Comics News: IDW and Tom Beland Unleash Chicacabra

IDW and Tom Beland Unleash Chicacabra

Chupacabras, Vejigantes, Fistfights, and Weed!
 

San Diego, CA (March 26, 2014) – Tom Beland, best known for his multiple Eisner-nominated seriesTrue Story, Swear to God, brings his unique storytelling to IDW this June in an all-new graphic novel series, Chicacabra.
 
Chicacabra is a story infused with the humanity for which Tom’s work is so rightly acclaimed, but this time, Tom has written and illustrated an all-new cast of very human characters in a more supernatural setting.
 
“Tom Beland’s work is the perfect mix of comic-book storytelling with expressive art, interesting characters, and a resonant, emotional core,” said Chris Ryall, IDW’s Chief Creative Officer-Editor-in-Chief, “and I couldn’t be happier to see him apply those skills in this new way on Chicacabra. Tom’s books have always been the kind of thing you want to hand someone, whether they’re new to comics or a veteran reader who thinks they’ve seen it all. There’s something for everyone in his work, and never more so than with Chicacabra, which pushes into the supernatural while still staying a fundamentally grounded, human tale.”
 
In Chicacabra, you would think being a young woman in high school would come with more than enough drama, but for Isabel Sanchez that is a mere drop in the bucket of her life. On the outside, Isabel looks and acts like your average Puerto Rican girl but after a family tragedy and then a mysterious incident she finds herself with a monster capable of great brutality living inside her. But is it her friend or foe?
 
Isabel will have to learn to life with a killing machine inside her and navigate high school in this first in a series of planned Chicacabra graphic novels. And heads will roll, to say the least!
 
"I think people will relate to Isabel. I think we all have a chupacabra in us in some way. There's fear, doubt, many things that you hold deep inside of yourself,” said Tom Beland, “This is about two souls working together in a relationship that could be damaging as well as healing. I love making it. To a degree it was as emotional as making TSSTG."
 
Chicacabra will be available in a regular edition and a special version with an alternate cover only available at the Puerto Rico Comic-Con, May 24-25 at the Puerto Rico Convention Center.
 
Chicacabra, a 200-page, black & white, $17.99 trade paperback, debuts in June 2014. Diamond Order Code APR140447, ISBN 978-1-63140-011-7

Comics News: The Dreamer Vol 3 Digital Collection to Hit in April

The Dreamer Vol 3: The Battle of Harlem Heights hits stores March 19th, 2014

Digital collection of The Dreamer catches up with print releases in April

(Columbus, OH-March 18, 2014) IDW announced today that the next release in the graphic novel series “The Dreamer” will hit stores March 19th, 2014. The Dreamer Vol 3: The Battle of Harlem Heights (ISBN 9781613778869) is the third and final book in the story arc The Consequence of Nathan Hale and will be available in comic book stores as well as book trade venues. The Dreamer has been nominated for numerous Harvey Awards and is a fan favorite among comic book and mainstream readers alike. The digital versions of all three books in the series will be available in the IDW and Comixology apps as well as iBooks, Kindle, Nook April 16th, 2014.  

Early reviews of The Dreamer Volume 3:

“The cliffhanger—involving Beatrice’s increasing distance from her friends and family as they worry about her health, mental confusion, and seemingly poor choices—is a nail-biter. “-Publishers Weekly

“The amount of emotion in this volume was palpable from the moment it began and Innes sucks readers in with it and its multi-layered story. Innes mixes history so well with her story that you would almost feel that it was fact. Kudos to her writing skill.”-Herotaku.com

“5 out of 5 stars.” -Jazmaonline.com

Book 4 in the series is planned for 2016.

About The Dreamer Volume 3:

Bea Whaley's vivid dreams about the American Revolution continue in this all-new graphic novel! In the 21st Century Bea's friends and family begin to suspect that something is wrong, but Bea knows she cannot tell them about her dreams. As tensions rise, she struggles to return to the 18th century, where her friends' lives are threatened by the ever growing war - and this time, she just might be too late to save them.

Visit www.thedreamercomic.com for more information.

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Dreamer-Comic/146005828774488

Follow Creator Lora Innes on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LoraInnes

1st Impression: THE DREAMER (Vol 3.): The Battle of Harlem Heights

THE DREAMER (Vol 3.)
Written by Lora Innes
Art by Lora Innes & Julie Wright
IDW Publishing

FLIPPING THROUGH:

                We open to Alan, seemingly in his death bed, writes to Beatrice. As the letter goes on, we see the American Revolution take full hold. Meanwhile, Beatrice’s lives in both the American Revolution and in her real life. Beatrice gets “betrayed” by friends in the real world while her life in the American Revolution goes from bad to worse as she decides to help spy for the Colonists, much to the Warren’s dismay.  As her actions in the real world ended up affecting her in the Revolution, Beatrice is finding her self backed into a corner.

