By: Heidi MacDonald,
on 5/25/2016
This week, two Marvel #1's shipped and they both have one thing in common: amazing cliffhangers that are the product of a long period of careful foreshadowing and preparation. I love it when good plans come together, and boy do they ever in Captain America #1 and Nighthawk #1.
By: Heidi MacDonald,
on 4/8/2016
The most obvious crossover hidden in plain site is now revealed; Tarzan will be hanging out with the Planet of the Apes cast members for an upcoming crossover story announced today at Emerald City Comicon in Seattle. BOOM! Studios and Dark Horse have unveiled a new comic with Tarzan on the Planet of the Apes, an […]
By: Heidi MacDonald,
on 2/18/2016
What's our take on the first chapter of the brand new Avengers crossover and the debut of Power Man and Iron Fist?
By: Heidi MacDonald,
on 7/22/2015
Writer:
David Walker
Artists:
Ivan Reis
Joe Prado
The machine that gives Cyborg his powers is evolving! The only problem is that machine is his body and he has no idea what’s causing these changes!
Can an ongoing series set in the New DC world really work for Cyborg? It’s a question that Ivan Reis and David Walker tackle in the first issue of the hero’s ongoing series. When he graduated from the Teen Titans and became an MVP in the Justice League world, Victor Stone took on new life. We’re closer to seeing the hero on-screen than ever before — as one of the fabled “seven” players in the JLA, now seems as good a time as any to spend intimate time with one of the newest characters on the League.
It may require a double take from the reader, but it is worth mentioning that Cyborg recently underwent a fairly massive redesign. While it is a little sad that the previous outfit, with its machine emblem and mostly black-and-white suit, has been retired, the new one by artist Ivan Reis is both slim and sleek. It is dismaying that the only artist that may actually be able to draw this correctly is Reis, as the new outfit is one of the most complicated and effective character designs featured in the DC You.
This directly ties into what might be the greatest strength of the comic: the intensive detail in Reis’ art. This story has incredible levels of polish that really shows the nuance demanded by a character shortchanged like Victor Stone. The initial splash recognizes Cyborg’s costumes and outfits from the New 52 to now, documenting just how much change Victor Stone has gone through over the years. Reis has had defining runs in the New 52 for quite some time on titles like Justice League and Aquaman, and even previously served to simplify Cyborg’s hulking Jim Lee design in the first couple of pages of his run on Justice League. I’m glad to see the artist put such great time and detail into this comic.
David Walker, writer of acclaimed Dynamite’s series Shaft, is the writer of Cyborg #1 and is someone who seems to understand the complicated tightrope he’s walking between the original Marv Wolfman version of Cyborg and the new version of this hero, who comes with a simplified backstory courtesy of the New 52. This new Cyborg is still hung up on some of the same things that the original version was. To be honest, it’s kind of nice to see him go through some of his previous struggles again, as it’s often easier to relate to the problems that younger characters go through.
Not to worry though, this Cyborg isn’t too young… he seems to be in his 20s. We mentioned it above, but this story makes Victor Stone’s newly redesigned body into a key plot point of the series. This is refreshing, as Cyborg has had a large number of previously unexplained costume redesigns in an extremely condensed period of time.
It’s really refreshing to to see frightening horror elements in a book like Cyborg as well. Aquaman, another book drawn by Reis contains similar elements of terror. Not only that, but this first issue of Cyborg also gives the titular man-machine a brand new supporting cast, setting the series up for the long haul.
Ultimately, the creative team on this book attempts to tackle a lot in their first issue. They have to introduce Victor to new readers while acknowledging his condensed history for the sake of established fans. They set up his new team of sidekicks, lay down groundwork for a completely original villain, and ensure that that villain is one that only Cyborg can face. The road Walker and Reis have chosen to take isn’t going to be an easy one — that being said, this first issue of Cyborg is a more than confident approach to the solo exploits of Stone. Here’s to a long run to come.
