DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for July 4, 2012

COMICS

Continuing his graphic adaptations of Richard Stark’s ‘Parker’ series of late 50s gangster crime novels, Darwyn Cooke takes on The Score. Recommended if you like Mad Men, loose women and loose cigarettes. All of our favorite creators populate the picks this week. Mike Norton’s Battlepug webcomic is collected for fans of the barbarian and his trusty gigantic pug. Check out the series weekly here. The book will include tons of bonus puggage! Man of Action Studios is back with another all ages pick Batula! Livingston the fruit bat is bitten by a vampire and the transformation takes hold. Your kids will love to join Batula on his adventures …. “Not a single Captain America book shipped this week. That’s weird.” — LeaguePodcast.com.

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DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for June 27, 2012

 



COMICS

Hypernaturals #1 is a brand new cosmic book from BOOM! Studios and the minds of superstar British writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning. Abnett and Lanning are best known for reigniting the power cosmic at Marvel with Annihilators, Guardians of the Galaxy and Thanos Imperative. Issue #1 is sold out, meaning your store only has limited copies, fans are eating this up. What’s harder than being funny week after week with these glib recommendations? Drawing ‘funny’, of course! Train yourself or your kid to be the next Don Martin with Terry Moore’s How to Draw Funny. Marvel and Archie have been stealing headlines with gay marriages, but what happens when a 50 Foot Lesbian attacks your city? Call in the rainbow brigade from the hilarious Spandex- Hard and Fast by Martin Eden. … Equal opportunity picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

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EARTH PRIME TIME: ‘SUPER KNOCKED UP’ WEB SERIES WITH JEFF BURNS

A womanizing superhero hooks up with his greatest foe, only to be thrust into the lifetime commitment of being a parent. Super Knocked Up is the web series and comic book telling the tale. We talk with series creator Jeff Burns to get the inside track on his action-packed take on superhero tropes in the hilarious web series.

Thanks for joining us, Jeff. Care to give us an elevator pitch?

Super Knocked Up is an action comedy about a female super villain who gets knocked up by a superhero and has to raise the baby with her nemesis. 

This doesn’t sound like a relationship that is off to a great start.
These are the last people on Earth either wants to be thrown together with. Yet, they are involved in the horribly awkward situation that we have a lot of fun with. Comedy, action and drama all in one. I’m proud of what my cast and crew did. It is a fun series.

Where can we check this out?
At the beginning of June we are re-releasing the five episodes from Season 1 on KoldcastTV.com. On our website, you can see four bonus episodes where you can see more of the world in Super Knocked Up.

[READ MORE at DIGBOSTON.COM]

EARTH PRIME TIME: ‘SUPER KNOCKED UP’ WEB SERIES WITH JEFF BURNS by clay-fernald

EARTH PRIME TIME: DIESEL SWEETIES: INTERVIEW WITH RSTEVENS

ROFLCON III brought us many a delightful meme and comic culture fodder. Following the map in our choose-your-own-adventure guide, we found our way to the webcomic panel with Richard Stevens of the Diesel Sweeties webcomic and Sam Brown of Exploding Dog. The Q & A got bizarre (as only a self referential Internet conference can get), so I asked Richard to talk to us about the comic market, webcomics, toasters, pixel kittens and more.

Richard — thank you so much for joining us. Are you, in fact, a robot?
I identify as a robot, so I do believe you are supposed to give me the option of a robot bathroom due to the fact that we’re both in Massachusetts.

Sam Brown and R Stevens from ROFLCON informationPhone cam

We usually talk about comics that flop around your hand. While it is true that you can hold an iPad or laptop in your hand, your work does not start out with the intention of being printed. How have digital comic strips grown with you and your style?
I don’t really see a difference between paper and electronic comics as far as the writing and art goes. I don’t think that anyone who focuses on that divide is going to enjoy the next ten or twenty years.

If anything, I think we’re going to see comic books move closer to the webcomics model: Frequent updates published electronically, followed by more expensive permanent copies for the bookshelf.