ART:

                Innes does a beautiful job giving us the American Revolution. She has a great sense of proportion and does a good job giving us some strong, classic panel work. Innes captures emotion very well while also providing some striking backgrounds.  Innes does well with angles with Wright giving some very vivid colors with great shading.  One of the best things that Innes does is that she is not afraid to give us the horrors of war without being too gory. Visually, Innes and Wright go all in with great angles, striking backgrounds and strong emotion that it captivates readers. Really great job.

WRITING:

                Innes writes a very passionate and emotional volume, full of intrigue and personal development. Our heroine might be going too far as we see Beatrice’s “fall” in the real world in order to help do her best for the Warrens in the American Revolution. Innes makes sure from the beginning of the trade to the end, there is nothing but a good amount of impact for each chapter.  There is solid dialogue that reflects both eras that really help bring readers in.

                The pacing of the third graphic novel was really good. Each chapter, Innes continues to build and build upon the events of before and raising the stakes in a very natural way. Everything escalates at a near perfect pace. While we got great characterizations from Beatrice, Alan and Joseph, this book gets some strong characterizations from Beatrice’s friends and family. The amount of emotion in this volume was palpable from the moment it began and Innes sucks readers in with it and its multi-layered story.  Innes mixes history so well with her story that you would almost feel that it was fact.  Kudos to her writing skill.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

                Innes and Wright deliver a heart-felt, powerful story full of good visuals, strong emotion and wonderful story. The book reads well and it definitely took me by surprise. A great job by Innes and Wright.

RATING:
                I give The Dreamer Vol 3.  a solid 8.5 out of 10.

Comics News: THE DREAMER Returns This March From IDW

The Dreamer Volume 3 coming March 2014

     IDW announced  that the next release in the graphic novel series “The Dreamer” will hit stores in March 2014. The Dreamer Volume 3: The Battle of Harlem Heights(ISBN 9781613778869) is the third and final book in the story arc The Consequence of Nathan Hale and will be available in comic book stores as well as book trade venues. The Dreamer has been nominated for numerous Harvey Awards and is a fan favorite among comic book and mainstream readers alike. Print versions of books 1 and 2 are still available in both print and digital formats.

Innes explains “You don't need to be a history buff or comic book fan to love my book, The Dreamer. The reason the book resonates with readers is it's filled with romance, action and adventure that anyone can relate to. The fact that much of this actually happened is only backdrop to the story, but it makes it much richer.”

What others have said about The Dreamer:

“There is not a single misstep in the entire book. To say I’m hooked is a huge understatement. I’m buying this volume, the previous volume and will preorder the next volume.”  —FirstComicNews.com

“That this beautiful work is paired to a pitch-perfect story at once epic and intimate, both serious and playful, that straddles a teenage present and our nation’s most dramatic past is a testament to a creativity that knows no bounds.” —Michael Frost Beckner, producer of Spy Games

“The best books in life are the one you’re surprised by — the ones where you see the cover and think, “Huh. This looks cool.”…and then you don’t come up for air until you’ve read all the way through to the end. That’s what happened with Lora Innes’s The Dreamer.” —Fantasy Magazine

Book 4 in the series is planned for 2016.

About The Dreamer Volume 3:

Bea Whaley's vivid dreams about the American Revolution continue in this all-new graphic novel! In the 21st Century Bea's friends and family begin to suspect that something is wrong, but Bea knows she cannot tell them about her dreams. As tensions rise, she struggles to return to the 18th century, where her friends' lives are threatened by the ever growing war - and this time, she just might be too late to save them.

Visit www.thedreamercomic.com for more information.

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Dreamer-Comic/146005828774488

Follow Creator Lora Innes on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LoraInnes

Comic News: IDW Goes All Out on SDCC 2013 Con Exclusives

San Diego, CA (July 2, 2013) - IDW Publishing is renowned for having great exclusives at San Diego Comic-Con International every year, but 2013 finds them taking it to the next level. See below for a complete list of SDCC exclusives, which promise to be the most sought after of the show!

Some of the items will be available for pre-order from IDW's web store beginning today, July 2nd. Fans that preorder will be able to pick up their books from the IDW booth (These items will be noted below with an *asterisk).

