Category: Comics

Bleeding Cool Scores Milo Manara’s Preview Art For Frank Miller’s Sin City

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Rich Johnston at Bleeding Cool posted Milo Manara’s First Art For Frank Miller’s Sin City as well as info and preview art from Frank Miller Presents projects.

I am so psyched for the new Sin City yarns that I just had to share the piece above.  I’ve been saying for years that Miller should do more Sin City stories and/or let other creator’s (with his story/art approval) have a shot.  Soon we’ll be getting the best of both.  Click over to Johnston’s article for details and preview art for some of the great stuff coming from Frank Miller Presents!

ROCKETS and RAYGUNS by Dan Boultwood!

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Rockets and Rayguns by Dan Boultwood is a blast (pun intended).  It’s a throwback to old movie serials and comic books where brave men and women save the galaxy from evil.  Boultwood’s web comic is more entertaining in just three than many 28 page comics.


I love the art style Boultwood chose for Rockets and Rayguns.  It reminds me of Bill Pressing’s Rex Steele, Nazi Smasher (and that’s a very good thing). Boultwood isn’t just an excellent artist, he also shows writing chops by moving the story along with just the right amount of dialogue and a heaping helping of humor.

I hope that Dan Boultwood is able to keep Rockets and Rayguns going for a long time. I’d also be down for trade compilations once enough strips are created. Rockets and Rayguns can be found at: tapas.io/series/Rockets and here: instagram.com/rocketsandrayg and even here: rocketsandrayguns.space/?webcomic1=roc

RIP: George Pérez

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George Pérez

We all knew the day would come.  Especially since December 7, 2021.  That’s when George Perez announced that he had surgically inoperable Stage 3 Pancreatic Cancer.  Although offered other options George said,

“… after weighing all the variables and assessing just how much of my remaining days would be eaten up by doctor visits, treatments, hospital stays and dealing with the often stressful and frustrating bureaucracy of the medical system, I’ve opted to just let nature take its course and I will enjoy whatever time I have left as fully as possible with my beautiful wife of over 40 years, my family, friends and my fans.”

And that is what he did,

George Perez passed away yesterday the result of his pancreatic cancer.  He was 67.  The announcement on his Facebook page read:

George passed away yesterday, peacefully at home with his wife of 490 months and family by his side. He was not in pain and knew he was very, very loved.

We are all very much grieving but, at the same time, we are so incredibly grateful for the joy he brought to our lives. To know George was to love him; and he loved back. Fiercely and with his whole heart. The world is a lot less vibrant today without him in it.

He loved all of you. He loved hearing your posts and seeing the drawings you sent and the tributes you made. He was deeply proud to have brought so much joy to so many.

Everyone knows George’s legacy as a creator. His art, characters and stories will be revered for years to come. But, as towering as that legacy is, it pales in comparison to the legacy of the man George was. George’s true legacy is his kindness. It’s the love he had for bringing others joy – and I hope you all carry that with you always.
Today is Free Comic Book Day. A day George absolutely loved and a fitting day to remember his contributions to comics and to our lives. I hope you’ll enjoy your day today with him in mind. He would have loved that.

Please keep his wife Carol in your thoughts and again, I thank you for respecting her privacy. I remain available through the contact on the page.

George’s memorial service will take place at MEGACON Orlando at 6pm on Sunday, May 22nd. It will be open to all. Details to follow.

We will miss him always.

George Perez entered comics as an assistant to Rich Buckler in the early 1970s.  He quickly graduated to penciling his own series.  It didn’t take long for George Perez to become a fan favorite.  Throughout his career George Perez worked on some of the most popular comic series published: The Avengers, The Fantastic Four, The Justice League of America, The New Teen Titans, Crisis on Infinite Earths, Superman, The Infinity Gauntlet, to name just a few.  Whatever George Perez worked on was worth the price of admission.

