ACTION LAB ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES COMIC CON 2014 EXCLUSIVES

ACTION LAB ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES COMIC CON 2014 EXCLUSIVES
Skyward, Vamplets, Nutmeg and Zombie Tramp convention variants abound.

 

PITTSBURGH, PA- Action Lab Entertainment, your new favorite comic book company returns to the Mecca of American pop culture, Comic-con International: San Diego. This year, Action Lab will have a plethora of show exclusive limited editions available for purchase at their booth.

 Jeremy Dale’s amazing all ages fantasy series SKYWARD, a hit with the young and young at heart will release it’s eighth issue with a show exclusive sketch cover.

Gayle Middleton’s Vamplets, the adorable ghouls from Gloomvania, return with the second hardcover album of the popular series.  Written by Middleton and Dave Dwonch (Cyrus and The Haunted Taxi Cab, Double Jumpers) with art by Amanda Coronado, Action lab will have a convention variant limited to 1000 copies.

Dan Mendoza’s relaunched Zombie Tramp series, now one of Action Lab’s monthly offerings will feature a show exclusive variant cover of the new issue #1 limited to 1000 copies.
 

And in the tradition of bringing something new to the table, Action Lab will debut their newest creator-owned series, Nutmeg.

Written by James F Wright and illustrated by Jackie Crofts, Nutmeg is the story of two suburban junior high girls who bond when through a twist of fate; a prank on a pompous rival finds them building a criminal empire with their irresistible brownies. It’s sugar and spite and everything not so nice as Poppy and Cassia navigate the world of middle school politics and shady dealings.

All four books, along with the rest of Action Lab Entertainment’s offerings will be available for purchase at Booth 2006 in Hall B all week long.

 For more information, retailers can contact Kelly Dale at kdale@actionlabcomics.com. For press and conventions you can reach Jamal Igle at jigle@actionlabcomics.com.
 
ABOUT ACTION LAB ENTERTAINMENT- Formed in 2010 with the purpose of pooling their collective talents into a single, powerful entity, the members of Action Lab Entertainment have countless years in multimedia publishing, design, and business.  Their first release, Fracture, was successfully funded through Kickstarter and since then they have continued their mission to produce high quality, genre-spanning entertainment.  Since its formation, the accolades for A.L.E continue to build on a daily basis.  Among its more popular titles are all ages material like the Eisner, Glyph, Shel Dorf Award nominated series PRINCELESS, NFL RUSHZONE (based on the Nickelodeon Television series), Jamal Igle's MOLLY DANGER, Artist/ Writer Jeremy Dale’s hit series SKYWARD, and Gale Middleton’s (My Little Pony, The Littlest Pet Shop) monstrously adorable VAMPLETS. Action Lab’s Mature Readers imprint ACTION LAB DANGER ZONE continues to push the envelope of comics entertainment with titles as varied as EHMM THEORY and Dan Mendoza’s over the top horror-comedy ZOMBIE TRAMP, THE FINAL PLAGUE and BO, PLUSHY GANGSTA.

Dry Spell # 1 Review

 DRY SPELL #1
Written by Ken Krekeler
Art by Ken Krekeler
Action Lab: Danger Zone

This will be a spoiler free review.

Note: I know I already reviewed this before a month ago but have yet to find the original review …. Soooooooooo … here we go again.

                Our story opens in a world of super heroes and our main character, Tom Ferris, is “enjoying” a mundane life as an office worker. At night, he dreams of the life he used to have … among the super heroic elite. And then … one day at work, that door to the elite starts to open again and things will never be the same.

ART:

                The art is simply gorgeous.  A mixed water colored and traditional coloring helps give the book its own sense of style and grace … and every scene is matched perfectly with tones that help set the mood and really draw you in. Krekeler does a great job with his line work, giving just enough detail to his characters and background to make them different but allows the colors and the inks help his art achieve this vibrancy and originality. Krekeler’s panel work goes from simple to outrageous, allowing readers to really keep a focus on the art while allow it to tell its story in its own way. It is truly magnificent some of the panel work when Tom is “under the influence;” allowing stunning art to really shine through. Krekeler conveys emotion well, shows people in different sizes and colors and really gives good perspectives. Really an outstanding job by Krekeler.

WRITING:

                The issue was near perfection from start to finish. Drawing on series like “Watchman” for an artistic opening with its opening page to its final panel, Krekeler allows readers to get a great dose symbolism and authenticity.  Krekeler speaks to the everyday man wishing to be something more with Tom Ferris while also talking to those men and women who think about their glory days. Krekeler uses the dream of always wanting to be more and to be back at your highest point as driving forces for the issue, allowing not only explanation on Tom’s actions but set up for the main plot of the book as well.