IDW's web store can be found here: IDW Con Exclusives

A limited edition product not available anywhere else, theARTIST'S EDITION: BEST OF EC COVERS PORTFOLIO will be on hand. Featuring eight amazing prints of class EC covers by such luminaries as Frank Frazetta, Wally Wood, Harvey Kurtzman and more, this edition will be limited to 250 copies and priced at $50. It will be available for pre-order from IDW's web store*, and there is a limit of 3 to a customer.

Speaking of EC and Artist's Editions, an exclusive edition of the BEST OF EC ARTIST'S EDITION will be premiered at Comic-Con as well! Signed by the legendary Al Feldstein, numbered, and limited to 250 copies, this edition will feature a variant cover and be priced at $200. This title will be available for pre-order from IDW's web store*, and there is a limit of 3 to a customer.

That's not the only big Al Feldstein news at this show. Also debuting is, FELSTEIN: MAD LIFE & FANTASTIC ART.  IDW is celebrating the release of this beautiful book with a deluxe, slip-cased version, complete with hand sketches and signatures from Feldstein himself! It will be limited to 100 copies, and be priced at $150, will be available for pre-order from IDW's web store*, and there is a limit of 3 to a customer. This book is literally at the printer as this is being written, and will be dashed to the show for a last-minute release!

AND, there's another exclusive EC Artist's Edition this year! ARTIST'S EDITION: JACK DAVIS EC STORIES SIGNED & LIMITED is signed by Jack Davis himself and has a variant cover by the incomparable artist. This edition will be limited to 250 copies and priced at $200. It will be available for pre-order from IDW's web store*, and there is a limit of 3 to a customer.

A special convention exclusive edition of MARK SCHULTZ'S XENOZOIC TALES: ARTIST'S EDITION will also be available, featuring a variant cover by Mark Schultz! This edition is limited to just 250 copies, priced at $200, will be available for pre-order from IDW's web store*, and there is a limit of 3 to a customer.

For My Little Pony fans, IDW has a special surprise! An exclusive glitter variant cover of MY LITTLE PONY: FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC #9. But, here's the trick: it contains 8 pages of material that isn't in the regular edition, featuring the Equestrian Girls! Fans worldwide will be clamoring to get a copy of this, and the ONLY place to read this story is in this exclusive, and the ONLY place to get it is the IDW booth at SDCC! This item is limited to 1,000 copies, with a limit of 5 to a customer. **Note - Watch for the Diamond Comics variant, available to Comics Retailers at SDCC.

Another My Little Pony treat is the MY LITTLE PONY: FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC VARIANT EDITION HC. This is the only way to get this material in a hardcover format! With a variant cover by fan-favorite J. Scott Campbell, this edition is limited to 500 copies, priced at $25, with a limit of 3 to a customer, and only available at the IDW booth.

Our good friends at Skelton Crew Studio have done it again, producing not one, but two newLocke & Key high-quality pewter key replicas! 100 copies of the LOCKE & KEY: SHADOW KEYand 100 copies of the LOCKE & KEY: MUSIC BOX KEY will be available for $25 each, only at IDW's booth, with a limit of 3 to a customer.

But wait, there's more!

• THE HOLLOWS VARIANT EDITION HC - Variant cover by Sam Kieth, limited to 200, priced at $25, only available at the IDW booth, limit of 3 to a customer. Get it signed at the show by Chris Ryall and Sam Kieth!
• WORLDS OF SAM KIETH VARIANT EDITION HC - Variant cover by Sam Kieth, limited to 200, priced at $50, it will be available for pre-order from IDW's web store*, limit of 3 to a customer. Get it signed at the show by Sam Kieth!
• THE ROCKETEER: HOLLYWOOD HORROR VARIANT EDITION HC - Variant cover by Walter Simonson, limited to 100, priced at $25, only available at the IDW booth, limit of 3 to a customer. Get it signed at the show by Walter Simonson andMark Waid!
• THE ROCKETEER/THE SPIRIT: PULP FRICTION #1 VARIANT - Variant cover byDarwyn Cooke, limited to 500, priced at $5, only available at the IDW booth, limit of 5 to a customer. Get it signed at the show by Mark Waid!
• X-FILES: SEASON 10 #1 VARIANT - Variant cover by Joe Corroney, limited to 500, priced at $10, only available at the IDW booth, limit of 5 to a customer. Get it signed at the show by X-Files creator Chris Carter, writer Joe Harris and artistJoe Corroney!
• TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: ARTOBIOGRAPHY VARIANT EDITION HC- Variant cover by Kevin Eastman, limited to 250, priced at $50, it will be available for pre-order from IDW's web store*, limit of 3 to a customer. Get it signed at the show by Kevin Eastman!

