Category: Comics

The Walking Dead 100 Project

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The Ken Lashley cover is my favorite from the Heroes Initiative Walking Dead 100 Project.

The Heroes Initiative is an organization that…

…creates a financial safety net for comic creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. Since inception, the Hero Initiative has been fortunate enough to benefit more than 50 creators and their families with over $950,000 worth of much-needed aid, fueled by your contributions! It’s a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment.

One of the cool fundraising ideas that the Heroes Initiative came up with was the Walking Dead 100 Project.  Heroes Initiative in collaboration with Image Comics got over 100 artists to create an original Walking Dead cover on specially printed blank Walking Dead #100 covers.  The original art was then auctioned off with the proceeds going to the Hero Initiative.  In additional the 100+ pieces were collected in special edition hard and trade paperback books again with the proceeds going to support the Hero Initiative.

You can see all 100+ pieces of Walking Dead art here.  The Walking Dead 100 Project books are sold out but you can see a larger version of Ken Lashley’s cover here.

The Uncanny X-Men 100 Project

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The Adam Kubert cover is my favorite from the Heroes Initiative Uncanny X-Men 100 Project.

The Heroes Initiative is an organization that…

…creates a financial safety net for comic creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. Since inception, the Hero Initiative has been fortunate enough to benefit more than 50 creators and their families with over $950,000 worth of much-needed aid, fueled by your contributions! It’s a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment.

One of the cool fundraising ideas that the Heroes Initiative came up with was the Uncanny X-Men 100 Project.  Heroes Initiative in collaboration with Marvel Comics got over 100 artists to create an original X-Men cover on specially printed blank Uncanny X-Men #12 covers.  The original art was then auctioned off with the proceeds going to the Hero Initiative.  In additional the 100+ pieces were collected in special edition hard and trade paperback books again with the proceeds going to support the Hero Initiative.

You can see all 100+ pieces of X-Men art here.  You can purchase a hardcover or a softcover (and help support the Heroes Initiative).

The Hellboy 100 Project

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The Dan Bereton Hellboy cover is my favorite from the Heroes Initiative Hellboy 100 Project.

The Heroes Initiative is an organization that…

…creates a financial safety net for comic creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. Since inception, the Hero Initiative has been fortunate enough to benefit more than 50 creators and their families with over $950,000 worth of much-needed aid, fueled by your contributions! It’s a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment.

One of the cool fundraising ideas that the Heroes Initiative came up with was the Hellboy 100 Project.  Heroes Initiative in collaboration with Dark Horse Comics got over 100 artists to create an original Hellboy cover on specially printed blank Hellboy and the BRPD 1952 #1 covers.  The original art was then auctioned off with the proceeds going to the Hero Initiative.  In additional the 100+ pieces were collected in special edition hard and trade paperback books again with the proceeds going to support the Hero Initiative.

You can see all 100+ pieces of Hellboy art here.  You can purchase a hardcover or a softcover (and help support the Heroes Initiative) here.

Rob Smith’s Barney Ross

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I’ve known Rob Smith Jr. for decades. In addition to being a talented artist, Rob is one of the most passionate, committed and dedicated people I’ve ever met. Rob absolutely loves the state of Florida, nature, art, politics, reading and more. Rob’s enthusiasm is contagious and he is always on the go. Another thing I admire about Rob is he doesn’t just talk about his passions, he gets actively involved.

Rob gifted me with  his take on Sly as Barney Ross a few years ago and sadly it didn’t get posted until just now.

You can check out Rob’s site and learn about more of his passions!

Jim Thompson’s The Killer Inside Me Gets New Life with IDW

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The Killer Inside Me by Jim Thompson is a classic.  Written 62 years ago, The Killer Inside Me has been the subject of two film adaptations, has been a major influence on countless novelists, screenwriters, lyricists and yet has never had a comic adaptation until now.

IDW is publishing the comic adaptation of The Killer Inside Me as a comic mini-series written by Devin Faraci and illustrated by Vic Malhotra.  Faraci recently spoke with Zack Smith at Newsarama about how Jim Thompson’s The Killer Inside Me Gets New Life with IDW.

If you’re at all interested in The Killer Inside Me‘s importance to the genre, influence on generations or what goes into creating a worthy adaptation, then this interview is for you!

American Monster #3 by Azzarello & Doe / Z-View

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American Monster #3 is part of an on-going series published by Vertigo Comics.

Writer: Brian Azzarello
Artist: Juan Doe
Colorist: Juan Doe
Letterer: Juan DoeRegular
Cover Artist: Juan Doe

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

The war both home and abroad. The struggle between man and monster. The epic fight between good and evil. All of these battles and more waging within the soul of one man…and all in one small town.

In American Monster #3 we learn the source of Theo’s disfigurement, attend a wake and learn that Felix’s gang isn’t the only group in town with guns and a beef and more.

Azzarello and Doe are taking us on a fun ride.  If you’re into crime fiction, like great writing and art then American Monster could be for you.  American Monster isn’t for kids or those offended by mature language.

 

Rating:

American Monster #2 by Azzarello & Doe / Z-View

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American Monster #2 is part of an on-going series published by Vertigo Comics.

Writer: Brian Azzarello
Artist: Juan Doe
Colorist: Juan Doe
Letterer: Juan Doe
Regular Cover Artist: Juan Doe

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

A man’s country can be both something to fight for…and to fight against. Just one of many difficult decisions punching Theo Montclair square in the face. Betrayal and rage are just some the easier emotions that Theo will suffer through on his long hard road towards redemption.

In American Monster #2 we begin to learn more about the characters and their relationships.  Thanks to Deputy Downs (a honest cop?) we learn that the disfigured man is Theodore Montclaire and that he sports the same back tats as the local gang leader.  And speaking of the local gang leader… somebody murdered his dog…

Azzarello and Doe are once again in top form.

