BC Refugees Blog

                    BATMAN AND ROBIN #16 (DC, March 2013):  I’ve been reading here and there around the fringes of the “Death Of The Family” storyline and avoiding the main BATMAN title, preferring to read it in one fell swoop once the trade paperback is released.  Just because I’m curious I pick up a Bat-related title here and there and find most of them to be non-essential to the main story.  However, the BATMAN AND ROBIN “ Death Of The Family ” crossover stories are really good and feel directly linked into the main plot.  You’ve got to admire what scripter Peter Tomasi has done with the son of Batman.  He’s really developed Damian in a realistic fashion well beyond the original template by Grant Morrison, and probably created a warm spot in our hearts for what was originally set up to be a completely heartless character.  Issue #16 is a prime example....

          Since I’ve learned of the Indie Comics business model that shares printing costs while providing independent creators a showcase to a much larger audience, I’ve gained further appreciation for the titles released by small Aazurn Publishing .  I’ve had several email exchanges with editor/publisher Gary Scott Beatty and was given the opportunity to preview this latest endeavor, available now for pre-order through the February issue of PREVIEWS and Diamond Distribution: Indie Comics Magazine Presents Gary Scott Beatty’s TALES OF FEAR #1 ( Aazurn Publishing, Spring 2013, $4.75)  Story and Art: Gary Scott Beatty.  Suggested for Mature Readers.           Described by its’ creator as “classic horror modernized for today’s comic readers”, TALES OF FEAR is “six tales of dread that push the boundaries of good taste.”           “ TALES...

  ALL STAR WESTERN #16 (DC, March 2013): The mix-up between JONAH HEX and Mr. Hyde apparently concludes here, and it ends in style. The TOMAHAWK back-up feature also wraps up. If you want a nice short set to help you get a feel for what this title has to offer, pick up ALL STAR WESTERN #13, 14, 15, and 16. Mr. Hyde visits the Arkham estate, which sits high on a hill overlooking Gotham. He wants to check up on his efforts to transform Amadeus Arkham and/or kill him. Dr. Arkham is still in re-hab but Jonah Hex is there, wheelchair bound, sober and still recuperating under a nurse’s close supervision. He needs to fight dirty to get the upper hand on Hex. We also meet Amadeus’ mother, who is quite mad and living a fantasy life through classic novels. Hex shows a little compassion. The best thing about TOMAHAWK is the fabulous art and colors, as well as the great attention paid to historic details. Tomahawk has a final confrontation with the British Colonel Lancaster, who betrayed...

Superhero window cleaners cheer up children at Pittsburgh hospital   . . . . . as published in the Pittsburgh PA METRO NEWS free press . . . . . By Mark Molloy Wednesday 6 Feb 2013 12:37 pm   Grime fighters: The superhero window cleaners (Picture: Barcroft) After clearing the streets of crime, these kind-hearted superheroes decided to tackle the dirty windows of a US children’s hospital. Stunned patients at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh were treated to the unusual sight of Spider-Man and Captain America washing their windows. Batman and Superman also joined in the clean-up, with the grime fighters on a mission to brighten the day of children battling illnesses. Organizer Edward Matuizek, president of Allegheny Window Cleaning, said his superhero employees received a hero’s welcome from the surprised kids. The superhero window cleaners in action (Picture: Barcroft) ‘All the guys had tears of joy in their eyes behind the costumes – it was very touching and overw...

  The last five years have seen a renaissance in quality horror and dark fantasy entertainment in comics. That comes as a welcome respite from the avalanche of superhero titles that threaten to bury us under. (“Cut one head off, and several more shall take its’ place!”)  Those who are willing to do a little extra hunting and explore the darker corners of the comic book world shall be rewarded, as I was the day the DARK UNIVERSE entered my inbox. TALES FROM WILLIAM F. NOLAN’S DARK UNIVERSE #1 (Bluewater Productions) William F. Nolan & Jason Brock: writers.  Scott Boyce: Art, Halloween Man.  James Bolton: Art, Heart’s Blood.  Warren Montgomery, Letterer.  Mike Dorman, cover.  http://www.bluewaterprod.com/ That cover is so eye-catching!  It may just be the best “infinity” cover to drop in recent times, and is definitely award-worthy. The only audience member (matinee, perhaps?) of a spacious old-time movie theatre turns his back and flees after...

from the official press release . . . . . The Ghastly Award Judges are proud to announce the Winners of the 2012 Ghastly Awards.  Nominees were chosen from entries nominated by their professional peers: Comic Book Artists, Writers, and Publishers.   Winners were chosen by the Ghastly Awards Judges, Comic Book Creators and the Fans. The 2012 Winners are: Best Ongoing Title:      The Walking Dead (Image) Best Mini-Series:     Deadworld: War of the Dead (IDW) Best One-Shot:     Edgar Allan Poe’s The Conqueror Worm (Dark Horse) Best New Series ( Fans Decided the Winner ):     Mars Attacks (IDW) Best Anthology:     Creepy (Dark Horse) Best OGN:     Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse Book 1 (Heavy Metal) Best Archival Collection:      The Chilling Archives of Horror Comics: Zombies (IDW/Yoe Books) Best Writer:  ...

The new VALIANT books are all worthwhile, combining engaging story and intriguing art. The best of the bunch is HARBINGER , which recently supplanted X-O MANOWAR as my favorite of the new titles based on recent issues. Get them both - - but if you’re on a tight budget then pick up HARBINGER . Issue #0 , which drops in comics stores today (2/06)  is a great starting point.  Just in case you’re not a regular reader of this website, HARBINGER was named my PGHHEAD PICK FOR THE BEST REBOOT OF 2012 and you can read more about the first story arc in our Blog Archive for January 8, 2013. HARBINGER is a thoroughly entertaining look at the seemingly unlimited power of the mind as exhibited by various characters and epitomized by the two main protagonists - - the wealthy “humanitarian” Toyo Harada and Peter Stanchek the extremely powerful but uncontrollable rebellious student who didn’t last long before breaking out of Harada’s school for mentally gifted.  They are two defined...