BC Refugees Blog

Editor’s Note: Valiant continues to put out high quality books.  I expect nothing less than a great story and art every time and am rarely disappointed. This looks like another winner.  Take a look at some of the awesome art and covers . . . . from the official press release . . . . . Prehistoric empires! Dystopian futures! And everywhere in between! Valiant is proud to present your first look inside IVAR, TIMEWALKER #1 – the FIRST ISSUE of the VALIANT NEXT ongoing series by New York Times best-selling creators Fred Van Lente and Clayton Henry !  From the award-winning creative team that brought you ARCHER & ARMSTRONG , start an all-new adventure right here on January 21st as the mysterious Ivar Anni-Padda launches into a centuries-spanning race against the clock! At this very moment in Geneva, Switzerland, history is being made.  A thousand meters underground inside the Large Hadron Collider, researcher Neela Sethi is about to discover time travel – an...

From the official press release . . . . Louisville, KY -- Comic artist and Ant creator Mario (OMG) Gully’s latest project has been successfully crowdfunded on Indiegogo. His 32-page Sketchbook containing his best work to date is scheduled to ship in January. “I am excited to be publishing my first book of this kind,” says Gully. “I’m so grateful to my supporters for their constant encouragement and funding of this project.” Mario, along with his agent, Thomas Rivière of www.comicplace.net, launched the campaign after numerous requests from his fans. Says Rivière of the project, "Mario's getting very popular in Europe. Many of the pledges have come from France and he's now getting attention from major publishers. We're very grateful for all this love." Incentives for the campaign include custom commissions, many of which will appear in the book, signed prints and the book itself. Now that the project’s funding goal has been reached, remaining funds raised will go t...

Moonstone is a small Chicago-based publisher, who have survived among the bigger comics industry stalwarts since their inception in 1995.  They began with creator-owned characters and then picked up momentum in 2001 when they acquired publishing rights to a variety of licensed properties – most notably The Phantom and Kolchak: The Night Stalker. Their website self-describes Moonstone as “a fun little company who works ridiculously hard to bring escapist entertainment to the masses, whether it be in the form of comic books, graphic novels, trade paperbacks, novels or short story anthologies.  We consider ourselves the home for wayward thriller-adventure heroes like Kolchak The Night Stalker, Buckaroo Banzai, Captain Action, The Green Hornet, The Avenger, The Spider, The Saint, The Justice Machine, Domino Lady, Zorro, The Phantom, Operator 5, G-8, The Green Lama, Honey West, Sherlock Holmes, Airboy, Zeroids, Secret Agent X, The Phantom Detective, and so many more.” Writer Joe...

from the official press release . . . . . . Zac Gorman to Write New Monthly Comic Debuting Spring 2015 PORTLAND, OREGON – Rick and Morty are taking their inter-dimensional adventures through time and space into a whole new sphere: comic books.   Beginning in spring 2015, Oni Press will create a monthly comic book series based on the popular animated series that airs on Adult Swim. Since its debut in 2013, Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon’s RICK AND MORTY has become one of the most critically acclaimed, feverishly watched shows on television . The insane adventures of impressionable, endearingly clueless teenager Morty and his sociopathic scientist grandfather Rick have given rise to an insatiable fan base, not to mention a top-rated series after its first season run on the network. So, of course, bringing RICK AND MORTY to comics is kind of a no brainer. Written by Zac Gorman ( Costume Quest: Invasion of the Candy Snatchers , Magical Game Time) , the RICK AND MORTY comic...