In addition to all these exclusives, IDW will be debuting advance copies of two highly anticipated books! SUPERMAN: THE SILVER AGE NEWSPAPER DAILIES, VOL. 1 (100 copies available, priced at $50, only available in the booth) and BERKELEYWORKS: THE ART OF BERKELEY BREATHED: FROM BLOOM COUNTY AND BEYOND (100 copies available, priced at $50, only available in the booth) will be seen for the first time anywhere! Get these books signed at the IDW booth by Dean Mullaney and Berkeley Breathed!

Once again, IDW is proud to have Ashley Wood and ThreeA as a part of their booth with exclusives in tow! Ash's MACHINE SABBATH VARIANT EDITION HC (250 copies available, priced at $25, only available in the booth) and GLITTER SAUSAGE VARIANT EDITION SC (500 copies available, priced at $25, only available in the booth) promise to be exciting additions to the Ashley Wood library.

But Ash is bringing a lot more than that! For a complete list of what ThreeA has in store for SDCC this year, visit their production blog here:  http://www.threeaonline.com/blog/

IDW Limited will of course be well represented in the booth as well, bringing their incredible assortment of small-run merchandise. For a complete rundown on IDW Limited's amazing items, go here: http://www.idwlimited.com

Providing an exclusive suitable for each and every fan in the building, the IDW Booth promises to be the place to be at this year's Comic-Con International!

Visit IDWPublishing.com to learn more about the company and its top-selling books. IDW can also be found at http://www.facebook.com/#!/idwpublishing andhttp://tumblr.idwpublishing.com/ and on Twitter at @idwpublishing. 

Laid Back Comics: X-Files Season 10 #1

I got blood on my poster

Do you hear that, just in the behind you always seem to be moving when you try to look? A hint of a whisper in your ear or perhaps a whistle of a familiar tune floating in the air?  That was the feeling I got when I first heard the X-Files was coming back, well not to TV or movies this time we are heading back to comics with IDW’s X-Files Season 10. One has to wonder if this new series was something that would be like the other ‘season’ books like Buffy and Smallville where it just continues the story. From the looks like with some of some big plot points mentioned it looks like we are going that way.

Now some time has passed since we last saw our two heroes of Mulder and Scully who have now gone into protection with name and career changes, one of which might get a chuckle from Mulder fans alike. But, a lot of this issue is here to here for the fans to reconnect to these characters and world while giving a new threat to them as well. The way the threat is introduced is through the age old method of hacking into the FBI files and those possible that of the X-Files as well. Of course this leads to some strange group now targeting the former FBI agents and they are offering up a very creep mind controlling powers while they are at it.

The concept of TV shows turned to comics is not a new one, but the idea to continue the show after it has gone off the air is still a little new. And for such one can easily look to the ones currently offered to come to a quick idea on whether it is good or bad depending on the series, in the case of the X-Files here, it is a good one. Joe Harris and Chris Carter have in one issue put together the start of a story that already feels like early X-Flies, while keeping the shows later season stories in place. It is tense, suspenseful, and has a good mystery that I loved the X-Files for. Though at the same time going with something in this story so soon from the start does forget that many of the X-Files cases often ended with logical explanations to them, here it looks like it might be leaning towards the outer worldly. But, just like a good X-Files episode things may not be what they appear which will get me ready to come back next issue.

Issue #17 Topps Comics

Next point though is why you read through the book and begin to smile that this is the X-Files, that can also be a bit of a draw back as well. This is a book made for fans, anyone who may not be familiar with the series or maybe the few who fell out before the last few seasons will be lost when trying to read the book. 

The art work and color done was something I was pleasantly surprised with, other comics of this nature tend

to be more photo-realistic, they try very hard to make sure they look as close to the actors as possible, but often come off stiff and awkward. Here Michael Walsh sets up something that is more organic feeling, yes you can easily recognize the characters still, but there is more freedom of the world and how each one moves and acts. If there is any fault it is when the color turns to day time when everything is bright, it just seems overly so, but when the scenes go to night, it were a lot of the feeling of the show returns and helps in the drama of the scene and cliffhanger.

The return of the X-Files is something I welcome and IDW has put together a solid book that is made for fans of the show missing it and wanting to return to it. I missed the X-Files, glad it is back.