By: Heidi MacDonald,
on 2/18/2015
The finalists for the inaugural Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity Award have just been announced (disclosure: I am honored to have been one of the judges) and they are:
Hex11 by Lisa K. Weber and Kelly Sue Milano (HexComics)
M.F.K. by Nilah Magruder
Ms. Marvel by G. Willow Wilson and Adrian Alphona (Marvel)
The Shadow Hero by Gene Luen Yang and Sonny Liew (First Second Books)
Shaft by writer David F. Walker and artist Bilquis Evely (Dynamite).
The winner will be announced on Saturday February 28 at 2 PM PT at the Long Beach Comic Expo. Reggie Hudlin will deliver the keynote address.
It was a tough choice in picking these but all the nominees are not only wonderful comics, but they push comics in the direction that they need to go; a direction that McDuffie was aware of the worked for both quietly and loudly before his very tragic death.
The LA times has a bit more on the awards from awards director Matt Wayne:
“Who gets to be the hero, and how readers get to see themselves reflected in the hero are complex matters that Dwayne thought about often. As editor in chief of Milestone Media’s original run of comics, he used terms like ‘multi-experiential’ to describe what we were doing,” said Matt Wayne, the director of the Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity. “Independent publishing by its nature is more inclusive, so it’s no surprise that a number of the nominees are indies or even self-published. We hope that the DMAD will help these comics find new readers. The major comics publishers need no help from us, but whoa, ‘Ms. Marvel’ deserves every plaudit the world can work up!”
“I am so proud that my husband’s personal mission to include a more diverse array of voices–both in content and creators–is able to continue now through this Award in his name, by encouraging others who share his vision of comics, characters, and the industry itself better mirroring society,” said Charlotte McDuffie, Dwayne’s widow in a statement.
“The Long Beach shows are committed to diversity,” said Martha Donato, Executive Director of Long Beach Comic Expo. “It’s our great pleasure to host the Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity Award ceremony and to celebrate the legacy of a wonderful man and writer who inspired so many people with his words, his action and his creations.”
Here’s the entire judging committee:
• Neo Edmund – Novelist, animation and comics writer;
• Joan Hilty – Nickelodeon Comics Editor; Creator of Bitter Girl;
• Joseph Illidge – Former Editor, Milestone and DC Comics; Columnist, Comic Book Resources; Writer, First Second Books;
• Heidi MacDonald – Editor in Chief, The Beat;
• Glen Murakami – Producer/Supervising Director, DC animated properties and Ben 10: Alien Force/Ultimate Alien;
• Eugene Son – Comics writer/Story Editor, Ultimate Spider-Man Animated;
• William J. Watkins – Writer; Former owner, Chicago’s first Black-owned comics store;
• Len Wein – Co-creator Swamp Thing, Wolverine, New X-Men; Former Editor-in-Chief- of Marvel Comics and Senior Editor, DC Comics.
And just because,here’s more info on the nominees and Dwayne:
ABOUT THE CREATORS OF HEX11:
Kelly Sue Milano was introduced to comics the way most five-year-old girls are: by getting taken to the Fullerton AMC Theaters to see Batman with her Dad in the summer of 1989. Though she wasn’t stoked at first, what followed was total and complete love. Not just with superheroes and comics – but with stories. She has been published in the Orange County Register, has written award-winning short stories, monologues, and comedy sketches, and has contributed to the development of several film projects for Periscope Entertainment. She also curates the blog for A.WAKE; a movement dedicated to celebrating female artists. Kelly Sue is a sucker for Nabakov and fancy coffee and currently lives in Los Angeles with her dog, Louie.Lisa K. Weber makes art for comics, kid’s books, and cartoons. She also enjoys satire, white wine, and classic rock hits. She has created artwork for comic adaptations of Edgar Allan Poe’s Hop-Frog, Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, Sheridan Le Fanu’s Carmilla, and Saki’s Tobermory, all featured in Graphic Classics. Her illustrations have appeared in publications from Penguin Books, Houghton-Mifflin Harcourt, Scholastic Inc, and Capstone Press. She has also contributed character designs and storyboards for Nickelodeon, Curious Pictures, and PBS Kids. Lisa currently lives and works in Los Angeles, California.