                Krekeler constructs Tom Ferris to be a relatable character from when we first meet him to his decision to go out with “the old gang” for a night out on the town. Krekeler also reminds us the dangers of going back to our glory days; as old vices might rear their ugly head as well but seamlessly ties it into the story well. The distinct differences in Tom in his mundane life and Tom during the end of the book are very obvious but are built upon well. Krekeler builds a good supporting cast around Tom that already starts to pull at him in different directions while also uses them to maintain a level of mystery. And while the ends kind of stops the story more than ends it, overall, the first issue was solid with great pacing and wonderful characters.

FINAL VERDICT:

                Honestly, this was a great first issue. The art was spectacular. The writing was superb. The characters were relatable and the premise seemed very authentic. I enjoyed this first issue and really and looking forward to looking at Tom Ferris a bit more, next issue. So, with that, I would like to give Dry Spell # 1 a solid 4.5 out of 5. 

Bo, Plushy Gangsta # 3 Preview

BO, PLUSHY GANGSTA #3
Writer(s): Pavel Balabanov 
Artist Name(s): Pavel Balabanov 
Cover Artist(s): Pavel Balabanov 
Variant cover: Pavel Balabanov 

[attachment=7694:BoPlushyGangsta_issue3_cover_solicit.jpg]
 
 As Bo Plushy’s showdown with the “Roswell” gang and their boss, the Serpent (a.k.a. Puppet 
Master) continues, things aren’t what they appear! Does the Puppet Master have the voodoo teddy 
gangsta by the strings? Or is it the other way ‘round? Come on, it’s Bo!

ZOMBIE TRAMP Vol. 2: The Taint Train of Terror Review

ZOMBIE TRAMP Vol. 2: The Taint Train of Terror TPB

Written by Dan Mendoza

Art by Dan Mendoza

Lettering by Zen

Action Lab: Danger Zone

This will be a Spoiler Free Review.

It is a new adventure with Janey as she meets a mysterious little girl named Morning. She gives help to Janey as long as she would kill her parents. As we find out that our Morning has more to her than meets the eye, we continue our little adventure on a train where a bunch of teenagers. And the grindhouse influence takes over as things go from bad to worse ... for the students on the train ... and even Janey.

THE GOOD:

Mendoza gives his signature style a great amount of flair with dynamically gory panels, limited use of colors and interesting use of inks ... or not. Mendoza really brings a great atmosphere to his work. The lack of color with few exceptions really help bring out a certain fair to the book. The brutality is in full spectacle. If you are a fan of zombies or grindhouse, Mendoza presents you with this love letter.  

Mendoza also does a great trick of putting flashbacks, keeping them strictly his finished pencils but no inking on it. We got a good amount of gory mixed with suspense and sexual situations.

Writing wise, Mendoza gives us an entertaining, yet gory rump from start to finish. We do get to know a bit more about Janey and Mendoza develops her by her meeting Morning, her gaining her new abilities and the flashbacks. Read separately, the issue are fairly good. But as one whole, complete story, this second volume of Zombie reads like a classic zombie/grindhouse, suspense movie. And while Janey shines, Mendoza does a good job developing Morning, the Omega Men and more. The pacing works as a whole and works better as a collection.

THE BAD:
            Like I mentioned, the single issues of it were good. But as a whole, this reads so much better. Yet, what happens to our teens is very predictable. Otherwise, nothing really bad.

THE VERDICT:

Mendoza’s style is something people will either love or hate but it captures Zombie Tramp well … a mix of horror with sex appeal while also giving nods to grindhouse movies and thrillers. Janey clearly has development here and there can be a whole lot more. While there is some predictability, the journey is still entertaining and Morning proves to be an interesting wild card. I give Zombie Tramp Vol. 2: The Taint Train of Terror a 3.5 out of 5.

The F1rst Hero Preview

  

QUESTIONING THE SANITY OF SUPERHEROES IN ACTION LAB’S ‘THE F1RST HERO’

A WORLD OF SUPERPOWER-FUELED CRIMINAL INSANITY GIVES BIRTH TO ITS FIRST SUPERHERO.

PITTSBURGH, PA - What if everyone who ever had superpowers had gone insane and became a threat to society?  If one man were to manifest powers yet somehow keep his sanity, would he choose to use his new abilities to help the innocent?  Or would he keeps his powers a secret to protect himself and his loved ones from a world that hates and fears his kind?  These are the questions asked in THE F1RST HERO, the latest release from Action Lab Entertainment.

Written by radio host/pop culture commentator and professional wrestler Anthony Ruttgaizer, the series is couched in real world events.  Jacob Roth, a US Marine serving in Afghanistan, is just a few days shy of returning to the States.  In the heat of battle, Roth discovers that he is an “extrahuman”, a being whose extraordinary abilities normally come at a horrible price.  But even if he masters his new powers, Roth must still deal with a society that will see him as a ticking time bomb, easier to dispose of than to defuse.