OVERALL 7.5 out of 10

Bryan "BAC" Clendening writes for The Broken Infinite and comic book corrspondent on Nerd to the Third Power Podcast. Follow him on Twitter @BAClend

G.I. Joe (Vol 3) # 1 Review

G.I. JOE # 1

Written by Fred Van Lente
Art by Steve Kurth, Allen Martinez & Joana Lafuente
IDW Publishing


FLIPPING THROUGH:

            It’s a new status quo for GI Joe as the General Joe has taken GI Joe to the public. Duke is helping General Joe run the show now … with the soldiers being public heroes for the country. While we get a few protests of the new status quo, Joe reminds Duke that they, as hero, can turn any circumstance to their advantage and since Cobra likes to slither in the dark, they will use the light. This gets a little crazy as GI Joe is getting merchandised, Shipwreak having to wear his icon gear and their missions are being chronicled by an ROTC  by the codename of Hashtag.

            This is after we open and then continue with a group of Joes on a mission state side. Where it turns out to be a trap and the Joes are split up with Duke being captured by a very familiar Cobra operative.


ART:

            I want to point out that I was first introduced to Kurth’s pencils back when he was an artist for Marvel on X-Men Legacy. His pencils were pretty good. I enjoyed them but they  seemed to be missing a little extra “umph.” Well … that is NOT the case here. Kurth’s pencils are dynamic. Everyone looks distinct. Alongside Martinez’s inks, we are seeing some great work from Kurth here. This team really makes each Joe stand out. It is detailed. The moments look dynamic. Really kinetic work from Kurth & Martinez.

            The designs for the new Doc and Hashtag are fitting. The weapons and armor look good. The backgrounds are solid. The coloring by Joana Lafuente is good but there are a few panels that I thought would be better if they looked a bit darker. Still, a great job but the art team of the new GI Joe title.


WRITING:

            Van Lente gives us a great look into the new premise of GI Joe. They are not only soldiers, but public figures. And while their real names are not disclosed to the public, GI Joe will be a more public group of protectors. And that does not agree with all of the Joes. The characterizations of the cast we first meet are all interesting. No one feels under developed here … save for Roadblock . Still, we get a strong look at how GI Joe now operates.

            The pacing of the issue was really good as nothing felt slow and transitioned well. And the plot of Cobra taking over a town in the Midwest and luring out GI Joe is definitely a great one. It uses the new status quo against our heroes right out the gate and alongside the whiny of some of the other Joes that disapprove, Van Lente shows that this status quo will not be an easy one. This sets up story potentials on both sides of the conflict as well as professionally and personally for the Joes. I already feel that this run of GI Joe will be special.


OVERALL IMPRESSION:

            GI Joe # 1 settles in a nice opening for the new status quo for the Joes as public figures as well as soldiers. We have a diverse cast that deals with real life political issues as well as continue to show Cobra as a creditable threat. The art is solid and the writing is superb. I am looking forward to more of this series.


RATING:

            I give GI Joe # 1 an 8 out of  10. Strong beginning. Could be a little better but still a good read.


            

Comic News: T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents Goes to IDW

   IDW Publishing announced to a full house at this year's New York Comic Con that they've acquired the rights to publish the exploits of the legendary band of super-powered heroes, the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS!

First published in 1965, the fan-favorite team has seen their exploits published by Tower, JC, Deluxe, and DC Comics and been written and drawn by a virtual who's-who of comic industry titans. The diverse cast of Agents have seen their share of adventures over the years -including DC's well-received run most recently - but IDW is excited at the opportunity to put their stamp on the legendary team.

"I'm thrilled that IDW will be bringing its extraordinary talents and craft to producing everything from beautiful omnibus volumes to bold and cutting-edge new comic book titles based on T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents," said Michael Uslan, who initiated the project.  "With top quality, IDW will be presenting the works of comic book super-stars, including T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents creator, Wally Wood (Daredevil, MAD, EC horror and science fiction comics, All-Star Comics, Power Girl) along with the legendary Steve Ditko (Spider-Man, Dr. Strange); Gil Kane (Green Lantern, The Atom); Mike Sekowsky (Justice League); Reed Crandall (Blackhawk); Dave Cockrum (X-Men); George Perez (Wonder Woman, New Teen Titans); Murphy Anderson (Hawkman, The Spectre); Paul Gulacy (Master of Kung Fu); Jerry Ordway (Shazam, Justice Society); Ron Lim (Warlock, Silver Surfer), Keith Giffen(Legion of Super-Heroes, Lobo); Dan Adkins (Creepy, Dr. Strange), and many others."

