League Podcast & Do617 Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. Aug 31 2016

COMICS

The Legend of Wonder Woman wraps up it’s first arc with issue #9 today, written and drawn by Renae De Liz. This YA telling of the Wonder Woman story is the perfect intro to get young girls interested before the Amazonian Princess hits the big screen next year! … Sampson’s league of super-villains are taking over the planet in Mark Millar and Frank Quitely’s incredible Jupiter’s Legacy Vol. 2 #3. … The Deadite polls show a huge gap but we know who is going to take the election this year in the land of the Necronomicon Ex Mortis: Ash, baby! Don’t wait until November, check out the Army Of Darkness Ash For President today!… Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

‘James Bond Vol.1: VARGR’ (review) at FORCES OF GEEK

James Bond Vol. 1: VARGR
Written by Warren Ellis
Illustrated by Jason Masters
Published by Dynamite Entertainment
ISBN: 9781606909010 | Price $19.99
Release date: June 22, 2016

Those fans of 007 may not have gotten all they wanted from Daniel Craig’s most recent performance of the MI-6 agent in Spectre last year, but may very well be delighted at what Warren Ellis has been able to do in the comic series from Dynamite.

Ian Fleming Publications and the Fleming Estate commissioned Ellis to approach the character for comics stemming from a licensing deal with Dynamite. The first story art is collected here in one volume, VARGR. Currently on stands is Ellis’ second arc with artist Jason Masters. More writers and artists including Andy Diggle (Green Arrow) will be brought on later this year to fill out more of 007’s modern comic continuity.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

League Podcast & Do617 Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. Aug 22, 2016

COMICS

Yo, Joe! Cobra is dealing with an inside agent that might bring them down in G.I.Joe: A Real American Hero #231! … A new villain is ready to take on Spawn in issue #265 written by Todd McFarlane and drawn by Erik Larsen! … Slade Wilson is back in Deathstroke #1 as he finds himself in the middle a ruthless super villain and a deadly dictator. … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

League Podcast & Do617 Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. Aug 17, 2016

COMICS

Supergirl is back in Supergirl Rebirth #1 written by Steve Orlando (Midnighter) featuring a lost Kryptonian werewolf! … Brian Wood is back with a gritty anti-government secessionist portrait of a small town with Briggs Land #1, in development for an AMC tv show! …The Mighty Thor #10 pits Jane Foster against S.H.I.E.L.D.! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

‘The Sheriff of Babylon Vol. 1: Bang. Bang. Bang.’ (book review) at Forces of Geek

The Sheriff of Babylon Vol. 1: Bang. Bang. Bang
Written by Tom King
Illustrated by Mitch Gerards
Cover by John Paul Leon
Published by Vertigo Comics
ISBN: 978-1401264666 | Price $14.99
Release date: July 13, 2016

Crime and war in post-9/11 Iraq is captured in Sheriff of Babylon written by Tom King (Batman, The Vision) and drawn by Mitch Gerads (The Activity, The Punisher).

King draws on his experience as a CIA officer to create a deeply personal rich reflection of the Baghdad of 2004 through the eyes of a former cop and current military contractor Christopher, his Muslim Iraqi girlfriend Sophia and former Iraqi police officer Nassir.

By being exposed to the environment, King has created, along with the carefully researched accuracy of Gerads’ artwork, a military crime fiction of the highest order—it just so happens to be in comic book form.