Evidence of George Perez’s importance and impact to comics is the number of places his death is quickly being reported.  Sadly, often when we lose comic creators, the only place their passing is noted is comic-related websites.  George Perez’s passing has shown up already in The Hollywood Reporter, The New York Daily News, TMZ and The Daily Mail (England) to name just a few of the mainstream publications. 

George Perez won numerous fan favorite awards of the course of his career.  Here are some of them…

  • 1979: Eagle Award for his role in creating the Best Continued Story for Avengers #167–168 and 170–177.
  • 1980: Eagle Award for Best Comic book Cover for Avengers #185. 
  • 1983: Inkpot Award
  • 1983: Comics Buyer’s Guide Fan Awards – Favorite Artist
  • 1984: Comics Buyer’s Guide Fan Awards – Favorite Comic Book Story:  “The Judas Contract” in Tales of the Teen Titans #42–44 and Annual #3
  • 1985: Comics Buyer’s Guide Fan Awards – Favorite Artist
  • 1985: Comics Buyer’s Guide Fan Awards – Favorite Cover Artist
  • 1985: Comics Buyer’s Guide Fan Awards – Favorite Comic Book Story:  “Beyond the Silent Night” in Crisis on Infinite Earths #7
  • 1985: Comics Buyer’s Guide Fan Awards – Favorite Limited Series: Crisis on Infinite Earths (with Marv Wolfman)
  • 1985: Named as one of the honorees in DC’s 50th anniversary publication Fifty Who Made DC Great.
  • 1985: Jack Kirby Award for Best Finite Series for Crisis on Infinite Earths (with Marv Wolfman)
  • 1986: Jack Kirby Award for Best Finite Series for Crisis on Infinite Earths (with Marv Wolfman)
  • 1986: Comics Buyer’s Guide Fan Awards – Favorite Cover Artist
  • 1986: Eagle Award for Favorite Pencil Artist in 1986.
  • 1987: Comics Buyer’s Guide Fan Awards – Favorite Penciler
  • 1987: Comics Buyer’s Guide Fan Awards – Favorite Cover Artist
  • 1989: Comics Buyer’s Guide Fan Awards – Favorite Comic Book Story:  “A Lonely Place of Dying” in Batman #440–442 and The New Titans #60–61 
  • 2022: Inkwell Awards Stacey Aragon Special Recognition Award (SASRA) for his lifetime achievement in inking

George Perez was not only one of the most popular artists to ever work in comics, he was one of the nicest.  I first became aware of his art on The Avengers.  Then I went back and found his earlier work.  Following George Perez was easy, because word of his art on a new comic always spread quickly.

I was fortunate to spend time with George Perez at a comic convention in 1980 or 81.  My best friend, John Beatty was inking George on Justice League and was also a guest at the show.  Sitting with John and George was great.  George was wonderful with each fan that came up.  He listened and smiled and exchanged stories.  George had as much fun (if not more) than the fans. 

After the show, George invited John and I to have a bite to eat and hang out.  George drew more sketches as we talked.  I’ve never seen an artist more at ease while drawing.  At one point he even was lying on his back and drawing!

When George Perez announced that he had cancer and most likely only 6 months or so to live, he continued to interact with fans and enjoy the time he had left.  What a great human spirit!  It was an honor to meet George Perez not only because he was a legendary artist, but also because of the great human being we came to know.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to George Perez’s family, friends and fans.

RIP: Neal Adams

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Neal Adams died yesterday as result of a sepsis infection.  Mr. Adams was 80.

These days the word “legend” is used pretty loosely, but Neal Adams is a true legend in the comic book field.  He is known for both his art and his passion for creator’s rights.  

Neal Adams is best known for his Batman comics with Denny O’Neil and his Green Lantern/Green Arrow run, again with Denny O’Neil.  Often Neal Adams was asked to draw covers for comics that didn’t have his art inside.  A Neal Adams’ cover alone could increase sales.

Neal Adams opened Continuity Studios which took on comic and commercial art assignments.  Neal Adams’ art appeared in magazines, movie posters, book covers and more.

Neal Adams is in the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame (1998), the Harvey Awards’ Jack Kirby Hall of Fame (1999) and the Inkwell Awards Joe Sinnott Hall of Fame (2019).  