"T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents always had a great premise in addition to the list of esteemed creators who worked on the comics-people whose day job was being government-employed superheroes," said IDW's Chief Creative Officer/Editor-in-Chief Chris Ryall, "That premise offers a resonant jumping-off point for some exciting new stories that will add to the great comics already left behind by both Tower and DC's recent run."

"T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents is a classic, beloved property," added Greg Goldstein, IDW's President and C.O.O.. "Its original stories featured some of the best superhero art of the silver age and it was well ahead of its time in many areas of storytelling. As an example, it was the first mainstream comic book to feature the 'permanent' death of a major character."

In addition to the rights to reprint classic T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents comics as well as create all-new series around the property, IDW also now controls the rights to fellow Tower Comics titles Undersea Agent andFight the Enemy, too.

"We are very excited that T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents has found a new home at IDW," said David M. Matthews, Managing Director of Radiant Assets, owner of the property.  "Their history of high-quality publications coupled with top-notch creative teams perfectly compliments our desire to expand not only the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agent franchise, but Undersea Agent and Fight the Enemy, as well.  We join them with great optimism about bringing this storied team's past, present and future to a whole new generation of readers, who will join the longtime legion of fans already anxious for the continuation of the team's legendary exploits." 

Though specific plans have yet to be revealed, 2013 is looking to be a mighty year for theT.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents

Countdown: Top 10 # 1s of 2012

     Hey everyone within the Infinite. It's EIC/President Frankie Rodriguez. 2012 has turned out to be quite a year. BI sprang from Comic Book Clash, which was under J1 Studios and we decided to step out onto our own. Last year, after the rise of the New 52, I created a countdown of the Top 10 #1s of that year. Well .... a year has passed. Things have come and gone. Marvel NOW has been rolling deep and the New 52 is still here ... with some differences. Image Comics and indie comics in general were dealing with a brand new renassience. And some other companies made their way up and/or back ... like Valiant and IDW.

So, now we get down to the great #1s of this year. Just to point this out, there have been a SLEW of new books. I have read more comics books this year than I have had in any other year since I started reading comics some 21 years ago.

  This list will definitely be a bit more diverse than last years. But get ready cause you are gonna be in for a great ride.

 Honorable Mentions: 
Team 7 #1 
The Crow # 1
Avengers vs X-Men # 1
Colder # 1 
I Love trouble # 1 
 Thor: God of Thunder # 1 
World's finest # 1
Clone # 1 
Thief of Thieves #1
Archer & Armstrong #1 





10 - TRANSFORMERS: MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE
     Written by James Roberts
     Art by Nick Roche     IDW Publishing

    This was definitely one of the most fun books that came out this year. When IDW restarted the Transformers books as 2 ongoing series, I was excited. I have had a long time love of the series and had been enjoying what IDW has been doing with the franchise for the last several years. Well, now ... this book just was pure fun. It has it's share of mystery. It has it's share of Shakespearan-like thoughts. And it has one of the funniest casts since the original JLI comics from the late 80s-90s.  The crew of the Lost Light, led by rodimus, are off on a quest and the crew is zany and awesome.  This book started off the year with a smile while giving Prowl some heat that seems to be going on with Cyclops. Roberts and Roche send off the crew of the Lost Light in style ... and laughter.



# 9 - X-O MANOWAR # 1
        Written by Robert Vendetti
         Art by Cary Nord
        Valiant Comics

        Valiant has returned. And it has come back strong. This was the first book to be brought back under the Valiant banner and we are all the better for it. X-O Manowar is one of Valiant's most well known figures, even having a game with Iron Man in the 90s. Aric returns as a Visgoth fighting the Roman Empire until the Vine come in and make his conflict worse. Aric is brash. Aric is an amazing warrior. But Aric is also hot headed. And that actually adds to his charm. The set up of the first issue really help build upon our hero who is far from perfect and loves to fight while also setting up a conflict with the Vine. It was a brand new beginning and Vendetti brought his A-game for it. Along with Nord's illustrations, X-O Manowar # 1 opened like an epic movie that was just starting.