ABOUT THE CREATORS OF M.F.K.:
Nilah Magruder is a storyboard and concept artist artist in Los Angeles. Born and raised in Maryland, from a young age she developed an eternal love for three things: nature, books, and animation. Naturally, all of her school notebooks were full of doodles of animals and cartoon characters.Nilah received a B.A. in communication arts from Hood College and B.F.A. in computer animation from Ringling College of Art and Design. She has illustrated for comics, children’s books, film and commercial television. Interested in exploring diversity in storytelling, she launched the action-adventure webcomic M.F.K. She believes that everyone should have characters with whom they can relate in their chosen entertainment, be it comic book, novel, film, TV, or video game.
ABOUT THE WRITER & ARTIST OF MS. MARVEL:
G. Willow Wilson is a novelist and comic book writer based in Seattle. Her works include the novel Alif the Unseen, a New York Times Notable Book and winner of the 2013 World Fantasy Award for Best Novel. She is the creator, with artist Adrian Alphona, of the bestselling All-New Ms. Marvel series from Marvel Comics. Her series Air (DC/Vertigo) and Mystic: The Tenth Apprentice (Marvel) were both nominated for Eisner Awards. In what spare time she has, Willow enjoys playing MMOs, watching British television, cooking, and maintaining the proud tradition of the Oxford comma. She lives with her husband and their two children.Adrian Alphona is the artist of MS. MARVEL. He illustrated an acclaimed run of RUNAWAYS written by Brian K Vaughan for Marvel Entertainment.
ABOUT THE CREATORS OF THE SHADOW HERO
Gene Luen Yang’s 2006 book American Born Chinese was the first graphic novel to be nominated for a National Book Award and the first to win the American Library Association’s Michael L. Printz Award. His 2013 two-volume graphic novel Boxers & Saints was also nominated for a National Book Award and won the L.A. Times Book Prize. Gene currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife and children.Sonny Liew is a comic artist, painter and illustrator whose work includes titles for DC Vertigo, Marvel Comics and First Second Books. He has received Eisner nominations for his art on Wonderland (Disney), as well as for spearheading Liquid City (Image Comics), a multi-volume comics anthology featuring creators from Southeast Asia. His Malinky Robot series was a Xeric grant recipient and winner of the Best Science Fiction Comic Album Award at the Utopiales SF Festival in Nantes (2009).
His latest work is The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye, which will be published by Pantheon Books in 2016.
ABOUT THE WRITER & ARTIST OF SHAFT:
David F. Walker is an award-winning journalist, filmmaker, and author of the YA series The Adventures of Darius Logan. His publication BadAzz MoFo became internationally known as the indispensable resource guide to black films of the 1970s. His work in comics includes the series Shaft (Dynamite Entertainment), Doc Savage (Dynamite Entertainment), Number 13 (Dark Horse Comics), The Army of Dr. Moreau (IDW/Monkeybrain Comics), and The Supernals Experiment (Canon Comics).Bilquis Evely is a 24-year-old Brazilian comic book artist. She started her professional life in 2010 as the penceiller of the Brazilian comic book, Luluzinha Teen e Sua Turma” Her recent work includes The Shadow and Doc Savage for Dynamite. She is currently working on Shaft, which is written by David F. Walker.