League Podcast & Do617 Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. August 10, 2016

COMICS

Rebirth has been interesting, but one of the most anticipated books is Scott Snyder’s return to The Bat with All-Star Batman #1! … Supergirl? Move over, there is a new Superwoman in town written by Phil Jimenez as Lois Lane takes flight in Superwoman #1! … Celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Labyrinth #1 written by Jonathan Case. This special issue is printed on some high quality paper and special holofoil! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

League Podcast & Do617 Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. Aug 3, 2016

COMICS

Killer queens, dynamite with a laser beam in this week’s picks! To coincide with this summer’s deadly DC movie hit is Suicide Squad Rebirth #1! … Frank The Tank stars in Punisher #4 - Not for kids, duh! … Joelle Jones’ killer housewife is back in Lady Killer 2 #1 from Dark Horse. Be careful at this lady’s Tupperware party—of demise! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

‘Tetris: The Games People Play’ by Box Brown (graphic novel review) at Forces Of Geek

Tetris: The Games People Play
Written and Illustrated by Box Brown
Published by First Second
Release Date: October 11, 2016
EAN 9781626723153
Price: $19.99

The New York Times Bestselling author Box Brown (Andre The Giant: Life and Legend) returns for his second major release through First Second to be released in October of this year. With herds of roaming purple-eyed glow kids tripping on curbs to collect the latest Pokemon lately, we thought this a fitting time to review the origin of Tetris in Tetris: The Games People Play.

Brown illustrates the graphic novel using two color printing (yellow and black) and a simplistic but humorous style that is uniquely his.

The story of Tetris doesn’t include Man from U.N.C.L.E. espionage, but it does have a dramatic element and compelling story that is difficult to put down.

Back in my day, my family, like Brown’s, all fought over the grey screened Game Boys and this addictive Russian video game, shrunken down from the full color version on our ‘big’ TVs.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

League Podcast & Do617 Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. July 27, 2016

 

COMICS Holy Bat-Rebirth books, Batman! We couldn’t help it, from the Robins to Babs, here are the sidekick picks of the week! First up is Tim Seeley’s Nightwing #1 puts Dick back in the black and blue and gives him a new mentor that might make him un-learn what Bruce put in his head! … Not to be forgotten is Jason Todd in Red Hood and the Outlaws #1 as Jason teams up with Bizarro to take down Gotham’s underground criminal element. … It’s Batgirl Beyond Burnside in a new Batgirl #1 written by Hope Larson and drawn by American Vampire’s Rafael Albuquerque. It’s Batgirl—in Japan! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

The Cloud GN (book review) at Forces Of Geek

Written by K. I. Zachopoulos
Illustrated by Vincenzo Balzano
Published by BOOM! Studios/Archaia
Pub. Date: July 20, 2016
Price: $24.99
UPC:  978160886725752499
Buy It Here

The Cloud is the latest graphic novel release from Archaia, an imprint of BOOM! Studios. This fantasy world is set far in the future as a boy and his trusty flying wolf Cloud travel to discover the secrets of his father and seek after a totem for wishes.

Come along and get lost in this beautifully delightful adventure story with pirates, defiant pachyderms, and talking statues.

This adventure story of a boy and his wolf will transport you to another world that is familiar but forever changed by the actions of our time. In the future of The Cloud we are left with mountain cities in the sky as the earth below is no longer fit from the actions occurring in “The Great Before”.

Each page of this graphic novel is beautifully painted by Vincenzo Balzano (Revenge: The Secret Origin of Emily Thorne) borrowing thoughtful stylistic elements from the likes of Dave McKean (Sandman) and Bill Sienkiewicz.

Fans of The Sandman: The Dream Hunters will most certainly enjoy this story tonally. The pitch and solicit also make sure to mention The NeverEnding Story a bit and for good reason. Cloud and Falkor have much in common. The boys in both stories are adventurers on a quest.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

League Podcast & Do617 Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. July 20, 2016

COMICS

The long awaited Rom The Space Knight returns to comics in IDW’s Rom #1 as Rom faces the Dire Wraiths in ‘Earthfall’ part one. … Betty & Veronica go head to head in the re-up of the Archie-verse written and drawn by Adam Hughes in Betty & Veronica #1. … Gotham’s protectors Batgirl and the Birds of Prey Rebirth reveals to the world Bab’s time as Oracle. What will this mean to Batgirl, Huntress and Black Canary as we know them? Find out in Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #1! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

League Podcast & Do617 Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. July 13, 2016

