BC Refugees Blog

I'm a fan of this web company and the EDISON REX and MASKS & MOBSTERS series. if you're not a digital reader, now you can read these worthwhile series in print very soon! From the official press release . . . . . . . . . . . MONKEYBRAIN COMICS HIT SHELVES THIS SUMMER Portland, OR (February 27, 2012) – Monkeybrain Comics is pleased to announce the premiere print editions of their popular digital-first comics, heading to stores this summer. Chris Roberson and Dennis Culver’s EDISON REX gets it all started in June with a collection published by IDW. EDISON REX is the story of the world’s greatest villain, who finally defeats his lifelong nemesis, the world’s greatest hero, and then has to decide what to do with the rest of his life. July will see the release of MASKS & MOBSTERS by writer Joshua Williamson and artist Mike Henderson published by Shadowline/Image. MASKS & MOBSTERS is a noir-fueled anthology series set in the days of the Depression, and examines wh...

INDIE COMICS HORROR #2 (Aazurn Publishing, Spring 2013 = sold only through pre-orders in PREVIEWS April 2013 catalog for books releasing in June) Various writers and artists. Black and white, 64 pages. $6.49 The brother/sister title to INDIE COMICS MAGAZINE expands to 64 pages with the second issue of INDIE COMICS HORROR , again promising “the best story and art from independent comic book creators.” Within its’ 64 pages are prime examples of the type of imaginative art and story that can be created outside of the confines of the mainstream comics publishers. Of even more importance, INDIE COMICS HORROR is providing a cost-effective way for unknown creators to reach a larger audience and hopefully interest readers in visiting their individual websites to learn, view, and buy more of the creator’s works. Each issue, as well as the Aazurn Publishing website at http://www.indiecomicsmagazine.com includes some background information on the writers and artists and provides the web li...

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #1 (Marvel, May 2013) Writer Brian Michael Bendis. Penciler Steve McNiven . Trying to decide which Marvel NOW team book to follow has been extremely difficult. There are more Avengers and X-Men team books than ever before. Many of them blend together former Avengers and X-Men team members as in UNCANNY AVENGERS , which only makes it more confusing. There are bound to be several very good team books in the bunch, but how to determine that without sampling every single one? (Groan!). I’ve decided to sit back and let things develop, read some reviews, listen to friends and then later pick up Volume 1 of the eventual trade paperback. In the meantime, there is one team book at Marvel that I actually do want to try picking up every month. It’s GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, and it only took two issues to convince me. Artist Steve McNiven quickly and easily establishes the scope of the universe that the Guardians will operate in. He opens Issue #1 with short wide-scr...

AUGUST 11 = IRON KING REACHES HALFWAY MARK : The partnership of Bluewater publisher Darren Davis with best-selling Young Adult novelist Julie Kagawa is utilizing a crowd sourcing campaign to cover initial production costs so that her popular Fey universe can have a comics life (starting with the “Iron King”) as a graphic novel.  To date, they are halfway to the goal and asking for more support. Already more than 160 people pledged as little as $1 towards “kick starting” this project.  Davis commented on the reason why he is enthusiastic about the project: “Obviously there is swag to reward for any support. Everything from receiving a public printed thank you and an early-bird copy of the finished product to t-shirts, and getting drawn in the book. I am happy to provide those gifts to any supporter, but the real reason I am excited is that this is an opportunity to produce a piece of literature that might get a reluctant reader to pick up a copy and get hooked on reading. Whe...

          APRIL 09 = HEROES FOR HUNGER :  DC Entertainment, Save The Children, International Rescue Committee, and Mercy Corps joint IndieGoGo campaign to raise $50,o00 to help alleviate the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa reached its’ goal two days after launching.  To celebrate, the bar has been raised and a new goal of $100,000 has been set.  In addition, DC has donated even more limited edition merchandise and experiences to thank supporters. New offerings include signed Batman Begins movie posters, Batman And Robin Vol. 1 hardcover editions signed by the creative team, and a trip to the sold out Comic-Con. Get all the details here: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/dc-entertainment-we-can-be-heroes--4   APRIL 09 = DYSART IS EXCLUSIVE AT VALIANT :  New York Times best-selling writer and Eisner Award nominee Joshua Dysart has signed on as the publisher’s next exclusive creator. Dysart is currently scripting...

April 04: UGLY DOESN'T QUIT = Personal favorite TODD, THE UGLIEST KID ON EARTH wraps up the limited series on April 17 with Issue #4. The news is that this will be an ongoing title through Image beginning in September. April 03: INDIE FUNDRAISING A GO GO! = More and more independent creators are using social media to raise funds to make their dream projects a reality. You only need to visit the Kickstarter or Indiegogo sites and search 'comics' to find a giant stack of worthwhile projects, and we'll feature some of them here. The newest campaign is for a comics adaptation of THE IRON FEY , a best selling young adult novel series by Julie Kagawa . The goal is to introduce these young readers to the wonder of comics and hopefully attract more girls to read comics. Here is the link = http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-iron-king-manga-series/x/2632172 This will be a 4 issue manga series titled THE IRON KING produced by Bluewater Productions . The website featur...