American Monster isn’t for kids or those offended by mature language.

 

Rating:

American Monster #1 by Azzarello & Doe / Z-View

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American Monster #1 is part of an on-going series published by Vertigo Comics.

Writer: Brian Azzarello
Artist: Juan Doe
Colorist: Juan Doe
Letterer: Juan Doe
Regular Cover Artist: Juan Doe

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

In a small Midwestern town, a large man with a horribly scarred face gets off a bus, and takes a room. He spooks the locals–nobody knows him–or do they? It’s impossible to say be-cause he seemingly has no face. The man’s intentions remain unknown, until he takes on a corrupt sheriff and the rural crew of racist arms dealers. The town’s impression of the man changes, and he’s seen as a hero…until his real intentions bubble to the surface. The man isn’t there to end the gang, but to take it over. And he’s just getting started.

American Monster is a winner.  Not a done-in-one or by the numbers mini-series, American Monster is instead a crime/mystery story created by a talented team.  There are a lot of questions set up in this issue and my guess is that as the answers play out over the course of this yarn, they won’t always be what we’re led to believe.

Is the disfigured man, a war hero, a criminal or both?  Who blew up his vehicle?  Was that bank robbery money the disfigured man flashed?  And how does he tie in to the local gang leader who just brutally murdered two people?

Azzarello and Doe make for a great creative team.  It’s nice to have a comic with both a high level of artistry in the writing and art.  I’m looking forward to more of the same in each issue.

American Monster isn’t for kids or those offended by mature language.

 

Rating:

Dave Wachter and the Rhinestone Cowboy

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Dave Wachter is back and he brought his take on Sly from the Rhinestone. I met Dave several years ago and became an instant fan. I wasn’t the only one to discover Dave’s fantastic sketches! How can you not like a great guy who is a terrific artist?

It has become a HeroesCon tradition that I get  Dave to draw his take on Sly.  Somehow this one was never posted until now.

You can see more of Dave’s art at his site. – Craig

The Twilight Children #4 by Hernandez and Cooke / Z-View

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The Twilight Children #4 is part of a four-issue mini-series published by Vertigo Comics.

Writer: Gilbert Hernandez
Artist: Darwyn Coole
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Cover Artist: Darwyn Cooke

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

The mysteries have been piling up for 3 previous issues and while we get some of them answered, many of the answers are going to be left to reader interpretation.  That could be a good or bad thing depending on your, uh, interpretation.

The story ends with the mysterious woman on the beach with the young scientist, one of the CIA agents, and Nicholas.  One of them is not what he seems.  If you’re looking for a totally satisfying happy ending, I didn’t find it… although it wasn’t a totally sad or terrible ending either.  I have no doubt I will find more hints of what’s to come and things to like with each re-reading of the series.  Then again, it could be one of those stories where the journey to the ending is more important than the ending itself.  I guess it is all in how you interpret it.

Rating:

The Twilight Children #3 by Hernandez and Cooke / Z-View

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The Twilight Children #3 is part of a four-issue mini-series published by Vertigo Comics.

Writer: Gilbert Hernandez
Artist: Darwyn Coole
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Cover Artist: Darwyn Cooke

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

Ok.  The mysteries continue to pile up.  Who is the beautiful woman?  Why does Tito go from man to man? What are the beautiful woman’s powers?  Where is she from?  Why did she freeze the CIA (are they?) agents?  Why did those that touch the agents also become frozen?  When the orbs appear and drop people off why do they quickly teleport them away again… and where do they go? What cause the town people appear to be sleep walking/talking at night?  When the beautiful woman says she’s here to save us, can we trust her?

The plot grows ever thicker.  I’m hoping for an ending that will satisfy the many questions that have been raised throughout the series.  Darwyn Cooke’s art continues to highly entertain.

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The Twilight Children #2 by Hernandez and Cooke / Z-View

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The Twilight Children #2 is part of a four-issue mini-series published by Vertigo Comics.

Writer: Gilbert Hernandez
Artist: Darwyn Coole
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Cover Artist: Darwyn Cooke

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

The town sheriff has his hands full this issue — there’s the new beautiful woman in town, who just may be an alien.  Then there’s two guys who just arrived and we’re pretty sure they’re CIA.  Tito (who was cheating with the fisherman) is now coming on to the young scientist.  Her husband Nicholas is more upset over that than Tito’s cheating with Anton so he enlists Anton’s aid to kill the scientist.  The children blinded by the orb last issue can remarkably see again, and for some reason (that we know) the scientist ends high up in a tree unconscious and in the nude.

The plot thickens as orbs secretly appear, people disappear and a murder attempt is set in motion.

Rating:

The Twilight Children #1 by Hernandez and Cooke / Z-View

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The Twilight Children #1 is part of a four-issue mini-series published by Vertigo Comics.

Writer: Gilbert Hernandez
Artist: Darwyn Coole
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Cover Artist: Darwyn Cooke

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

A mysterious white orb appears on the shore of a remote Latin American village.  This has happened before, but the orbs always disappear before anyone can figure out what they are or where they come from.

When word gets out about this new orb many of the town folk come to see it.  They include Bundo (a drunk with a tragic past), Anton (a fisherman having an affair with) Tito (a local hottie who is married to the oblivious) business man Nicholas, the Sheriff and a young scientist new to the town.

The orb disappears and later reappears in a cave being explored by three small children.  When the children approach the orb it explodes, leaving the children blind. Not long after a beautiful young woman (alien?) appears in town.  You know the CIA can’t be far behind — and they’re not.

This issue is beautifully drawn and well written.  It reminds me of an episode of The Twilight Zone which is high praise, indeed.  I look forward to issue two.

Rating: 5 of 5 stars.