    Go to the Gamma Squad site for a video trailer of the movie  (May 2015).  Wow!  I expect this to be awesome.  Love the menace in the Spader-voice.    http://uproxx.com/gammasquad/2014/10/avengers-age-of-ultron-leaked-trailer-photos/

compiled from press release materials furnished by Devils Due Entertainment . . . . . Two tribes of animals find themselves on the brink of war. Will they survive and find peace, or follow humanity into extinction? Squarriors is the epic saga of warring animals in a post-human world.  The story follows  a small tribe known as the Tin Kin , and their struggles building a life in the new world while confronting the hostile neighboring Maw tribe. Since the demise of humanity, the remaining animal life have become intelligent and the spark of rational thought creates an internal struggle for the creatures.  Do they embrace reason... or follow their savage animal instincts? Squarriors is the creation of writer Ash Maczko and artist Ashley Witter (Also known as "Team Ash") .   Issue #1 was successfully funded through a Kickstarter campaign. It is scheduled to be released in December 2014 and is available to pre-order through your local comics store. See the curr...

EDITOR’S NOTE: Feeling a little lost after missing the New York Comic Con. We tried hard to find a correspondent among our contacts but did not make a connection.  At least the kind folks at Valiant were nice enough to give me a little feedback, as well as tease. See below . . . . . . . . . . . . Greetings from New York Comic Con!           We just wrapped an awesome week of signings, panels, and announcements – including word on the all-new VALIANT NEXT wave of series, the first lettered look inside THE VALIANT #1 , and QUANTUM AND WOODY MUST DIE! by James Asmus and Steve Lieber – at our hometown show.  to all of you who came out – it was Valiant's best NYCC yet!           But we're not slowing down yet.  Next week, look for two major releases from Valiant, beginning with UNITY #0 .  Valiant mainstays Matt Kindt and Cary Nord have teamed for the first time to tell the s...

TPB:  Supergirl Vol. 1   Writer:  Michael Green and Michael Johnson Artist: Mahmud Asrar Price:  $14.99 Supergirl is seemingly reinvented by writers every few years. At first she was Kal-El’s cousin until she was killed in a Crisis Event.  Then she was written out of the universe entirely to make Superman truly the last Kryptonian.  Then the Supergirl role was filled by several women, some of them from Eath, including Matrix, Linda Danvers, and Cir-El.  In the New 52 (and for a while before) she is back where she started from even though she couldn’t feel any more lost. Kara Zor-el has just crash landed to Earth but has no memory of what transpired during the last days of Krypton.  Confused at being almost immediately attacked, she lashes out with as much power and strength as the other person who shares her family crest.  Unfortunately she can’t bring herself to trust Big Blue since he was only a baby when she left Krypton...

EDITOR’S NOTE: They certainly made it convenient for late-comers to check out these books.  I can’t think of a better way to spend your seven bucks in a comics store than to grab these up . . . . . from the official press release . . . . . . .                     In comic shops everywhere next week, get seven of Valiant's greatest most beloved #1 issues for just one dollar apiece with an all-new wave of ONE DOLLAR DEBUTS ! You've seen the reviews.  You've heard the buzz.  Now discover the best-selling, critically acclaimed first issue smashes that made Valiant one of the most adored publishers in superhero comics today.           Now featuring brand new quote covers, Valiant's ONE DOLLAR DEBUTS are your best chance yet to discover Valiant's award-winning ongoing series – ARCHER & ARMSTRONG , HARBINGER , QUANTUM AND WOODY , RAI ,...

from the official press release . . . . .           Bluewater Productions has a new comic book biography on the life of John Lennon as part of their popular Tribute series. Tribute: John Lennon , released this week is available in both print and digital.             In the pantheon of musical legends, John Lennon is at the top of the mountain, if not the king of the mountain.  From his time with the Beatles and his solo projects, he asked the world to ignore borders and divisions, and instead he encouraged the average person to embrace what brings people together. And when his life ended viciously from an assassin’s bullet in 1980, the music industry, and the world, lost an advocate for peace, love and true musicality.           Comic book writer Marc Shapiro said he painstakingly worked to capture the essence of Lennon’s story.  “...

from the official press release . . . . . October 7, 2014, Mt. Laurel, NJ: Dynamite Entertainment, a leading publisher of English language comic books and graphic novels, is proud to announce their partnership with Ian Fleming Publications Ltd. (IFPL), the company that owns and administers the literary copyright of Ian Fleming's published works, including his fourteen James Bond books.           Under their agreement, negotiated by Jonny Geller of Curtis Brown, Dynamite has been granted worldwide rights to publish comic books, digital comics, and graphic novels starring 007.  Fleming's iconic secret agent will re-live the exploits that have thrilled and captivated fans for over half a century in fresh visual adaptations of the classic Bond stories.           Moreover, Dynamite plans to create a series of brand new adventures unveiling the defining - and largely undocumented - early years...