Ruttgaizer doesn’t shy away from controversy, tackling real world history in establishing a grounded setting for THE F1RST HERO, and he has assembled an amazingly talent art team to help him tell this tale.  Anthony is joined by artist Phillip Sevy (a runner-up in Top Cow’s 2013 Talent Hunt), colorist/letterer Fred C. Stressing (Adventure Time Annual, Hello Kitty), with covers by Lee Moder (Wonder Woman, Shinku) and an issue 1 variant cover by Jamal Igle (Terminator, G.I. Joe).  The first story arc runs for four monthly issues starting in August.

 For more information, retailers can contact Kelly Dale at kdale@actionlabcomics.com. For press and conventions you can reach Jamal Igle at jigle@actionlabcomics.com.
 
ABOUT ACTION LAB ENTERTAINMENT- Formed in 2010 with the purpose of pooling their collective talents into a single, powerful entity, the members of Action Lab Entertainment have countless years in multimedia publishing, design, and business.  Their first release, Fracture, was successfully funded through Kickstarter and since then they have continued their mission to produce high quality, genre-spanning entertainment.  Since its formation, the accolades for A.L.E continue to build on a daily basis.  Among its more popular titles are all ages material like the Eisner, Glyph, Shel Dorf Award nominated series PRINCELESS, NFL RUSHZONE (based on the Nickelodeon Television series), Jamal Igle's MOLLY DANGER, Artist/ Writer Jeremy Dale’s hit series SKYWARD, and Gale Middleton’s (My Little Pony, The Littlest Pet Shop) monstrously adorable VAMPLETS. Action Lab’s Mature Readers imprint ACTION LAB DANGER ZONE continues to push the envelope of comics entertainment with titles as varied as EHMM THEORY and Dan Mendoza’s over the top horror-comedy ZOMBIE TRAMP, THE FINAL PLAGUE and BO, PLUSHY GANGSTA.

Comics News: HERO CATS of STELLAR CITY Have Arrived

For immediate release THE HEROCATS COME OUT TO PLAY! Action Lab’s newest heroes pick up the slack when super threats slip through the cracks. PITTSBURGH, PA-  While the Superheroes and Villains of Stellar City battle it out for the fate of their world, another war rages beneath them. The HeroCats of Stellar City, A team of highly skilled house cats, protect humanity from those things that the superheroes are too busy to notice. Join battle hardened leader Ace, the team muscle Rocco, the stalwart protector Midnight, mind reading Belle, the clever Cassiopeia and Rocket, the fastest cat in town as they battle the forces of evil to protect their home town. Created by writer Kyle Puttkammer, and drawn by talented artists Marcus Williams and Ryan Sellers. HeroCats of Stellar City continues Action Lab Entertainment’s tradition of quality all ages comics entertainment. HeroCats of Stellar City hit  the streets in August.  For more information, retailers can contact Kelly Dale at kdale@actionlabcomics.com. ABOUT ACTION LAB ENTERTAINMENT- Formed in 2010 with the purpose of pooling their collective talents into a single, powerful entity, the members of Action Lab Entertainment have countless years in multimedia publishing, design, and business.  Their first release, Fracture, was successfully funded through Kickstarter and since then they have continued their mission to produce high quality, genre-spanning entertainment.  Since its formation, the accolades for A.L.E continue to build on a daily basis.  Among its more popular titles are all ages material like the Eisner, Glyph, Shel Dorf Award nominated series PRINCELESS, NFL RUSHZONE (based on the Nickelodeon Television series), Jamal Igle's MOLLY DANGER, Artist/ Writer Jeremy Dale’s hit series SKYWARD, and Gale Middleton’s (My Little Pony, The Littlest Pet Shop) monstrously adorable VAMPLETS. Action Lab’s Mature Readers imprint ACTION LAB DANGER ZONE continues to push the envelope of comics entertainment with titles as varied as EHMM THEORY and Dan Mendoza’s over the top horror-comedy ZOMBIE TRAMP, THE FINAL PLAGUE and BO, PLUSHY GANGSTA.

Preview: From Princess to Ninja in SHINOBI: NINJA PRINCESS

  


SOMETIMES IT’S HARD TO BE A PRINCESS..A NINJA PRINCESS,THAT IS.
JETTA Creator brings Ninjitsu action and teen angst to Action Lab Entertainment.
 
