Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
I thought that Moonshine the upcoming comic series by Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso couldn’t get any better.
Then I saw the Frank Miller variant cover for the first issue and I knew I was wrong.
Source: Comic Crusaders.
The Cully Hamner cover is my favorite from the Heroes Initiative JLA 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 JLA 100 Project. Heroes Initiative in collaboration with DC Comics got over 100 artists to create an original JLA cover on specially printed blank Justice League of America #50 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 JLA art here.
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 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 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.
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!
CBR.com has a regular feature that answers fans’ questions about comic books. Recently a Captain America story drawn by my buddies, Mike Zeck and John Beatty was the subject of the question: Did Captain America Once Fix His Shield Through Force of Will?
You’re usually not one to read romance comics, right? Me neither.
However, when the story is drawn by Jim Steranko (and written by Stan Lee), romance comic or not, it’s worth a look. Check out their short graphic story My Heart Broke in Hollywood and I’ll bet you agree.
Source: The Bristol Board.
American Monster #4 is part of an on-going series published by Vertigo Comics.
*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***
The smallest of towns oft times make for the biggest happenings… and the small burg that Theo Montclaire has decided to call home is no exception. Shotguns, betrayal, perversion and explosions. Just a few of the ingredients that make up the ass-kicking meal known as AMERICAN MONSTER.
There’s a lot going on in issue three. Felix’s gun-running gang is at odds with the Reverand’s 2nd Amendment gun-toting Christians, the honest Deputy is being told to stand down on his investigation, and Theo is making a deal for explosives and looking to buy a bar.
Azzarello and Doe continue to impress. With American Monster they’ve laid the ground work for a great on-going crime series for those wanting a story that isn’t wall to wall fights, the traditional good guys in white hats or stories that are simply told. American Monster isn’t for kids or those offended by mature language, but it is for folks who enjoy a well crafted and well drawn comic.
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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 is part of an on-going series published by Vertigo Comics.
*** 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.
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American Monster #2 is part of an on-going series published by Vertigo Comics.
*** 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.
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American Monster #1 is part of an on-going series published by Vertigo Comics.
*** 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.
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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 is part of a four-issue mini-series published by Vertigo Comics.
*** 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.
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