LITTLE NEMO: RETURN TO SLUMBERLAND #1  (IDW Publishing, August 2014)  Writen by Eric Shanower.  Illustrated by Gabriel Rodriguez.  Colored by Nelson Daniel.  Lettered by Robbie Robbins.                      Sometimes the best recognition for a legendary work is for a new creation to pay tribute to it.  All the best homages remain true to the spirit of the original while introducing a new audience to the majesty of the source material.  Little Nemo: Return to Slumberland is the best compliment to the genius of Windsor McCay.  It is a stunning new work of pure brilliance, and worthy of Harvey and Eisner awards.           For those looking to introduce younger readers to the wonders of the comics world, this title will serve that purpose nicely.  It’s also a great read for all ages, especially anyone who...

EDITOR'S NOTES: Newcomers to the comics hobby will naturally gravitate to centers where others share their interest. That's why it's important for brick and mortar comic shops to welcome and invite new readers, make them comfortable in their stores, and create events that continue to bring these new readers together, whether it's an in-store artist or writer appearance, a book club or chat night or other event. How Are Retailers Driving Comics Market Growth? Digital, Online, Brick and Mortar All Contributing (October 3, 2014 - Madison, WI) Retailers, whether digital, online, or brick and mortar, are the critical link to the new comics customers that are coming into the market. They're the ones that are connecting these new customers with comics and graphic novels they'll enjoy reading, and then nurturing that interest. How are they attracting these customers, who are they, and what are they buying? Digital has been one source of new comics customers over the...

EDITOR'S NOTE: Here's some information on another panel at NYCC exploring the business of comics and the changing culture of our favorite industry. BC Refugees regrets that we will not be able provide coverage of these events. Anyone reading this column who is going to NYCC and has interest in writing a guest article about it-- please leave a message in the comments. Who's Publishing for the New Comics Customer? Learning from the Leading Edge (October 2, 2014 - Madison, WI) One of the reasons there are new comics customers is that there's a wider variety of comics and graphic novels. But that's not the whole story, because not only does it take new kinds of content, it also means finding the customers that want to buy it where they shop. What publishers are on the leading edge of publishing for the new comics customers, and how are they doing it? Some are creating original stories with new characters that look like the audiences they're trying to attract. ...

EDITOR’S NOTE:  Humble Bundle offers a collection of comics, games and other media at either a discounted price or a name-your-price package.  Part of the proceeds go to various charities. It’s a great way to preview  a comic publishers’ line-up at a low introductory price and do some good for your fellow man at the same time. If you passed on the earlier Dynamite and Valiant Humble Bundle offerings, why not take a longer look at what ONI is offering and what charity will benefit.    THE HUMBLE ONI PRESS COMICS BUNDLE IS LIVE! October 1, 2014 (Portland, OR) – Oni Press is pleased to announce the debut of the Humble Oni Press Comics Bundle!           “We’ve been working with our friends at Humble for a long time to put together a great package of Oni Press titles for their platform, and we’re really excited for it to get out there,” said publisher Joe Nozemack .  “Being DRM-free with a variety of formats, it’s...