Tuesday 4/02 DC ENTERTAINMENT WE CAN BE HEROES CAMPAIGN = DC is working with INDIE GO GO (a fundraising site similar to Kickstarter) to raise money to help feed the hungry in Africa. Making a pledge gets the donor some DC gifts from $10 for Batman downloads to a signed edition of INJUSTICE:GODS AMONG US for $250 to getting yourself drawn into a Batman graphic novel for $1,000. Go to www.indiegogo.com/at/wecanbeheroes to get more details and make a pledge. Tuesday 4/02 GHASTLY AWARDS keeps me updated on their efforts to find the best horror comics of 2013 and sends me monthly recommendations. For March they are recommending Hack/Slash 25, Todd The Ugliest Kid on Earth 3, Hoax Hunters 8, Change 4, Mystery Society 2013 Special, Five Ghosts:The Haunting Of Fabian Gray 1, Anathema 3, and Rachel Rising 15. That's quite a list! Tuesday 4/02 FREE COMIC BOOK DAY is Saturday, May 4 and the staff at Captain Blue Comics in Newark, DE are planning a party with Spider-Man, Darth Vader, Boba F...

BALTIMORE: THE WIDOW AND THE TANK one-shot (Dark Horse, February 2013) Story by Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden. Art by Ben Stenbeck. Colors by Dave Stewart. Letters by Clem Robins.           As good as Mignola’s recent HELLBOY and B.P.R.D. stories have been, he really shines on the BALTIMORE one-shots. The adventures of Lord Henry Baltimore, Thirteenth Baron Baltimore, of Boscastle in County Durham as he stalks across post-WWI Europe in search of the king vampire Haigus are as grim and determined as their protagonist. There are two stories here; and each is a masterful example of combining story and art in a magical way to tell a very engaging story.           In “The Widow” Baltimore searches England for Lieutenant Yeardsley, whose small company of men are thought to have died in battle or roaming deserters, depending on whose version is told. The truth is they have all been transformed...

  MARCH 25: Valiant Entertainment has announced a new story arc beginning in ARCHER & ARMSTRONG #0 (release date May 08) featuring the top secret story of history’s first epic fail. Armstrong will journey into the past in a special standalone tale of dinosaurs, robots, mad kings, and mortal combat that sets the stage for “Far Faraway”, the next four-part arc beginning in June. The epic of Gilgamesh is intertwined with the tale of three immortal brothers (Armstrong, The Eternal Warrior, and Timewalker) on a quest to recover the Boon. MARCH 25: Steve Conley , writer/artist of BLOOP , the space monkey has recently wrapped up drawing all pages for the first BLOOP book and is now coloring and lettering them. This is targeted to be at the printers in early April. You can check out the web adventures of BLOOP right here . Steve will also be appearing this Saturday 3/30 at Cards, Comics & Collectibles in Reistertown, Maryland. He’ll be signing the cover he did for Adventur...

  CROSSED:BADLANDS #25 (Avatar Press – March 13, 2013 release) Garth Ennis: Story. Raulo Caceres: Art. Digikore Studios: Color. James Reed: Letters. (Intended for Adult Readers) Reviewer’s notes: CROSSED: BADLANDS marks my first return to the world of the Crossed since the initial nine-issue story arc a few years back. It didn’t seem possible to me that other writers could duplicate the volatile blend of extreme violence and serious drama that Ennis has such a knack for. After Ennis left the book, and fearing that those who followed in his footsteps would focus on the exploitation elements and disregard the rest, I opted not to continue. However, after returning to these books and also enjoying a twisted but respectful story from a different author ( CROSSED ANNUAL 2013) my curiosity is prompting me to explore further into this strange, cruel apocalyptic world. It’s time to check out the Trade Paperbacks. I’m also wondering now if any of the later stories have explained the origi...

I picked up my copy today. You may expect a review posted here once I finish reading it. . . . . . From the official press release . . . . . CROSSED #25 BLEEDS CASH AS STORES SELL OUT C-Day Parties bring Crossed fans out in force Rantoul, March 13, 2013 Horror comic book readers are celebrating the triumphant return of Garth Ennis to the grim world he created in Crossed: Badlands #25. The issue marks the landmark first year of the bi-weekly series, which gives high profile creators an opportunity to step into what many are calling “the most extreme survival horror story being told.” And the response to this anniversary issue has been incredibly strong with nearly all editions selling out at the distribution level from Diamond Comic Distributors, with only a handful of some covers still available. Avatar Press produced a significant overprint on the regular cover edition [JAN130884] and has ensured that copies are on hand for retailers to obtain via reorder immediately. "We exp...

  GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #0.1 (Marvel, April 2013) Writer: Brian Michael Bendis. Penciler: Steve McNiven.           When I heard the initial announcement that GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY would be the next Marvel property to be adapted to movies, I thought it a very odd choice.  Surely, there were plenty of other (and more popular) Marvel comics titles that could be adapted for movies before this?  I thought Ant-Man could be cool, even a Hawkeye movie or re-boot the Fantastic Four or Daredevil again - but the Guardians ?  (And the Rocket Raccoon version, to boot! Never really felt warm about this character. Hate to think how bad and cartoony a movie version of this critter may be.)  I just could not conceive of a way that this property could be adapted into a film that would hold an audience’s attention the same way that The Avengers movie did and get filmgoers excited enough to produce another box-office succes...