demon, one of the great graphic novels of all time). DC’s promo copy says Jerry’s drawing Batman “for the first time in more than 20 years,” and who am I to argue?

I’ve known Jerry for years – I’ve commissioned covers from him on comics I’ve edited and written. And he was a design-and-color consultant in the early days of the Ultraverse, so I got to hang with him nearly every day and watch him work. I can’t wait for this.

This 56-page issue stars “a younger, more maverick Batman as he faces a foe who had once tangled with the Justice League of America in the Orient!” The back-up JLA story ties in with Marc and Jerry’s lead.

I’m already in line.

[Artwork: Cover to Batman Confidential #50 by Jerry Bingham, © DC Entertainment]

Second Chew Trade Lands on NYT Best Sellers List

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Conventions, Image Comics,

The congratulations keep coming for Chew writer John Layman and artist Rob Guillory!

Following in the footsteps of the Image comic’s first trade paperback, Taster’s Choice, the second volume, International Flavor landed on the New York Times Best Sellers List this week. Considering that the Scott Pilgrim movie buzz has sent fans flocking to comic book stores and blockading much of the list, this is quite an accomplishment.

The series follows Tony Chu, an FDA agent who receives psychic sensations from anything he consumes (coined a “cibopath”), on his adventures in a reality where eating chickens is illegal.

Layman and Guillory are scheduled to be at San Diego Comic Con, selling the hardcover Chew Omnivore Edition (set for wide release on August 11) as well as a special convention variant cover for Chew #12 (in stores next week, on July 14). Make sure you get there quick—I have a hard time believing that a cover titled “The Radioactive Mona Lisa Chicken Cover” will take long to sell out.

Read More | NY Times

Weekend Reading: Bob Bolling, Dave Simons, Kirk Alyn and Chuck Jones

Posted by Tom Mason Categories: Editorials, Movies, Reviews, Television, DC Comics, Marvel Comics,

Hey Librarians! Pack up your decimals of Dewey and head out to Washington DC, where all the cool graphic novels are going to be talked about. It’s the American Library Association’s annual conference, and it’s set for June 24-June 29. Early Word has the word on all the graphic novel programming just waiting for you.

Dave Simons: It’s been one year since the death of the acclaimed artist Dave Simons and his friend Daniel Best and 20th Century Danny Boy remembers him with stories and quotes, like this one: “Here is my recipe for a winning comic book cover: Flame. Gorilla. Skull. Hot chick. Other elements of interest: Nazis, dinosaurs.” I would totally buy Flaming Gorilla Skull Chick Vs. Nazi Dinosaur #1 from any publisher. Even at $3.99. I’ll even write it. And I wish Dave was still alive to draw it.

Superman Serials: The Bijou Blog takes a look at those Superman movies that most comic book fans don’t care about: the old serials like Superman and Atom Man Vs. Superman, starring Kirk Alyn. “His Superman seems stern at times, then happy-go-lucky, but also happens to take a sadistic glee in cracking two crooks’ heads together. The cape appears to give him some trouble. Alyn is seen to push it out of his way several times and he never runs while in costume, doing more of a ballet leap to keep from tripping.”

Click to continue reading Weekend Reading: Bob Bolling, Dave Simons, Kirk Alyn and Chuck Jones

Frank Frazetta

Posted by Tom Mason Categories: Editorials, Independent,

Frank Frazetta died this week. I wish there was a nicer way to say it. I never met him - and if I had I’m sure only fanboy drool would’ve burbled out in place of actual words - but I sure have a lot of his stuff around my office.

If you’re not familiar with Frazetta’s output, then you are missing out on the main influence of fantasy art for the last couple of generations. And seriously, if you’re really not familiar with his work, I’m unfriending you right now.

I bought I lot of books I’m never going to read and am not at all interested in - just because they had a Frazetta cover. I wanted to have that cover and couldn’t care less about the pages behind it. Just a couple of weeks ago, I bought a copy of Night Walk by Bob Shaw (”Sightless, marooned on a prison planet, Sam Tallon faces a desperate odyssey - to save the Universe that had disowned him”). Frazetta’s cover painting showed some guy using a spear to jam a giant spider into some sort of gooey liquid. I’ll stare at that cover again and again, and never read page 1. I’m sure there’s a medical term for my condition.

Click to continue reading Frank Frazetta

Read More | Comics Beat

Sneak Peek: Chew #9

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Image Comics,

Rolling into the second five-issue arc, “International Flavor,” Chew‘s John Layman and Rob Guillory offer a sneak peek of what’s to come with the cover of issue #9.

Vampires with a thing for Hawaiian chicks? Tony Chu’s retelling of Lilo and Stitch? Sometimes it pains me more to see these covers, knowing that I’ll have to wait an entire four months before I will actually discover what the story entails.

In the meantime, I highly suggest that you pick up the first trade book on your way to purchasing Chew #6 when it hits your local comic book shop this Wednesday—it makes for a great holiday gift (even more so if you need to catch up on the series)!

Sneak Peek: Chew #8

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Image Comics,

In celebration of John Layman and Rob Guillory’s kick-ass comic Chew completing its “Taster’s Choice” arc with Chew #5 today, Image Comics posted the cover of Chew #8 on their Twitter.

Protagonist Tony Chu looks pretty darn angry. Then again, I probably would be too if I was looking for a missing

King of Cocks. While I’m quite confused about where this story is going to head, I know that from the last five issues of this series, I will not be one bit disappointed.

So go out and buy Chew #5 already (and good luck finding previous issues)!

(FYI - You can also follow Comix411 on Twitter.)

Read More | Image Comics Twitter

Robert Englund Loves Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash Artwork and Not Much Else

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Interviews, Marvel Comics,

Robert Englund, best known for his portrayal of Freddy Kruger from the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, recently commented on WildStorm’s Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash comic; however, he seems to merely enjoy looking rather than reading it.

“Well, I love the artwork. I absolutely love the artwork. I like the storyline but I love the artwork. I think the cover art is just phenomenal,” the Los Angeles native explained.

Makes me wonder if he actually read the books…

Click to continue reading Robert Englund Loves Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash Artwork and Not Much Else

Read More | Comic Book Resources

Guillory Tweets First Look at Chew #4

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Image Comics,

Like everyone else and their five year-old sister, I have become addicted to Twitter. Unlike deleterious addictions (i.e. following P. Diddy), however, I receive first-hand news from my favorite comic book artists, including a look at the Chew #4 cover!

Rob Guillory, one-half of the creative force behind Image’s sold out comic, divulges the daily progression (and news!) of the darkly humorous detective story without the slightest indication of just how much he fuels nerdish excitement (mine definitely included) all around. Coming from someone who foolishly followed Jhonen Vasquez’s pretentious and irksome tweets back in the day, I am overwhelmingly thrilled to see artists like Guillory and Fabio Moon tweeting.

Now, onto the Chew #4 cover…

Click to continue reading Guillory Tweets First Look at Chew #4