ABOUT DWAYNE MCDUFFIE:
Dwayne McDuffie is best known as the co-founder and creator of Milestone Media. He was a Story Editor on the KIDS WB’s Emmy Award-winning animated series STATIC SHOCK, which he co-created. He was also a Producer and Story Editor on Cartoon Network’s JUSTICE LEAGUE. He was Editor-In-Chief of Milestone Media’s award-winning line of comic books, managing an editorial operation which boasted the best on-time delivery record in the industry for nearly four years running and has also worked as an editor for Marvel Comics and Harvey Entertainment. As a writer, Dwayne created or co-created more than a dozen series, including DAMAGE CONTROL, DEATHLOK II, ICON, STATIC, XOMBI, THE ROAD TO HELL and HARDWARE. He wrote stories for dozens of other comics, including, SPIDER-MAN, BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT, THE TICK, CAPTAIN MARVEL, AVENGERS SPOTLIGHT, BACK TO THE FUTURE, HELLRAISER, ULTRAMAN, (The Artist Formerly Known As) PRINCE and X-O MANOWAR.Dwayne won the 2003 HUMANITAS PRIZE for “Jimmy,” a STATIC SHOCK script about gun violence in schools. He was nominated for two EMMY AWARDS for the TV series STATIC SHOCK, a WRITERS GUILD AWARD for the TV series JUSTICE LEAGUE and three EISNER AWARDS for his work in comic books. His comic book work won eleven PARENTS’ CHOICE AWARDS, six “Best Editor” awards, and a GOLDEN APPLE AWARD for his “use of popular art to promote and enhance human dignity.”
Dwayne was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan and attended The Roeper School. Before entering comics, he studied in undergraduate and graduate programs at The University of Michigan, then attended film school at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. He also co-hosted a radio comedy program, while moonlighting pseudonymously as a freelance writer for stand-up comedians and late-night television comedy programs. He wrote scripts for an animated feature, episodes of BEN 10: ALIEN FORCE, STATIC SHOCK!, JUSTICE LEAGUE, WHAT’S NEW, SCOOBY-DOO? and TEEN TITANS.
By Nicki Richesin, The Children’s Book Review
Published: February 6, 2012
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and you know what that means: time to read some love stories! Below are just a few selections with which you’re sure to fall in love. So snuggle up with your favorite little reader and share a good laugh, a cuddle, and a whole lotta love.
Mr. PricklesBy Kara LaReau; illustrated by Scott Magoon
Even though Mr. Prickles may be prickly on the outside, he’s warm and fuzzy on the inside and looking for someone to see past his rough exterior. Thank goodness for Miss Pointypants who knows a thing or two about being judged on her sharp appearance. The deeper message LaReau humorously imparts is how to control one’s anger when ostracized by friends. Little kids who have been banished from the sandbox will love Mr. Prickles. (Ages 2-6. Publisher: Roaring Brook Press)
A Giant CrushBy Gennifer Choldenko; illustrated by Melissa Sweet
Ah, young love. This book is absolutely perfect for second and third graders confused by their beloved’s sudden mood swings. When a little bunny falls in love with another funny bunny, what’s a bunny to do? Leave it to a good friend to help him unravel the mysteries and agonies of a first crush. First rule of thumb: you have to speak to the one you love. (Ages 5-8. Publisher: Penguin Group (USA))
Love, SplatBy Rob Scotton
This tale about two star-crossed cats is seriously funny. Scotton’s silly illustrations of Splat the Cat reminded me just a bit of Garfield, but his story is pure fun. Splat goes to great lengths to impress his lady love, Kitten, but when Spike intervenes, it seems all is lost. Leave it to Kitten, with her feline prowess, to choose the best suitor to win her affections. (Ages 4-7. Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers)
Hedgehug By Benn Sutton; illustrated by Dan Pinto
Two books about pointy critters in one review? Yes, indeed. In this “sharp lesson in love,” Hedgehug discovers love hurts after his many failed attempts to share a hug. In Sutton’s playf
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Wow, thanks again for reviewing two corporate-owned franchise factory superhero garbage books that will tank in sales and relaunch in six months.
[…] The Marvel Rundown: The Nature of Freedom and Justice is Challenged in CAPTAIN AMERICA #1 & NIGH… […]
Thanks for coming onto a “Marvel Rundown” post and complaining that the books are published by Marvel.
Nighthawk #1 didn’t read like a Batman ripoff, but like a Frank Castle ripoff. There is even a Frank Castle reference in the comics itself, and Nighthawk has his own Microchip. The main difference is the corporate part (that is more Batman than Punisher), but it depends how much this part plays out.