Working digitally allows you to rapidly iterate ideas as if you were living some kind of high-concept Grant Morrison X-Men ruining secret laboratory so that only the strongest survive, break free, and imprint themselves on paper.

[READ MORE at DIGBOSTON.COM]

EARTH PRIME TIME: STAR TREK COMICS AT IDW

The 2013 Star Trek sequel has wrapped filming but there is more to see in the JJ Abrams Trek timeline while we boldly wait for a release date.

The Boston Sci-Fi/Fantasy Meetup group had a hand in selling out Coolidge Corner Theatre on Monday to wrap up Season 7 of the theatre’s Science on Screen series with Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. Before the screening of the scratchy print, NOAA‘s Dr. David Wiley educated the audience on his research on humpback whales in Stellwagen Bank and how the magnificent creatures use their flukes to create giant splashes to trap dinner.

We trapped our own meal—fruit roll-ups from the concession stand and Cokes. Just like when we first saw the film in 1986.

[READ MORE AT DIGBOSTON.COM]

EARTH PRIME TIME: STAR TREK COMICS AT IDW by clay-fernald

EARTH PRIME TIME: MAURICE SENDAK

Author and illustrator Maurice Sendak passed away yesterday at the age of 83.  Where the Wild Things Are inspired generations of adults and children—maintaining a dark and mysterious tone while celebrating play and discovery. Sendak taught us to hug the monsters under the bed and not be afraid of the dark.

Mr. Sendak was recently on the Colbert Report in January full of energy and wit. He even endorsed Stephen’s first attempt at a children’s book, I Am a Pole (And So Can You!).

“I don’t write for children. I write, and somebody says, ‘that’s for children’.”

EARTH PRIME TIME: MAURICE SENDAK by clay-fernald

[READ MORE at DIGBOSTON.COM]

DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for May 9, 2012

COMICS

Comic book master John Byrne (Superman, X-Men, Fantastic Four) subtracts one from the superhero family to bring us his creator owned Trio #1. … The stars of the show are Rock, Paper and Scissors. No room for a guy that catches on fire in this book! … The Pro from Garth Ennis, Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti pits a super-powered prostitute against the hard livin’ streets. Oh my! … Takio is our all- ages pick this week from Avengers scribe Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming. Sisters Taki and Olivia deal with being the only superheroes on the planet, can they handle all of the pressure? … Picks this week from the letter T and LeaguePodcast.com.

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DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for May 2, 2012

COMICS

Robert Venditti (The Surrogates) pens the triumphant return of 1990s armored barbarian X-O Manowar for the all-new Valiant Universe. Look for the talking voice variant cover of issue #1 to hear ‘The Voice of War’. … You sure hate Mondays, but Wednesdays just got a little better with the debut of Garfield #1 from kaboom!. Comics legend Mark Evanier (DNAgents, Groo, MAD Magazine) teams up with artist Gary Barker for comic gooier than 7 layer lasagna! … The less questions asked about the new-new DC continuity the better. Earth 2 #1 materializes over at DC to give us alternate versions of Batman, Superman, Power Girl and Huntress. Why? Only Starman’s James Robinson knows. It’s comics—just consume and accept! … LeaguePodcast supports your decision to bring the kids to Free Comic Book Day Saturday!

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DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for April 4, 2012

COMICS

We’re doing an artist and fanboy edition for you starving comic fans out there this week! First up is Dursin’s favorite artist Terry Moore with another instructional book, How to Draw - Beautiful. Step by step instructions to go from drawing stick figures to Toulouse-Lautrec dancing girls in weeks! … If you can draw a box, you are halfway to drawing a robot in disguise! That’s right, friends, IDW publishes a definitive guide to drawing Transformers in How To Draw Transformers - Prime. We wish we had this book as a kid! … Wrapping up this segment showcases one of the most dynamic artists in the business Humberto Ramos (Amazing Spider-Man). Humberto and Sam Humphries drop Fanboys vs. Zombies #1 for just a buck! Save your money for art supplies! … Supportive words and pictures this week from LeaguePodcast.com!

Jumping On Point: THE NIGHTLY NEWS by Jonathan Hickman

The Nightly News was originally published as a six-issue limited series from Image Comics in 2008.