from the official press release . . . . . .           Valiant Entertainment and CKRTLAB Toys are proud to announce a brand new line of urban vinyl figures featuring Valiant's award-winning library of super-heroes.  Slated for a release in comic shops and online in 2015, the new Valiant urban vinyl toy line will feature a wide selection of highly stylized Valiant heroes, beginning with X-O Manowar.           Valiant will offer an exclusive, early release of the first new figure in the Valiant urban vinyl line – X-O Manowar – at New York Comic-Con from October 9th-12th, 2014.  Limited to 150 pieces and available only from Valiant Entertainment at New York Comic Con 2014 (Booth #2028) for $25 per figure, the X-O Manowar Urban Vinyl figure stands 5.5 inches tall with 6 points of articulation and comes enhanced with a luster-rich metallic finish, exclusive "lightning sword" weapon accessory...

From the official press release . . . . September 22, 2014, Mt. Laurel, NJ :  Dynamite Entertainment is proud to announce the signing of writer David F. Walker and artist Bilquis Evely to its upcoming Shaft comic book, based on the hard-hitting detective created by novelist Ernest Tidyman and popularized in films featuring Richard Roundtree and Samuel L. Jackson.  Slated for release in December, Shaft #1 celebrates the 45th anniversary of an American icon with a wealth of cover art options by industry talents including Francesco Francavilla, Michael Avon Oeming, Ulises Farinas, Matt Haley, Sanford Greene, and a landmark collaboration between Denys Cowan and Bill Sienkiewicz.           John Shaft, described as a "tough, take-no-guff detective" and "private dick that's a sex machine to all the chicks" in composer/singer Isaac Hayes' Oscar-winning Theme from Shaft, has gone toe-to-toe with organized crime bosses, stood up to the cops...

Editor’s Note:  Here’s yet another reason why I regret not being able to attend the New York Comic Con in October.  As a long time attendee at the Baltimore Comic Con I have watched that event grow from a hotel site to a convention center. 2014 was the biggest year for BCC, and they moved to a new, larger space at the Baltimore Convention Center.  Why is it important to know the answer to the headline question?  Simply because those of us with a vested interest (either as fans, creators, or retailers) in this great original American Art Form should always understand and utilize anything that helps to promote and perpetuate the medium. from the official press release . . . . . . .   Show Organizers, Experts Tackle Big Questions (September 25, 2014 - Madison, WI)   The comic convention scene is exploding, both in number of shows and attendance.   Who are these hundreds of thousands of new attendees, and what does it mean for show organizers, for ...

  I don’t know if you were following this website or not, but it has been out of service for several months while some technical issues were being worked through. It is now back in business and worth taking a look at.  Appearance, format and content have been revised and the new site is much more appealing. Look for book and movie reviews as well as author interviews and profiles. In case you weren’t aware,  I am also an occasional contributor (without compensation) but I’m not trying to drum up business here - - just want to let like-minded lovers of the dark and weird aspects of popular culture know about this site.  I visit frequently. Here’s a sample review that may whet your appetite . . . . . . . http://www.namelessdigest.com/2014/09/24/review-dead-mans-hand-anthology-of-the-weird-west/

from the official press release . . . . . CULLEN BUNN, THE FAN-FAVORITE WRITER OF MARVEL'S DEADPOOL , LAUNCHES AN ALL-NEW ARMY OF DARKNESS COMIC BOOK SERIES (AND BELOVED HERO ASH WILLIAMS) INTO OUTER SPACE September 22, 2014, Mt. Laurel, NJ : Dynamite Entertainment proudly announces that its flagship title and longest-running comic book series, Army of Darkness , will launch with a brand new #1 issue in December.  Cullen Bunn, the celebrated writer of Deadpool , will take iconic horror hero Ash Williams somewhere he has never been before: outer space.  Longtime franchise fans are invited to strap themselves in for the bold new direction, in a series featuring interior artwork by Army of Darkness staple Larry Watts, as well as cover artwork by industry heavyweights, including Gabriel Hardman, Tim Seeley, Art Adams, Walter Flanagan, and Jay Shaw.           Ash Williams, the hero of horror franchise Army of Darkness and reluctan...