Mighty Samson: Jim Shooter & Patrick Olliffe

Posted by Tom Mason Categories: Editorials, Interviews, Dark Horse Comics,

Here's a comic that might be flying under your personal radar that I think merits a look. Mighty Samson is part of Jim Shooter's Gold Key revival at Dark Horse (which also includes Magnus, Turok and Dr. Solar) but it's the only one of the bunch that was never part of Valiant.

This relaunch of the classic character is spearheaded by Shooter and his co-writer J.C. Vaughn, and illustrated by Patrick Olliffe (who does pencils and inks).

Set 500 hundred years after the end of the world in a now-primitive city known as N'Yark, Mighty Samson is filled with "mutated monsters, marauders, and savage subhuman predators." From the ashes of those ruins rises a super-strong champion, Samson, who will defend and protect his piece of the apocalypse from all comers, including the barbarian hordes from across the bridge in Jerz.

It's N'Yark vs. Jerz – a battle as old as time itself! I'm biased because I've met Shooter a couple of times, I'm friends with J.C. Vaughn and I used to work on projects with Patrick Olliffe. That's one heckuva bias, but I also know they can bring the goods, so I'm in.

Here's an interview with Dark Horse editor Chris Warner  talking about the series.

And here's a preview of the interiors of the first issue that's on sale now.

Now go and get yours and let me know what you think.

[Artwork: Patrick Olliffe's cover Mighty Samson #1]

Doug Wright’s Nipper Vs. Amazon

Posted by Tom Mason Categories: Editorials, Reviews, Independent,

I've been reading that Nipper, the first collection of Doug Wright's cartoons, is out from Drawn & Quarterly and already getting some nice notice.

Nipper's a "mischievous little kid" who appeared in newspapers across the country in the mid 20th century." D&Q's Nipper 1963-64 is the first of what the publisher plans as a long-running series of books collecting Wright's classic.

There's a preview of it (pdf) at the D&Q website that offers a nice taste of Wright.

Click to continue reading Doug Wright’s Nipper Vs. Amazon

Read More | Calgary Herald

Preview: The Walking Dead #76

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Reviews, Television, Image Comics,

While the past issues (not to mention the publicity behemoth that is Comic Con) of The Walking Dead have prompted readers to tune into AMC when October rolls around, AMC’s website is now showing love to series readers with a 6-page preview of issue 76.

Wondering what happens to Rick after trusty Michonne’s blow to his head? Check out the preview after the jump and make sure you snatch up a physical copy—in your local comic book store today!

Click to continue reading Preview: The Walking Dead #76

Read More | AMC

Preview: Haunt #3

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Image Comics,

A five-page preview of Image’s new series Haunt is out, and we’ve got it here!

Upon leaving off Haunt #2 with a largely unexpected scene on the last page, this preview (seen after the jump) starts at #3’s opening.

Haunt focuses on Daniel Kilgore, a priest whose dead brother Kurt—whom he loathed when he was alive—decides to haunt him instead of moving on to the other side. In a very Venom and Spawn-like fashion, Kurt’s essence fuses with Daniel’s to create a near-perfect assassin and therefore enables Kurt to pick up the pieces needed to solve his murder.

The initial panels of the third issue left me more frustrated at Daniel’s impulsive actions, which seem to illustrate a common personality trait between the two brothers. Then we’re introduced to a very busty and scantily-clad woman (because those are the best kind) who is completely bonkers yet strangely able to either sense or see Daniel. In what I hope is better explained in the rest of the issue or series, the woman says, “Haunt,” to Daniel, as if this Kilgore experience is an ordinary occurrence and that’s how you’ll find it in the dictionary.

Haunt #3, by Robert Kirkman and Todd McFarlane, hits your comic book store this Wednesday, December 2nd.

Click to continue reading Preview: Haunt #3

Read More | Comic Book Resources

Preview: Dr. Horrible Prequel Comic

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Movies, Television, Dark Horse Comics,

If you are anything like myself, you can’t wait for the Dr. Horrible sequel. Thankfully for folks like us, the Whedon crew adheres to our insatiable craving for all things Whedon-related, offering us a comic book chronicling the origin of Dr. Horrible’s feud with Captain Hammer.

Zack Whedon teamed up with Joelle Jones for the one-shot, which is published by Dark Horse.

“It’s a prequel to the web series, and you get to see his first of many embarrassing encounters with Captain Hammer. But the web series is really an origin story too, so this is a little prelude to that,” explains Whedon, who co-wrote Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog with brothers Joss and Jed, as well as Jed’s new wife, Maurissa Tancharoen.

Check out the first six pages of the 24-page book after the jump, then head over to your comic book shop when the full issue hits stores on November 18th.

Click to continue reading Preview: Dr. Horrible Prequel Comic

Read More | MTV

Sneak Peek: El Gorgo! #3 Is Coming!

Posted by Tom Mason Categories: Editorials, Independent,

Great Googly Moogly! Writer Mike McGee and artist Tamas Jakab are prepping the third issue of their creation, El Gorgo! If you’re already on board with the “world’s greatest Luchador gorilla” read no further, but if you haven’t checked out these whacked-out, Kirby-inspired, cosmic adventures yet, what the heck are you waiting for?

The creators put each issue up on the El Gorgo! website for free-reading, but they also create a print version for those of us who still like to hold printed matter in our hands. And the print version is nice too - quality paper and vibrant colors make El Gorgo leap from the page. And since he has enough power and courage to kick a dinosaur in the face, you’d better duck.

The color cover and the first 11 pages of the impending third issue - “The Hour of Dagon” - are up at the El Gorgo! site right now. They’re in black and white, but they’ll be in color when the issue’s finished.

If you’re feeling like the third issue might be too difficult a spot to join in, fear not. Mike and Tamas have posted the complete first and second issues of El Gorgo! for free-reading.

Click to continue reading Sneak Peek: El Gorgo! #3 Is Coming!

Read More | El Gorgo Site

Preview: The Walking Dead #64

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Reviews, Image Comics,

Image Comics released a five-page preview (which can be seen after the jump) of Robert Kirkman’s upcoming The Walking Dead #64.

The issue, which hits your local comic book store next Wednesday, is the third part of the five-issue “Fear the Hunters” arc. Last issue left us with a chilling image of a helpless Dale surrounded by the merciless hunters.

From the looks of the preview, Robert Kirkman masterfully delivers readers the disturbing dialogue perfectly in tune with Charlie Adlard’s gruesome images. While I have lamented about my dislike of the last couple issues, the preview alone has satisfied my insatiable craving for a nice twist.

Click to continue reading Preview: The Walking Dead #64

Read More | Comic Book Resources