COMICS

Straight outta Townsville, it’s The Powerpuff Girls #1, previewing the new 40-episode series on The Cartoon Network! … One of our favorite writers, Cullen Bunn takes on Conan in Conan the Slayer #1, cover by Lee Bermejo! … Lilly and Eva are realizing the truth about the fallen earth in Satellite Falling #3, a great new space opera from IDW! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

Neil Gaiman: Dream Dangerously (movie review) at FORCES OF GEEK

Produced by Jordan Rennert, Patrick Meaney,
Julian Darius, Mike Phillips,
Cat Mihos, Morgan Peter Brown
Directed by Patrick Meaney
Starring Neil Gaiman, Amanda Palmer,
George R.R. Martin, Grant Morrison,
Karen Berger, Shelly Bond, Terry Prachett,
Lenny Henry, Michael Sheen, Patton Oswalt,
Chip Kid, Wil Wheaton, Jill Thompson

The living embodiment of The Sandman and literary genius Neil Gaiman (American Gods, The Ocean at the End of the Lane) is highlighted in this documentary from SeqArt, following Neil on his final book signing world tour.

That is too say, Neil will, at the end of the documentary have signed over 75,000 books and need to ice his had after every session. An artist with such class and graciousness is rare for wanting face time with all of his fans, just one last time. No one can accuse Neil of being a ‘Ringo’ about his signing tour. He wants to get back to writing. At some point he decided he wanted the final tour to happen, so he, like one of his Endless characters, planted the seed in his fan’s dreams and let this pan out one last time.

With some great interviews with celebrity fans Wil Wheaton, George R.R. Martin, Jonathan Ross, Lenny Henry, Grant Morrison, the late Terry Pratchett and so many more, this insightful documentary about Neil’s writing and life will be surely devoured by his devout followers and comics fans that recognize how works like Sandman truly changed the conversation and cultural landscape.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

League Podcast & Do617 Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. July 7, 2016

COMICS

Captain Jack Harkness will get you by tonight in Torchwood #1 written by actor John Barrowman (Torchwood/Arrow). This new Titan series is sure to make you question which side you are on, as long as that side is Jack’s sexual side! This is a canonical continuation of the Torchwood saga! …Yabba Dabba Do! Pick up The Flintstones #1, the latest in the bizarre retellings of Hanna Barbera cartoons that paint our favorite Stone Age Family in a semi-realistic light. Trust us, Issue #1 will rock you! … Not to be confused with anyone else’s Avengers, Batman ‘66 Meets Steed and Mrs. Peel in a new #1. Campy sixties spy crossovers that never happened for real are happening in the comics pages and we couldn’t be happier! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

League Podcast & Do617 Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. June 29, 2016

COMICS

That was fast, Steve Rogers Captain America #2 retcons the retcon, here’s to hoping he still punched Hilter in the face!… Batman and Robin are about to take on a war with The Master Race and Superman shows up! DKIII: Master Race #5 is out today. Bobbi and Hawkeye go for an under the sea adventure in Mockingbird #4! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

Triple Shot With a Digital Chaser: ‘Action Man #1’, ‘She-Wolf #2’, ‘James Bond’ #7 & ‘Adventures of Supergirl’ #11

This return of Triple Shot brings us a little known action hero from the UK getting his due with IDW’s Action Man #1, a teenage girl wolf’s out in She-Wolf #1 from Image and the Duke of Dapper James Bond starts in on a new adventure “Eidolon” written by Warren Ellis issue #007!.

Are you missing out on Supergirl lately? Don’t fret because Sterling Gates has been keeping Kara and the Danvers girls busy in our Digital Chaser for Adventures of Supergirl #11.

Action Man #1

Writer: John Barber
Artist: Paolo Villanelli
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Pub. Date: June 22, 2016
UPC: 82771401090900121
BUY IT HERE

John Barber (Transformers) starts us out in media res with our hero Action Man infiltrating Doctor X’s headquarters.