PITTSBURGH, PA-  Shianndrea Toshigawa is just your average, ordinary ninja -in -training. On the run from her father, the Emperor Terminus and the Azumi ninja clan, Shianndrea trains with the legendary Toshigawa clan to embrace the mysterious power within her. Shinobi: Ninja Princess is written, illustrated and created by mastermind Martheus Wade. A prequel to Wade’s most famous creation ‘Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa’, Shinobi; Ninja princess explores her formative years as Shianndrea struggles against her destiny .The all ages action/adventure series takes a manga inspired spin on this classic coming of age story and returns to a universe of warring clans and high adventure.
Wade’s approach is accessible to readers who may cross over from that realm but it manages to stay just light enough to attract the casual reader.  Wade, who’s work has been featured in graphic novels like ‘Mail Order Ninja’ and ‘The Bad Girls Club’ for IDW publishing, is joined by his wife and frequent collaborator, Janet Wade (Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa, Turra: Gun Angel)  and features a variant cover by Tressina Bowling (Hateink , Princeless: Short Stories for Warrior Women).
Shinobi: Ninja Princess  debuts in August at comic shops everywhere.

 For more information, retailers can contact Kelly Dale at kdale@actionlabcomics.com. For press and conventions you can reach Jamal Igle at jigle@actionlabcomics.com.
 
ABOUT ACTION LAB ENTERTAINMENT- Formed in 2010 with the purpose of pooling their collective talents into a single, powerful entity, the members of Action Lab Entertainment have countless years in multimedia publishing, design, and business.  Their first release, Fracture, was successfully funded through Kickstarter and since then they have continued their mission to produce high quality, genre-spanning entertainment.  Since its formation, the accolades for A.L.E continue to build on a daily basis.  Among its more popular titles are all ages material like the Eisner, Glyph, Shel Dorf Award nominated series PRINCELESS, NFL RUSHZONE (based on the Nickelodeon Television series), Jamal Igle's MOLLY DANGER, Artist/ Writer Jeremy Dale’s hit series SKYWARD, and Gale Middleton’s (My Little Pony, The Littlest Pet Shop) monstrously adorable VAMPLETS. Action Lab’s Mature Readers imprint ACTION LAB DANGER ZONE continues to push the envelope of comics entertainment with titles as varied as EHMM THEORY and Dan Mendoza’s over the top horror-comedy ZOMBIE TRAMP, THE FINAL PLAGUE and BO, PLUSHY GANGSTA.

ACTION LAB ENTERTAINMENT COMICS IN STORES THIS WEEK 5/21/14

ACTION LAB ENTERTAINMENT COMICS IN STORES THIS WEEK
New Releases for the week of May 21, 2014


   
SKYWARD #7
Writer(s): Jeremy Dale
Artist Name(s): Jeremy Dale
Cover Artist(s): Jeremy Dale
THE RUNAWAY HIT SERIES CONTINUES!  War is coming, and in the wake of Skerrigan's attack,
where does that leave the inhabitants of the Rabite village? The rise of the Brother Kings' army starts here!
From rising star creator Jeremy Dale (GI Joe, Marvel Kapow!), this issue also features a stunning
RETAILER INCENTIVE cover by Phil Noto (Batgirl, X-Men)!

      



 
 

 

ITTY BITTY BUNNIES IN RAINBOW PIXIE CANDYLAND #1

Writer(s): Dean Rankine

Artist Name(s) Dean Rankine
Cover Artist(s): Dean Rankine

 

Take some time for an adventure to a magical world with two cute

bunnies... two foul mouthed, drug using, butt-naked bunnies that go on adorably

offensive, insultingly hilarious adventures! Your journey into off-color fun begins

here, with this mix of Adventure Time and underground comix! Also available in an

alternate classic comic spoof variant cover!

  

 
ZOMBIE TRAMP VOL.2 #4 (of 4)
Writer(s): Dan Mendoza
Artist Name(s): Dan Mendoza
Cover Artist(s): Dan Mendoza
Synopsis: Now that Janey and her mysterious new friend Morning have reached their
destination, things get even more volatile as a friend from the past comes to visit our
Zombie Tramp. Double-crosses, revenge, and the Necronomicon all collide in the
conclusion to The Taint Train of Terror! Alternate “risqué” variant cover also
available
     



.


ZOMBIE TRAMP VOL.2 TPB
Writer(s): Dan Mendoza
Artist Name(s): Dan Mendoza
Cover Artist(s): Dan Mendoza
Everyone’s favorite street-walking dead returns! Janey the Zombie Tramp
makes a mysterious new friend and together they board an express train to more
fetish, gore, cartoon grindhouse mayhem in the style that fans of the series have
come to love! Are Janey’s budding undead powers enough to see her through
another deadly adventure on the…Taint Train of Terror?
 Collects the entire second volume just in time for the all new ongoing series
relaunch!