The collected edition is available in trade paperback and an anniversary hardcover.

In the months after #occupy, this is required reading for comic book fans angry with the media and the distortions portrayed by the beast.

Hickman currently works on Marvel’s flagship superhero family Fantastic Four as well as the Ultimate Universe version of The Avengers, The Ultimates.

His earlier work such as The Nightly News and Pax Romana showcases his abilities not only as the writer but also as letterer, colorist, designer and artist.

The best way to describe the art is as an infographic. Every page is footnoted, cataloged, referenced, carefully balanced as graphic design and just packed with words. I had several hard, false starts getting into the book. I’d read a few pages, get lost and distracted.   

[READ MORE at FORCES OF GEEK]

EARTH PRIME TIME: CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT & COMMANDER X PREVIEW WITH JAY PISCOPO

Moonstone Books will co-publish a cross-over one shot with local publisher Nemo Publishing to rebirth the legendary golden age hero Captain Midnight in December 2012. We’re huge fans of  the collaborators, Jay Piscopo (Nemo, Capt’n Eli) and Brian Augustyn (DC Comics, Gotham by Gaslight). Jay was kind enough to take us to the skies and give us a birds-eye view of what to expect!

[READ MORE at DIGBOSTON.COM]

[LISTEN at SOUNDCLOUD] EARTH PRIME TIME: CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT & COMMANDER X PREVIEW WITH JAY PISCOPO by clay-fernald

PEANUTS & CHARLIE BROWN GO KABOOM! at FORCES OF GEEK!

A new ongoing comic introduces the next generation to a strip synonymous with growing up with growing pains.

With the success of Happiness is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown, Kaboom! Studios releases the first original Peanuts stories since Charles Schulz’s death in 2000.

Peanuts #2 from Kaboom!

The monthly series reprints Sparky’s Sunday strips in full color, but also invites new creative teams to the mound.

[READ MORE at FORCES OF GEEK!]

DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for February 29, 2012

COMICS

Terry McGinnis, Batman of 2019, faces an onslaught of 10,000 Jokerz in Batman Beyond Unlimited #1. This future tale is drawn by legendary 90s Batman artist Norm Breyfogle and introduces Justice League Beyond! Preview here. … Samurai’s Blood is finally collected into trade paperback from Image Comics this week. Three teenage samurai must defend their family honor and take revenge on the evil force threatening their clan. Read our interview with writer Owen Wiseman HERE AT DIGBOSTON: EARTH PRIME TIME! … Gamers and comic fans can rejoice over the release of Darkness II and Darkness #100. Written by Phil Hester and variant cover by legendary Todd McFarlane, Jackie must stare in to the face of the Darkness itself! Button mashing comic picks this week from LeaguePodcast.

SAMURAI’S BLOOD: OWEN WISEMAN INTERVIEW here!

DEBUT COLUMN at FORCES OF GEEK - T.H.U.N.D.E.R AGENTS / THE WORLD BELOW

AM I CRAZY? HERE’S A NEW SITE I’M WRITING FOR - FORCES OF GEEK! Enjoy! — Clay

********************

SPENCER FOR HIRE: T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS / THE WORLD BELOW

Joss Whedon’s The Avengers will surely be a blockbuster hit this summer and most teenagers are familiar with the Justice League from the cartoons, but today

we focus on the best superhero team you’ve never heard of, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents.

Named after 60s spy thriller The Man From U.N.C.L.E., The Higher United Nations Defense Enforcement Reserves operates outside the boundaries of national interest, working to achieve world peace. The late artist Wally Wood and writer Len Brown created the first series, and now rising star Nick Spencer (Morning Glories, Iron Man 2.0) leads the team to the future.

Dynamo, NoMan, Menthor, Raven and Lightning fight the organization S.P.I.D.E.R. (Secret People’s International Directorate for Extralegal Revenue) and also a Subterranean society.