Neal Adams’ RIP write-up is one of the toughest I’ve written.  Neal Adams was a huge part of my childhood.  When I think Neal Adams, I think of his take on Batman, Superman and Conan.  I think about the many times I saw Neal Adams at conventions.  He was always smiling.  If I had the talent of Neal Adams, I’d always be smiling too.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Neal Adams’ family, friends and fans.

FMP: Frank Miller Presents – New Independent Publishing Company – New SIN CITY and RONIN Coming!

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Frank Miller fans rejoice!  Frank Miller is starting a new publishing company called Frank Miller Presents.  Check out the cool logo above.  FMP plans two to four titles a year.  Among the first up are Sin City 1858 a western set in Miller’s mythical city and a tale that Miller has hinted at for years. Ronin Book Two will be the sequel to Miller’s futuristic tale of a reincarnated samurai warrior.  Sign me up now!

Miller will be joined by Dan DiDio (co-publisher at DC from 2010-2020) who will serve as publisher of FMP.   Silenn Thomas (CEO of Frank Miller Ink.) will serve as the Chief Operating Officer of FMP.

For full details check out The Hollywood Reporter‘s Frank Miller Launches Independent Publishing Company, New ‘Sin City, ‘Ronin’ Comics in the Works (Exclusive).

This is the best news I’ve heard in weeks.  I couldn’t be more excited about this.

HEAD WOUNDS: SPARROW is Coming!

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Head Wounds: Sparrow is a graphic novel written by Brian Buccellato from a story by Robert Johnson & John Alvey.  The art is by Christian Ward.  Here’s the synopsis…

Tangled up in the battle between Good and Evil, a crooked Louisiana detective with a higher purpose must psychically suffer the wounds of those he’s sworn to protect until he brings their assailants to justice.

No one would call Leo a good person – much less a good cop. But when his best friend is shot in front of him, he wakes up with a hole in his own head that only he can see, and a host of mysterious strangers calling on him for action.

Most people go about their daily lives ignoring or unable to see the divine battle for Good and Evil raging around them, but it has just become very very real for Leo. As angels and demons vie for the fate of humanity, he must choose a side or risk seeing everyone and everything he has ever known destroyed as the stakes get higher and higher.

As Leo sees the true faces of the people around him he must decide – will he do what’s best for him alone, or follow a higher purpose?

 

 

If Head Wounds: Sparrow sounds/looks like something you’d like, pre-orders are available now.  The graphic novel premieres on August 9, 2022.

COMICS for UKRAINE: SUNFLOWER SEEDS – An Amazing All Star Book to Support Ukraine Relief!

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These are just two of the covers available for the benefit book, Comics for Ukraine: Sunflower Seeds.  The cover on the left is by Alex Ross and the right is by Dave Johnson.  Click on either to see them biggie-sized.

Comics for Ukraine: Sunflower Seeds features an incredible roster of comics talent united under the mission of providing relief to the war-torn Ukraine, which has suffered attacks from neighboring Russia since late February.

“Like everyone, I have been sickened by the atrocities perpetrated on the Ukrainian people for nearly two months,” said Scott Dunbier, editor of the anthology, “and I had to do something, anything, to try and help. The comic-book community is full of good and caring people who have stepped up to say, ‘I stand with Ukraine,’ and to contribute to this book.”

With the exception of hard costs (printing, credit-card fees, marketing) all of the funds raised by Comics for Ukraine: Sunflower Seeds will benefit the relief efforts in Ukraine in partnership with Operation USA. Since time of of the essence, once the campaign concludes and payments have been collected by Zoop, all funds will be sent to Operation USA immediately.

“We at OpUSA are so grateful for the support of Mr. Dunbier and all artists and writers involved with this project” says Mary Dolan, Director of Communications. “Operation USA is entirely privately funded, so projects such as Comics for Ukraine play a vital role in building our capacity to provide critical relief where needed most. Proceeds from this project will have a direct impact on the lives of those deeply affected by the ongoing war—improving conditions for Ukrainian refugees in Poland and other nearby countries via the provision of emergency grants and in-kind material aid. We thank all those involved in this meaningful project.”