Don’t know who Action Man is? Picture G.I. Joe but for Anglophiles.

I’m not talking the little guys, we’re talking Original 1960’s Kung-Fu Grip that might ask for a spot of tea.

Paolo Villanelli (Snake Eyes) is on art and if you crave a modern G.I.Joe title (one that is noticeably missing from the current IDW line), Action Manmight be what you are looking for!

Action Man is a highly trained soldier in martial arts, weapons and even the culinary arts according to this incarnation. He’s Duke, Snake-Eyes and Roadblock all rolled into one!

That is, of course until a Wrath of Khan moment changes the fate of Action Man!

This is a fun start to the series that I look forward to continuing, a mashup of James Bond, The Kingsmen: Secret Service, G.I. Joe and Torchwood, Action Man has what it takes to keep me interested!

And to be honest, the Train Fight certainly jumped my ratings from a low 4 to a high 5, targeting for my own locomotive combat preference.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK.COM]

League Podcast & Do617 Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. June 22, 2016

COMICS

Part G.I.Joe, part James Bond, Action Man #1 hits shelves today! The Action Man relaunch from IDW is highly anticipated on both sides of the pond! … Archie is barred from Lodge Manor so how will Veronica get to hang with Archie Andrews? Mark Waid’s Archie #9 out today. … Back Off! Bitch Planet is back today with issue #8 from Kelly Sue DeConnick — follow the prison planet action as Kam gets reunited with her sister! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

FOG! Chats With ‘The Revisionist’ Writer Frank J. Barbiere - at FORCES OF GEEK

Frank Barbiere (Five Ghosts, Avengers World) joins us today to talk about his latest time travel crime book  The Revisionist from new publisher Aftershock. The ongoing title stars time traveling assassin tasked with repairing a cracked timeline!

FOG!: Thanks for joining us today, Frank! The Revisionist #1 is out now, from Aftershock. How did you get involved in the launch of a new publisher?

Frank Barbiere: I had met Mike Marts a few times socially, and was always interested in working with him. Mike has edited many of my favorite books, including long runs on X-Men and Batman.

When Aftershock was starting to get the ball rolling, Mike reached out to see if I had any creator owned properties I was interested in pursuing.

I’m a creator who loves to have my own books as well as work for hire, so I quickly responded with a few ideas I had kicking around and we settled on The Revisionist.

Are you happy and excited to work with them? The roster from day one certainly caught my eye!

It’s been a wonderful experience. Aftershock has built a really strong publisher where they let their talent have creative freedom and work with the people they want—I was able to handpick my creative team (co-creator and artist Garry Brown and colorist Lauren Affe), as I knew they’d deliver a book we were all proud of.

Everyone involved is extremely passionate about having beautiful, quality books and I think it shows in their library. It’s an honor to be amongst some of the best creators in comics, as well as some of the best new talent.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

League Podcast Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. June 15, 2016

COMICS

Finally - Solo Solo! Han Solo #1 gives an inside look at your favorite Nerf Herder. For the first time ever, is Star Wars: Han Solo #1 (of 5). …The ticket to vote for this November isn’t one of the two candidates on the news all the time. We have another sneaky option, Vote Loki #1. … Fred Van Lente’s newest comic series is Weird Detective #1 from Dark Horse. Detective Sebastian Greene is the monster cop vs The Old Ones. … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

League Podcast Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. June 8, 2016

COMICS

Sherlock with Cumberbatch is probably the greatest show ever, and what could be better than Japanese Manga versions of Sherlock written by Steven Moffat, Mark Gatiss. Available in the States and the UK for the first time ever! … The greatest pilot in the galaxy (and his pal BB-8) Poe Dameron hits with #3 this week. If you want to make an omelette, you may need to break a few highly revered holy eggs! … It is Kirk v The Klingons in Star Trek Manifest Destiny #4 of 4. 50 years of Trek? So Wow! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.