#8 -  The HYPERNATURALS # 1
        Written by Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
        Art by Brad Walker & Andres Guinaldo
        BOOM!  Studios 

    Take all the nightmares of Public Relations. Add some DnA space sensibilities with some classic super heroics and modern day writing and you got The Hypernaturals. The team is the universe's big PR super team who fights for justice. And low and behold, they've been around for 100 years. This universe is different, technological based with people having Hyper powers and is very awesome. This is DnA unfiltered and it is awesome. From finding that some of the team had retired to seeing their greatest victory to what may be their greatest shame.   This book opens with mysteries, action and introduces us to some great characters. Ultizing how media treats celebrities in this space epic definitely left an impact. The only reason this  not higher is due to the fact that their FREE COMIC BOOK DAY  story actually is a prologue to this issue.







# 7 - EARTH 2 #1 
        Written by James Robinson
         Art by Nicola Scott
         DC Comics 

     Dear God! Now this was an opening.  Earth 2 started with a bang alright as we see how the DC Trinity of Earth 2 fell. And fell fighting is how they did it. We see Mr. Terrific showing up to this new Earth. And we see the beginnings of what could very well be the Justice Society. Scott's art looked so much sharper and alive with this project and Robinson's writing was exquisite. Once you read Earth 2, you know you had something special there. And you wanted to be there for the whole ride.










# 6 -  CONAN THE BARBARIAN # 1
          Written by Brian Wood
           Art by Becky Cloonan & Dave Stewart
          Dark Horse Comics 

        Conan has been around a long time. But God ... this new #1 was GLORIOUS. Conan being young, brash but very loyal and true. Very much like how he was in the classic novels. Brian Wood takes Conan and really opens with a classic opening that would be fit for a new movie (hint, hint). From Cloonan's darker style, to the prose within the pages to Conan facing the Queen of the Black Coast himself, Conan the Barbarian opened with a fast pace and never let you go. The story really held you as you read it and the visuals helped. It made me so happy to read it. Thank you  to the Conan team.







#5 - AVENGERS ARENA # 1 
       Written by Dennis Hopeless
      Art by Kev Walker
      Marvel Comics 

       What is a book that has only been out 1 week doing on this countdown? Simple. It is one of the ballsiest books Marvel has ever made and it is glorious. I personally was going to stay away from the book. But then I was given the book by a friend who HIGHLY recommended it. So I read it and I was like ... HOLY FRELL! The use of the teen heroes in this book  in a hunger games/ Battle Royale type situation blew me away seeing it. Yet, one of the BIGGEST surprises was Arcade ... who suddenly had power levels comparable to that of a god. And what a mean god Arcade was. Even so much as to making the teens decide which of them was the first to die only to have heart breaking ending to match its furious beginning. And note, Darkhawk & X-23 are among the teens in this situation. So ... things are pretty damn bad for the other teens. Hopeless took his name and attached it to the teens' situation. And boy ... it looks like things will only get worse in this examination of what makes a hero and what makes a human human.






# 4 - BLACKARCE # 1 
        Written by Duffy Boudreau
         Art by Wendell  Cavalcanti
         Image Comics 
   This book was HIGHLY recommended but many within the industry. Which made me take a look at it and I was sooooo happy I did. Blackarce tells a story of man after economic collapse and the divide between upper class and poor became so large that the upper class decided to start their own society without the poor. And the most frightening thing about the books is that IT COULD HAPPEN IN REAL LIFE. Boudreau takes many of things we see in society and blends them in order to build the world that he creates in Blackarce. This world is indeed very possible. And it is enjoyable to read. With Cavalcanti's art alongside it, Blackarce proves itself to be a grand series of scope that I look forward to.



# 3 - SAGA # 1 

   Written by Brian K. Vaughan
  Art by Fiona Staples
  Image Comics
   
     Vaughan came back to comics this year with Saga. And Saga # 1 more than lived up to the hype. The sci-fi adventure mixed elements of fantasy with sci-fi so well. The characters were 3 dimensional and looked breath taking. The story was multi-layered with its sci-fi fantasy goodness while examining racism and the right to love and human rights in general. You can read the book multiple times with a lot of enjoyment. The pacing is excellent. The themes are relatable. This is what reading comics should always feel like: taking mature themes while having fun displaying them and feeling connections to the characters. Truly, a wonder to behold.