[READ MORE at FORCES OF GEEK]

DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for January 18, 2012

COMICS

The controversial and gifted storyteller Grant Morrison released an analysis of super heroes and autobiography Supergods last year. Check out his take on British TV’s Avengers in Steed and Mrs. Peel #1. Best read in your worst Scottish accent aloud on the bus with one eyebrow raised! … If you’re trapped in the prison of Hell, you had best outsmart the mysterious Warden to escape. Greg Pak (Hulk) and Tony Parker (Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep) debut Dead Mans Run #1 this week. Preview here. … We hate repeating ourselves but, come on! This Mark Waid Daredevil book is what everyone is talking about, plus Daredevil #8 features The Amazing Spider-Man and Black Cat! Don’t miss the astounding classic art style of Paolo Rivera and Matt Murdock being happy for once! Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.

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EARTH PRIME TIME: NEW COLUMN at DIGBOSTON.COM

My debut colum covers everything you need to know about the new Cobra Commander!

I was eleven when they were building Serpentor. Serpentor was derived from the DNA of the world’s greatest warriors, and I was along for the ride. Who needed Chrome Dome leading Cobra when you could build your own? Issue #49 still has the teeth marks on the spine. Smartly, I brought the next issue home on my bike in a bag. Now, here’s my first column of EARTH PRIME TIME.

[READ MORE at DIGBOSTON.COM].

DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for December 14, 2011

JAMAL IGLE - THE RAYMEMORIAL #1 - CHRIS ROBERSON, IDW

SACRIFICE - SAM HUMPHRIES, DALTON ROSE

COMICS

Jamal Igle (Supergirl, Action Comics #900) is a superstar artist working exclusively for DC. His latest assignment is with Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray (Jonah Hex) for a New 52 reimagining of The Ray. Lucien Gates is transformed from surfer dude to glowing hero The Ray to fight Godzilla-sized monsters! Want to hear more about this? We’ve got an exclusive interview with Jamal posted at LeaguePodcast here! … Memorial #1 from Chris Roberson (Superman/iZombie) features the story of Em, a young lady who inherits a disappearing magic shop and talking cat! … What happens when you are ripped from the present, bumping Unknown Pleasures in your earbuds and awaken to find yourself facing the bloodlust of the Aztecs? Sacrifice #1 illustrates just what might happen! Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.

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DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for November 30, 2011

COMICS

DC’s New 52 keeps ‘em coming with T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #1 from Nick Spencer and Wes Craig, packed with superhero team action from rising talent in the biz. … “Riverdale, you wanted the best, you got the best!” Melding a long tradition of incongruous crossovers (see Archie Meets the Punisher) and the vital fluid of KISS marketing, we present Archie #627 - Archie Meets KISS! … For tales of the weird and absurd, look no further than Michael Kupperman’s Tales Designed to Thrizzle #7. That’s right, more tales of Snake N’ Bacon plus this ish features the comic book debut of creepy 70s TV medical examiner, Quincy, M.E. in ‘Quinception’…. Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

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DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for November 23, 2011

COMICS

 

Excelsior! Fifty years ago, Fantastic Four debuted as Marvel’s grounded in reality super family, sprouting from the minds of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. 50 years on, the selfsame World’s Greatest Comics Magazine celebrates 600 issues, natch! We hope will we finally see the return of the Human Torch! … Families have their share of complicated history in the Marvel Universe, and as you belly up to that Thanksgiving table, be thankful your twin brother isn’t in The Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. Catch Avengers Origins Quicksilver And Scarlet Witch over some pumpkin pie. … Terry Moore continues his nifty art school series this week with How To Draw #2 - Expressions. Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

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DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for November 16, 2011

 

COMICS

An old enemy of the Waynes in Gotham City resurfaces as crime spikes, busying the Dark Knight with bat-famliy domestic disturbances in Batman #3. … British creator Paul Grist delights audiences with his adept cartooning and clever callbacks to comic book history. Welcome Grist’s teenage Mudman #1 from Image Comics into your home, but insist on leaving those boots at the door! … Superior and Kick Ass fans, get the Kapow Guinness World Record Special penned by over 50 creators in just 12 hours to benefit sick kids. … LeaguePodcast.com have reached a comic book milestone today - download or stream episode #100 today! Special shout-out from our nerd MC Frontalot here!

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