Comics for Ukraine: Sunflower Seeds includes,,,

  • Covers by Alex Ross, Dave Johnson, Art Adams, Bill Sienkiewicz
  • A brand new Astro City short story by Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson
  • A brand new Chew short story by John Layman and Rob Guillory
  • A brand new Star Slammers short story by Walt Simonson
  • A brand new American Flagg short story by Howard Chaykin
  • A brand new Usagi Yojimbo short story by Stan Sakai
  • A brand new Grendel short story by Matt Wagner
  • A brand new Groo short story by Mark Evanier and Sergio Aragones
  • A brand new Scary Godmother short story by Jill Thompson
  • The Cost of War short story by Louise Simonson and June Brigman
  • Hardrada short story by Dave Gibbons and Chris Sprouse
  • A short story by Mark Waid and Gabriel Rodriguez
  • Bombings short story by Emil Ferris
  • And More…

Comics for Ukraine: Sunflower Seeds features an amazing array of talent including many more folks than I’ve listed above.  Plus with “the exception of hard costs (printing, credit-card fees, marketing) all of the funds raised by Comics for Ukraine: Sunflower Seeds will benefit the relief efforts in Ukraine in partnership with Operation USA” makes supporting the project a no-brainer.

Click over to get full details.  If you’re not a comics fan, but want to donate to the cause, there’s a place for that as well.  It’s a tough choice on which variant to get, but I’ve settled on the Dave Johnson cover.  Sound off with your choice if you’re in!

Drew Struzan’s Limited Edition “Hellboy II: The Golden Army” Prints!

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Hellboy II director, Guillermo del Toro commissioned Drew Struzan to create a poster to promote the film.  The studio decided not to use Struzan’s art and so the poster was previously only available as a giveaway print at New York Comic con in 2008… until now.  Well, tomorrow.

There will be two different versions of the Hellboy II: The Golden Army print:

The one shown above is a Limited Edition of 450, 24×36 inches, Hand Numbered Offset Lithograph Print With Gold Hot Foil Title, Printed on 300gsm Archival Paper.  It retails for $85.

The other version doesn’t have the Hellboy II: The Golden Army logo or movie info at the bottom.  It has a Limited Edition of 250, 24×36 inches, Hand Numbered Offset Lithograph Print, Printed on 300gsm Archival Paper.  It retails for $75.

If you’re interested you will be able to pick up both versions of the poster on Thursday the 31st of March, starting at 1pm Eastern from Vice-Press.com and Sideshow Art Prints.

FRANK LEE, AFTER ALCATRAZ by David Hasteda and Ludovic Chesno is Coming!

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Frank Lee, After Alcatraz by writer, David Hasteda and artist, Ludovic Chesno looks and sounds interesting.

In June 1962, Frank Lee Morris did the unthinkable and broke free from Alcatraz prison! Celebrating the 60th anniversary of his incredible escape, this thrilling graphic novel imagines what Frank Lee did next…

Bank Robber. Escape Artist. Genius.

But on June 11th 1962, Frank Lee Morris performed the most daring feat of them all: escaping from Alcatraz. He was never found, presumed to have drowned in San Francisco Bay. The FBI’s case remains open to this day.

But what if he survived that fateful night? A free man. A second chance. What did he do then? Follow Frank in this stunning graphic novel on his journey from villainous convict to finding sanctuary and starting a new life, full of heartache, sorrow and a profound bittersweet acceptance.

Immortalized by Clint Eastwood in the 1979 film, Escape From Alcatraz, writer David Hasteda and artist Ludovic Chesnot imagine just what Frank’s life might have been like after performing one of the most dangerous escapes of all time.

Below are a couple of preview pages.  You can see more on Amazon and if you’re so inclined pre-order.  Frank Lee, After Alcatraz will be released on June 28, 2022.