# 2 -  ALL-NEW X-MEN # 1 ... &  .... UNCANNY AVENGERS # 1 
       Written by Brian Michael Bendis ... & ... Rick Remender
        Art by Stuart Immonen .......... & ....... John Cassady
        Marvel Comics 

    I could not decide between these 2. I wasn't sure how to rate them. I could not bring myself to choose one over the other. So I didn't. Both All-New X-Men #1 and Uncanny Avengers #1 give you a brand new landscape of the Marvel Universe after the battle with the Dark Phoenix in Avengers vs  X-Men. There is clearly some brand new status quos going around. And what both of these books did was give you some grand explosive action alongside some very personal and shocking moments that immediately make you invested. Both artists in their respective books give it their all to tell tales. In All-New X-Men, we see the divide between Scott's X-Men and Wolverine's X-Men grow beyond any thing we thought possible before. Cyclops has gone straight on attacking humans in order to save mutants if need be. The JGS faculty are not taking this well. And with a  double hit of twists dealing with Beast and the original X-Men, it made for an emotional opening. Then in Uncanny Avengers, we get to see how the others mourn Charles, how Alex Summers is now the better of the Summers brothers in the Marvel Universe. And a great emotional argument between Rogue and Scarlet Witch as Scarlet Witch points out that she's been living Xavier's Dream of co-existence all the time with her as an Avenger while the X-Men seem to wear the outfit but not walk the walk. Both books with strong endings that grip you, this is why they are both in second place.








# 1 - SHADOWMAN # 1 

      Written by Justin Jordon & Patrick Zircher
       Art by Patrick Zircher
       Valiant Comics 

    Out of every book on this list, this was the only book I knew where I was gonna put it on this countdown. After reading it over and over, I knew that Shadowman #1 was something beyond special. With an epic opening, a few mysteries about our hero and his family and the return of one of comics' greatest villains ever, Shadowman has it all.  No other book seem to grip you and feel wonderously real at the same time. From Jack keeping himself a mystery, to the opening of the book with Jack's father fighting Darque, the gorgeous art and tight writing is smart, daring and full of energy. You can tell that Zircher is working on the book of his career in these pages. And his work on writing with Jordon is top notch. I have not felt his enthralled with a comic book since the original volume of the New Warriors, which I collected religiously as a teen. This book breathes what comic books are .... artistic form with great story that makes you feel joy and grips at you from the word go. That is why this book is my top # 1 of 2012.





 And that's our countdown. Agree? Disagree? Feel free to comment below. Thank you for reading and talk to you again soon.


 - Frankie Rodriguez.

Comic News: GI Joe Goes Undercover

The new series goes undercover this March!

San Diego, CA (December 14, 2012) - As part of the re-launch of G.I. JOE comics, based on the iconic brand from Hasbro, IDW Publishing is thrilled to announce G.I. JOE: SPECIAL MISSIONS! A new ongoing series helmed by comics legends Chuck Dixon and Paul Gulacy, G.I. JOE SPECIAL MISSIONS chronicles the G.I. JOE team members still operating undercover in the wake of many of their identities being exposed to the public. Tying directly into the story of Fred Van Lente and Steve Kurth's G.I. JOE, Special Missions' first arc shows how the evil BARONESS ends up high and dry in the eponymous G.I. JOE book.

As the raven-haired saboteur extraordinaire martials her forces and attempts to find her way back into the fold of multi-national terror organization COBRA, SCARLETT must put together an elite team to covertly de-fang the storied villainess! Calling on the best covert operators the G.I. JOE team has to offer, readers will be treated to adventures starring beloved characters like BEACH HEAD, MAINFRAME, TRIPWIRE, HARD DRIVE, ICE BERG, and STALKER, just to name a few!

"Special Missions was always my favorite of all the original, classic G.I. JOE comics," said an enthusiastic Dixon. "Larry Hama and Herb Trimpe did an amazing comic as well as monthly tutorials on comic book storytelling. I'm knocked out to get a shot at this title and having Paul Gulacy work with me is one of those too-good-to-be-true scenarios!"

"I could read Chuck Dixon writing hard military stories all day long," said series editor Carlos Guzman. "Nobody's better at telling covert action stories than Chuck and Special Missions is him at his best, telling the most action-packed stories of his distinguished career. And when he's paired up with his longtime collaborator Paul Gulacy? You can't ask for more than that."

An espionage-fueled counterpoint to the explosive media madness of the ongoing G.I. JOE title, G.I. JOE: SPECIAL MISSIONS is a must-read for all G.I. JOE fans. If all that weren't enough, the inaugural issue will feature a cover by Brandon Peterson, a wraparound cover by Jamal Igle, and a specialUntold Tales of G.I. JOE cover by Jim Rugg!

Harkening back to the classic Special Missions and featuring one of the most battle-tested creative teams in comics, G.I. JOE: SPECIAL MISSIONS promises to be an instant classic!

G.I. JOE: SPECIAL MISSIONS #1 - (FC, 32 pages, $3.99) is in stores March 20^th, 2013.
Diamond Code: JAN130356